By Laan Sunday, Lafia
The Nasarawa State government said it  would partner with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited (PAN) base in Kaduna, towards patronizing locally made vehicles.
Nasarawa State governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule made this known while hosting a team from PAN Nigeria Limited, led by its General Manager, Strategy and Marketing, Mr. Bawo Omagbitse, who were on a courtesy call at the Government House, on Thursday. 
Governor Sule said his administration will find a way to start patronizing locally made vehicles, just as he expressed interest in the technical vocational training been conducted at the PAN Learning Centre.
He added that his administration is deeply involved in skills acquisition for youths and as such the state will seek to partner with PAN Nigeria Limited in the areas of technical vocational training.
Governor Sule commended the management of the company for the turn around currently being witnessed in PAN Nigeria Limited, especially for bringing new technology into the car manufacturing industry in Nigeria.
Earlier in his opening remark, the automobile company’s General Manger, Strategy and Marketing, Mr. Bawo Omagbitse, said they were at the Government House to introduce the company’s brand, as well as open up talks opportunities that could follow in collaboration.
“What we are trying to do is that with our partnership, we are hoping that we will be looking at Peugeot as the brand of the state. 
“Not only that, with our Peugeot Learning Centre, we are hoping also that we can have an arrangement where your young people can have access to great vocational skills acquisition, as well as our Tree-Shed initiative, through which we will be able to support some of the indigenes of the state to establish their own garages,” Omagbitse said.
He explained that presently, PAN Nigeria Limited has graduated from producing the 404 to more sophisticated models like the 301, which is locally produced in Kaduna, 508 Executive which is upscale but cheap, among others.
Also speaking at the occasion, Director General, PAN Learning Centre, Mrs. Elizabeth Mordi, said the centre undertakes technical vocational trainings in four basic trades namely, auto mechanics,  auto mechatronics, spray painting and panel beating, as well as fabrication.