By Joshua Olomu

The Skilled Women Initiative (TSWINI), an NGO, has trained and empowered 30 underserved women on the services of electric tricycle, locally known as Keke NAPEP, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the comprehensive training offered modules on electric vehicle assembling, driving, maintenance, troubleshooting, safety, and clean energy use.

According to the organisers, the 4-week hands-on training was executed through the NGO’s flagship  RideVolt  Electric Mobility Programme, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting economic sustainability and tackling the rising cost of fuel.

In her remarks at the graduation ceremony on Friday, Chisom Nwankwo, founder of TSWINI and the RideVolt Programme, said the programme aligned with Nigeria’s green energy trajectory with gender-inclusive economic growth.

According to her, the training is a flagship initiative of TSWINI in collaboration with other stakeholders.

She said the 30 women, most of whom were previously unemployed or underemployed, now possess practical skills that position them as pioneer contributors in Nigeria’s emerging green economy.

“Our goal is to place these women at the centre of the clean mobility revolution, and we have empowered each with an electric mobility toolbox as starter packs.

“By equipping them with electric vehicle skills, we are opening up sustainable income opportunities while addressing transportation challenges and climate goals; these women will not only drive change, they will steer it.

“The RideVolt by TSWINI programme’s impact reaches beyond individual empowerment; we are building the future of transportation, one woman, one electric vehicle at a time.

“As these women prepare to be employed as drivers and operators of RideVolt’s clean mobility services across estates, universities, hospitals, and markets, their work will directly reduce local air pollution and decrease reliance on fossil-fuel-based transport.

“The ripple effect of this is cleaner communities, improved public health, and inclusive economic participation particularly for women and youth,” she said.

Nwankwo said TSWINI plans to expand the programme to other parts of Nigeria and scale its clean transportation and energy offerings.

She, therefore, urged stakeholders, including development agencies, government bodies, and private sector players to support the next cohort of trainees, to help establish female-led e-mobility hubs, and invest in localised manufacturing of e-mobility components.

According to her, 10 women out of the 30 trained will automatically be employed under the Skilled Women’s RideVolt and VoltHub programmes of the organisation.

She said they would be employed as drivers and operators in the Closed User Community Drive Programme for estates, universities, among other areas.

“These 10 women will start work by September this year, and the Skilled Women’s RideVolt will provide vehicles, mobile charging units for them and onboard them.

“There is going to be a driving app, and this will offer them opportunities in different fields; the empowerment and engagement will continue in phases for others,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi