Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — As part of its corporate social responsibility, CSR, initiative, Ikeja Electric, Nigeria’s leading electricity company, has handed over a solar floodlight power project to Lagos State Police Command.
The solar floodlight power project, which was executed by Sahara Foundation, the corporate social sustainability vehicle for the Sahara Group, is in line with Ikeja Electric’s commitment to impacting the environment it operates in through sustainable interventions that help to make a positive difference in the society.
The project is expected to provide clean and reliable energy to the environs of the Lagos State Police Headquarters by reducing carbon emissions and providing a sustainable solution to the community’s energy needs.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the CEO of Ikeja Electric, Mrs. Folake Soetan, who was represented by the Business Manager of Ikeja Business Unit, Mrs. Nneka Nwosu, said: “We are proud to hand over this solar floodlight power project to the Lagos State Police Command. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to giving back to the community and promoting sustainable development. We believe security plays a vital role in creating a better future for us all, and we are honoured to be a part of the growth and development of this auspicious location.”
She also expressed her appreciation to all the partners in progress, both the internal and external stakeholders who have contributed immensely to the success of the project.
In her remarks at the commissioning event, Ejiro Gray, Director for Sustainability and Governance, Sahara Group, who was represented by the Head of Programmes, Sahara Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, said: “The installation, which is one of the numerous projects we have handled in the past year across police stations in Nigeria, is a symbol of our dedication to supporting improved security. With this, we are hoping that our contribution to the security of the people in the Ikeja community is assured, and it will serve as a representation of our collective commitment to promoting peace and security in the communities we serve.’’
She also thanked all stakeholders as well as the community leaders present while assuring them of continuous collaboration to ensure the mandate of the Sahara Group Foundation is upheld.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, thanked both Ikeja Electric and the Sahara Group Foundation for their commitment to the issue of security, and the numerous selfless projects and services being carried out across the police stations in Lagos and indeed Nigeria as a whole. He also stated that the installation of the solar floodlight was a very commendable effort that would make a significant difference in the illumination of the environs of the Police Command.
He went further to express hope that other organisations would borrow a leaf from the activities of the Sahara Group Foundation, as well as Ikeja Electric, by providing similar support which would ensure that the Police Force never lacks crucial facilities in most of the establishments.
Also speaking at the event, the spokesperson of Ikeja Electric, Mr. Kingsley Okotie, said: “There are other projects that the Sahara Group Foundation, in conjunction with Ikeja Electric and other operating companies under Sahara are doing especially for the Nigerian Police Force, and this idea came up way back in 2020 due to the End Sars issue, and how devastating it was for police formations across the country. We have taken this as a responsibility to help support and partner holistically.”
He thanked all members of the Nigerian Police Force and the Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of CP Adegoke Fayoade, for their support and partnership in the fight against numerous challenges being faced by Ikeja Electric including vandalism, energy theft etc.
“The existence of our business lies solely on the measure of support we get from the Police Force”, he said.
The handing-over ceremony was attended by over 50 guests, including community leaders, local police officials, and employees of Ikeja Electric and the Sahara Foundation.
