A solar energy system has been donated and installed at the Makers and Leaders Hub, a technology hub in Ilorin, Kwara State by Akomolafe Foundation and the Governance Advancement Initiative of Nigeria.
Kalmaldeen Kehinde, the Managing Partner of MALhub, in a statement noted that the donation by the two non-governmental organisations was aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of erratic power supply hindering technological advancement in the region.
Kehinde said that, despite efforts to develop local tech talent, the hub struggled with an erratic power supply.
The collaborative effort between the AF and GAIN was lauded by him for ushering in a new era of sustainability for the hub, catapulting it into a realm of uninterrupted learning and innovation.
Kehinde declared that the intervention would go a long way in enabling the hub to consistently train aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts in a conducive and efficient learning environment.
Cynthia Okafor, the hub’s operations lead, while speaking with journalists, stated that before the installation of the solar system, the learning experience of participants and tech enthusiasts was disrupted by unreliable power supplies and generator noise.
According to Okafor, “There were times when we could be in the middle of a coding session and suddenly, the power would cut out.”
The tech hub’s role in developing human capacity and creating a viable workforce for the future is recognised by the Akomolafe Foundation through its workshops and training sessions, the President of the Foundation, Femi Akomolafe, told Newsmen.
“We believe that access to reliable power is crucial for educational equity, particularly in the tech sector. It is the key to equipping our future workforce with the skills they need to compete on a global stage.”
Dr Leke Otunuga, the co-founder of GAIN, spoke on the societal impact of the solar project.
Dr Leke said, “The youth population in Nigeria is roughly above 55 per cent. Engaging with the Akomolafe Foundation to provide solar solutions to Nigeria’s notorious power problem means two things: one, the GAIN is helping to engage, empower, and enable the youth to harness and positively direct their creative and natural energy for overall national development. Two, we help the youth get positively engaged and stay off criminal activities.”
