On 3rd September 2021, the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) held her Annual General Meeting (AGM), a hybrid event that brought together stakeholders in the renewable energy value chain across Nigeria.
The meeting which commenced in the morning, had in attendance Members of REAN, the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee (Exco), supporting partners, and the media.
A significant event in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. In this year’s edition, REAN ensured both virtual and physical coverage of her members to ensure inclusion in all the processes.
In the last 5 years, REAN has been committed to being a progressive umbrella among stakeholders and players to ensure effective organization, access to finance, and policies in renewable energy development in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Donald Ikenna Ofoegbu, Program Coordinator at Heinrich Boell Stiftung Foundation Abuja, a supporting partner, commended the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) leadership for growth and commitment in the renewable energy industry. He further said that the Foundation will continue to maintain the cordial relationship and support the association to ensure great developments in the Nigerian renewable energy sector.
Following this, Adaobi Oniwinde, Policy and Partnership Manager at All On, who joined virtually, expressed how All On is delighted to see the progress the association has made through the partnership support and shared how All On is helping to increase access and address energy gaps in Nigeria.
On gender inclusion, Mrs. Lande Abudu, Executive Secretary of the association, while giving the annual report reiterated that REAN is committed to promoting gender inclusion and being a forward-facing organization in ensuring more women in the renewable energy sector.
She further buttressed the fact how women’s participation in the association has gradually increased.
On the way forward, in the coming year, REAN plans several programmes for next-generation inclusion and capacity development in the energy space.
For organizational gaps, Africa Clean Energy Technical Assistance Facility (ACE TAF) Country Manager, Chibuikem Agbaegbu speaks about how ACE TAF has provided technical support to REAN through partnership and the positive strides he is happy to see between now and the previous year at the REAN Annual General Meeting.
The president, Dr Segun Adaju, in his remarks expressed the unalloyed efforts of the association to ensure members are carried along and that the association will continue to contribute to national development especially in achieving the 40% energy mix.
However, he charged the members to make deliberate efforts in keeping records of data in offgrid energy delivered in the country, stating that, REAN is more inclined in the use of data.
Stakeholders applaud the association for having its own secretariat, progress, and witnessing an increase in new membership. Dr. Imamuddeen Talba, like many other virtual attendees, in his remarks shared how impressed he was to see the level of REAN organization and the calibre of his members, expressed his affirmed support towards ensuring renewable energy development: a well-coordinated uniform voice in the country.
At the end of the event, 28 new members were introduced to participants upon the approval of the leadership, followed by an interactive session. A new treasurer emerged, Owen Inyang, Co-founder and CMO of Just Standout Limited. Her emergence into the role came unopposed and followed due process upon the resignation of the former treasurer of the association.
In conclusion, change is a process and result of every success is more work. With collective efforts Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) contributions towards achieving 40% energy mix in Nigeria comes 2030 is a possible mission. In the word of Calvin Coolidge, all growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.
By Godwin Jimoh,
Communications Associate, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria
