September 09, (THEWILL) – Off-takers, mostly those in the solar energy sector, are working tirelessly, preparing to offer paid internships to some of the young people who benefitted from the Greening Youth Foundation Africa’s (GYF Africa) in partnership with Mactay Consulting Firm’s solar technicians’ training programme.
Tunde Rotimi, Director of Business Growth and Strategy, at Mactay Consulting Firm, disclosed this weekend, at the 2024 solar technology programme graduation event held in Lagos.
After completing the training, the off-takers component of the initiative seeks to immediately place the beneficiaries in jobs to assist the rapidly expanding renewable energy environment. Rotimi said, “It means that they get the theoretical part of the training and they also get to do the career parts and see the potential even if the off-taker programme lasts for three months, six months, and even one year and the off-taker part is over.”
He observed that such a commitment has been able to offer them the required rudiments to blend with the renewable energy sector. He explained that they developed strong leadership abilities, proficient writing abilities, and effective communication skills with the Mactay support team, adding that they now have expertise in solar energy, in addition to being certified solar technicians.
In her speech, Theresa Charles, the Secretary General of Lighthouse, urged the graduates to continue learning new skills in order to stay competitive even as they pursue creative ideas in the field of renewable energy. “The knowledge of yesterday will not be acceptable today. You need to keep growing and be yourself.” “We want to congratulate all the graduates of the training programme.
It is the beginning of a new dawn for all of you who participated in this five-week programme. One of the graduates who participated last year is working with us. Going forward, we hope to work with some of you that have been trained. We also do some free training for the graduates. It is for us to give back to society and to also make sure that we educate a lot of people on solar energy, this is one of the issues confronting Nigeria, and one of the things that we preach at Lighthouse is that light can be given to the common man in Nigeria”, she said.
While promising that Lighthouse will retain the vibrant ones who are chosen for internships, she advised them to replicate power appliances in their neighbourhood.
The best graduating male student, Olisa Madubuike, said: “I emerged as the best-graduating student for the males in the 2024 Technicians Solar Training programme organised by MacTay and the Greening Foundation. I feel pleased, happy, and blessed. It was expected, though I had it as a goal to emerge as one of the best-graduating students. I emerged as the overall best student and am well pleased. I am glad that the programme came to fruition in my life. One of my goals is to be the best among the trainees, which I was able to accomplish. I commend the organisers and the trainers who are knowledgeable, and they have impacted a lot on us during the training.”
Best graduating female student, Chinaza Ogbonna: “I wasn’t expecting that I would emerge as the best-graduating student for females. I want to thank God for this opportunity, and I pray that this will take me to the top of my career. I commend the organisers for giving us the opportunity to participate in this training, and they should continue to empower the youths. Ogbonna noted, “The environment is so comfortable and very conducive to staying.” I never saw myself coming to Lagos, and I promise never to take this opportunity, I want to say I am the best version of myself. I did not meet myself the same way I was last month.”
Graduating student Michael Babatunde: “My coming to this place is something that God has predestined because this has always been something I have wanted right from the onset. It’s a growing sector, and I really embrace that opportunity and learn more with the Mactay, coupled with the fact that Greening Youth Foundation Africa is bringing up something so industrious and I have been really grateful to God.” “It is an opportunity for me to brace up, and ever since it has been interesting with wonderful facilitators and teachers, class interaction, and it has been so impactful, I have learnt a lot about solar energy.
Graduating student Josephine Ehigiator said, “I have always wanted to have knowledge in this field, and I am very appreciative. I believe in giving back to the society that made me. I was giving it for free, and I will give it back to society for free. I will empower the youths of my community in this line. There is so much training like this, but this is so different and unique. I really appreciate them. I thank the organisers for the conducive environment. They have even taught us how to dress decently and properly.”
Moreover, the event experienced diverse academic excellence awards, including leadership awards received by male class governor Israel Oluwadamilare and female class governor Joy Kpou, enthusiastic awards nominated by the facilitator, excellent efforts awards nominated by the program coordinator, and social media nominated by GYF social media team Mary Olawole. The event, which was co-anchored by two females, climaxed when participants posed for groups’ outdoor photos at the Mactay huge edifice, the official venue of the edition 2024 solar technicians training programme.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
