Ahmad Salihijo, Nigel Topping Reemphasize the Role of Young People in the Energy Sector
On the 14th of June 2022, the Vice Chancellor of Nile University hosted Nigel Topping, a United Nations High-level Climate Change Champion and Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, the MD/CEO of REA at the premises of the institution in Abuja, Nigeria.
The duo shared vital insights on the role of young people in the climate change conversation and the need for young innovators to deliberately nurture ideas targeted at proffering real solutions in the nation’s energy sector.
Topping, who was appointed by the UK prime minister in January 2020 as UK’s High-Level Climate Action Champion, while also working alongside the Chilean High-Level Climate Action Champion, Gonzalo Muñoz reiterated the need for more deliberate collaborations amongst businesses, startups, investors and innovators. He further explained that young people across the world must open up their creative minds to global opportunities while selflessly driving solution-based ventures.
Engr. Salihijo deepened Topping’s submissions while addressing the Nile University students on his initiative upon resumption as the MD/CEO of REA, with the launch of the REA Research and Innovation Hub.
He explained that the Hub, now receiving both local and global commendations, was set up to encourage an ecosystem of partnerships with impact funding to stimulate innovative solutions/technologies, towards improving agricultural productivity and other socio-economic infrastructures (Health, Water, Transport, Education, Communication, as well as prototype devices and solutions that will address rural electrification challenges in rural communities of Nigeria).
After the engaging conversations by the duo, Engr. Salihijo and his team also took a tour of the university’s recently activated 876kWp solar system, designed to power the Nile campus, cutting down on C02 emission from diesel-powered generators.