CREN to train 1,000 youths, women, expand renewable energy advocacy
The Council for Renewable Energy of Nigeria (CREN) says it plans to train more than 1,000 youths and women and expand renewable energy advocacy to rural communities across the country.
Engr. Yusuf Ganda, CREN President, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the inauguration of the council’s newly elected members on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ganda said the council would establish chapters in all states of the federation to promote the adoption of renewable energy at the state, local government and community levels.
He said the initiative was aimed at extending the council’s activities beyond major cities such as Abuja and Lagos to rural communities, where residents would be sensitised to the benefits of renewable energy.
“CREN by its mandate, is advocating renewable energy in Nigeria. We hope to take this advocacy to rural areas,” he said.
The president said the council had begun preparations for its activities even before the inauguration and would move into implementation immediately after the ceremony.
He acknowledged the efforts of previous leaderships but said the new administration was determined to broaden the council’s reach and strengthen renewable energy advocacy nationwide.
The CREN President also said the council planned to promote gender inclusion through the proposed training programme for youths and women.
“We intend to train over 1,000 youths, including women, to ensure gender balance,” he said.
He urged individuals and organisations interested in renewable energy to register as members of CREN, saying membership would provide access to incentives the council planned to introduce.
One of the newly inaugurated executive members, Engr. Sabo Mahmoud, said as Financial Secretary, the office would ensure proper management of the council’s funds and transparency in financial processes.
According to him, the council also plans to intensify fundraising efforts to support innovative renewable energy projects and ensure their long-term sustainability.
He said CREN would explore funding opportunities from international donors, partners and intervention programmes to support its plans.
“Operation and maintenance also require a lot of money. The fundraising we are doing will not rely solely on members’ contributions or annual dues,” he said.
Mahmoud expressed optimism that effective financial management and increased funding would enable the new executive to achieve its objectives and move the council forward.
In his remarks, Dr Segun Adaju, Chairman of the National Organising Committee (NOC), said solar energy remained critical to addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges and promoting economic growth.
According to him, solar energy offered opportunities for households, businesses, industries and public institutions amid inadequate electricity supply and rising energy costs.
“Solar energy is not just an alternative source of power. It is a strategic pathway to Nigeria’s energy security, economic growth, job creation and sustainable development,” he said.
“We need to build a very robust solar energy ecosystem that promotes local manufacturing.
“There is a lot of local innovation that we need to support in developing the industry in Nigeria,” he said.
Adaju stressed the need to attract sustainable investments, improve access to affordable financing and encourage innovation across the solar energy value chain.
NAN reports that the event featured the inauguration of seven executive members and marked the beginning of the new council members’ tenure following their election in September.
Dr Sunny Akpoyibo, President of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN) and outgoing CREN President, presented certificates to the newly inaugurated executive members.(NAN)
