Nigeria - Recent

Storyline:
A handy local mechanic in Nigeria is showing off his talents by transforming discarded iron into a range of custom-made motorcycles, with his impressive designs and hand-made creations challenging the dominance of imported bikes.

After spending several years as a motorcycle mechanic, 33-year-old Johnson Lubem from Nigeria's Benue State began building his own bikes back in 2012 and has gone to refine his designs.

As a local motorcycle manufacturer, Lubem is specialized at turning scrap material into brand-new machines and has crafted over 50 motorcycles from scratch, while also customizing and upgraded more than a hundred other bikes.

His quirky creations, which include both stylish and military-grade bikes, are rivaling imported brands both in terms of quality and performance.

Lubem's locally-made motorcycles often exceed expectations and customers like David Ikechukwu, who regularly travels across states on one of these hand-crafted bikes, can vouch for their durability and quality.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) identifies innovation as key to economic growth, especially in low-income countries like Nigeria, and Lubem's work shows how such innovation at a local level can reduce dependence on imports and drive development.

However, for all his guile and skill, challenges like limited tools and competition from imports is slowing Lubem's progress.

Experts have stressed the importance of increasing government support for local innovators and businesses, arguing that such initiatives could cut import reliance, create new jobs, and help boost growth.

Shotlist:
Nigeria - Recent:
1. Various of motorcycle mechanic Johnson Lubem building motorbikes;
2. Various of motorbike-sidecar designed by Lubem;
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Johnson Lubem, motorcycle mechanic:
"I build power bikes from the beginning to finish, I build mini fancy bikes from the beginning to finish, I have bikes with sidecars that I built with my own bare hands, bikes with sidecars that are military bikes, I built and give it to the military."
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
4. Various of motorcycle parts;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
5. Customer selecting motorbike;
6. Various of motorbikes, Lubem working;
7. SOUNDBITE (English) David Ikechukwu, local customer:
"The bike has been serving me very, very well. It has never disappointed me for one day."
8. Various of Lubem working, motorbikes, traffic;
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Johnson Lubem, motorcycle mechanic:
"I don't have the professional tools that can give me easier work, so you have to go through the hard process like doing it manually. This takes you a lot of time."
10. Various of Lubem working, motorbikes.

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