Oludoyi Julius Juwon better known as Mr Jay Autos LLC is an American based Auto dealer, Oil & Gas investor, and Realtor.
He decided recently to extent his philanthropy to Lagos residents by giving out free food and other relief materials needed to fight COVID-19.
He tells The Sun reasons behind the kind gesture, his advice for the government on the best ways to tackle COVID-19, inspiration behind his business, Jay Autos LLC and lots more.
Can you tell us about the COVID-19 giveaway?
The Mr. Jay Autos LLC. Covid-19 Free food outreach is an Idea of the CEO of the Company Oludoyi Julius Juwon.
The idea was born out of the love to see everyone out there been able to eat at least on proper balance diet meal in a day. We reached out to over 500 Families in the slum and ghetto area of Lagos Nigeria by providing them with food items like rice, semovita, spaghetti, noodles and other essential items.
Why did you decide to come up with this palliative?
To help ease the high level of hunger in our Nigerian communities caused by the Corona Virus (Covid-19) pandemic as a result of the stay home order of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The outcry for massive starvation is no longer a thing to be told, as such i felt the need to reach out to as many families as I can by providing them with free food items with the help of the brand Ambassadors of my company
Which community enjoyed this good heart of yours?
Ajiran town in Lekki – Lagos and Agungi area of Lagos Nigeria.
Do you intend to extend this goodwill to other communities? If yes, when?
Yes of course, we are working on reaching out to other communities and even other states very soon.
How has this lockdown affected your business?
The lockdown has affected everyone in one way or the other. However as a U.S Texas Based Auto Dealer with huge export market in all parts of Nigeria, the Covid-19 hasn’t really affected the shipping of cars to Nigeria as the Nigerian Sea port and the American sea ports are still functioning. However business has been slow this period.
What are your perspective on the Coronavirus pandemic that has hit the world?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that originated in China. The virus is now known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) The disease it causes is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
However, no solution yet but with the practice of good hygiene and social distancing we can all help reduce the spread.
What advise do you have for the government on the best way to tackle COVID-19?
The Nigerian Government need do a lot at this critical time. This not the time to play politics but to be unit our people as one Nation.
The Government need to Provide relief materials, financial assistance, security and adequate medical care to our people. I won’t love to compare but Nigerian Government needs to see what other nations are doing in helping their citizens survive this perilous and difficult time. As an American Citizen yesterday I received free $1200 (N480,000) from the government. I never lobbied or begged for it. It came in free, for all American and Legal immigrants
What advise do you have for the people as preventive measures?
Stay safe, practice social distancing, practice good hygiene, keep praying and support the government to overcome this pandemic.
Can you tell us about your early life and education?
I was born to the family of Otunba Dr. Paul and Mrs. Helen Oludoyi on June 5th, 1995.
My both parents from Kogi State in the North Central region of Nigeria. I am the youngest of four children, having two sisters and a brother. I went to school in Harmony secondary school, before proceeding to Salem University; a private university in Nigeria where I bagged my BSc. International Relations and Diplomacy. I graduated as one of best student in my set and also the President of my departmental Student Association ‘IRDSA’ (International Relations and Diplomacy Student Association) I led the first ever student delegation to Nigerian Min. Of Foreign Affairs and ECOWAS Commission.
What inspired your current business, Mr Jay Autos LLC?
The love for automobiles is one I discovered at a very young age. As a matter of fact, I started learning how to drive at the young age of 13.
However as regards selling of cars. I decided to change the narrative of the Nigerian Auto business by selling only clean Title non accidental cars, free of any form of mechanical fault. The wide spread of non road worthy cars on the Nigerian road spurred me to start sending clean cars to Nigeria for my clients/customers.
What two or three things do you want the government to do to make the environment friendlier to business people?
First thing is Security. The high rate of insecurity has discouraged a lot of private and public investors. If the government can expedite action in putting in place Adequate structures and apparatus to curtail the high level of insecurity it will go along way in growing the economy of Nigeria.
Then Power supply, the fact that Nigeria still doesn’t have enough power supply is very saddening. A nation referred to as the giant of Africa with enormous wealth both in capital, human and natural resources shouldn’t be in darkness till this very age and time. I will advise the government to make this one of their cardinal project and execute it ones and for all. It will drive a lot of foreign investors to Nigeria. I ones hard a chat with a director of Walmart stores in America and he said the only reason Walmart inc hasn’t sold franchise to any Nigerian is due to the inconsistent electric supply in the nation.
Also human Empowerment, no human no nation! Nigerian government should learn to empower her Citizens. Provide the necessary social amenities like standard schools, well equipped medical centers/hospitals, good roads, portable water and facilitate training programs for both the haves and the haves not to help develop skills that make them employable and also be an employer of labour.
