Conquering Darkness & Unemployment
We empower tertiary students, secondary students, and community youths to build clean energy and sustainable livelihoods.
Our Origins & Registration
SHINE THE LIGHT EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE was established in 2018 by four young, determined Nigerians who wanted to address three of the nation's biggest challenges: power blackouts, air/noise pollution by gasoline generators, and extreme youth unemployment.
In 2019, the organization was formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.) as a Non-governmental and Non-for-profit Organization. Since then, the initiative has operated completely free of charge, running school-to-school and state-to-state renewable energy assemblies.
Our Initiator
The founder and initiator of this campaign is Essien, Stephen Maurice, a native of Henshaw Town, Calabar South, Cross River State. Stephen holds a BSc in Management from Rivers State University (RSU). Driven by a vision of a carbon monoxide-free community, he consolidated training guides in solar construction, fuelless generators, and cosmetology to help youths start local manufacturing businesses.
Strategic SDG Integration
Our practical training structure aligns directly with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to address immediate local concerns.
Affordable & Clean Energy
Teaching inverter construction and installation, and fuelless generator utilize. Replacing gasoline generators directly removes air & noise pollution while establishing self-employed energy technicians.
No Poverty & Decent Work
Replacing unemployment and poverty with self-employment by conducting workshops in cosmetology (soaps, creams, disinfectants), paint manufacturing, shoe styling, and pastry craft, alongside business management mentorship.
Good Health & Quality Education
Combating carbon monoxide inhalation. Facilitating girl-child hygiene seminars, tertiary assignment tutorials, term-paper research guidance, and rural COVID awareness programs.
Our Leaders
Meet the team who coordinate, design, and run our community workshops across schools and states.
Essien Stephen
Initiator / Executive Director
Founder and manager with deep expertise in entrepreneurial development and solar/renewable energy systems assembly.
steve_essien@shinethelightedi.org
Moseph Essien
Program Director
Extremely organized coordinator who executes curriculum, manages timelines, and drives secondary school programs.
moseph_essien@shinethelightedi.org
Ofon David
Project Manager
Highly collaborative manager tasked with organizing equipment, site logistics, and maintaining team dynamics.
ofon_david@shinethelightedi.org
Thomas Daniel
Advocacy Director
Our lead public relations link, coordinating relations with local stakeholders, partners, and host communities.
thomas_daniel@shinethelightedi.org