Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his unwavering commitment to revitalizing critical infrastructure especially energy and power sectors in the country.
Bagudu made the commendation at Sultan Maccido Institute of Islamic Studies, Sokoto as Special Guest Speaker at the opening ceremony of the 38 National Solar Energy Forum “NASEF 2020” with the theme “solar energy in post Covid-19 economy”.
He acknowledged President Buhari determination to diversify Nigeria’s economy away from oil and has unprecedented by investing heavily in agriculture, railways, roads, energy and power supply.
He was particularly thankful to President Buhari for installing 98.8KW solar mini grand plant at Dadin Kowa Village in Argungu which was commissioned by rural electricity agency of the Federal Government on 17th September, 2019.
The governor informed the audience that Kebbi state signed MoU with NNPC to cultivate 20,000 hectares of cassava and sugarcane for biofuel production jointly financed by the parties to boosting internally generated revenue as well as importantly create thousands of direct and indirect jobs to youths.
Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu was however unhappy about the slow progress of Nigeria in technological development, saying only Kenya and South Africa remitted third in geothermal and concentrated solar thermal.
He regretted that Nigeria failed to utilize abundant renewable resources to provide energy accessible to the nation’s and teaming population in the rural areas, saying this has become a challenge for all politicians, science engineers, technologists and industrialists.
The Governor expressed appreciation to Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto for inviting him to deliver lecture on the renewable energy and thanked the President of Solar Society of Nigeria, Professor I.J. Dioha for recognizing Tungar Buzu in Kebbi state as the first point for launching solar energy by its former President Professor Abubakar Muhammad Gulma.
He gave an assurance that state would do everything possible to sustain such invaluable mark and maintain efforts of pioneer solar energy founding fathers.
In an address, Vice Chancellor of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto Professor Lawal Sulaiman Bilbis vowed that the University would continue to embark on research on renewable energy towards meeting national aspirations.
He expressed gratitude to Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara State Governments for their support to the institution and solicited for additional assistance to research funding in various scientific aspects for the benefit of the society.
In a remark, the President of Solar Society of Nigerian, Professor I.J Dioha appreciated the location of Solar Energy of Nigeria at Tungar Buzu in Kebbi State and commended its founding fathers.
He requested authorities concerned to ensure laws were formulated on solar energy protection in the country.
He urged stakeholders to look inwards of the availability of sunlight in the zone by utilizing it for renewable energy.
On his part the Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonanya Onu represented by the Director General Energy Commission of Nigeria, Professor E.J Bala pledged the support of the ministry for the provision of renewable energy nationwide.
Dr. Ogbonanya Onu appealed to Members of the society to work towards research to ensuring that Nigeria rank among most advanced nations in the energy sectors.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Junaidu Wali affirmed his support to the activities of the solar energy of Nigeria.
At the ceremony, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu along with governors of Sokoto and Zamfara states, Minister of Power Engr. Sale Mamman were inducted as fellows of the society and presented with awards “Advocates of Solar Energy in Nigeria award and fellowship”.
Similar investiture was extended to Director General Automobile, Engineer Jelani Aliyu, Managing Director Kaduna Electric, Engineer Garba Haruna, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi among others for their support to renewable energy and their contribution to the development of the energy.
