RENEWABLE ENERGY: ONDO FIRST LADY PRODUCES 200 FEMALE SOLAR EXPERTS

IFEDORA, Ondo, Nigeria – In her commitment to making women in Ondo State to attain their maximum potentials and contribute meaningfully to the economy of the State, wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu – Akeredolu has graduated 200 female secondary school students from the summer renewable energy training programme.

Tagged Solar4GirlsNaija, the programme was organized by the office of the wife of the Governor in collaboration with Ashadam Solar Initiative at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The week long training offered the 200 girls drawn from the 18 Local Government Area of the State and beyond the opportunity to learn energy management, building of solar panels and introduction to green energy sources. Other benefits of the training include climate change awareness, life enhancing skills, breast health awareness, sanitation and menstrual hygiene, plus fitness and aerobics.

Addressing the young solar experts popularly known as Solar Girls at the graduation ceremony, Mrs Akeredolu described the training as one that will challenge the girls and challenged the solar girls to make good use of the knowledge they have acquired in the training to make a difference, better their lots and boost the economy of the State.

“This is a training that will challenge our girls, and make them self reliance, such that they can contribute to the economy of the Nation. I want our girls to be more to themselves and to the society. This is a training that will make our girls to ask questions; why are things not working? How can I help the situation?”, she said.

Mrs Akeredolu expressed optimism that the solar girls if properly mentored with the knowledge they have acquired will do exploits. She said technology is the major option in bridging the gap between the urban and the rural area in terms of acquiring knowledge and charged the solar girls to go and change the world.

“What they all got is a university of life not just about techy. It is possible to change this country if only we try. My solar daughters go ye and impact the world” she said.

In her valedictorian speech, Ehinmosun Tolu of Stella Maris College, Okitipupa who emerged as the best graduating student with 100% assessments core expressed gratitude to Mrs Akeredolu for what she called rare privilege granted to acquire invaluable knowledge that grantees a brighter future for them and pledged not to let her down.

In her remarks, the chief operating officer of Ashadam Mrs Damilola Ashele thanked the first lady for creating enabling environment for the learn process and said she is fulfilled to see that the girl who knew nothing about renewable energy before the training are now experts in the sector.

They witness a lot of activities among which are exhibition of some products of girls, presentation of certificates and gift items to the participants, and special renditions.

Mrs. Akeredolu was accompanied to the event by the Olympic gold medalist, Mary Onyeali, International Tennis Icon Nduka Odizor, Chief Gbenga Elegbeye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on women affairs, Mrs Titi Adeyemi, Special Advisers to the Governor, Chairman Akure South LGA, Comrade Margret Atere the Vice Chancellor of Elizade University and a host of others.