By Henry Ubus.
In a remarkable demonstration of commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable development, the President of Udu Union in the United Kingdom, Olorogun Ovo Agbodje, has been lauded for sponsoring a two-week Solar Panel and Inverter Installation Training Program for 55 Urhobo youths at ASTEVEN Energy Institute, Warri.
The intensive training program, targeted mainly at unemployed young men and women, was designed to equip participants with hands-on technical and entrepreneurial skills in renewable energy. The beneficiaries are now certified and ready to either gain employment or establish their own solar businesses within their communities.
Speaking on the empowerment initiative, Chief Agbodje emphasized the importance of women’s inclusion in development programs, noting that although the number of female participants was small, he insisted that women must be part of the training.
> “The easiest way to create wealth in any community is to empower the mothers or women of that community,” Chief Agbodje stated.
It is worth mentioning that 10 young men and women were specifically chosen from Okuoma Village in Eghwu Clan, in support of the rehabilitation of the burnt-down community. This thoughtful gesture, according to Chief Agbodje, reflects his belief that Urhobo must support its people against all forms of oppression.
During the closing session, Engr. Osaya Emmanuel, one of the instructors at ASTEVEN Energy Institute, commended the impressive progress of the trainees, describing their transformation from novices to confident, skilled individuals ready for the renewable energy market.
> “Over this period, the students have learned how to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and design solar power systems,” he explained. “Beyond the technical aspects, we also trained them on marketing strategies because it’s one thing to acquire knowledge and another to know how to market yourself and make a living from it.”
Engr. Osaya further praised the Agbodje Foundation, founded by Chief Agbodje, for its consistent commitment to human capital development.
> “On behalf of my company, I sincerely appreciate the Agbodje Foundation for having the youths at heart—bringing them out of the streets and giving them a profitable and hard-to-come-by skill. These young people are now fully equipped with practical knowledge of solar technology and are ready to compete favorably in the industry,” he added.
Expressing their gratitude, the beneficiaries thanked Olorogun Ovo Agbodje, who holds chieftaincy titles in both Udu and Agbarho Kingdoms, for the life-changing opportunity. They commended his vision for youth empowerment, noting that the program has taken them from the labour market to becoming self-employed individuals capable of installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting solar systems.
The trainees also called on other Urhobo sons and daughters to emulate Chief Agbodje’s selfless efforts toward community empowerment and development.
It would be recalled that Chief Agbodje, through his foundation, last year donated six chessboards three each to Ovwian Secondary School and Ovwian Primary School and established Chess and Book Clubs in both schools. According to him, chess helps to sharpen critical thinking and inspire academic excellence among students.
List of Beneficiaries (55 in total):
1. Sibitor Oghenenyore Prince
2. Etakibuebu Efe Progress
3. Akpoyibo Jeremiah
4. Omoghaghare Simeon
5. Welemu Favour Oghenerukevwe
6. Omohwovo Sandra Edirin
7. Erherhebue Ekama Godwin
8. Onos GodsPower Igwe
9. Cousin Ufuoma Saturday
10. Oniovoghare Ogheneare Prince
11. Iyara Akpoesiri Paul
12. Agbodje Ese Annessley
13. Okorefe Daniel Oghenevwaire
14. Oghenero Ejiroghene Eric
15. Joseph Femi Wisdom
16. Joseph Kingsley
17. Ogami Hossana
18. Igwe Marian
19. Edjekota Aghoghopia Praise
20. Igwe Maureen Oke
21. Sibitor Oghenenyore Prince
22. Ighomena Triumph Oghenephikparobore
23. Paul Daniel
24. Ashoro
25. Onome Omoerere
26. Onome Delight Okeoghene
27. Emmanuel Anibor
28. Okokoh Daniel
29. Brotoboh Jesuovie Desmond
30. Oghenekaro Samuel Ogheneruseh
31. Saturday Hope Akpevweoghene
32. Akpoguma Oghenechavwuko Matthew
33. Sunday Igho Cousin
34. Amugen Uruemresiri
35. Patrick Josiah
36. Onofeafe Alex Joshua
37. Ageh Oghenekome Victor
38. Michael Omokaro Godwin
39. Atebese Jesusdeed
40. Omoko Esegba Matthias Uruemuohwo
41. Bateren Orien
42. Iwuagwu Chinedu Herbert
43. Rapheal Amubogho
44. Omodjota Treasure Uririnoghene
45. Emesone Daniel
46. Ayagha Wisdom
47. Henri Afoke Omodjota
48. Erueseke Ikuesiri Lewis
49. Ikoje Blessing Omovototu
50. Okaerezina Onowighose
51. Stanley Adegor
52. Edafe Emmanuel Otunovwigho
53. Ogologo Ajiroghene
54. Edward Otutuama
55. Adegor Mudiaga Stanley
This initiative by Chief Agbodje once again underscores his passion for education, innovation, and youth development marking another milestone in his continuous effort to build a self-reliant and economically empowered Urhobo society.
I’m really grateful
I’m really grateful