By Odum Adakole
The Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership (AYAGL) has commended the managing director/chief executive officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, for what it described as his transformational leadership in expanding rural electrification and renewable energy infrastructure across Nigeria.
The group said the REA under Aliyu’s leadership has demonstrated innovation, competence and strategic direction in tackling energy poverty, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
In a statement issued and signed by its president, Comrade Abdul Danbature, AYAGL noted that the agency’s interventions in renewable energy development were already creating positive socio-economic impacts across several communities nationwide.
The group specifically praised the aggressive expansion of solar mini-grids and off-grid electrification projects being deployed in communities, markets, healthcare facilities, tertiary institutions and economic clusters across the country.
According to the statement, the projects represent more than electricity supply, describing them as instruments of economic empowerment, education, healthcare improvement and sustainable development.
“For decades, several communities in Northern Nigeria suffered severe neglect in terms of access to stable electricity and modern energy infrastructure,” the group stated.
“Businesses collapsed, educational institutions struggled, healthcare services remained limited, and rural economic activities suffered enormously due to inadequate power supply.”
AYAGL, however, said there is growing hope as many communities are now benefiting from sustainable energy solutions through the interventions of the REA.
The group also applauded the implementation of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme aimed at expanding electricity access to millions of Nigerians in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
It further commended the Federal Government’s National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative designed to provide solar-powered electricity to federal universities, tertiary institutions and healthcare facilities.
According to the youth group, improved electricity supply would significantly enhance learning, research, healthcare delivery, entrepreneurship and digital innovation in public institutions.
The assembly maintained that access to electricity remains critical to national development, economic growth and social stability.
“A community with electricity experiences improved security, economic growth, educational advancement, business expansion and increased productivity,” the statement added.
The group said young people particularly stand to benefit through entrepreneurship opportunities, employment creation and digital inclusion.
AYAGL further described Engr. Aliyu’s leadership style as professional, accountable and result-oriented, noting that the visible impact of the agency’s programmes reflects purposeful leadership and institutional efficiency.
The youth assembly also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing policy support and political will for the implementation of renewable energy and infrastructure projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
It added that sustained investment in rural electrification would help reduce poverty, unemployment, insecurity and rural-urban migration, especially in Northern Nigeria.
The group urged residents and community leaders in beneficiary areas to protect the projects and ensure community ownership for sustainability.
AYAGL reaffirmed its support for policies and programmes aimed at promoting economic growth, youth empowerment and improved living standards for Nigerians.
ENDS
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