Oluwadamilare Sonayon Adebowale Bashir has launched a solar empowerment training programme aimed at creating sustainable job opportunities for 100 youths in Ikeja, placing skills acquisition and economic self-reliance at the centre of community development.
The initiative, unlike many conventional empowerment drives, is strictly focused on training. It is designed to equip young people between the ages of 18 and 40 with practical, income-generating skills in the renewable energy sector.
Bashir disclosed that 100 youths will benefit from the programme, which will be implemented in batches to ensure quality training and effective supervision. The first batch of 20 trainees is scheduled to commence in March, marking the beginning of a structured rollout intended to build a pool of skilled solar technicians and energy entrepreneurs within Ikeja.
According to Bashir, the programme is conceived as a long-term intervention that will enable participants to secure employment, establish small businesses and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
He described the initiative as a direct response to the twin challenges of youth unemployment and unreliable power supply, noting that “solar technology offers a viable pathway for job creation while addressing everyday energy needs.”
Bashir further stated that the empowerment scheme is part of his contribution towards supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the President’s emphasis on enterprise, innovation and inclusive economic growth.
In the same vein, he commended Seyi Tinubu, son of the President, for what he described as “consistent grassroots interventions and humanitarian efforts” in Ikeja and across Lagos State, adding that such initiatives continue to make tangible differences in the lives of ordinary people.
Bashir also praised Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, acknowledging his “fatherly role” and longstanding support for community stability and development in Ikeja.
He reaffirmed that the solar training scheme is “not a one-off gesture but a structured empowerment model” aimed at building capacity, restoring dignity of labour and positioning Ikeja youths to thrive in a rapidly evolving energy economy.
