Lagos State’s security architecture has received a boost following the donation of 10 operational vehicles, valued at more than N300 million, by CIG Motors Group to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).

The vehicles were formally handed over by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CIG Motors Group, Chief Diana Chen, to the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, at the company’s international headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The fleet comprises four Wuling N111 vehicles, three Wuling XC250 vehicles and three JMC Vigus pickup trucks. They are expected to support security operations, logistics, field deployment and emergency response across the state.

Ogunsan commended Chen and CIG Motors for their continued support for Lagos’ security architecture, describing the donation as a demonstration of confidence in the state and its security agenda.

He said the LSSTF, as a donor-funded interventionist agency, relies substantially on contributions from individuals, businesses and corporate organisations to support security agencies.

“Madam, we will not forget this in a long time. Generations will not forget it. Posterity will not forget it. Your name will be written in gold for taking this bold step,” Ogunsan said.

He assured CIG Motors that the vehicles would be properly maintained and deployed for maximum operational impact, adding that the donation represented an investment in the safety and prosperity of Lagos.

Ogunsan also pledged to promote CIG Motors as a worthy private-sector partner, joking that he would henceforth serve as the company’s “sales representative” in recognition of its contribution to the state’s security.

Chen, whose company is the exclusive distributor of GAC Motor, Wuling and JMC vehicles in Nigeria, said security was fundamental to economic prosperity, investment and sustainable development.

“Security is the first infrastructure of prosperity. Protecting Lagos means protecting lives, livelihoods, enterprise and the economic future of our nation,” she said.

She said Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial capital and one of Africa’s major economic centres, required a secure environment where residents, businesses and investors could thrive.

“This donation is a practical contribution to strengthening the institutions responsible for protecting Lagos and its people,” Chen said.

She added that CIG Motors’ investments in mobility, local vehicle assembly, employment, public transportation and security support reflected its long-term commitment to Lagos.

“When Lagos is safer, businesses can grow, jobs are protected and communities prosper. Supporting security is an investment in the future of the state and everyone who lives or conducts business here,” Chen said.

The latest intervention builds on CIG Motors’ previous contributions to security and public-sector institutions.

In September 2020, the company donated five fully equipped Dongfeng security operational trucks to the LSSTF. The vehicles were deployed to the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and Lagos State Taskforce.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Diana Chen Foundation donated 50,000 face masks, an ambulance and N20 million to support frontline security and healthcare interventions in Lagos.

In August 2022, CIG Motors donated a new vehicle to the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos Sector Command, as part of its corporate social responsibility programme. The company has also supplied 150 vehicles to the Dangote Group for use by the Nigeria Police Force and partnered with several state governments to strengthen security operations.

Its partnership with Lagos also extends to transportation. Through investments in local automobile assembly and collaboration with the state on the LAGRIDE scheme, CIG Motors has supported modern transportation, employment creation, driver empowerment and improved urban mobility.

Also present at the handover ceremony were the Director of Administration, LSSTF, Mr Adegbola Lewis; Executive Assistant, LSSTF, Mrs Adaobi Nwankwo; General Manager, Operations, CIG Motors, Mrs Manyo Pan; Director of Public Relations and Marketing, CIG Motors, Mr Ifeanyi Abraham; and General Manager, Sales, CIG Motors, Mr Chukwunonso Inoma, among others.