EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian John Abraham Godson talks automobiles

My first mode of transport was a bicycle. I rode it to work even as a senior lecturer in the University in Poland. Even after so many years as a Member of Parliament - I still love riding bicycle.

I bought my first car in 1995. It was a small Fiat 126P. It is the smallest car I have ever seen - so small that while galloping our heads hit the ceiling of the car. But it was enough for my small family of 3.

Over the years I have owned more than 15 cars ranging from fairly used ones to new ones. I have come to learn that cars are important tools but care should be taken to get the right one.

What considerations do I make before buying a car? Here they are:

Purpose: What purpose do I want the car to fulfill? Is it Local transport or long distance travel? Or be it Farm work or for the family?

Safety: Safety is topmost while choosing a car- and that should be paramount in Nigeria where more than 95% of drivers have never been to a driving school. I go for a car that has strong body parts that can protect me from effects of impacts or collision

Cost of purchase: Cars are mostly consumption and never a good investment. If you spend 5 million naira buying a car and another 5 million on land, after 5 years - that car will be worth less than 2 million while the land will be worth more than 10 million. So I do not waste a lot of money on consumption. I prefer to Invest my money.

Fuel consumption: Fuel in Nigeria is very cheap. Therefore many people don't really care about fuel consumption. In Europe where fuel is much more expensive (1 litre of petrol costs about 550 naira in Poland)- people are more conscious about using cars that consume less fuel. If I spend #2000 every day on fuel that is close to 800,000 naira in 1 year and 4 million naira over 5 years.

Cost of maintenance: In choosing a car I bear in mind what it will cost to maintain the car. Unfortunately- maintenance culture is very low in Nigeria. We run down our cars and never visit mechanics regularly for maintenance and servicing.

Availability of spare parts: I go for cars with ease of availability of spare parts.

Personal preference: After more than 25 years of driving - I have my preferences of cars I like. This also informs my decision of a car to buy.

So what brand of car is my favourite? I will leave you to guess.

As you plan to buy your car this year - think thoroughly and make your decision wisely. And when you do - please let me know how this piece of advice helped you.

Thank you.