“Brotherhood is Strength”
Projects
Igbo Cultural Organisation Rheinland Pfalz/Hessen e.V. (ICO) in Germany has carried out multiple projects in Nigeria and it is our pleasure to present them to you!
Other projects of interest:
2021-2022: Photovoltaic Training Project in Owerri (in cooperation with CIM/GIZ)
Access to affordable, reliable energy is key to economic development, as there is a direct link between having electricity and the quality of a person’s living standard. This keeps people in remote parts of the developing world from being able to work their way out of poverty.
Renewable energy technologies are a way to provide electricity to these people. Solar panels, wind turbines, small-scale hydroelectric projects and other forms of self-sufficient energy provide rural communities in the developing world with the electricity they need to power their homes, schools, hospitals, stores, and other industries.
Having carried out couple of projects in Nigeria successfully, Igbo cultural organisation Rheinland Pfalz Hessen recently secured grant for a project worth about €44,000 from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Germany.
The project, organised by ICO, starting January 2021 seeks to transfer knowledge of photovoltaic installation and maintenance from diaspora professionals (Germany) in partnership with Melan Aid Foundation Nigeria.
Location of the project is Owerri in eastern Nigeria, and it aims to train about 25 qualified young men and women on how to install, maintain, manage solar projects, and eventually becoming successful entrepreneur. This training will be free for the participants who have successfully qualified themselves in the preliminary aptitude test.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER BY ICO e.V.
Project owner: Igbo Cultural Organisation Rheinland Pfalz-Hessen e.V. Germany
Support by: MELAN Aid Foundation Nigeria
Funding support by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Germany
Application for the Photovoltaic Installation and Maintenance Training (Note: ended in July 2021)
ICO Rheinland-Pfalz-Hessen e.V Germany is committed to learning and development initiatives, where participants are encouraged to professionally develop in line with our organizational values of Quality, Innovation, Integrity and Joy.
To participate in the Photovoltaic Installation and Maintenance Training at Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria in 2021, participants were required, to indicate in their letter of application the following:
- Your present job/duties, Student, and status of employment
- Any knowledge of photovoltaic installation and maintenance
- How you heard of this programme
- Your expectations
- Any knowledge of Igbo Cultural Organisation Rheinland-Pfalz-Hessen e.V. Germany and Melan Aid Foundation Nigeria.
Target group for the training:
Young technicians (electricians or mechanics), students from the 6th semester (300 level) onwards from engineering course (mechanical engineering or similar), between 18 and 40 years of age.
Letter of application and CV were forwarded to an email address, exclusively created for incoming applications.
Project Summary:
The ICO Photovoltaic Training Project at IMSU (Imo State University) Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria started as scheduled on Mo. Aug. 2, 2021. The Opening Ceremony took place on Tue. Aug. 3, 2021, and was co-hosted by ICO Representative Mr. Edmund Akubeze and Melan Aid Foundation Representative Mrs. Linda Ekweogu. The Closing Ceremony took place on Aug. 28, 2021. Project execution was carried out according to plan, although we, the project team met a number of unexpected challenges during preparation and execution. Some of these challenges were changing stipulations due to the Covid Pandemic, security issues in Owerri during the training, unexpected damages to the training hall due to weather condition, and insufficient equipment quality. The project team however, was able to adapt and took care of these with the joint effort of ICO e.V. Germany, Melan Aid Foundation and IMSU Representatives. Participation by students was regular, as well as the attention level during lessons (see pictures in the gallery below). Our catering service did an excellent job to make sure every participant was well attended to during the training. The SPVI trainer who is a seasoned and well experienced in his craft delivered an excellent seminar to the students with high level content and versatile deployment of media.
The photovoltaic training course at IMSU in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria is completed. The examination took place on Wednesday/Thursday Aug. 25 to 26, 2021. The closing ceremony took place on Friday Aug. 27, 2021 and the ceremony was very well attended by ICO e.V. Germany, Melan Aid Foundation, IMSU personnel, and high level Imo State Government Representatives. Preparation and execution went as planned and a certificate of participation was handed out to all students who participated in the training during the closing ceremony.
The examination results and certificates of aptitude have been completed and made available to the students. Some participants have articulated their interest to further their education in this field, and some have united to start their own business in the photovoltaic installation field. The students in their own interest created a chat forum to stay connected and keep each other updated about developments in the photovoltaic business and know-how field. The trainer equally joined the chat group and has agreed to offer coaching and answers to open questions by the students. Additional measures were equally taken by the project team of ICO e.V. Germany and Melan Aid Foundation Nigeria to ensure sustainability in cooperation with Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Imo State. This includes the official and signed handover of the complete project equipment and gear to the IMSU to continue the work and organize further photovoltaic installation trainings for IMSU students.
The project teams in Germany and Nigeria have completed the project documentation and finalized project report. All necessary document and reports were submitted to the GIZ before due date on March 31, 2022. The GIZ has so far confirmed the completeness and correctness of all documents and this equally applies to the financial accounting.
The Igbo Cultural Organisation (ICO) Rheinland-Pfalz/Hessen e.V., Germany will like to use this opportunity to give thanks to everyone who helped and supported to make this project a great success! Special thanks go to our project able partner Organization, Melan Aid Foundation, Nigeria and the Imo State University Staff who gave their best to help ICO bring future oriented knowledge and empowerment to the youth of Imo State, Nigeria. We are happy to be given this awesome opportunity to play a vital role in improving environmental friendliness, reducing carbon footprint and creating the basis to enhance living standard in Imo State.
We are looking forward to the opportunity and support to do more in our next project!
View Photo Gallery
View ICO SPVI Presentation Slides
