The Civil Society Organization (CSO) plays a significant role in influencing and facilitating development across communities in Nigeria. Mostly saddled with multi-faceted responsibilities, this organization ensures the provision of social welfares, humanitarian services and numerous economic empowerment schemes. CSOs have also been critical in policy advocacy roles and holding the Nigerian government accountable. Recent reports on the effectiveness of CSOs in Nigeria have led to the narratives about the localization, as well as the clamor for the Nigerian government to also create an enabling environment for the Civil Society Organizations to function efficiently.
On the role of CSOs in the social and economic development, two Civil Society Organizations, The Hope Hossana Foundation and DG-Integrated Solar Energy Services are collaborating on a project themed “Light up Abuja”. This project, which was recently unveiled, is set to provide a six-month training programme for at least 10,000 Nigerian youths on the installation of solar energy, as well as the CCTV camera installation and maintenance in Abuja, the country’s Federal Capital Territory.
Light-UP Abuja, to facilitate the empowerment of many Nigerian youths.
Engineer Chibueke Onyejietu, the Managing Director of De-Integrated Solar Energy Services noted that the organization had been so invested in the training Nigerian youths along this profession. This was during the unveiling ceremony which also took place in Abuja. He also gave his full assurance that the Light-UP Abuja training programme, scheduled to commence by the first week of December, would facilitate the empowerment of numerous Nigerian youths for free, with the help of The Hope Hossana Foundation.
The engineer stated that with this training, numerous participants would be granted the opportunity to learn a lot more about solar energy, security systems and how they give back by also training other youths. Onyejietu also noted that the needed equipment’s required for the training is to be made available by DG-Integrated Solar Energy Services, emphasizing that with the support of their partner foundation, the project will meet its proposed aims and objectives which include the empowerment of youths in Nigeria, reduction of unemployment and reduction of social vices in the country.
Concepts for solar energy to be inculcated in the 6 months training.
On his enthusiasm, the engineer averred that the lackadaisical power situation and growing unemployment rate among youths had prompted this idea. He said that the six-month intensive training will grant the participants the opportunity to understand the essential conception of the solar energy and CCTV installation and maintenance, as well as other important skills. He stated that there was a need to give them technical knowledge on paradigms to being immensely self-reliant, enhancing a better living standard for them and encouraging a crime-free society.
The project organizers have however encouraged youths from the six area councils in Abuja Municipal to make themselves available for this one in a lifetime opportunity. He stated that training centers have also been designated across the 11 centers including Jabi, Lugbe, Gwagalada, Karo and Kwali. He as well noted that he hoped for agencies and other governmental and non-governmental bodies would support the project in every possible means, which is aimed at propagating national development.
This programme to be backed by the capital’s department of mass education.
Training Director, Dr. Ben Onwudinjo also stated that the programme is being backed by the capital’s department of mass education which has however ensured the facilitation of training centers. He pointed that participants would be sit for modular examinations that would be set by the National Business and Technical Examination Board, with certificates that can be used for registering with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria to be issued to participants.
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