Abandoned NITEL Facility to Become Solar Car Training Hub for Arochukwu Youth
NITEL Arochukwu
The abandoned NITEL facility in Arochukwu, Abia State, is set for a new lease of life as a training and workshop centre for young people preparing to represent the Arochukwu Kingdom at an international solar car competition in Australia.
The facility, which has remained unused for years, will be transformed into a workshop where selected Arochukwu youths will receive practical training and develop the skills required to design and build a solar-powered car for the Bridgestone competition scheduled to hold in Australia in October 2027.
The initiative is being promoted as an opportunity to turn a neglected public facility into a space for youth innovation, technical training and international exposure.
The traditional ruler of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Eminence, Eberechukwu Kanu Orji, disclosed the development in a post shared online on Tuesday.
He explained that, at his request, a committee had inspected the abandoned NITEL premises at Barracks, Arochukwu, to determine whether it could serve as a suitable workshop for the Arochukwu Solar Eagle Team.
According to him, the assessment produced a positive result, following which the Mayor of Arochukwu Local Government Area, Hon. Aru, approved the premises for the project.
The inspection committee included Barr. Onyemuche Elekwa, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for Ikeji Aro 2026; Mazi Ejike Okorokwo, President of Nzuko Aro Home Branch; Mazi Stephen Kanu Okoro, Chief of Staff to the Eze Aro; Pastor Francis Ndu; Captain Eugene Okey Imuoh, Media Aide to the Eze Aro; and Mr Sharp, Palace Photographer.
The team was received during the inspection by the Mayor and the Ward Two Councillor, Hon. Hector Nwankwo.
Eze Aro said the approval would allow the premises to serve as a workshop where Aro youths would be trained and equipped to build the solar car that will represent the kingdom at the Australian competition.
He also disclosed that he had directed the immediate clearing of the premises following the committee’s report, with the President of Nzuko Aro Home Branch, Mazi Ejike Okorokwo, committing to ensuring that the work is carried out.
The traditional ruler expressed appreciation to the Arochukwu Local Government authorities for supporting the initiative, describing youth-focused projects that expand opportunities for young people as important to the future of the community.
Beyond the competition itself, the project could give participating youths practical exposure to renewable energy, engineering, fabrication and teamwork, while also placing Arochukwu on an international platform for youth innovation.
Eze Aro further announced that admission into the Arochukwu Solar Eagle Team would commence soon, urging interested youths and members of the public to follow the official page for details.
For young people who may have watched technology competitions from a distance, the abandoned NITEL premises could soon become the place where they move from spectators to builders—turning an old facility into a workshop for ideas aimed at carrying Arochukwu’s name to the world.
By Innocent Onoh
