.....Matching Intellectual Property thoughts with Evidence-Based Scorecard
Going
by the understanding of the international development institutions,
such as the World Bank, African Development Bank{AfDB} and significant
other global agencies, Development administration, is not only the core
of any nation's public service structure but includes such other
segments of productive engagements, that are private sector-driven.
At
least, this much was explained and given credence to in an exclusive
interview this reporter had with Ajay Banga, the President of the World
Bank, during his first ever visit to Nigeria, in August 2023.
During
the said state visit by the President of the global apex bank, he
placed particular emphasis on what he would want to see as success
stories about Nigeria's ability to make giant strides in the area of
nationwide rural electrification projects.
He was particularly,
emphatic about his expectations, coming alive within the strategic
initiatives of the Nigeria Electrification Project {NEP},which is now
known as the Nigeria Electrification Programme, a World Bank assisted
private sector driven initiative, under the supervision of the Rural
Electrification Agency { REA} .
Before he left the Nigerian
shores, the World Bank President, expressed his heart-felt optimism,
about the capacity of the staff of the Nigeria Electrification Programme
{NEP}, to live up to the projected billings of the huge tasks , that
lay ahead of them.
As a mark of positive motivational incentive,
World Bank President, gave high marks and credit to the staff of Nigeria
Electrification Programme {NEP} and Rural Electrification Agency {REA},
for their demonstration of resilience in pushing forward, the ethos and
principles of development administration, citing the quality project
execution examples as commendable lines of milestone achievement, in
lightening up the unserved and underserved nooks and crannies of rural
Nigerian communities.
Particularly enthralling to him was the
Kilankwa project, a rusty rural community tucked away in Kwali District
of Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
It was
also his projective reasoning that by the time he embarks on a second
visit, lots and lots of impressive milestones by way of scorecard, would
have been recorded.
Just few months after the the World Bank President rounded his visit to Nigeria, something remarkable happened.
This
remarkable event, was the appointment of Olufemi Akinyelure, a
brilliantly intelligent, consummate energy expert and practitioner as
the Head, of the Nigeria Electrification Programme {NEP} by His
Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It came months after
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had graciously signed 2023 Electricity Bill
into an Act of parliament, making it functional as a law guiding and
regulating the establishment of alternative energy sources from
generation, transmission, distribution and sale, opening the space for
greater private sector participation.
Having a very resourceful,
creatively innovative and goal-oriented young mind like Mr. Olufemi
Akinyelure, to contribute to the national task of providing clean and
alternative energy sources through massive Rural Electrification
projects, came in handy at a time the nation, is yearning for increased
power and energy sources to ensure economic empowerment and enhances
conditions of living and lift the citizenry out of rural poverty and
urban misery.
Luckily, since his assumption of office in November
2023,this well-cultured corporate manager of human and material
resources, has been able to raise the bar of development
administration, in his core area of primary assignment, almost 9 months
on the saddle.
However, in a going type of way, the major
stakeholders in the renewable and clean energy sector in Nigeria, having
recognized and appreciated the silent but creative input-processes that
Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure, had been able to drive by way of
value-addition, as Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme{NEP},
decided to use the platform of one of their own, Electricity Hub, to
hold an international Power Dialogue, which is the 97th edition, in the
series, to inform the world the milestone achievements recorded thus
far.
The Power Dialogue, either by accident or design, provided
an opportunity for all leading Mini-Grid, Off-Grid and even players from
the Direct-Grid platforms, to speak truth to truth about the modest and
commendable achievements scored by Olufemi Akinyelure as the new Head
of NEP, in such a short time, demonstrating that a square peg, had been
placed on a square hole.
The international Power Dialogue, whose
thrust was, "Bridging Electrification Gaps In Rural Communities",
ostensibly offered an avenue for the Nigerian and global public
stakeholders, private international and local financiers, investors, the
media and significant others, in the energy world, to offer their
alternative perspectives on the varying subjects, discussed at the one
day event.
The organizers of the event, who choose to kickstart
the day's proceedings with having the opening thoughts of Olufemi
Akinyelure,in a manner that was akin to the citizen-premised journalism
style often adopted by senior professional colleague and former BOSS,
Chief Micharl Awoyinfa, a leading Apostle of Tabloid Journalism in
Nigeria.
Speaking first, gave Olufemi Akinyelure, the ample time
and space to highlight, strategies for "Bridging Electrification Gaps in
Nigerian Rural Communities."
Conscious of the central theme of
the Power Dialogue interactive session, which held at Navera Central
Mall of the Zone 5 Shoprite Shopping Complex, Wuse,Abuja, Olufemi
Akinyelure, gave insights on the concept of the importance of Innovative
Financing Models as well as Sustainable Approaches, that can help drive
rural electrification in Nigeria.
Akinyelure, who equally
doubled as one of the celebrity panelists panelists, emphasized that
rural electrification, is not a one-size-fits-all solution but requires
a combination of catalytic funding, sustainable private sector
engagement and local financing solutions, to meet the energy needs of
underserved and unserved communities.
Speaking with the
competences, skillset and confidence of a personality who is conversant
with the dictates of his professional terrain, Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure,
gave what can best be listed as a deep seated lecture on why the
‘Effective Approaches To Rural Electrification', makes good meaning to
the Nigerian situation.
Said he , "One of the most effective
approaches we've seen is the catalytic funding provided by the Rural
Electrification Agency's (REA) Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP),
backed by the World Bank,"
"This fund acts as a spark for
developers to invest in rural electrification projects, but sustainable
progress ultimately hinges on the involvement of developers and local
financing through blended finance models."
According to
Akinyelure, while the catalytic support from international bodies is
essential to jumpstart projects, the long-term viability depends on
local developers, who are committed to delivering sustainable energy
solutions.
The above thought-process led him into stating that
the concept of ' Primary Benefits of Rural Electrification', must always
be considered in the course of governments move in initiating any
energy capital project from groundbreaking, completion and
commissioning.
He said that the core benefits of electrification
can be highlighted through the transformative impact it has on rural
communities.
To this end, Olufemi Akinyelure explained that ,
beyond just providing light, electrification, as a listed global tool
for development administration, drives economic empowerment, healthcare
improvements, as well as educational advancements.
He further
offered a detailed insight, when he said, "Communities can experience a
ripple effect that extends to productive use of energy, like powering
agricultural equipment, which directly improves local economies."
He
was quick to raise a very pertinent question that induced a reinforced
attentiveness from both panelists and the largely stakeholder populated
audience, when he asked, "Are Stakeholders Doing Enough?"
He was
quick to proffer answers to the question as all ears when wide open
expecting to know what the probable or likely responses would be.
Espousing
his views, in a carefully measured tone, he said, " On whether
stakeholders are doing enough to address the electrification gap, my
position is to express optimism even as I would call for more concerted
efforts".
"We have made strides, but the pace needs to
accelerate. Stakeholders, including government bodies, private
developers and financiers, must collaborate more effectively".
He
suggested that in order to achieve any of the above benchmark-goals, “a
strong regulatory framework, combined with innovative funding
mechanisms, will be key to speeding up these efforts."
On
Attracting Financing to the Renewable Sector, Akinyelure, offered
suggestions on how to attract more financing to the rural
electrification sector.
This he captured this way, when he said,
"One way is by providing data that clearly shows the impact on
beneficiaries," he said. "We need to demonstrate the tangible results of
electrification on livelihoods—whether it's through improved
agricultural productivity or small businesses that thrive thanks to
access to reliable electricity."
He used the instance of the
Power Dialogue Interactive Session, to underscore the importance of
encouraging the Productive Use of Energy, as a vital component tool
known to operatives of the Renewable Energy Sector to boost the adoption
and success of mini-grid solutions.
Capturing and painting a
sociological image about the likely impression-formation processes of
rural dwelling personalities, Akinyelure stated, "When communities see
that electrification can directly enhance their economic output, they
are more likely to embrace and make full use of the energy provided."
The
Future of Rural Electrification, was another critical topic that
Akinyelure, treated with the ease of a class-room teacher, determined
meet up with the challenges of his teaching practice examination
session, as said, "looking forward, I believe that Nigeria's rural
electrification sector, will continue to grow with the right mix of
catalytic support, private investment, and a focus on sustainable,
locally-driven energy solutions".
He hinted that, "as more
stakeholders come on board with innovative models and financing, the
dream of bridging the electrification gap in rural Nigeria, could
become a reality sooner than expected".
Concerted efforts by the
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC federal administration aimed at
revamping the nation's energy sector, is not in doubt.
As the
Nigeria Electrification Programme, {NEP}, approaches its sunset before
the end of the year 2024, to usher in the coming alive of the
Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-Up {DARES},
expectations are high on all fronts.
DARES, is targeted at
scaling up to Nigeria's Energy Access, even as it also seeks to
proactively improve on the credible accomplishments of the Nigeria
Electrification Programme, a World Bank financed project.
By way
of projections, no fewer than 17.5 million Nigerians, are to be provided
with improved electricity supplies, as ways of bridging the deficit in
the nation's energy gap in rural communities.
For the easygoing
urbane man of all seasons, Olufemi Akinyelure,who exudes high degrees of
emotional, cognitive, investigative and social intelligence, NEP, has
so far been able to build about 158 mini-grid plants across the six geo
political zones of the country, located in the remotest rural council
areas.
For purposes of institutional exactitudes, NEP,as a World
Bank assisted project, about to wind up, few month's time from now, has
recorded a very impressive scorecard, milestoned by equally
encouraging indices of evaluation
These include, 158 Solar Hybrid
Mini-Grids, completed and commissioned nationwide, over 1.08 million
verified and paid connections under Solar Home Systems {SHS}, no fewer
than 100 containerized Solar Hybrid Systems, successfully deployed to
isolation & treatment centres {ICT's} as well as listed Health
Centers, about 1,136, 118 Households, have been provided with brand new
and practically improved electricity services.
Meanwhile, the
total capacity of electrical energy that had been installed approximates
to about 94 Mega Watts while an additional outstanding total of 32 Mega
Watts capacity premised energy sources, would soon be commissioned in a
total of seven {7} Federal Universities & two University Teaching
Hospitals, spread across the 6 geo political zones of Nigeria, including
the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The dream of the Nigeria
Electrification Programme before it terminates about November or
December 2024, is to positively impact over 7.5 million rural and
down-trodden Nigerians by making them have access to electricity in
their respective but cherished localities.
Olufemi Akinyelure,in
what seemed a Tabloid Journalism approach to issues, values and norms of
societal living, told participants at the POWER DIALOGUE interactive
session that, " electricity, is the thin line between life and death",
given the vital roles it plays in improving the quality of life,in all
spheres of human endeavour, particularly clinical sessions or high
profile medical surgeries, either at a public or private primary,
secondary or tertiary health facility."
Ichie Enyi Ejike-Umunnabuike Jr, a seasoned journalist, sent this material from Abuja
.jpeg)
