The Executive Director of Technical Services at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Umar Abdullahi Umar, has distributed 160 units of solar home systems to small-scale business operators across the Dawakin-Tofa/Tofa/Rimin-Gado Federal Constituency of Kano State.
Umar, son of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is making this gesture to promote youth empowerment and economic sustainability.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the APC National Chairman, Edwin Olofu, the beneficiaries include all members of the ruling party who are POS operators, phone charging service providers, barbers, tailors, and other entrepreneurs drawn from 38 wards within the constituency.
The weekend empowerment programme was described as a critical intervention to help young entrepreneurs reduce operating costs and boost income, especially amid rising energy challenges.
During the event, Umar stated that his focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“This initiative is aimed at promoting youth self-reliance and economic development. By supporting SMEs, we are building the foundation for long-term prosperity and reducing poverty,” he said.
Umar added that solar power offers a cost-effective alternative to fuel, enabling small businesses to operate more efficiently.
“We identified your businesses and supported you because SMEs are the bedrock of any thriving economy, even in developed nations. We will continue to support President Tinubu’s vision to transform Nigeria through grassroots empowerment,” he added.
Umar concluded by promising more inclusive empowerment initiatives, especially targeting women, designed to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people further.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, applauded Umar’s unwavering commitment to addressing power challenges in Kano.
He noted that Umar has successfully facilitated the installation of 1 megawatt of solar energy at major institutions, including Bayero University Kano (BUK), Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Dangote University of Science and Technology, and Kano Polytechnic.
Dr Junaid Tofa, Director General of Engr. Umar’s campaign team also commended his consistent efforts toward community development, highlighting previous interventions such as installing over 500 solar-powered streetlights and regularly distributing food items across the constituency.
