Monday January 29 2024, the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP) Launched a new campaign tagged Light Up Africa -through the lens of children. The campaign which is in partnership with Kucoin a global cryptocurrency exchange with headquarters in Seychelles, Griffin Consulting FZCO and GLobal CSR Consulting as major sponsors and Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation as the African Partner, is aimed at providing solar reading lamps to children across rural and poor African communities to aid their night studies.
Light up Africa project is a ground-breaking initiative which is aimed at addressing the dual challenges of energy, poverty and climate change mitigation in the African continent. Looking at the perspective of children, this project seeks to leverage solar energy solution to bring sustainable and clean electricity to under-served communities, fostering education, empowerment, and environmental consciousness.
The occasion which held at the FEYReP hall Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo had in attendance the Founder of FEYReP, H. E, Dr Martha U. Emmanuel, representatives of the funding partners Kucoin and Griffin Consulting FZCO, as well as the African Partner Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation. Also in attendance were esteemed functionaries of the Akwa Ibom State Government, including Her Excellency Pastor Patience Umo Eno, the wife of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Idongesit Etiebet, the Commissioner for Education and representatives from the other South Southern states of Nigeria NGOs and Civil Society Organizations.
It is worthy of note that by providing solar-powered lighting solutions to school’s students, the project aims to enhance access to education for children in remote areas, ensuring extended study hours and improved learning environments and achievements. This lights additionally will aid in illuminating the homes of these children which will serve as a catalyst for community development thus informing the children of the essence of awareness to alternative power which invariably serves as a mitigation mode for climate change. Concerning climate change mitigation, this opportunity will aid in the reduction of dependency on traditional, fossil fuel-based energy sources. This contributes lowering carbon emissions, mitigating the impact of climate change and fostering sustainable development. This project sets an example for sustainable development practice in the African context.
3 schools were selected to be beneficiaries of the solar lamps to aid them in their educational endeavors. In these schools, 300 students were selected and were in attendance at the launch in the company of the school principals. The schools selected were, Cornelia Cornelly College, Apostolic Secondary School, Ikot Oku Nsit and Community Sec. School Itam. These students were given a lamp each at the end of the program.
The first phase of this project being kicked off will see the distribution of 2500 solar lamps to schools across the South-South geopolitical Zone of Nigeria with Akwa Ibom State being the flagship state for the campaign, while schools in Bayelsa Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers States will also be beneficiaries.
The Light Up Africa in the lens of children project as explained by FEYReP’s founder H.E. Dr. Martha Emmanuel, spans into 5 phases to be implemented in North Africa, South Africa, East Africa and West Africa. The West African implementation is expected to be driven by FEYReP in Nigeria and beyond.
Representatives from the sponsors and the African Partners also spoke at the event.
There were goodwill massages given from esteemed governments representatives and CSO actors in the state who expressed appreciation towards the novel approach of educational enhancement for the students in the rural communities who have been greatly denied the privilege of electricity especially at evening/night, as initiated by FEYReP
Additional highlights of the events were:
- The official launch of the solar lights and distribution by Her Excellency, the wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Patience Umo Eno
- Overview of KU-COIN-GLOBAL by Olatunde Steven
- Inauguration of WIRE-A SS REGION by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr (MRS) Akon Eyakenyi
- Tree planting which was anchored by the founder/CEO of WINCO, Mrs Emem Umoh,
The Light Up Africa, through the Lens of Children project not only addresses energy poverty but also plays a vital role in climate change mitigation. By intertwining education, community empowerment and clean energy solution, this initiative paves the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for Africa and its children.
