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Heritage Bank Plc has aligned forces with ‘Liter of Light Nigeria’, a global open
source movement, to provide sustainable solar electricity for Itomaro community in
Lagos State.
Passionate about making cheap and sustainable solar street lights accessible to the
impoverished off-grid communities in Nigeria, the partnership, on Thursday,
launched 35 units of solar energy-powered street lights it produced for the
community. The movement comprises a group of Nigerian students of the University
of Nottingham, United Kingdom, who is passionate about making a positive
difference to the world through the gift of light.
In his remarks to the beneficiary community during the launch, the MD/CEO of the
bank, Ifie Sekibo, who was represented by Ozena Utulu, Head, Brand Management
& Sustainability, Heritage Bank Plc, commended the people living in the community
for giving access to the joint team of Heritage Bank and Liter of Light Nigeria to
execute the project.
He noted that it takes two to tango; stressing that without their confidence in the
project the achievement recorded would not have been possible. She therefore
commended the youth of the community, who volunteered to participate in the
training sessions organized during the two-week period of the production of the
street lights.
Sekibo was confident that with the knowledge acquired during the training sessions,
the effective maintenance of the new street lights would not be difficult. Her words:
“These youth already have the knowledge required to ensure the street lights are
effectively sustained and to produce more units.”
The MD charged those youth to research more into what solar energy can be used
for in the contemporary world. She stated: “Read more about solar energy; you
never can tell where the knowledge you have acquired under the programme can
lead to in the future. My advice for you is try to discover yourself now concerning
what you would love to become in the future and begin to work towards achieving
the goal.
Sekibo's words: “Use the knowledge acquired today to create wealth. The power
rests with you now. In everything you do in life, challenges can come; but remain
steadfast and confront whatever storm of life. With such determination, you will
achieve your goal.”
Meanwhile, Enemona Adaji, one of the Project Co-coordinators for Liter of Light,
disclosed that the movement was founded with the aim of providing ecologically
sustainable street lights. According to him, the easily constructed device consists of
a 1-2L bottle fashioned into a solar bulb delivering as much light as a 40 – 60-watt
incandescent bulb.
According to him, the team had earlier provided100 sustainable and affordable solar-
powered lightings to the Makoko slum, an area which previously struggled with
lighting.
Also speaking at the event, Emma Tayou, representative of the University of
Nottingham; explained that the institution has culture of charging its students to think
about any viable project that can help to positively impact the society.
According to her, a group of Nigerian students of the university decided that they
would take on the challenge of lighting up the dark streets of impoverished
communities in this country. She said the university bought into the idea and
supported them with the take-off grant that set the initial pedestal for them.
She therefore commended the team for the sacrifices each member is making to
ensure the mission is accomplished in every community selected.
Among the 25 volunteers, who participated in the project in Itomaro are: Emmanuel
Mustapha and Abraham Samuel.
//ends//
Fela Ibidapo, Divisional Head, Corporate Communications
PIX 1- L-R: Student of University of Nottingham and Project Coordinator, Liter of Light Nigeria, Mr. Bolaji Onalaja; Osorun of Onisiwo of Itomaro Land, High Chief Bashorun Olayiwola; Head, Brand Management and Sustainability, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank, Mrs. Ozena Utulu; Representative of University of Nottingham, Emma Tarrant Tayou; Student of University of Nottingham and also Project Coordinator, Liter of Light Nigeria, Mr. Enemona Emmanuel Adaji; and Odofin of Onisiwo, Itomaro, Chief Lateef Rufia; at the lunching of the Heritage Bank-sponsored Liter of light Nigeria Solar Energy Electrification Project in Itomaro Lagos State…recently
PIX 2- L-R: Student of University of Nottingham and Project Coordinator, Liter of Light Nigeria, Mr. Bolaji Onalaja; Osorun of Onisiwo of Itomaro Land, High Chief Bashorun Olayiwola; Head, Brand Management and Sustainability, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank, Mrs. Ozena Utulu; Representative of University of Nottingham, Emma Tarrant Tayou; Student of University of Nottingham and also Project Coordinator, Liter of Light Nigeria, Mr. Enemona Emmanuel Adaji; and Odofin of Onisiwo, Itomaro, Chief Lateef Rufia at the lunching of the Heritage Bank-sponsored Liter of light Nigeria Solar Energy Electrification Project in Itomaro Lagos State…recently
