NASENI TAKES SUSTAINABLE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME TO OHAFIA, DISTRIBUTES DIGITAL, ENERGY-EFFICIENT TOOLS

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has taken its Sustainable Empowerment Programme NSEP(Naseni Sustainable Empowerment program)to Ohafia, Abia State, as part of efforts to equip Nigerians with relevant skills, tools and technologies to improve their livelihoods and enhance productivity.

NASENI, a Federal Government agency established in 1992 under the Presidency, is saddled with the mandate of promoting research, development and reverse engineering of capital goods to drive indigenous industrialization.

Speaking at the programme held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Uma Ukpai Memorial Primary School, Asaga, Ohafia, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the initiative was designed to translate science, technology and engineering into practical solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities.

Halilu said NASENI was taking its mandate directly to Nigerians through the NSEP by creating opportunities that would enable beneficiaries to become more productive, build sustainable livelihoods and participate in Nigeria’s growing innovation-driven economy.

He noted that Abia State was particularly significant to the agency because of its reputation for enterprise, creativity, manufacturing and the determination of its people to create value.

According to him, NASENI was focused on moving beyond research to developing solutions that could be used by individuals, adopted by businesses and scaled by industries.

The NASENI boss urged beneficiaries to see the intervention not as a handout but as an investment in their productive capacity, charging them to put the tools and skills acquired to productive use, create value and, where possible, provide opportunities for others.

He added that the agency would measure the impact of its interventions by the number of lives improved, businesses strengthened, jobs supported and communities made more productive.

Halilu commended Governor Alex Otti for his support and warm reception, while acknowledging the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and other partners for their collaboration in making the programme possible.

He said NASENI would continue to take the NSEP to communities across Nigeria to ensure that the benefits of science, engineering and innovation translate into tangible opportunities for Nigerians.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, an illustrious son of the Ohafia community, commended NASENI CEO Khalil Suleiman Halilu and his team for bringing the empowerment initiative to the community.

Takang said the programme would go a long way in improving the livelihoods of the people, describing the intervention as a demonstration of the impact that strategic partnerships could have on communities.

He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him to his current position as CEO of MOFI, promising to make the best use of the opportunity to attract meaningful development to his people.
According to him, President Tinubu believes that anyone fortunate to occupy a top position should remember where he came from and use his position to attract meaningful development to his community.

Takang said, “If you are the only rich man in your village or community, you are indeed a poor man.”
He therefore urged those who had the privilege of occupying positions of influence to use their positions to improve the lives of their people and contribute to the development of their communities.

He particularly commended Governor Alex Otti for what he described as the good works being done across Abia State, especially in the area of infrastructure.

Recalling his experience during the burial of his late father in 2012, Takang said the deplorable condition of roads in the community at the time made movement difficult.

He, however, noted that the situation had changed significantly under the Otti administration, saying many roads in his community had been reconstructed by the present administration.

Takang also revealed that the new standard primary school he attracted to his Asaga Ohafia community through his relationship with NASENI would soon be commissioned, adding that Governor Otti would be present at the commissioning.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA), Elder Engr. Obinna Odum, commended NASENI for bringing its digital empowerment initiative to the people of Ohafia.

Odum described the initiative as a significant intervention capable of equipping young people and other members of the community with relevant digital skills needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven economy.

He noted that initiatives of this nature would not only expose beneficiaries to new opportunities but also enable them to acquire practical skills that could make them self-reliant, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the community.

The GODA Director-General expressed appreciation to the management of NASENI for considering Ohafia as one of the communities to benefit from the programme, stressing that empowering people with knowledge and skills was more sustainable than providing temporary relief.

As part of the programme, beneficiaries received NASENI energy-efficient cooking stoves and solar-powered fans.

Takang urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the items, while also encouraging them to acquire relevant skills and knowledge that would improve their individual capacities and livelihoods.

The highlight of the event was the conferment of a traditional title on NASENI CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, by the Ezeogo of Ohafia, to the admiration of guests and other dignitaries present.

The event was attended by traditional rulers, top personalities from the Federal Government, community leaders and other stakeholders.

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