Environment
UI, Others Partner On Zero Waste Management
The University of Ibadan (UI), Coca-Cola Foundation and other organisations have established partnerships to ensure zero waste management, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 17.
The institutions have also launched ‘The Green Campus Project’ facilitated by the Statewide Waste and Environmental Education (SWEEP) Foundation at the Trenchard Hall of the premier university, Ibadan.
Recycledge, SWEEP Foundation in conjunction with local partners will mobilise corporate businesses, government agencies and other stakeholders to address the plastic waste challenge in the University of Ibadan and its surrounding communities.
The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) has provided a grant to support SWEEP Foundation, on their ‘Green Campus Project’, designed to facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive waste management programme across selected university campuses in Nigeria.
The programme will accelerate and improve collection of discarded plastic bottles (PET) leveraging targeted awareness programmes on campus community recycling.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Public Affairs, the Coca Cola Company, Ms. Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, said Nigerians needs to take action to ensure that after they enjoyed the content of containers, they don’t liter the environment.Onyemelukwe said plastic is not bad but the way it is used causes environmental problems.
She said: “Every package that has been used has a place; it can be re-used. Your waste is a resource. We are interested because we produce beverages. We are known for happiness. The wastes that fill our environment can be re-used and re-cycled to repackage another beverage. 100 per cent of our packaging materials are recyclable. We must pay attention to how waste is collected and re-cycled.
“This is a fundamental approach to change our environment. In the Sustainable developmenrt Goal (SDG) 17, partnership is a very fundamental step in achieving a sustainable goal. Therefore, we can achieve zero waste in Nigeria through this partnership.” She implored the students to take the message to their homes and classrooms, as well as volunteer as recycling ambassadors.
The President, SWEEP Foundation, Phillips Obuesi, reiterated the impact of the programme on the selected universities and surrounding communities.
He said: “University campuses suffer from indiscriminate waste disposal habits of its staff and students, mostly occasioned by low – level awareness and inadequate infrastructures to support waste management across campuses”.
President, Coca-Cola Foundation, Saadia Madsbjerg, said: “We recognise that student communities are critical stakeholders in our broad strategy to preserve and protect our ecosystem. We are proud to support this initiative, which will not only improve the waste value chain of campuses in Nigeria but also help to inspire an entire generation of environmental advocacy.”
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said the institution would support the project wholeheartedly. Adebowale was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola who said the choice of UI was apt and instructive.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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