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By Abubakar Muhammad Adamu
On December 6th, 2025, the Coalition of Better Adamawa (Coalition for Better Adamawa CBA) will proudly confer the Personality Award on a distinguished son of Adamawa State Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad an exemplary public servant whose visionary leadership has reshaped the energy landscape of the state and advanced the national mission for inclusive electrification.
The ceremony, to be held at the serene Bridgewood Hotel (formerly Lelewal) tomorrow Saturday, 6th December at 10:00 a.m., celebrates a legacy defined by purposeful action, transformative community impact, and unwavering commitment to national progress.
During his tenure as Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Salihijo demonstrated an extraordinary ability to translate policy into meaningful development. Under his stewardship, Adamawa State experienced one of the most impactful waves of electrification in its history.
Guided by innovation, data-driven planning, and the resolve to reach underserved communities, Engr Salihijo expanded energy access across urban centers, rural villages, agricultural hubs, and vulnerable settlements.
His leadership delivered tangible, life-changing outcomes.
Through the COVID-19 and Beyond Programme, four major hospitals in Adamawa State were energized with 50kW containerized solar hybrid mini-grids, ensuring uninterrupted power for isolation centers, treatment facilities, water systems, and critical medical equipment during the most challenging health crisis of our time.
These interventions not only strengthened the state’s pandemic response but also left behind permanent infrastructure that continues to save lives.
Beyond emergency response, he—Engr. Salihijo—championed a bold agenda of electrification projects including solar mini grids, solar streetlights, solar home systems, solar pumps and grid extension projects including provision of transformers. These projects enhanced reliability of power in remote communities by providing clean energy to households and local economies. These projects were delivered across 21 LGAs in Adamawa State.
Every project touched lives supporting traders, improving security at night, powering small businesses, reducing energy poverty, and restoring confidence in public institutions.
Under his tenure, the REA became a symbol of what public service can achieve when guided by integrity, competence, and vision.
Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad demonstrated that electrification is more than infrastructure; it is dignity, opportunity, and hope for communities long left behind.
As he receives this Personality Award, Salihijo stands not only as an accomplished administrator but as an architect of progress.
His work across Adamawa State will continue to shine as a beacon of transformative governance proof that with the right leadership, even the most ambitious national goals can be realized at the grassroots level.
The Coalition of Better Adamawa celebrates him not just for the projects completed, but for the lives uplifted, the communities empowered, and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.
His journey is an inspiration for present and future leaders, a reminder that service rooted in vision and integrity can truly electrify a generation.
Abubakar Muhammad Adamu, sadeeqama97@gmail.com