Business
Cars45 launches initiative to boot out unemployment
Cars45 launches initiative to boot out unemployment
Lagos, Nigeria: 8th October 2019
Nigeria’s leading automotive trading platform, Cars45 has launched an innovative empowerment initiative, Cars45 Automotive Entrepreneur Programme. The platform is designed as a framework for poverty alleviation and drive business growth and profitability for individuals irrespective of their social class.
The initiative provides Nigerians with the opportunity of making extra income by referring people to buy, swap or sell their cars or subscribe to the rich bouquet of services that Cars45 offers. These services include its Emergency Road Assistance, Premium Inspections, Concierge, Inspection and Valuation, Pre-Order, Annual Maintenance Contract amongst others.
Speaking on the initiative’s reason for being, CEO, Cars45, Etop Ikpe noted that the company’s initiative is in tandem with the federal government’s desire to drive economic growth, invest in human capital and build a globally competitive economy while adding that the initiative will complement government’s efforts to move millions out of the poverty bucket as a viable and sustainable income stream.
“We recognize that our platform helps to create lot of opportunities for people and Nigeria’s biggest problem today is unemployment. We have a huge youth population that must be fully engaged. And so, at Cars45 we simply created a programme that enable people without any prior education or experience with the automotive retail to be engaged and make something for themselves. This Automotive Entrepreneurship programme has been re-designed to equip people with the right technology as well as enable participants increase their income levels by leveraging our services,” he said.
In a keynote presentation at the launch event by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on the Ease of Doing Business and Secretary, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), she commended the giant strides made by entrepreneurial ventures like Cars45 in deepening economic growth.
“Companies like Cars45 represent the energy of this economy as entrepreneurial activities account for over 48 percent of GDP contributions and therefore are a demography that can’t be ignored. We are not unaware of the challenges that businesses face and we are doing everything within our power to set the economy on the right path. It is important to see every challenge as an opportunity. I am happy that Cars45 is one of the forward thinking and visionary organizations in the automotive space and with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement AfCFTA, I am even more hopeful that deploying technology they would be able to scale and help grow the economy.”
On the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) Bill, Oduwole noted that there are concerted efforts to ensure broad participation in framing the policy. “There is no economy in the world that has developed without having a vibrant auto assembly and production industry because of the catalytic amount of jobs that the sector can create. There is need for a policy that will take us to where we want to be. The auto industry is pivotal and critical to the growth of our economy and so we are taking our time to shape the automotive policy so that we are able to compete with other players on the continent and enable those who have invested resources derive maximal value. We need an auto policy that will be enduring; we don’t want a policy that we will have and after few years, we will need to change it and that is why we are calling for more contributions”, she said.
According to VP, Retail Services, Cars45, John Egwu, the programme is designed to accommodate as many youths that want to be part of the scheme.
“This is a programme that can accommodate all citizens without asking for educational qualifications and very easy to access. We want to give all Nigerians another option of source of income. We are blessed as a country, so we want everyone to marshal their energy towards a new Nigerian economy model that can be self-sustaining for all,” he said.
On how the program works, VP C2B Services, Cars45, Mayokun Fadeyibi, noted that individuals can get started by signing up at www.autopreneur.cars45.com to earn commissions and bonuses on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis when they successfully refer people to buy and sell cars through the Cars45 network.
“You start as an agent today, grow to become a team leader where you manage about 20 downliners and as you consistently meet your targets, you can become a Cars45 franchise dealer partner. There is a clear and transparent growth path and using technology, people can conveniently track or monitor their progress in real time and online,” she said.
The Cars45 Automotive Entrepreneur launch attracted key players within and outside the nation’s auto industry that included Executive Director, Allianz Nigeria Insurance Plc, Owolabi Salami; Head, Retail Distribution Channels, Allianz, Ashish Mishra; GM, Suzuki, CFAO Motors, Eric Fantodji; Head, Corporate Development, Enyo Retail & Supply, Olabanjo Alimi; CEO, HCS Autos, Kunle Kosile.
Known for bringing transparency to Nigeria’s marketplace for used vehicles, Cars45 has become synonymous with creating delightful consumer experiences by offering people a fast and convenient way to buy, sell or swap their cars.
Precision and Heritage: How Fifi Stitches Is Rewriting African Fashion Narratives
A Nigerian-born designer is gradually carving out a cross-continental footprint in contemporary fashion, blending African textile heritage with British technical discipline.
Esther Fiyinfoluwa Adeosun, Founder and Creative Director of Fifi Stitches, is gaining recognition for structured womenswear and bridal couture that reinterprets traditional fabrics through architectural tailoring and precision construction.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adeosun’s fashion journey began at home, seated beside her mother’s sewing machine. What started as childhood curiosity, sometimes jamming the machine just to understand its mechanics—evolved into a disciplined design practice now operating between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
During an interview with journalists the fifi Stitches once mentioned “I was fascinated by how flat fabric could transform into something structured and meaningful”.
In her Story , early designs made for her family, though imperfectly finished, were worn with pride—an encouragement that laid the foundation for her professional confidence.
Today, Fifi Stitches is recognised for sculpted bodices, controlled tailoring, corsetry construction, and the contemporary reinterpretation of Ankara, Aso Oke, and Adire textiles.
The brand challenges the long-held perception that African fabrics belong solely in ceremonial contexts, instead positioning them within global luxury and modern design spaces.
Adeosun’s training reflects this dual perspective. She studied Fashion Design and Entrepreneurship at the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, and earned a Diploma in Fashion Design through Alison Online.
In the UK, she undertook industry-focused technical training with Fashion-Enter Ltd and gained fashion business exposure through Fashion Capital UK.
Her technical expertise spans pattern drafting, draping, garment technology, structured tailoring, corsetry, and bespoke fittings—skills she describes as central to credibility in fashion. “Precision builds trust,” she says. “A designer must understand construction as deeply as creativity.”
Fifi Stitches has showcased collections at the Suffolk Fashion Show, Liverpool Fashion Show – FB Fashion Ball, Red Carpet Fashion Event in London, and through editorial features in London Runway Magazine.
The brand has also received coverage in The Guardian Nigeria and Vanguard Allure, expanding its visibility across markets.
Beyond couture, Adeosun integrates community impact into her practice.
She has facilitated garment construction workshops, draping sessions, and introductory training programmes for women and emerging creatives, promoting fashion as both artistic expression and vocational empowerment.
Fifi Stcithes Boss operates between Nigeria and the UK, in order to continue to shape her brand identity.
According to her “Nigeria provides cultural richness and expressive textile traditions, while the UK offers structured production systems, sustainability conversations, and institutional frameworks”.
Looking ahead, Adeosun said she plan to establish a fully structured fashion house spanning Africa and the UK, develop scalable production partnerships, launch capsule collections, and expand independent editorial visibility.
Her broader ambition is clear: to position African textile craftsmanship within global contemporary design conversations—through structure, discipline, and technical excellence.
GTCO Launches “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, Opens Call for Applications
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”) has announced the launch of “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, reaffirming its commitment to fostering innovation, empowering talent, and supporting the development of technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges across Africa.
Now in its third edition, the Hackathon brings together developers, designers and entrepreneurs across Nigeria in a collaborative environment to build practical solutions across key sectors including financial services, healthcare, commerce and digital inclusion. Under the theme “Smart Systems: The Intelligent Economy,” participants are challenged to design and build intelligent, data-driven solutions that transform how communities engage with money.
Applications are now open, and interested teams can find full guidelines and registration details on the official portal at https://squadco.com/hackathon.
Speaking on the initiative, Eduophon Japhet, Managing Director of HabariPay, stated: “Today’s dynamic, digitally driven world demands continuous innovation, which is shaping how economies grow, how businesses scale, and how societies evolve. Through “Take on Squad” Hackathon, we are deliberately investing in the ideas and talent that will define the future. Our objective is not simply to encourage innovation, but to enable its translation into scalable solutions that deliver real and measurable impact. This reflects GTCO’s role as a financial services platform that connects capital, capability, and creativity to drive sustainable progress.”
The social coding event remains a cornerstone of HabariPay’s mission to foster creativity and problem-solving among emerging tech talents. Competing teams will leverage Squad’s advanced APIs to create scalable digital tools that address everyday challenges faced by businesses and individuals.
Through initiatives such as this, GTCO continues to position itself at the intersection of finance, technology and enterprise, actively shaping the future of digital transformation in Africa.
About HabariPay
HabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.
Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.
HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.
About Squad
Squad is a complete digital payments solution that is reliable, secure, and affordable, making receiving in-person and online payments simpler and convenient.
Thousands of merchants currently leverage Squad’s payment solutions for their daily business operations. Squad’s current products and service offerings include SquadPOS, Squad Payment Links, Squad Virtual Accounts, USSD, and E-Commerce Storefront.
Find out more at www.squadco.com.
Electric 8-Seater Tula Moto Keke Enters Nigerian Market, Targets Higher Operator Earnings
LAGOS — A new electric-powered tricycle with an expanded passenger capacity has been introduced into Nigeria’s urban transport sector, offering operators a potentially more profitable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional petrol-driven “keke.”
The newly launched 8-seater electric tricycle, now available in Lagos with plans for nationwide distribution, features a dual-row seating arrangement capable of accommodating up to eight passengers per trip—significantly higher than the standard three-passenger configuration common across the country.
Promoters of the innovation say the increased capacity is designed to boost daily earnings for operators, particularly amid persistent fluctuations in fuel prices. By running entirely on electric power, the vehicle eliminates dependence on petrol, reducing operating costs and shielding drivers from fuel price volatility.
According to the distributors, the tricycle is equipped with a durable battery system capable of covering extended distances on a single charge, making it suitable for commercial operations across high-traffic routes, residential estates, campuses, and marketplaces.
“The concept is straightforward—enable drivers to earn more while spending less,” a company representative stated. “With higher passenger capacity and zero fuel requirements, operators can maximise each trip without the burden of daily fuel expenses.”
Beyond its cost-saving potential, the electric keke is also said to require less maintenance than traditional models, offering additional long-term savings. Its quieter and smoother operation is expected to enhance passenger comfort and overall commuting experience.
Industry analysts note that the introduction of electric mobility solutions reflects a growing shift toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation alternatives in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban centres such as Lagos.
The distributors added that the product is currently available under a limited promotional offer, with delivery options across the country.
For inquiries and purchase: 📞 08153432071
📞 08035889103
Office Address:
📍 Plot 9, Block 113, Beulah Plaza,
Lekki–Epe Expressway,
Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
As transportation costs continue to rise and environmental concerns gain prominence, innovations like the electric 8-seater keke may signal an emerging transition toward more efficient and sustainable mobility solutions nationwide.
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