The Solar for the Masses road expedition started on May 26, 2010 from Abuja [Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory], and in just 17 days, Team Solar Jooce had visited one rural community in all 36 states of the Federation, and given out combined solar lamps/phone chargers.
The trip started from Abuja (FCT), heading out to Niger state (North West Nigeria) and on to the North East, Middle Belt, South East and South West zones. The journey successfully ended back in Abuja at 10.20pm on Friday, June 11, 2010. We covered a total driving distance of 9,309km.
The expedition map is a visual indication of the route that the Solar for the Masses journey followed, tracing a black line from beginning point to end point [both circled 2] .
Images of specific villages visited in each state [basic primary healthcare centres and micro-businesses] have been uploaded to our "Gallery" page.
Throughout its journey, the progress of the Solar for the Masses team was closely and accurately monitored by family, support crew and rescue authorities, using state-of-the-art GPS systems.
[Click on the top right icon to view a larger image]
Itinerary
Departure Point: Abuja, Federal Capital Territory [FCT]
Location1: Bida, Niger
Location 2: Amanawa, Kebbi
Location 3: Tamaje, Sokoto
Location 4: Rijiya Tsakadawa, Zamfara
Location 5: Kadabiki, Katsina
Location 6: Gagarawa, Jigawa
Location 7: Tofa, Kano
Location 8: Kafanchan, Kaduna
Location 9: Vom, Plateau
Location 10: Wurno, Bauchi
Location 11: Ture Balam, Gombe
Location 12: Dudaye, Yobe
Location 13: Marama, Borno
Location 14: Ganye, Adamawa
Location 15: Tsokundi, Taraba
Location 16: Tse Agberagba, Benue
Location 17: Ubahu, Enugu
Location 18: Umuhuali, Ebonyi
Location 19: Nawfija, Anambra
Location 20: Atta, Imo
Location 21: Umukabia, Abia
Location 22: Afaha Udo Eyop, Akwa Ibom
Location 23: Ikot Offiong Ambai, Cross River
Location 24: Eeken, Rivers
Location 25: Odi, Bayelsa
Location 26: Irri, Delta
Location 27: Ubiaja, Edo
Location 28: Ago Daada, Ondo
Location 29: Ijero, Ekiti
Location 30: Molufon, Osun
Location 31: Mafoluku, Lagos
Location 32: Oloke, Ogun
Location 33: Iseyin, Oyo
Location 34: Aladi & Gudugba, Kwara
Location 35: Agbadu Bunu, Kogi
Location 36: Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa
End Point: Abuja, Federal Capital Territory [FCT]
Join the 36-State Tour
The Solar for the Masses expedition has come and gone. In 17 days (not 36 as we had thought!), we traversed the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The road trip started on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 and ended on Friday, June 11, 2010.
Team Solar jooce covered a total distance of 9,309km.
As we drove through villages in every state to provide basic solar appliances to primary healthcare centres and micro-businesses - and to recruit rural women for training as Solar Engineers - our objectives were two-fold:
1. to show the possibilities of using solar to meet the Millennium Development Goals [End poverty & Hunger; Gender Equality; Universal Education; Child Health; Maternal Health; Environmental Sustainability; Global Partnership]
2. Regenerate economic, educational and social activity at the grassroot level.
We were (and still are) are guided by three important quotes:
"Power supply is crucial in stimulating economic growth, ensuring poverty reduction and employment generation, and enhancing economic competitiveness." - Nigeria's President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
