Solar Energy Training: Sen Yaroe donates solar kiosks to best participants
Nine (9) Solar Kiosks have been presented to nine (9) overall best participants across the nine (9) Local Government Areas (LGA) that constitute Adamawa Southern Senatorial Zone by the Senator representing the Zone, Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe, aimed at providing a platform for them to enhance their livelihoods.
It was the first ever in the history of Adamawa State for such Solar Kiosks to be used. Each of these kiosks could only be seen across the 9 LGAs of Adamawa South, owned by the best participants.
The donation of the kiosks was part of the major activities that formed the closing ceremony of a 5-day Training and Empowerment of quarter of a thousand youths on Solar PV Technologies, held at Pwanobato Event and Resource Centre in Numan on Saturday.
The training was described as the best ever in the history of the State as each of the participants was given solar skits each worth N85,000 to enable them become useful to themselves, their families and the society as a whole.
The 5-day extensive training saw to the birth of nearly three hundred young solar engineers who are expected to utilise the knowledge they acquired to chase darkness out of Adamawa Southern Senatorial District through the use of solar power.
At the end of the training, the participants are now experts in solar installation, fixing, tracking, maintenance and repairing. Call them the light of Adamawa Southern Senatorial District, and you would not be far from the truth.
Our reporter reports that the closing ceremony has marked a new era for the younger generation in the Adamawa South as the youth are now in tune with changing times by embracing solar energy since the national grid in Nigeria has failed Nigerians.
Speaking at the occasion, Senator (Rev) Binos Dauda Yaroe, said that he saw the need to purchase the nine (9) Solar Kiosks for the nine (9) overall best participants in each of the nine (9) Local Government Areas (LGAs) in order to encourage them and pave a smooth ride for them to establishing businesses of their choice.
He noted that everything has been installed in the Solar Kiosks with its solar power. Hence, they have no business with electricity from the Distribution Companies (Discos) in the country.
The Senator pointed out that his desire to contribute his quota in chasing poverty out and eradicating idleness among his constituents was the factor that led to the actualisation of the training and empowerment programme, adding that he did not do that to be appreciated or praised.
According to the Senator, the training of fifty (50) youths on Solar PV Technologies last year was funded by him personally, but the second phase that saw the empowerment of no fewer than two hundred and fifty (250) participants was funded via the budget he presented at the Red Chamber which was approved as a result of its importance.
He said that apart from cushioning the livelihoods of his constituents with the provision of food and non-food items as palliatives regularly, he has taken it upon himself to give the younger generation a sense of belonging by brightening their future through training and empowerment.
Senator Binos disclosed that the participating beneficiaries were selected across all religions and political parties because he is the representative of all the people of Adamawa Southern Senatorial District irrespective of their religious and tribal backgrounds, assuring them of good representation at the Senate in the interest of the progress and development of Adamawa Southern Senatorial District.
The Senator said that the positive testimonies he received from the previous participants have encouraged him to do more, adding that he would be contented if fifty (50) out of the two hundred and fifty (250) participants would earn a living out of the knowledge they acquired at the training.
In his words, “What have been encouraging and motivating me to do even more are the good testimonies I have been receiving from the participants. As I speak to you, one of them got a job in Lagos. The job came with a house and an official vehicle.
“Of course, you know of one who got scholarship from the Russian Government. The knowledge and certificate he got from this training last year have aided him greatly which made him to have an upper hand over others. Some of these participants have established their businesses and they are now employers of labour”.
Calling on the participants to make good use of their Solar Kiosks and skits, the People’s Senator assured his constituents of more training and empowerment programmes in order to eradicate poverty and idleness in the Zone.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Neido Geoffrey Kofulto, commended Senator Binos Yaroe for embarking on such a historic training and empowerment programme for the benefit of his constituents, describing as a privilege being associated with the Senator.
Neido expressed optimism that the training and empowerment programme would go a long way in eradicating poverty and idleness among the young people, where she challenged the participants to make good use of their skills by chasing darkness out of Adamawa Southern Senatorial Zone with solar power.
She said that the world today is tilting towards scientific and technological advancement, hence the importance of the training on solar PV technologies.
She said Senator Binos should be commended for building capacity and making life worth living for his constituents.
The Women Commissioner recalled that her nephew who now works at the Kainji, was able to secure the job; courtesy of the solar training last year by the Senator. She urged the participants to establish a cordial relationship among themselves across the 9 LGAs in order to be connected in one voice when election time comes.
While appreciating the kind heart of Senator Binos, Neido assured him of support from the Adamawa State Government to enable him succeed in all his programmes.
In his remarks, one of the facilitators, Engr. Taoreed Bayo Ibrahim, said that Nigeria is blessed with huge natural resources, hence the need to tap from them to better livelihoods.
He pointed out that due to the failure of national grid in the country, there is need for the younger generation to be equipped with the technical know-how on solar installation, maintenance, fixing, tracking and repairing for the betterment of the society.
He stated, “This training will create job opportunities for the participants. They are not idle, so they cannot be workshop for the devil. I want to commend Senator Binos for putting in place effective and workable machineries to ensure the success of the training”.
In his goodwill message, a stakeholder from Jada LGA, Alh. Liman Gidado Jada, commended Senator Binos for his commitment and determination to ensuring the youth are trained and empowered.
While calling on the participants to make good use of the knowledge and working tools they got at the training, Gidado prayed God Almighty to grant Senator Binos the desires of his heart.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Felix Maigari and Amina Nasiru, thanked the Senator for the kind gesture. They assured him of their support in the coming elections to enable him continue with the good work.
Highlights of the closing ceremony including donation of solar kiosks and solar skits as well as presentation of certificates to the participants.
