Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has empowered about 400 people including youths in Malumfashi and Kafur local government areas of Katsina State with clean energy solutions under its NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme (NSEP).
The intervention, held in Malumfashi on Sunday, 4 October 2026, provided 300 women and 1200 men beneficiaries with clean-energy cooking stoves, cooking pots, 25kg bags of rice and cash support to ease energy costs and improve livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by the Deputy Director, Information of the Agency, Mr. Chima Akwaja, deeply appreciated the Special Adviser on Political Affairs to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari, for his partnership and support towards the success of the programme.
He equally acknowledged the Katsina State Government, the local government authorities, traditional institutions, community leaders and everyone who contributed to organising the exercise, saying their cooperation and support were essential to ensuring that the NSEP reached the people it was designed to serve.
The EVC/CEO noted that the initiative supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, by expanding economic opportunities and bringing practical support closer to the people, adding that NASENI’s mandate is to ensure that science, engineering and technology translate into practical benefits for Nigerians.
“For us, innovation must go beyond laboratories, workshops and research centres. It must improve the way people work, strengthen businesses and help families build more secure livelihoods. This is the reason we are taking the NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme to communities across the country.
“Our objective is to ensure that more Nigerians, regardless of where they live, have the support they need to become productive, independent and economically empowered. By working directly with communities, we are better able to understand local needs and provide practical solutions that respond to those needs. We want the benefits of technology to reach women, young people, artisans, small business owners and households across Nigeria.
“The impact we seek is clear: stronger livelihoods, more productive businesses, opportunities for self-employment and greater financial independence. A supported beneficiary can become an employer. A household with improved income can invest more in education, healthcare and its future. These are the lasting changes we want this programme to help achieve,” Halilu added.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari, represented by Hon. Muhammad Aminu Ibrahim Kafur, Member, House of Reps, Malumfashi/Kafur Federal Constituency, thanked the EVC of NASENI for bringing the empowerment programme to Malumfashi and Katsina State in general.
The event graced by many prominent dignitaries saw the Chairman and CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat; Sardaunan Danjen Katsina, Alhaji Sabi’u Sa’idu Mahuta; Danejin Katsina and District Head of Mahuta, Alhaji Bello Abdulkadir Yammama give goodwill speeches and encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the Cookstoves to improve their livelihoods.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the support, describing it as timely assistance to ease economic pressures on their families.
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