Maikaya Boosts Night Trading in Nasarawa with Solar Power Donation
By Yahaya Idris, Nasarawa
Sir Christopher C. Ibeh, Chairman of the Building Materials Association, Mararaba, Karu local government area in Nasarawa State, praised Alhaji Musa Muhammed Maikaya, CEO of Maikaya Development Foundation and frontline All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, for installing solar-powered lighting in the building materials market.
He described the project as a significant investment in humanity that has transformed the market from a “graveyard” at night into a well-lit, lively place where traders can operate safely after dark.
According to Ibe, the lighting has improved security, extended trading hours, and attracted interest from traders in other communities who want to replicate the initiative.
The association expressed readiness to partner further with Maikaya to bring more development to the state.
“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 noted that the lighting system had not only improved security and extended trading hours but had also inspired curiosity and admiration among traders from other communities.
“Some of our members are asking about the type and quality of the lights because they want to replicate it in their various communities. That tells you the level of impact this simple but thoughtful gesture has made,” he added.
The chairman pledged the association’s readiness to partner with Maikaya and the Foundation on initiatives that would further bring development to 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 concluded.
Other members of the association who spoke during the event echoed similar sentiments, describing the solar installation as a source of succor and an enabler of economic growth in the area.
Responding, Alhaji Musa Muhammed Maikaya stated that the lighting installation is part of the foundation’s commitment to improving lives across Nasarawa State, which includes scholarships, healthcare support, skill acquisition programs, and cash grants to traders.
He described the solar lighting as a way of giving back to the society that has supported him and emphasized ongoing efforts to expand such developmental initiatives.
The foundation also appreciates the enabling environment created by the state government that facilitates these partnerships for local development.
“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,” Maikaya explained.
He said the provision of solar lighting was his own way of giving back to the society that has continuously supported him.
“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.
Maikaya also appreciated the enabling environment created by the state government, which he said has allowed businesses to thrive and made development partnerships such as this possible.
He assured the market leadership and traders that the Foundation would continue to expand its developmental reach in the coming months.
