*IMPACT CITY NIGERIA Steps into Car Repairs and Maintenance, Promises to Restore Trust in the Industry

In Nigeria’s often unpredictable business climate, some companies not only survive but thrive, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. One such company is IMPACT CITY NIGERIA, which has spent nearly a decade making its mark in the logistics and haulage sector. Known for its reliability in moving goods and managing fleets, the company is now taking a bold step into an entirely new arena — car repairs, maintenance, and advisory services.

For years, IMPACT CITY NIGERIA has built a reputation for efficiency in keeping its fleet of lorries and cars in top condition. According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Jerry Ozor, the decision to diversify into the automotive repair space was not a sudden one but the natural next chapter in their story.

“We have been in the logistics and haulage ecosystem for years and have gained a deep understanding of everything that comes with it — from procuring vehicles to delivering goods and maintaining them,” Ozor said, speaking at a recent media briefing. “Over time, we built strong internal systems to keep our trucks and cars in good shape. Today, we feel it’s time to share that expertise with the public and contribute to solving some of the pressing issues in car repairs and maintenance.”

Ozor’s remarks touch on a problem familiar to most Nigerian car owners: the struggle to find competent and honest mechanics. He lamented the way a lack of skilled technicians and transparent practices has created frustration and distrust among vehicle owners.

“With the shortage of competent mechanics and the difficulty clients face in getting the truth about their car’s condition, we believe our approach will be a game-changer,” he said. “We’ve always been known for our integrity in the logistics business, and that is exactly what we want to bring into the car repair space.”

IMPACT CITY NIGERIA’s entry into the automotive sector aims to do more than just fix cars. The company wants to change the relationship between car owners and service providers. Ozor explained that their new venture will focus on creating an experience where customers can feel confident about the quality of work done on their vehicles. He emphasized that trust and professionalism will sit at the heart of their operations.

What sets the company apart, he noted, is its willingness to put transparency first. From clear communication about costs to providing customers with reliable updates during the repair process, IMPACT CITY NIGERIA hopes to eliminate the guesswork that often plagues car owners when they hand over their keys.

Beyond repairs, the company also plans to offer advisory services, helping customers make better decisions about vehicle purchases, long-term maintenance plans, and overall fleet management. For Ozor, this is about filling a gap in the market and providing a service that empowers clients, rather than leaving them feeling uncertain or misled.

“This isn’t just about opening another auto repair shop,” he said. “It’s about changing the culture around car maintenance in Nigeria. We want to create a system where honesty and competence go hand in hand — where people know they are getting value for their money.”

As IMPACT CITY NIGERIA takes this new step, industry observers believe its track record in logistics gives it an advantage. Years of keeping heavy-duty trucks and vehicles roadworthy have equipped the company with both the technical expertise and the operational discipline to succeed in the automotive repair business.

For many Nigerian car owners weary of the stress and anxiety that often come with vehicle repairs, IMPACT CITY NIGERIA’s entry into the sector may bring a breath of fresh air. By combining its reputation for integrity with a strong focus on professionalism, the company hopes to build trust and set new standards in an industry that has long been in need of reform.

In the words of Ozor, “Our goal is simple — to make car repairs and maintenance something people can rely on, not something they dread. We’ve built a name for ourselves in logistics by staying true to our values, and we intend to carry that same ethos into this new venture.”

With this move, IMPACT CITY NIGERIA is not merely expanding its business horizons; it is stepping forward to transform an industry that touches millions of lives every day, promising a future where car owners can finally feel at ease when their vehicles need attention.

@Impactcitylogistics.ng

FirstBank Set to Launch Tailored Financial Services for Blind and Physically Challenged Customers

Lagos, 23 September 2025 – FirstBank, the premier West African bank and a leading financial inclusion service provider, is set to introduce tailored financial services for blind, partially sighted, and physically challenged customers across its operations.

This initiative is part of FirstBank’s broader continuous commitment to promoting Financial Inclusion and Diversity, which is shown in its policies, partnerships and initiatives such as its employees’ ratio of female to male (about 41%:59%; and 37% women in management roles) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation.  In addition, the Bank’s membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Women’s Women Empowerment’s Principles (WEPs) ─ Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.

Commenting on the proposed launch, the Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor, said, “Everyone deserves access to financial services whether physically or digitally. We recognise this, and we are providing financial services that are both accessible and affordable to visually impaired and physically challenged customers at all our touchpoints. We are making it possible for them to manage their accounts independently and securely.”

The initiative will be implemented in phases across all subsidiaries and locations of the FirstBank Group. Transaction documents will be made available in braille, audio, large print, and digital formats. ATMs will be upgraded with high-contrast screens and voice-prompt commands, while cards issued will feature tactile motifs and braille inscriptions for easy recognition. Already existing soft PINs and tokens would be enhanced to boost secure access to banking channels. Product brochures will also be made available in braille and audio formats to support customer understanding and engagement.

FirstBank’s efforts align with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which advocate equal access to financial services.

With this initiative, FirstBank is shaping a future where every individual, regardless of physical ability, can manage their financial affairs without third-party assistance. By embedding accessibility into its core operations, the Bank is setting a new standard for ethical, inclusive, and impactful banking.

The African Policy and Research Consortium mourns the lives lost in the Afriland Towers tragedy and calls for safer and more resilient communities.

The African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC), a continental alliance of distinguished think tanks, research institutions, diaspora research centers, and policy leaders dedicated to shaping evidence-based governance, sustainable development, and social equity, mourns with profound sorrow the tragic fire that engulfed Afriland Towers on Lagos Island. This devastating incident, which claimed the lives of ten cherished individuals, including employees of Heirs Holdings and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life and the urgent need to safeguard public spaces. Beyond institutional and structural concerns, this tragedy underscores the irreplaceable value of human contribution, the connections we forge, and the hopes we nurture. In this moment of grief, the APRC reaffirms its commitment to advancing policies that prioritize human dignity, safety, and resilience, ensuring that the promise of Africa’s future is never dimmed by preventable loss.

We stand in heartfelt solidarity with the families, colleagues, and communities now bearing the immense weight of grief. The individuals we mourn were far more than professionals at their desks; they were mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, mentors and friends whose skill, dedication, and spirit enlivened the institutions they served. Their absence leaves a void that no ceremony or memorial can ever fill, yet their legacies endure, etched in the collective memory of Nigeria’s civic and economic community. This tragedy compels us not only to reflect but to act, to ensure that measures are put in place to protect lives, fortify safety protocols, and cultivate a culture where human life is honored as the most precious resource.

This tragedy at Afriland Towers painfully echoes similar incidents across Africa: the 2019 fire at Onitsha’s Ochanja Market that ravaged lives and livelihoods, the Twin Tower blaze in Nairobi (2018) that exposed infrastructure fragility, and the 1994 Asafo Market inferno in Kumasi, which remains etched in Ghana’s history. Each of these catastrophes revealed recurring gaps in emergency response, fire prevention infrastructure, and occupational safety standards. The Afriland Towers disaster is therefore not an isolated event, it is another alarm bell demanding systemic reform.

We commend the courage of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, first responders, and ordinary citizens who braved chaos and smoke to save lives. Yet we must be candid: Africa cannot continue to mourn preventable deaths from infrastructure fires. The rapid spread of smoke from the basement inverter room to multiple floors underscores both the vulnerability of high-rise buildings and the insufficiency of current safety protocols.

We therefore call upon governments at every level – federal, state, and municipal to:

1. Strengthen emergency response infrastructure, ensuring that fire stations, hydrants, and safety equipment are strategically located, fully functional, and properly maintained.
2. Mandate rigorous compliance with occupational and building safety codes, particularly in commercial high-rises where thousands of lives are at stake daily.
3. Invest in training and drills so that employees, visitors, and first responders are adequately prepared for crisis scenarios.
4. Create collaborative frameworks with the private sector, where institutions like Heirs Holdings and UBA can co-lead in setting exemplary safety standards across the continent.

Afriland Towers was more than a building; it was a hub of enterprise, a symbol of modern Nigeria, and a testament to the possibilities of African-led development. That it has become the site of such grief must awaken in us a collective resolve: never again should avoidable tragedy diminish the value of African lives.

Once again, on behalf of the African Policy and Research Consortium, we stand in solidarity with all affected families and institutions. We honor the memory of those who perished, and we commit ourselves to advancing policies that place human safety, dignity, and life at the very center of Africa’s development agenda.

May the departed rest in peace, and may their sacrifice become the seed of reforms that safeguard future generations.

Signed,
Professor Steve Azaiki, OON
Chief Executive Coordinator
African Policy and Research Consortium