LAPITI SOLAR PROJECT

At its simplest, climate change (you may have also heard it called global warming or climate disruption) is a phenomenon in which weather patterns and temperatures are changing rapidly and unpredictably, and on a global scale. Climate change is primarily caused by the growing concentration of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, often referred to as greenhouse gases.

Solar power systems derive clean and pure energy from the sun. Installation of solar panels will help reduce the nearly total dependence on 'fossil fuel' - (coal and natural gas) which is the main source of the traditional electricity.

LAPITI FAMILY FOUNDATION is the Non-Governmental Organization of the OLADELE Family from Oyo State, the South-Western part of Nigeria. The family’s base is at Isokun, Oyo State and land ownership dates back to the 1700’s.

The objective of the Foundation is to give back to the society and as commonly said that ‘charity begins at home’, we have chosen to begin a project at home that will be beneficial to our immediate community and eventually the nation at large. Not only will people enjoy the benefits of our various projects, but the economy of the State and of course the Nation will receive a boom. Provision of Solar Energy, a renewable and alternative source of power supply is one of the many projects being put together by the LAPITI FAMILY FOUNDATION. This altruistic gesture is bound to further affirm the perception of the Lapiti Family as a leading light in the community.

This project will address  two key issues among others. They are: -

§  People; in view of the endemic nature of poverty in the land, and

§  Infrastructure; in view of the deliberate neglect of basic necessities of life, (like portable water and electricity) for the people, by various political leadership. Although the usual sing-song of lack of funds by government is totally unacceptable, it is high time those who are privileged come to the aids of the downtrodden.

WHY SOLAR?

And we say, WHY NOT SOLAR?

The importance of effective electrical power supply to a nation’s economy growth and the people’s well-being cannot be over-emphasized. That the achievement of this basic need has been illusive over several decades by different administrations at the three tiers of government is a well-known fact.

Like so many individuals and organizations, we have seen the accompanying devastating effect of this national challenge on the people, and have decided to as a well-meaning organization, provide solar energy for first, the people in our immediate community. This will be part of our contribution to the development of the community and ultimately the economy.

Solar energy is clean, healthy, natural, in abundance, safe and affordable. There is great abundance of sunlight in Nigeria and this is a great advantage. Although there are other components needed for provision of solar energy supply, the availability of sunlight is a great advantage Nigeria as a nation has over other countries also looking in the way of solar energy as a form of renewable and alternative power supply.

Provision of energy will transform the economy a great deal. Since the supply of electrical energy has more often than not been epileptic, it is pertinent an alternate source of energy is sought for, hence the need for SOLAR.

INTENDED PROJECTS

A. Provision of portable water

A solar powered bore hole will be provided to aid free and regular access to clean water. This is will ensure we have a community of healthy people.

Solar-Powered Borehole Project; To focus on:

§  Lapiti Village

§  Lapiti Estate

§  Select Isokun Environs

B. Power electrical gadgets and street lighting

Due to the irregular supply of electrical power supply, people still having challenges with keeping their handy gadgets fully charged. We will provide a solar charge point for people to come power these gadgets for free. A lot of times, people can’t reach loved ones and vice versa simply because the battery of a cell phone is flat due to ‘black-out’ that may be that way for days. Our ultimate goal is to kick darkness out and bring the light in. Yes, adequate and constant supply of power is possible and we will achieve it.

Solar-Powered Street Lights; To focus on:

§  Lapiti Road

§  Oroki Road

§  Lapiti Village

§  Select neighbouring compounds

Solar-Powered Cellular Phone Charging Station for Community; To focus on:

§  Select Tertiary Institutions in Oyo, eg. Crowder University, College of Education, etc

§  Government Hospitals

§  Public Offices, eg Local Government Headquarters, Post Office, etc

§  Religious Places

C. Graduate Student Project

Education / Training

There is an endless need for Human Capital Development, given the thirst for quality education by lots of people who are desirous of it but do not have the wherewithal. This is one way of assisting such individuals achieve their dream for good education. The advantage is unquantifiable in the long-run. In recruiting man power for the success of these project, the best will be required. In other to get the best, we will at some point provide training for employees to adequately equip them for the task ahead and also sustain a standard with international approval.

D. Employment opportunities

 Man power will be required to bring this dream to reality and some of these will come from within the community. There will be job opportunities in the manufacturing, construction and other sectors of the economy.

We are at the present considering using a portion of the family land in Isokun, Oyo State as the Solar Power Station for some of these projects but of course open to other options as the need may be. In having the 'project site' on the family property, carving out a part of the land for that purpose might just be appropriate for the reasons of security and traffic control which are in a way interwoven.

T o avoid a situation where we have people gaining access to the Estate without adequate supervision, a marked out area, possibly with its own entry point is suggested. This will not only ensure safety of lives and property, it will also let those who desire their privacy to have it while still being helpful to the community. On securing the place, it might be a great idea to a detailed security to the project site apart from the general security provided on the Estate. This is because such a project will require uninterrupted security and the people coming around will sometimes need to be put in check.

It is important we give our best in whatever we do for the community, hence the need to look for a reputable Solar Power Company to work with. We have considered partnering with indigenous Solar Companies as a way of helping to improve the economy of the our Nation. However, we will not be sentimental but business-like in our manner as we want nothing but the best for the people. A businessman will work with the right people who can make his business grow and ultimately increase profit, we will also work with the best hands so as to make profit which for us really, is a More Enhanced People & A Better Community.

At this point, we should come up with an exact name for the Foundation and also have it properly registered with relevant authorities within the Country, and outside if required. All legal grounds should be covered. It is important to note here that some companies / organizations will only take us seriously only if we are duly registered.

OTHER PROJECTS

We will identify other needs of the Community as we embark on this journey and with the help of God meet these needs. In embarking on any project, there will be criteria that must be met such as may be the law of the land, relevance and immediate importance to the project in question, funds availability and as may be decided by our Board of Directors / Trustees.

Conclusion

There is no way any individual or government can satisfy the needs of all the people at the same time. However, a little here and there can go a long way at alleviating poverty, and by extension its reduction. The journey of a thousand years begin with a step and tiny drops of water eventually make a mighty ocean. Our belief is that whatever positive impact can be made on the Society is important and so we're ready to start giving back no matter how little it may be at first. We have a never-die spirit and so, we will not give up.

It has been observed over the years, that a major trade of the women around us at Lapiti Estate is Gaari Processing. Such an observation has led to the probing of the following possibilities; Is there a way to use the Solar Initiative to assist in the processing of gaari to the finished product? Is there a particular technology that can be used to fry gaari without a recourse to firewood, which in itself is contributing to the menace of environmental degradation through deforestation and by extension the depletion of the ozone layer? These questions have engaged our attention as we try to contribute to the quality of lives of our neighbours.

We know that where there is a will, there is a way and we trust God to be with us every step of the way.