The Building Materials Association of Mararaba has lauded a recent solar power project that has transformed the local market into a thriving nighttime business hub, thanks to an intervention by the Maikaya Development Foundation.
Speaking during an interaction with executives of the Foundation and traders at the market on Saturday, the Chairman of the Association, Sir Christopher C. Ibeh, praised the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Muhammed Musa Maikaya, for installing solar-powered lighting in the market. He described the gesture as “a remarkable investment in humanity.”
“Before now, the market was like a graveyard once the sun went down. But today, it is beaming with light and life. Our members can now safely trade even at night, which is a huge relief,” Ibeh said.
He emphasised that the lighting system had enhanced security, extended business hours, and attracted interest from neighbouring communities.
“Some of our members are asking about the type and quality of the lights because they want to replicate them in their various communities. That tells you the level of impact this simple but thoughtful gesture has made,” he added.
Sir Ibeh also expressed the association’s willingness to collaborate with the Maikaya Development Foundation on further initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and infrastructure in the state.
“The best thing a man can do is to invest in humanity. That’s what Maikaya has done, and we are proud to be associated with such a visionary leader. We pray that God continues to bless and increase him in strength and wealth. If there’s any call to leadership, he should not hesitate to answer. He is the kind of leader our people need,” he said.
Other traders and association members echoed the chairman’s sentiments, describing the solar installation as both a source of hope and a catalyst for economic development in the area.
In his remarks, Alhaji Muhammed Musa Maikaya said the solar intervention was part of the Foundation’s broader mission to enhance the quality of life across Nasarawa State.
“The Foundation was set up with a clear goal—to touch lives positively. We’ve been supporting youths with scholarships, providing healthcare assistance, offering skill acquisition programs, and distributing cash grants to small traders to support their businesses,” he said.
Maikaya noted that the solar lighting initiative was his way of giving back to the community that has supported him over the years.
“This is just the beginning. There is more to come. We see this relationship as a family bond. Some of you have married into our communities, and some of our people in the East have married there. So, this is a collaborative effort, and we are committed to making lives better through it,” he said.
He also commended the Nasarawa State Government for fostering an enabling environment that encourages business growth and partnerships, adding that the Foundation would continue expanding its reach with more development projects in the near future.
