The Nasarawa State government and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have presented 1,150 units of the energy-saving, efficient cook stoves to rural women in the state.
Speaking during the second phase of the distribution to households at the state government house in Lafia, the state capital and Akwanga today (December 29, 2022), the state governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule urged other agencies and parastatals of governments both at the Federal and state levels to emulate the development strides going on to bring development directly to the people.
“Nations are built by institutions but, also, institutions are built directly by humans. Leaders’ commitment and dedication to the ideals of such institutions are for the benefits of the people and nothing else,” Sule said.
Recall that the first set of NASENI’s environment-friendly cooking stoves was distributed a fortnight ago to women at NASENI’s headquarters in Abuja.
“What Nigeria is witnessing today with NASENI is the direct outcome of putting a round peg in a round hole, with the appointment of Prof. Mohammed Haruna as NASENI’s chief executive. This is demonstrated in the transformations in NASENI under his helmsmanship.
“It is, indeed, a new NASENI and some of the things observed in the agency currently ought to have been done several decades ago but [are] now ongoing because of the visionary leadership of Prof. Haruna. It is better late than never. NASENI is now led by one who understands the crucible of institutional development interventions and the mandate of the agency. NASENI is now back on track.”
Sule was optimistic that if the agency kept the pace, in no time, real-time development will begin to come to Nigeria and its citizens.
“I have observed keenly the developments and interventions ongoing in NASENI and I had cause to discuss with President Muhammadu Buhari about the developments at the agency. I can confirm to everyone that the President Buhari is very pleased with the various developmental strides, research and developmental works ongoing at the agency,” said Sule.
He further urged the EVC and NASENI management to continue on the path of progress and restoration of hope of a possible industrial revolution in the country soon.
Earlier, the NASENI EVC, Prof. Haruna disclosed that the distributions of the efficient cooking stoves were for Nasarawa north and south senatorial zones and totalled 1,150.
He said 350 units of the stoves were distributed to 350 households earlier in the day in Nasarawa north senatorial district in Akwanga local government area of the state.
NASENI and Atmosfair Germany designed and manufactured the Save 80 Efficient Cooking Stove and the wonder pots being distributed to women nationwide.
Atmosfair Germany, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is on a mission to save the environment from further deforestation and desertification. It is working in collaboration with NASENI and the state government, with the approval of the Presidency.
One of NASENI’s interests, according to Haruna, was to not only save the environment from continuous deforestation and conservation of the vegetation flora and fauna but also “to reach out to less privileged women, especially now that household incomes are shrinking and the rural women experience difficulty in meeting their energy needs to prepare meals for their families”.
A statement by the agency’s deputy director, information, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan said Haruna further pledged the agency’s commitment to continuous support for the upliftment of rural areas through the introduction of innovative products, technology, machines and equipment to boost the economies of the rural areas in line with the mandate of the agency.
