TheCable

Total Nigeria Plc and the Murtala Muhammed Foundation have entered a partnership to train female graduates on solar technology marketing.

According to a statement issued by the foundation, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to remote locations in the north are the main target.

Those eligible will be registered as members of the Awango Resellers Club (ARC).

“Women who have been identified as string peer influencers, young graduates, especially those posted to remote northern Nigerian states to serve under trusted community leaders, have been earmarked for membership of  an initiative by Total Nigeria in partnership with the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) to empower the people in isolated areas in need of special intervention using Solar technologies,” the statement read.

“This is part of the implementation of the last mile strategy designed to expand the last mile distribution channel in isolated areas where the core target market for Awango by Total resides.

“As part of the implementation strategy, a revolving loan scheme will also be provided to members where Solar lamps worth N75,000 to N100,000 is given on credit to ARC members to be refunded in four to five months.

“In addition to the support of the Total Nigeria Sales Team, other supports include re-sellers manual, flyers, and other marketing supports that will be provided to create awareness and stimulate demands.

“Total Nigeria is partnering with Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), an indigenous non-profit Organisation dedicated to the socio-economic development of Africa, to manage the development and technical support of ARC in the northern region of Nigeria.”

The statement said so far, 120 start-up members had been earmarked for the first phase of recruitment and training.

Total Nigeria was the recipient of a £100,000 Solar grant awarded by the Solar Nigeria Programme, an initiative of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Department (DFID).

The grant was designed to scale up markets for Solar systems in Nigeria, especially in the north.