My Book will Educate Nigerians on Proper Solar Installation, says Ex NASENI CEO

By Olu Benjamin

Prof. Mohammad Haruna, Ex Chief Executive, National Agency for Science Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) says a book he recently authored will go a long way to educate Nigerians on proper solar electricity installation.

Haruna stated this at the distribution of the book he authored to tertiary institutions of Nasarawa state in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state on Tuesday.

Our reporter gathered that the book authored by Prof. Mohammed Haruna and Mallam Nasiru Bello is titled “Solar Power System Design, Installation and Maintenance”.

According to him, despite the fact that some Nigerians still doubt the reliability of solar installed systems due to a lack of understanding of the nature of solar electricity, solar power is a reality and not a myth.

He said the book has set out proper steps to take and provides illustrations of solar-powered system load survey methods with case studies.

He added that the book can be used as a course material in solar systems technology for undergraduates in tertiary institutions hence the distribution of 1400 copies of the book to all tertiary institutions in Nasarawa state.

“It is a simple, practical guide to using electric solar panels and designing and installing photovoltaic solar (PV) systems for do-it-yourself (DIY) skills .

“Engineers, architects and other professionals who need to incorporate solar solutions will find th book educative and helpful,” he said.

He urged all management of tertiary institutions in the state that are been provided with the book to ensure maximal access and utilization of th book by their students so as to get more Nigerians educated on proper solar electricity installation and use.

In a remark, Governor Abdullahi Sule represented by Alhaji Aliyu Bello, Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Nasarawa state commended the Ex NASENI Chief Executive for writing and publishing the book, which according to him is a valuable contribution in the country’s drive for self-reliance.

“More importantly, I wish to applaud Professor Haruna for his generosity in donating 1,400 copies of the book to our tertiary institution in Nasarawa State.

“Surely, this gesture is an acknowledgement of the skills acquisition policy of this administration

which is aimed at making the citizenry in Nasarawa State more productive, employable, and self-reliant,” he said.

Sule said he was convinced that, if properly digested, the information and knowledge in the book will go a long way to enable Nigeria to harness the abundant solar energy that abound in the country.

“For the industry’s purpose, indeed, the book is in line with the administration policy of teaching the people how to fish, rather than feeding them.

“Writing in simple English, the book can be read, understood by any average literate person. Let me end the brief remark by calling authorities of tertiary institutions that will be giving this book to ensure the proper use of the book for the students to utilize it,” he said.

In his goodwill message, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, former National Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC) also described the book as an enormous contribution to education and and in particular to engineering.

“In this particular instance, the book is about, essentially, electronics. Essentially, when I used to be a student, we didn’t know so much about solar. It was never an issue at the time I was a student.

“We didn’t know anything like that. We never saw anything like solar panels anywhere, those things. Even our lecturers know what it was.

They may have done the basic things, the electronics, yes. But, solar energy, as we know it today, as renewable energy, as green energy, it was not really that well known.

“It was by very, very, very few individuals, and probably very few institutions around the world, that knew it as a subject and were venturing into such disciplines at the time.

So, for me, I am more than attracted to the book. The introduction that was presented by the author himself further induced interest and curiosity in my mind to try to see what it is, to reread it the best I can, and see how we can make our contributions to maximize the benefits of this effort by the author,” he said.

He then thanked the author for the effort and hope and pray that people will see the enormous benefit to students of electrical engineering, physics particularly.

In her welcome remarks, Prof Sa’adatu Liman, Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) represented by Prof Theophilus Lagi, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration described the publication of th book as very apt, appropriate and an honour to the nigerian university.

We are indeed highly grateful for this recognition. Ladies and gentlemen, I feel obliged to openly express our sincere gratitude and utmost appreciation to his excellency for all the things his administration has been doing to accelerate development of our university.

“Notably, the constitution of a joint committee of government and university under the chairmanship of the deputy governor his excellency Dr. Emmanuel A. Akabe to address the issues of funding and infrastructures in the university,” she said.

…END.