May 27, 2010: Bida - Birnin Kebbi (Kebbi state) - Tamaje (Sokoto state) - Gusau (Zamfara state)
Drive time:
7hrs from Bida to Birnin Kebbi;
2hrs frm Kebbi to Sokoto;
2.5 hours from Sokoto to Gusau.
Rugged trip today. We went from Bida to Birnin Kebbi , Sokoto, and Zamfara.
In Kebbi, we visited the Amanawa Leprosy [primary healthcare] clinic in Kalgo Local government area and presented a lamp to Head of Facility, Mohammed Umar. Having had no light for years, and also having to work with a torchlight after dark, he was speechless when presented with a solar lamp/phone charger. He says it will make all the difference in dressing leprous wounds, especially as the clinic runs a 24-hour service. Our visit was facilitated by Mainas Ayuba (Social Economic Development facilitator, Leprosy Mission of Nigeria). Mr. Ayuba rang us three times after we left the location to express his profound gratitude.
Stopped to take pictures in front of beautiful clay huts at Kokon Sarki, and posed with camels at Murna Kan Iyaka – both villages are at the border between Kebbi and Sokoto states. Dave actually climbed atop the camel. I dared not.
In Sokoto, we headed straight to Tamaje where an NGO, the Life Helpers Initiative, runs the Goshen Development Centre for women, youths, entrepreneurs and children. The centre has had absolutely no light for two weeks because the transformer was blown. Head of the centre, Mr. Tayo Fatinikun, tells us that even when the transformer functions, they do not get electricity for more than 3 hours a day. The solar lamp will help the centre extend their working hours till evening so that crucial after-school development programmes can be held. Tayo is also our representative in Sokoto for sensitising women about our Women Solar Engineer training programme.
Our journey ended for the day at Gusau, Zamfara state.
Connectivity
Internet: Glo mobile Internet is just a tiny a bit better in Birnin Kebbi and Gusau (GPRS), which permitted my team members to browse for a short while.
Mobile phone: Glo & MTN work OK, Visafone is problematic
May 26, 2010: Abuja - Bida (Niger State)
Drive time: 4hrs from Abuja to Bida
God does work in mysterious ways. At the very last minute, Hertz – the world’s #1 car rental company – offered us a Totyota Hilux SUV for our trip. It was just what we needed for the rugged terrains we would encounter.
The Hertz staff were a delight to work with, which meant that right from the Country Manager (Christian Chigundu) through to the company’s officers in Lagos (Tunji) and Abuja (Eyiwumi Kolade), the service was seamless and polite.
The Solar for the Masses expedition officially kicked off from Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja at 12noon on the dot. The first major breathtaking sight was the colossal Zuma Rock, which used to be part of Abuja but is now in Niger state territory.
Three hours later, we get to Minna (Niger state capital). As soon as you get into Minna, a poster of former President Ibrahim Babangida welcomes you. He’s asking to be voted in as President in 2011.
In between Minna and Bida (about 1 hour apart), we see lovely looking huts (in the village of Dan Zaria ) and wonder aloud why they are so narrow. James tells us they’re not sleeping huts but for storing yams, corn and other crops. We stop by to take pictures with the indigenes who excitedly ask if they will appear on NTA (Nigerian Television). Whoa, they’re all clued up!
Just before arriving Bida, we catch sight of Maizube farm, which is owned by former military administrator, Abdulsalam Abuabakar. It’s a fresh products farm (churning out items such as milk, yoghurt and fruit drinks) and a large employer of labour.
We reach Bida and go straight to the village head of Danchitagi. His name is Mohammed Yaman and his title, Ndazhitsu of Dantchitagi.He prays for us, expressing surprise and extreme gratitude that ‘city’ people would give a thought to remote areas such as theirs.
Our general impression is that Northern folk are humble, polite and very respectful.
Next stop is the rural primary healthcare centre in Danchitagi village Primary Healthcare clinic. The centre’s healthcare attendants, Mohammed Bala Mohammed and Tsadu A. Mohammed, show us around the facility. Their clinic has no electricity at all, and has been so for as long as anyone can remember.
We present a solar lamp to the clinic attendants, demonstrate how to operate the unit, and they were besides themselves with joy, at the thought of no longer having to use the very dim torchlight they are forced to work with. Using a kerosene lantern is way out of the question because kerosene is too expensive.
Connectivity Report
Internet: Glo mobile Internet does not work in Bida. You get only a GSM signal which was no good for achieving connectivity.
Mobile phone: Both Glo and MTN work OK.
May 25, 2010: Abuja, Federal Capital Territory
It’s the day before lift-off, and we’re so excited to be in Abuja. Arrangements are frantically made to ensure a smooth departure tomorrow, May 26. Stanley Akpoke, Dave’s long-time friend from university days, is a big help.
The staff and Management of Crystal Palace hotel were the perfect hosts. Our patron, Gen. Momah (also Chairman of the hotel) was unavoidably absent, but his wife (the Vice-Chairman) took charge and ensured our travelling team was perfectly comfortable.
The travelling team consists of Dave, myself (Anne), James Yisa (of the Centre for Health & Development in Africa,Bida, Niger state), and a driver provided by our vehicle sponsor (HERTZ Corporation/Rent-a-Car).
Connectivity Report
Internet: Glo mobile Internet works well
Mobile phone: Both Glo and MTN work OK.
Sunday, May 23, 2010: Lagos
Dave Agbakoba (Solar Jooce CEO) arrives Nigeria from the US, and is welcomed at the airport by Solar Jooce’s Rural Women Selection Officer, Loveth Azubuike.
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