Ganduje’s son distributes solar kits, irrigation pumps to Kano farmers, SMEs

 

The Executive Director of Technical Services at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, has provided solar equipment and irrigation support to farmers and small business owners in Kano State.

At an empowerment programme held on Sunday evening in Kano, the son of the former Kano governor, Abdulahi Ganduje, handed over solar-powered irrigation pumps to 120 young farmers and distributed solar energy systems to 160 Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) within the Dawakin-Tofa, Tofa and Rimin Gado federal constituency.

The distribution is part of a wider empowerment effort designed to reach about 280 beneficiaries in the constituency.

This was contained in a statement issued by Edwin Olofu, media aide to the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Speaking at the event, Ganduje said the initiative was aimed at assisting male and female youths, especially those in rural areas whose livelihoods depend on electricity.

He said each beneficiary received a solar system with a capacity of about 1.2 kilowatts to enable uninterrupted business operations and reduce reliance on fuel.

He added that the irrigation pumps would allow farmers to engage in all-season farming.

Ganduje also disclosed that the latest intervention represents the seventh empowerment programme carried out in the constituency, with more initiatives expected.

“First of all, I would like to mention several programmes we have carried out in the last one year focusing on empowering youths and women, especially in rural areas like this,” he said.

“These solar systems will support businesses such as barbing salons, tailoring, POS services and computer-related businesses. Many of these businesses will thrive in the North-West, and we are still looking for more opportunities.”

He further revealed that about 13,947 residents across Dawakin-Tofa, Tofa and Rimin Gado had benefited from previous empowerment schemes.

According to him, strengthening SMEs remains essential for economic progress.

“Nations that are economically developed got there by empowering SMEs, and that is the path we are following,” he said.

He noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on national and human capital development.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammad Bello Butu-Butu, described the programme as timely and impactful.

“This empowerment programme will go a long way in improving the livelihoods of our youths,” he said, while also calling for unity among APC members.

The Chairman of Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area, Hon. Anas Dan Maliki, also commended the effort and promised to replicate similar initiatives at the grassroots.

Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support.

A business centre operator, Sulaiman Dan Sudu, said the solar equipment would significantly boost his productivity, while a tailor, Maman Talatu, said it would help address electricity challenges affecting her work.

Several APC leaders and stakeholders in Kano attended the event, which also marked the official launch of the seventh phase of the empowerment programme.