[b]Nigeria imports 1,500 armoured vehicles yearly – Proforce boss
JANUARY 29, 2014 : RASHEED BISIRIYU
     


Chief Executive Officer, Proforce Limited, Mr. Adetokunbo Ogundeyin
Chief Executive Officer, Proforce Limited, Mr. Adetokunbo Ogundeyin, spoke to journalists in Lagos on armoured vehicle importation and manufacturing in Nigeria, among other issues. RASHEED BISIRIYU was there

Why are armoured vehicles generally expensive?

It is so because of ballistic steel. The cost of ballistic steel is enormous. We are talking about steel of about 6.5 millimetre thickness. We are talking about adding a weight of at least 1,000 kilos to a vehicle. The suspension has to be reinforced, which comes all the way from Australia. All these things are imported. But, with time, as the new automotive policy gains ground, we will start producing these things in Nigeria. That is the benefit of the new automotive policy.

Armoured vehicles are certainly heavy; how do you manage weight problem?

That is why when you want to armour a vehicle, we suggest that the engine capacity should be a minimum of 4.6 litres; that is Landcruiser and above; so, there will be a lot of power and torque to move the vehicle very well. Apart from that, it must have a reinforced suspension. Moreover, we always advise you don’t go more than 100Km to 120km per hour. Above that, it is a bit dangerous, because the vehicle is very heavy and then you need to be trained on how to drive an armoured vehicle. It is not the same way you drive other vehicles.

Nigeria is said to be among the top four countries importing armoured vehicles in the world. Does this worry you, especially Nigeria being in the same group with Iran and Afghanistan that are known for violence?

Yes, it is a major concern. Insecurity is a major concern. But one thing I will say is that Nigeria is not isolated when it comes to this. Don’t forget that we recently transited from military to civilian rule. We are still trying to find our feet under the civilian rule.  All these things add up. We are having another election next year. Politics in this country is a bit of do-or-die. A lot of people just feel that they will be insecure. So, they want to protect themselves. That is one reason.

The other reason is the level of threat to life in the northern area. I am talking about the Boko Haram issue. Unfortunately, the situation is escalating; people feel threatened in the north, and it is even spreading to the South. This is the reason why people feel they have to be protected. Armed robbery is also a factor.

How many armoured vehicles are imported into the country every year?

When you talk about the normal passenger vehicles, I think it is about 500 and 800 in a year. There are Armoured Personnel Carriers imported by the Police and the Customs. By the time you add the ones imported by the military, you will be talking about 1,500 in a year.

Why did you opt for armoured vehicles business?

The state of insecurity has been on the increase. When you look at armed robbery, you will see that it is on a high level. I was in Kuwait sometime ago and people were looking for a company that would market their products. But I did not want to be a go-between. I wanted to be a manufacturer. So, we teamed up with some Colombians to set up Proforce in 2008. That was actually how we started the company.

And the reason we founded the company, like I said, was the high level of insecurity in the country and all over the world.

Why did you prefer manufacturing to importing?

I have passion for innovation. As an engineer, I do not believe that trading is the way forward. Engineers believe that trading does not build the economy of any country; it is through innovative manufacturing and application of the latest technology. Manufacturing is the heartbeat of any economy; without manufacturing, the economy will be stagnant and may collapse under global market pressures. Trading is just a short-term engagement; manufacturing is long-term.

You can imagine the amount of joy you have when you see your products in other countries all over the world. It enhances Nigeria’s good image all over the world.

What exactly do you produce in your plant, and can the standard be compared with similar products elsewhere in the world?

We armour sport utility vehicles. We make a lot of tactical vehicles, cash-in-transit vans; infantry combat vehicles, armoured patrol boats, Unmanned Arial Vehicles and architectural armouring. We are now putting together a prototype military tank. Majority of these vehicles are second to none when you look at the quality. We have brought in expatriates that have many years of experience in armouring. These are people who were the top guys where they were working before. They have transferred the technology to Nigerians who are coming up seriously fast.

I can assure you that our products are just as good as all the products that are imported into Nigeria. Moreover, all defence products manufacturers import raw materials from the same select group of companies. For instance, we source for glass from the same world leading armoured glass company in Peru; steel from the same company.

We have independently tested the different parts. They are all tested in ballistic laboratories in Germany and we are putting together a process of taking the vehicle as a whole for testing in Germany too. Apart from that, even the drive of our vehicles is different; because of our environment, the suspensions are made to suit our roads.

What kind of support have you been getting from government?

Proforce has been recognised by government. In fact, there was a time the President sent a delegation of all the security outfits within the Presidency to come and look at what we are doing. At different times, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, and the Minister of State in the ministry have been to the plant. The military has been there. Commissioners of police of different states have also been there, and they all appreciated what we were doing and were impressed. Not only that, the Federal Government has just come out with the new automotive policy as part of the transformation agenda. The automotive policy is the best thing to ever happen to this country. Look at a country like Iran where the auto industry contributes 10 per cent to the GDP of that country. That is what is going to happen in Nigeria. The auto policy will transform this country completely into a manufacturing nation.

Look at financing, the Federal Government has now provided an intervention fund for manufacturing. This fund is one that is accessed easily.[/b]



http://www.punchng.com/business/transport/nigeria-imports-1500-armoured-vehicles-yearly-proforce-boss/






https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=10&v=FLI5hzO9eFw

Ok

Yorubas and lies


This was during GEJ's era


The armoured vehicle is called Igirigi.

Seriously I won't mind to work for free in this company

GEJ's legacy, God bless you wherever you are.....

[b]Company Profile

PROFORCE LIMITED was incorporated in 2008 as a total defence solution provider specializing in armoured vehicles and personal protection. The company’s focus is on the delivery of confidence in protective mobility.

We have developed a vibrant market for security and mobile protective products within Nigeria and Africa.

PROFORCE has exploited its deep technical know-how to produce outstanding armored products for Government Agencies, Corporate Bodies, Diplomatic Communities and Private individuals within Nigeria and Africa.

PROFORCE has Utilized Its superior craftsmanship to producing outstanding products using only Internationally Certified Ballistic Standard Materials (CEN Level B7/NIJ IV, CEN B6/NIJ III) and Military Standards STANAG 4569 Level 2/2A/2B.

Proforce Ltd’s manufactured products portfolio include the following:
Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs)
Armoured Tanks
Armoured SUVs
Armoured Cash-In-Transit Vehicles (CITs)
Tactical Armoured Vehicles (TAVs)
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV-Drones)
Armoured Saloons and Sedans
Bulletproof Helmets and Vests
Military Trucks
Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs)
Armoured Boats and Marine Vessels
Architectural Armouring (safe houses/rooms e.g. for banks and embassies).
The Manufacturing plant is located in Ode-Remo, Ogun State with Corporate Headquarters at 54 Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
The Northern Nigeria Regional Office is located at 11 Port Novo Crescent, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.
The South-South Nigeria Regional Office and manufacturing plant is located at 12, Chief Nwuke Street, Off DHL/Bewac junction, Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Proforce Ltd has International Offices in Kuwait, China, Ghana and Liberia.[/b]

Proforce Ltd offers the following Defence and Allied Support Services:
After Sales Services & Repairs of Armoured Vehicles (for all threat Levels of NIJ/CEN)
Lease of Armoured Vehicles
Training of Operatives
Command-Control and Communications Systems
Software and Computer Systems for Defence Products
Distributor’s License for Raw Materials, Spare Parts Dealing (e.g. Run-flat Tyre System, Independent Suspensions, Ballistic Glass etc.).
Proforce Management Team, Designers and Engineers have a combined experience of more than twenty five (25) years in the provision of defence solutions.
Through innovation and responsiveness, Proforce has the manufacturing diversity to custom design and build armoured mobility products for a wide range of end users.

With strategically located manufacturing plants and offices across the globe, Proforce has the capacity to respond rapidly to emergency needs in the region and beyond. Download our business

Welcome to Proforce Limited

PROFORCE LIMITED The first Armoured Vehicle Company in Nigeria was incorporated in 2008 as a total defence solution provider specializing in armoured vehicles and personal protection. The company’s focus is on the delivery of confidence in protective mobility.

We have developed a vibrant market for security and mobile protective products within Nigeria and Africa.
PROFORCE has exploited its deep technical know-how to produce outstanding armored products for Government Agencies, Corporate Bodies, Diplomatic Communities and Private individuals within Nigeria and Africa.





Chief Executive Officer, Proforce Limited, Mr. Adetokunbo Ogundeyin
Chief Executive Officer, Proforce Limited, Mr. Adetokunbo Ogundeyin, spoke to journalists in Lagos on armoured vehicle importation and manufacturing in Nigeria, among other issues. RASHEED BISIRIYU was there

WhiteTechnology:
Yorubas and lies


This was during GEJ's era


The armoured vehicle is called Igirigi.

Your akpu brain is filled with sand and trash. Dumb yeebhoe fool.

stexsy:
GEJ's legacy, God bless you wherever you are.....

GEJ legacy indeed. How is Proforce gej legacy? Lwkmd

WhiteTechnology:
Yorubas and lies


This was during GEJ's era


The armoured vehicle is called Igirigi.

So because gej has gone back to otuoke, it now means the company too is no more in existence? Abi what is this one trying to prove? It looks like you cannot bear the fact that a Yoruba man too is manufacturing vehicles and armoured vehicles at that. Sorry boy, it looks like you have to live with this reality until you leave Nigeria to form Biafra. And when exactly will you form biafra,? You guys should go on time. It is getting too long!

Anything good for the progress of this nation is good for me

SUBWAY101:


GEJ legacy indeed. How is Proforce gej legacy? Lwkmd

Automobile policy...

stexsy:
Automobile policy...

The company has been running things since 2008. This is not any GEJ.

SUBWAY101:


The company has been running things since 2008. This is not any GEJ.

who knew them then n wat did they achieve?

stexsy:
who knew them then n wat did they achieve?

stop hating it reduces ones life spab

stexsy:
who knew them then n wat did they achieve?

stop hating it reduces ones life Span