Amid the rising costs of kerosene and cooking gas, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has launched "Eedu Ramoni," an affordable and sustainable alternative energy source for domestic cooking.

Speaking at an event in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area, the Governor unveiled the initiative alongside the planting of 160,000 trees aimed at land reclamation across the state's 16 local government areas. The charcoal, made from organic materials such as maize, rice, and banana husks, is intended to empower rural and urban households by providing a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for food preparation.

The move comes as the price of cooking gas has risen to ?1,350 per kilogram, with kerosene costing between ?1,350 and ?1,500 per litre. Governor AbdulRazaq emphasized that the initiative would alleviate the financial burden on residents while contributing to environmental sustainability.

The programme was organised by the Kwara State Government in collaboration with the Universal Climate Initiative and the Federal Government's Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes, Eedu Ramoni, an initiative of the Universal Climate Initiative would boost the preservation of forest trees hitherto used for the preparation of Charcoal mainly used for domestic cooking in cities and rural areas and reduce the risk of smoke associated with Charcoal made from trees.

The governor whose address was read by the state Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, said, “This initiative promises to empower our communities through the introduction of energy-saving stoves and the support of locally produced components.”

In his address, the initiator and project lead of UCI, Mr AbdulHafiz Alao, explained that Eedu Ramoni is a revolutionary, eco-friendly briquette made from 100% organic raw materials, including agricultural waste products like orange peels, banana peels, corn husks, rice husks, and other biodegradable waste.

He said, “The innovative product will serve as a sustainable and cleaner alternative to traditional charcoal, which is typically made by cutting down trees.”

He listed the benefits of Eedu Ramoni as environmental sustainability since it is produced entirely from organic waste; reducing the need for deforestation, offering a viable substitute for charcoal, and helping to protect forests by ensuring that trees are preserved for industrial use rather than for burning.

Alao said Eedu Ramoni would guarantee a cleaner and healthier environment, unlike conventional charcoal, which produces harmful smoke and pollutants.

He added that it also assures job opportunities, particularly for youth and women in rural communities.

“Through collaboration with our technical consultants, we provide training on how to produce these briquettes, allowing individuals to generate income while contributing to environmental conservation.

“Made from readily available agricultural waste, the item is affordable, accessible, and a cost-effective fuel option, particularly for rural areas where traditional charcoal is either expensive or hard to come by”, Alao said