Folarin facilitates training and equipping of 500 youths on solar power installation, maintenance

Former Senate Leader and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, has facilitated the training and equipping of over 500 youths of Oyo Central on solar power installation and maintenance.

This is just as he commissioned new ICT centres in two secondary schools in the state.

The empowerment training during which the beneficiaries underwent one-month intensive training in Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso zones of the state, was organised through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDM).

Folarin while speaking at a certification ceremony held at Jogor Event Centre Ibadan on Tuesday, said the over 500 youths have acquired life skills in solar and renewable energy installation, repairs and maintenance and will become self-reliant, employers of labour, which will go a long way in curbing youth restiveness and insecurity in the state.

“With the one-month intensive training, the beneficiaries are now able to design simple solar grids, install, maintain and repair SPV technologies and other renewable technologies and also be able trouble shoot and repair solar street lights amongst many other skills acquired.

“I urge the beneficiaries form a Cooperative society while NCDMB should consider them for contracts. Also, there is need for NCDMB to create a database for proper monitoring and mentorship”, he said.

The former Senate Leader who lauded the NCDMB under the leadership of Engr. Simbi Wabote, for its cooperation and support over the years, said over N500m was expended on the training and equipping the youths.

He said, “Each beneficiary received starter pack and toolbox. N60,000 out of the N120,000 start-up capital have been paid to each participant during the training; they will receive alert of the balance immediately after this ceremony.”

Meanwhile, the former federal lawmaker commissioned two new ICT centres at Community Secondary School, Badeku in Ona-Ara local government area and Iresaadu High School in Surulere local government area.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Wabote represented by the Director Policy and Research Studies, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, in his remarks, at the certification ceremony, said the programme was aimed at providing the youth with means of livelihood.

He commended the training initiative and Senator Folarin for his visionary leadership and for equipping his constituents with skills that are relevant to modern trend.

The management team of NCDMB present at the event include Mrs. Angela Okoro; Mr. Adebayo Joseph; Chinedu Ihediani and others.

It would be recalled that Senator Folarin has trained and empowered over 50,000 constituents in various skills and also facilitated not less than 30 ICT centres.