Renewable energy developer, Dr Sunny Akpoyibo, has announced the launch of the Nigeria Green Campus Initiative (NGCI), which is focused on entrepreneurship and empowerment, and coming with over $1million of funding to scale up innovative projects.
The announcement was made at the Third Green Economy Lecture/Awards held from Monday, July 16 to Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in Ilorin, Kwara State.
“Our children go to schools and are at the mercy of unreliable power systems. With this initiative, we shall be able to deploy portable lighting systems to campuses and students in our tertiary institutions; and at the same time, contribute towards helping entrepreneurs start up their businesses in the industry,” says Dr Akpoyibo.
A brainchild of the Asteven Group, the NGCI is in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Green Economics Institute of Nigeria, First Bank and other partners.
This announcement was made as the Light Up Kwara (LUK) Project of the Kwara State Project received a huge boost with the hosting of the 3rd Green Economy Lecture/Achievement Awards 2018, with the theme, “Carbon Market: Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria”.
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, a Professor of Environmental Science and Development and a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), delivered the keynote presentation at the first day of the two-day event. This was followed by a panel discussion anchored by Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director, Green Growth and Climate Change, African Development Bank (AFDB).
The Green Economy Council Roundtable, moderated by Dr Victor Fodeke, Initiator, Nigeria’s Green Economy Hall of Fame, had a presentation on: “Understanding Green Economy”, and was followed by an interactive session with participants at the lecture.
Day Two witnessed a masterclass session by Richard Okibe, MRV (Measurement, Reporting, Verification) expert with the Federal Ministry of Environment, on “Challenging Issues in Agriculture, Forestry and other Land Use (AFOLU)”. It was followed by a tour to sites of green economy projects of the Kwara State Government under the Light Up Kwara Project, which showcased the innovative Solar Light Tunnels, said to be the first of its kind in Africa. Over 80 percent completed, it is said not to have displaced residents and that it is a wholly private sector funded PPP project.
The event ended with the induction of outstanding Nigerians and institutions who have contributed hugely to development of the Green Economy and Sustainable Development of Natural Capital in Nigeria into The Green Economy Hall of Fame. Inductees included: Dr. Newton Jibunoh, Dr. Victor Fodeke, Dr Sunny Akpoyibo, Dr Magnus Onuoha and a Posthumous Award to Ken Saro Wiwa, received by Asu Ekiye, who thrilled guests with his music.
Deserving professionals in the green economy space were also recognised with achievement awards, among whom were: Segun Adaju of Solar Direct, Hannah Kabir of Creeds Energy, Femi Adeyemo of Arnergy Nigeria, Habiba Ali of Sosai Renewables, Chuks Umezulora of Auxano Solar, and Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, Governor of Kwara State.
The Green Economy lecture is an initiative of the Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria (SEPAN), Green Economics Initiative of Nigeria (GEIN) and Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE), Nigeria Chapter, as well as Asteven International Group.
