The Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (GCON), on Friday, 2nd August, 2019, commissioned 2.8 Mega Watts Solar Hybrid Power Plant installed at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State. The project which is fully funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the initiative of Rural Electrification Agency and aimed at energizing education in Nigeria was started with Phase 1, to cut across 9 Federal Universities and 1 Teaching Hospital.

VC, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba passionately receiving the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on arrival.
In his speech, Prof. Osinbajo, noted that he was in AE-FUNAI to celebrate the landmark achievement of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Next Level Agenda. He said that the solar hybrid power plant was to enhance lifestyle and clean environment and create environmental friendliness in the campus, adding that it will promote renewable energy, enhance security and most importantly, the training of the young ones especially the 180 female students. He emphasized that the plant in AE-FUNAI is the first of 37 federal universities and 7 university teaching hospitals. He however mentioned five notable objectives of the Federal Government towards the project to include: access to electrification in the country; increase access to modern education; provide a conducive, safe and security to learning environment; empower women in Nigeria; provide true quality healthcare; develop and implement healthy environment and to create jobs in all the sectors of the economy. He remarked that the administration of President Buhari recognizes the importance of synergy and thanked the active and highly committed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba.

VC Prof. Nwajiuba in warm handshake with the Vice-President to the admiration of Executive Governor of Ebonyi State.

Vice-President, His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON, Presenting his speech.
While addressing the Vice-President and the entire guests, VC maintained that the event remains a milestone in the annals of history of this university and that he has just one simple way to express his joy-that is, to be truly proud of our country, Nigeria. He thanked the President for approving the project, even as he recalled past achievements and success of the university. He noted that one among the greatest achievements was the full accreditation of 26 out of 28 programmes run by the university. He pointed out that, it is evidence of change era, noting that the university marked uninterrupted power supply on 24th July 2019 from 7am, putting an end to diesel and fossil fuel burning for power. He enthused that we now have a generation of focused Nigerians and that the university remains committed to renewable energy through ‘Campus Green Initiative’.

VC, Prof. Nwajiuba making his welcome speech
Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Engr. Chief Dave Nweze Umahi during his speech, commended His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for the level of infrastructural development going on in the university. He stated his belief in solar project and used the occasion to request Federal Government to kindly provide similar solar hybrid power plants to 774 local government councils in Nigeria so as to create employment and enhance national development.

His Excellency, Governor of Ebonyi State making his remarks.
Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, Managing Director, REA, affirmed that the installation of solar hybrid power plant in AEFUNAI is a great privilege because it will improve socio-economic stance of this country especially as it concerns Federal Government Energizing Education Programme, which kicked-off since 2016. She mentioned that the training of 180 female STEM students is the right step in the right direction and assured that women database will be created to enhance women participation and girl child and gender inclusion.

MD/CEO REA, Damilola Ogunbiyi making presentation on Energizing Education Programme.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Architect Sonny Echono, congratulated the Federal Government for establishing the project to energize education and provide enabling and reliable education environment. He further said that the street light will provide security and enhance social life and perhaps, the greatest aspect of the project is the training of female folks.
The contractor, Mr. Deepak Thakur, CEO Solar, Sterling & Wilson Nigeria Ltd, who made presentation of AE-FUNAI Solar Hybrid Mini Grid EEP Project, thanked the Federal Ministry of Power for giving them opportunity to execute the project.


CEO SOLAR, Sterling & Wilson Nigeria Ltd, Deepak Thakur making presentation on AE-FUNAI solar hybrid mini grid project.

Cross section of EEP STEM Female Students and guests.

Cross-section of guests listening to Governor Umahi
Anita Otubu, Head of Special Projects Rural Electrification Agency was emotional while giving her vote of thanks to express the level of excitement and feeling of great satisfaction and achievement on the mile stone achievement of the federal government and for the opportunity given to her organization to render this level of service to humanity. She thanked most especially the Vice President for coming despite his very busy schedule and the Vice-Chancellor of AE-FUNAI for his support.

Vice-Chancellor supported by AE-FUNAI Women presenting special handmade Akwete clothe produced by AE-FUNAI students to the Vice-President.
Highlights of the event were presentations of Certificates of EEP Stem Internship Programme to the trained female students of the university and tree planting by the Vice President. Special handmade Akwete cloth, product of AE-FUNAI students was presented to the Vice- President.

EEP STEM Female students with their certificates in group photograph with Vice-President and dignitaries.


VP commissioning the solar hybrid power plant project.


Vice-President, Governor of Ebonyi State, special guests and the Vice-Chancellor (Host) in group photograph.

VC Prof. Nwajiuba with representatives of the Chancellor, His Royal Majesty,Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo, CFR, and Alhaji Rafiu Kolawole Aliu, University Bursar (extreme left).