Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has linked poor electricity supply in rural communities to population growth, saying the lack of power leaves residents with few recreational options after dark.
Fayose made the remark on Friday in Abuja shortly after his inauguration as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) board. According to him, improving electricity access in rural areas would encourage nightlife, create more social activities and reduce the tendency for people to retire early every evening.
Fayose blames poor electricity for rising population
Speaking in a video shared by ARISE News, Fayose said many rural communities become inactive once darkness falls because they lack electricity. He argued that residents often have little to do after 7 p.m., which, in his view, contributes to higher birth rates.
He said:
“Why you don’t address this issue of electricity? The people at that level have no alternative attraction. Nothing else matters to them. After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there.
“Everybody is engaging their wives. And the population simply becomes double. The simple problem is because there is lack of electricity.”
Better power supply will encourage nightlife
Fayose further said stable electricity would transform life in rural communities by creating more opportunities for recreation and social interaction. According to him, people currently go to bed early because there are few activities available after sunset.
He added:
“People go to bed early. Their mind is simply prepared that, well, if this is the only available recreation, let me remain here.
“But when we address this electricity, there will be nightlife. There will be recreation outside your wife.”
Fayose begins role as REA board chairman
Meanwhile, Fayose’s comments came as he officially assumed office as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency board. The agency oversees the Federal Government’s efforts to expand electricity to underserved and unserved communities across Nigeria.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe swore in Fayose alongside other members of the REA governing board. The inauguration also included Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta as board members. In addition, three non-executive directors took the oath of office, while the agency appointed Abba Aliyu as its Managing Director.
Read also: President Tinubu names Fayose REA chairman, appoints 25 others to federal agencies
