BATN Foundation, an independent charitable organisation, and Solar Jooce, a social enterprise recently signed a collaboration agreement to train rural women in Oyo State in the assembly and repair of basic solar powered lighting and phone charging appliances. The signing ceremony was presided over by Mr. Gbenga Ibikunle (Executive Director, BATN Foundation) and Mr. Dave Agbakoba (CEO, Solar Jooce).
The objective of the pilot is to train an initial 20 rural ladies in a trade which they can turn into micro businesses, as well as provide their communities with an alternative to dangerous and expensive fossil fuelled lighting such as kerosene lanterns.
According to Mr. Agbakoba: “Of the world's 1.6 billion people living without electricity, 80% live in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Solar Jooce women’s empowerment initiative is therefore a small step in the daunting task of providing a clean, alternative source of electricity, alleviating poverty, and providing opportunities for rural families in Nigeria”.
The training workshop will span five weeks (June 11 - July 17, 2012), and will cover four Local Government Areas in Oyo state - Itesiwaju, Kajola, Oyo West, and Iseyin – before moving on to other states in Nigeria.
The Bishop of Ajayi Crowther Diocese, Bishop O. O. Oduntan is the co-ordinator of the Oyo state pilot, identifying areas that have little or no electricity and helping in the selection of trainee rural women solar technicians.
The objective of the pilot is to train an initial 20 rural ladies in a trade which they can turn into micro businesses, as well as provide their communities with an alternative to dangerous and expensive fossil fuelled lighting such as kerosene lanterns.
According to Mr. Agbakoba: “Of the world's 1.6 billion people living without electricity, 80% live in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Solar Jooce women’s empowerment initiative is therefore a small step in the daunting task of providing a clean, alternative source of electricity, alleviating poverty, and providing opportunities for rural families in Nigeria”.
The training workshop will span five weeks (June 11 - July 17, 2012), and will cover four Local Government Areas in Oyo state - Itesiwaju, Kajola, Oyo West, and Iseyin – before moving on to other states in Nigeria.
The Bishop of Ajayi Crowther Diocese, Bishop O. O. Oduntan is the co-ordinator of the Oyo state pilot, identifying areas that have little or no electricity and helping in the selection of trainee rural women solar technicians.
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