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Simba TVS Launches Queen Rider Program in Ile Ife

Simba TVS, the leading brand of tricycles in Nigeria, has brought its award-winning Queen Rider Program to Ile-Ife in Osun State, in collaboration with the House of Oduduwa and Queen Moremi Ajasoro Foundation.

The Queen Rider Program is a women’s empowerment initiative of the Simba Group, that trains women on tricycle riding and maintenance and equips those from under-represented backgrounds with the skills and support to start their own tricycle business.

The opening ceremony, which was held recently at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, had several government officials, traditional rulers and transport unions in attendance.

Declaring the program open, the Oni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, thanked Simba TVS for bringing the Queen Riders program to Ife, assuring that the crown will continue to partner with the company to ensure its success. While noting the dearth of commercial tricycles in Ife which is supposed to ease local transportation, he opined that upon conclusion of the training program, successful participants would also contribute to the improvement of last-mile transportation in Ife.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Mahendra Pratap, the Business Head of Simba TVS, said: “The Queen Rider Program is not only a skill development initiative, but also a social movement that challenges the stereotypes and barriers that sometimes limits womens’ potential. By becoming Queen Riders, these women can assert their independence, confidence, and dignity. They can also inspire other women and girls to pursue their dreams and aspirations.”

He added: “The Queen Rider Program is aligned with our vision of creating a more inclusive and equitable society, where women have equal opportunities and rights. We believe that women empowerment is not only a moral imperative but also a step towards economic growth and social progress.”

One of the participants, Ms. Sowade Oluwabukola, expressed her excitement about joining the program: “I am very happy to be part of this program. I have always wanted to learn how to ride a tricycle, but I was afraid of what people would say or do. Now I have the opportunity to learn from experts and meet other women who share my passion. I hope to become a successful Queen Rider and support my family.”

The Queen Rider Program is Nigeria’s oldest tricycle training and empowerment program dedicated to women. It was established in 2017 by Simba TVS to teach women how to safely ride and repair tricycles, enabling them to partake in the industry and increase their families’ disposable incomes.

Since its inception, the program has trained over 1,000 women across Nigeria and helped them access finance, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The program also provides them with certificates and starter kits.

Simba TVS bags African Brand of the Year

Simba TVS have won the African Brand of the Year 2023 award in recognition of the company’s support and empowerment of Nigerian women through the Queen Riders Program.

The company bagged the award at the Future Women Conference 2023 organised by the Women in Africa For Transformation Initiative held at the University of Lagos recently. The Queen Riders program is an initiative aimed at empowering underrepresented women in the nation’s burgeoning commercial transportation industry.

Gracing the event, the Queen of Ile Ife, HRM Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, commended Simba TVS for introducing the Queen Rider program which she acknowledged had impacted positively in transforming the lives of women.

Receiving the award, the Business Head, Simba TVS, Mr. Mahendra Pratap, highlighted the importance of women empowerment in the growth and development of every society. He emphasized that the Queen Riders Program is built on four pillars of Opportunity, Development, Empowerment, and Independence, and has successfully enriched the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of women across different parts of the country.

According to Pratap, “Through the Queen Riders program, Simba TVS provides training for women on vehicle riding and repairs, mentorship, and access to financing. The program has seen women who were once marginalized and excluded from the formal economy, become entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities.”

He revealed that Simba’s stance on women empowerment has also contributed to the organization setting up a dedicated motorcycle conveyor line for female assemblers in their Lagos factory to provide women with employment opportunities, adding that the line is manned exclusively by women.

Mr. Pratap stated, “We believe that by empowering women, we are not only transforming their lives but also contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria, ensuring that women have the confidence, skills, and support they need to succeed in whatever they choose to do.”

The Queen of Ile Ife, HRM, Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi (Centre), Mr. Mahendra Pratap, Business Head, Simba TVS and beneficiaries of the Queen Riders Program along with senior staff of Simba at the Future Women Conference 2023 held at the University of Lagos Auditorium, recently

The Olu of Ilado Akoko Kingdom, HRM Eng. Rotimi Ikugbayagbe, presenting the Transformational Leader Award to Mr. Mahendra Pratap, Business Head, Simba TVS at the Future Women Conference 2023 held at the University of Lagos Auditorium, recently.

L-R, Mr. Akem-Harumi, Mr. Mahendra Pratap, Business Head, Simba TVS, the President of the Institute for Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mrs. Eyitayo Olujumoke, President of the Women in Africa for Transformation Initiative, Chief Mrs. Rachel Akem-Harumi, the Olu of Ilado Akoko Kingdom, HRM Eng. Rotimi Ikugbayagbe and Olori Oluyemisi Stella Ikugbayigbe at the Future Women Conference 2023 held at the University of Lagos Auditorium, recently.

Simba Glitters at BusinessDay Awards

Simba grabbed the spotlight at the Business Day Nigeria Business Leaders’ Awards (NBLA) which was held in Lagos recently, clinching two of the most prestigious awards in the high-octane event.

Simba emerged as the Best Automobile Company of the Year (Two-Wheeler and Three-Wheeler) while Mahendra Pratap, Business Head of the Motor Trading Division (MTD) was adjudged Business Leader of the Year 2022.

The brand, which has won the Business Day Automobile company of the year award a record three times since 2018 has been the market leader brand of three-wheelers (tricycles) for a decade and the fastest-growing brand of two-wheelers in the country.

Simba believes that customer satisfaction is only achieved when a good quality product is supported by attentive and responsive customer care, both before and after sales. Outstanding service is why people choose Simba products.

At Simba, training is at the heart of its strategy. It is critically essential in ensuring that Simba’s core value of “Customer Satisfaction” is achieved for its users, the owner of the vehicles, and the mechanics who serve as its key ambassadors.

Simba believes in empowerment and corporate social responsibility which it promotes thru program like “Queen Riders Program” empowering women, “Road Safety Program” providing training to riders that ensure greater safety and security for riders as well as passengers, and having an all-women assembly line at its plant, to name a few.

Simba is enriching millions of lives in Nigeria for the last 34 years consistently working towards providing means and solutions for last-mile connectivity for both passengers and goods in Nigeria. This resolve of providing affordable transportation solutions to the country is backed by its strong service network, Spare parts availability throughout the country, trained technicians to upkeep these machines, and 24X7 toll-free helpline.

According to Mr. Pratap, “As an organization, we are committed to supporting Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and mobility aspirations. Our commitment is to provide the best products with par excellence customer service and contribute to promoting and attaining improved transportation system, trade, commerce, and commercial activities in Nigeria.”

L to R: Taiwo Akinpelu, Mahendra Pratap, and Pankaj Chopra receiving the best automobile company of the year award (2-wheeler and 3-wheeler) from BusinessDay Publisher, Frank Aigbogun

Mahendra Pratap, receiving the Business Leader of the Year Award from Ogho Okiti

The Automobile Company of the Year (2 Wheeler & 3 Wheeler) Award won by Simba TVS

FG Commends Simba TVS for ‘Queen Rider’ Women’s Empowerment Initiatives

The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen (OFR), has commended The Simba Group, a leading two and three-wheeler mobility-solutions provider in Nigeria, for the success of its Queen Riders program which has contributed to women’s empowerment and gender equity in the country. The statement was made during the 2023 International Women’s Day celebration organized by Access Bank, recently in Lagos.

It would be recalled that the Simba Group initiated its collaboration with the Ministry in 2020, which has since supported and encouraged the company’s efforts to enhance opportunities for underrepresented women to participate in the Nigerian commercial transport industry. It has since received the Ministry’s Product Recognition Award “in recognition of the laudable initiatives to improve the wellbeing and livelihood of Nigerian Women and Vulnerable Groups”.

The Minister praised the company for its efforts in supporting women via the program, noting that they are in line with the government’s vision of empowering women across the country.

The Queen Riders Program provides training to women on vehicle riding and repairs, mentorship, and access to financing. The program, which is built on four pillars of Opportunity, Development, Empowerment, and Independence, has successfully enriched the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of women across different parts of the country.

Simba Group Managing Director, Chief Vinay Grover, expressed gratitude for the Minister’s recognition and promised to continue to do more to support women’s empowerment, gender equity, and financial freedom. In a statement released by the company, he said: “We are honored to have received such positive feedback from the Hon. Minister. The Queen Riders program was established to support and empower under-represented women and we are grateful to the Minister and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs for its guidance and encouragement. Furthermore, we understand the role the private sector plays in empowering women and will continue to drive forward these important initiatives.”

Karthik Govindarajan - Group Head-Marketing Simba Group with Simba TVS staff, female dealers and fleet owners

Simba TVS launches next generation tricycle

Simba TVS launched the brand new TVS King Deluxe Plus tricycle, with revolutionary iTouch technology on the 6^th of Dec, 2021 in Lagos-Nigeria. With this launch we have created a new benchmark for keke technology worldwide.

Speaking at the event, Mr Mahendra Pratap, Business Head at Simba TVS said, “We are extremely happy to launch the TVS King Deluxe Plus iTouch in Nigeria today. As the first and only tricycle manufacturer worldwide to have this patented and revolutionary technology we are very excited about the benefits that will be experienced by our riders, our fleet owners and our mechanic community. Once again, Simba TVS has driven the agenda in terms of innovation in this market, and we remain committed to not only bringing the best technology and products to Nigeria, but continuing to invest in the spares network and after-sales service, which has become the hallmark of our success over the last twenty years in this industry.”

This is another feather in the cap for Simba TVS who earlier this year won the “Tricycle of the Year Award” in addition to various other awards for manufacturing excellence, service and also commendation for their contribution to socio-economic improvement of Nigeria. Pratap – Business Head – Simba TVS , addressing the gathering.