The Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, has received commendation for initiating the Solar Electrification Training and Renewable Energy Skills Programme, a capacity-building initiative widely described as a strategic investment in youth empowerment and sustainable economic growth.
The commendation came from Olayiwola Rasheed Emmanuel, Special Adviser on Environment, Information and Civic Engagement to the immediate past chairman of the council, High Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi.
Jebba Hamilton, as he is fondly called, who is among the 25 participants selected for the first batch of the programme, said the initiative reflects purposeful leadership and a clear understanding of the changing dynamics of the labour market.
Speaking during the ongoing training, which commenced on Monday, January 19, 2026, he noted that the programme goes beyond policy statements by equipping young people with practical and income-generating skills in the fast-growing renewable energy sector.
According to him, the training offers participants a rare opportunity to acquire hands-on technical knowledge that can translate into employment, entrepreneurship and value creation within the local economy.
He described the initiative as timely and forward-looking, stressing that renewable energy has become a present-day necessity rather than a distant ambition.
“By exposing young people to practical solar energy skills, the chairman is opening doors to job creation, self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
He added that the structure of the programme, which combines classroom instruction with practical fieldwork, positions participants to immediately apply their skills within communities, support small businesses and respond effectively to Nigeria’s growing demand for alternative power solutions.
He further noted that the personal involvement of the council chairman in the programme underscores the administration’s commitment to human capital development and inclusive governance.
“Leadership is best demonstrated through action. This programme shows a deliberate effort to invest in people, not just infrastructure. It is the kind of intervention that strengthens local economies and reduces youth unemployment,” he stated.
The Solar Electrification Training and Renewable Energy Value Chain Development Programme is being implemented in phases.
The first cohort is currently undergoing intensive sessions covering solar installation, basic maintenance, safety procedures and an introduction to the renewable energy value chain.
With additional batches expected to commence in the coming weeks, the initiative is widely regarded as part of a broader strategy by the Agege Local Government to promote skills acquisition, economic resilience and grassroots development through sustainable and future-oriented policies.
