PWDs get Mrs Otti solar energy systems in Abia

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Abia State trooped to Government House, Umuahia, and received their Tudu Solar Energy Systems designated for the first batch of 100 pre-scheduled beneficiaries.

The event, which was tagged “Empowering Abilities: Illuminating MSMEs with Solar Solutions,” was organized by the Office of the Wife of the Abia State Governor, Priscilla Chidinma Otti, in conjunction with that of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

This project, which is being implemented and powered under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) project of Mrs. Tinubu, is aimed at supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the country.

Mrs. Otti, while flagging off the distribution of the Tudu Solar Systems, said the program was designed to provide individuals, especially women, youth, and the vulnerable, with skills and resources to harness solar energy for economic and social benefits, including addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges by promoting the use of energy in underserved communities.

“We gather here today not just to distribute solar equipment but to create opportunities, break barriers, and reinforce our commitment to an inclusive society where every entrepreneur, regardless of ability or disability, has the tools to thrive.” She urged the PWDs to register their businesses free of charge to enable them to get available support.

“It will also address economic empowerment by training beneficiaries in solar panel installation, maintenance, and entrepreneurship. The initiative equips them with practical skills to create income-generating opportunities.”

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tudu Energy Company, which handles the distribution, Mr. Tuoyo Dudu, said, “The initiative was designed with the aim of delivering clean energy solutions in the form of solar power systems to thousands of SMEs owned by people living with disabilities in Abia State as a means of promoting inclusivity, boosting productivity, and fighting climate change.”

According to Dudu, the pioneer product for this program is the ‘Tudu Kekere,’ a multifunctional portable energy storage power supply system that comes equipped with a 100Wh LiFePO4 battery, a 30W solar panel, four LED bulbs, one self-contained LED flash lamp, Bluetooth speakers with AUX, a radio, and four USB ports. It has a two-year warranty, an eight-year battery lifespan, and powers light bulbs, fans, mobile phones, POS terminals, and other small electronic gadgets.

The goals of this initiative, he said, include promoting inclusivity by empowering people living with disabilities, providing clean energy solutions in the form of solar power systems, fighting climate change by reducing CO2 emissions, boosting the productivity of SMEs, and thus improving people’s lives.

Explaining that, on average, about 2.296 kg of CO2 is released into the atmosphere per liter of petrol consumed, he said, “This implies that for the average SME, which consumes about five liters of petrol per day, replacing their petrol generator with the Tudu Kekere Solar Power System will prevent 11.48 kg of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere every day, which amounts to about 4,190 kg of CO2 emissions offset every year.”

Adding that the cumulative effect of empowering thousands of SMEs with Tudu solar power systems will lead to thousands of metric tonnes of CO2 emissions offset, which supports the fight against climate change, the Tudu Energy Chief Executive Officer stated, “By passionately working on integrating a human rights-based approach to climate change adaptation, the Renewed Hope Initiative, in conjunction with the wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, in partnership with Tudu Energy, is actively promoting policies and actions that prioritize the rights of the most vulnerable to climate impacts while simultaneously implementing clean energy adaptation measures like transitioning to solar power systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

One of the beneficiaries, Kelechi Jacob, who said she works as a POS agent and sells recharge cards, expressed her appreciation to Mrs. Otti and Mrs. Tinubu, stating, “This uninterrupted, reliable power source will help me serve my customers better and increase my income.”