FG gives solar systems, clean stoves to 330 Ondo residents

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The Federal Government has distributed locally made household items to 330 residents across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure Sustainable Empowerment Programme.

The items distributed included solar home systems and clean cooking stoves, among others, all manufactured locally.

Speaking at the distribution of the items to the beneficiaries on Saturday, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr Khalil Halilu, said the initiative was designed to translate research and development into practical products that could improve living conditions and provide economic opportunities for Nigerians.

To this end, he called for wider adoption of locally developed technologies, saying increased use of indigenous innovations could stimulate domestic manufacturing, create jobs and address some of the country’s household challenges.

According to him, wider adoption of locally developed products would encourage domestic manufacturing and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to develop solutions to its own challenges.

He said, “This is to promote locally produced items which bring about employment and also to have something good for our communities.

“Our mandate finds its fullest meaning when technologies we develop and promote help people solve real problems, become more productive and improve their standards of living.”

The NASENI boss explained that the solar home systems would provide lighting for households, enable children to study at night and support small businesses, while the clean cooking stoves would offer more efficient cooking alternatives and reduce exposure to smoke when properly used.

He disclosed that the NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme had reached more than 10 states across the six geopolitical zones, with 330 men and women benefiting from the intervention in Ondo State.

He added that the programme was intended to take technological innovations beyond research facilities and make them accessible to households and businesses.

In his remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the beneficiaries would receive additional financial support to enable them to establish or strengthen micro-businesses.

Olawande said the intervention was not a political strategy but “an effort to take technology-based solutions and economic opportunities to grassroots communities”.

The minister noted that the clean cooking stove initiative was particularly relevant to women who depended on firewood and other traditional cooking methods, exposing themselves and their children to smoke.

He also disclosed that the Ministry of Youth Development would commence the Nigeria Youth Academy programme on November 9 to support innovation and entrepreneurship among young Nigerians.

He added that some beneficiaries of related government interventions had received grants of N20m, N10m and N5m to support their businesses and innovations.

“The Federal Government is working with relevant agencies and stakeholders to extend technology, mentorship and entrepreneurship opportunities to young people and vulnerable groups,” the minister stated.

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