Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, advocated evidence-based and people-focused solutions to tackle energy poverty in the country.

He also underscored the need for the South-West region to demonstrate commitment to renewable energy by moving from vision to action in the implementation of policies aimed at addressing the shortfall in energy to boost socioeconomic growth.

Declaring open a two-day South-West post-conference stakeholders’ roundtable on renewable energy in Osogbo, Adeleke, who described energy poverty as unacceptable, expressed concern that many communities in Africa still remained in darkness despite the region’s endowment in sunlight, wind and innovation.

The stakeholders’ roundtable was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy in partnership with the Osun State government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, the governor contended that “this roundtable was not just a meeting, but a defining moment, which signalled a regional commitment to move from vision to action in renewable energy governance and implementation.”

Earlier in his address, the lead technical consultant to the Osun State Government on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Prof. Chinwe Obuaku, said the roundtable was designed as a space for honest dialogue, technical exchange, and legislative clarity.