Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has linked the lack of electricity in rural communities to early bedtimes, limited nightlife and what he described as increased population growth.
Fayose made the remarks on Friday in Abuja after his inauguration as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
In a video shared by ARISE News on Saturday, the former governor said the absence of electricity in rural communities had restricted recreational activities and left residents with few alternatives to staying indoors at night.
“Why don’t you 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,” Fayose said.
He argued that extending electricity access to rural communities would encourage residents to remain outdoors later, boost nightlife and provide alternative forms of recreation.
“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,” he said.
Fayose’s comments came as he assumed leadership of the REA board, which is responsible for supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to expand electricity access to underserved and unserved communities across Nigeria.
The former governor was inaugurated alongside other members of the REA governing board by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.
Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta were also inaugurated as board members, alongside three other non-executive directors.
Abba Aliyu was formally installed as the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency.
