…upcycling waste straps mitigate climate change.
The wife of the Jigawa state governor, Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi, has flagged off training of 600 women on the Waste to Wealth Initiative through Upcycling Transforming Waste Straps into Marketable Products to mitigate climate change.
The initiative is part of the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration in the state, organized by the Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA) and United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) at Government House Dutse, the state capital.
Hajiya Namadi said, “This initiative aligns with the state’s commitment as outlined in the 12-point agenda environmental sustainability, waste to wealth and woman empowerment initiative”.
According to her, upcycling plastic straps into marketable products serves as a tangible solution to two pressing global challenges, such as plastic waste management and climate change mitigation.
She said that by reducing reliance on virgin plastic production, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting a circular economy, “this process offers an innovative and sustainable pathway to environmental resilience.”
Speaking at the occasion, the managing director of the Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA), Sanitarian Adamu Sabo, said the 2025 IWD celebration is not only aimed at strengthening resilience, and achievements of women across the globe but also to highlight the innovative role that women in our communities are playing in environmental.
The managing director explained that, “Today’s programme is also part of UNICEF’s global Green Rising initiative that aims to mobilize youth-led climate action through volunteering, green skills development, and environmental advocacy. In Nigeria, Green Rising aims to plant 100,000 trees, recycle 100,000 kg of plastic waste, and mobilize 100,000 youth for climate action by 2025.”
Sanitarian Adamu Sabo maintained that this initiative directly contributes to Nigeria’s environmental sustainability goals, fostering climate-smart entrepreneurship among young people, particularly women.
He added, “UNICEF has also created Yoma (Youth Opportunities Marketplace), an innovative digital platform ecosystem that connects young people to learning, earning, and social impact opportunities. Through Yoma, youth can access online courses, mentorship, skill-building challenges, and employment opportunities (www.yoma.world/opportunities).
“The Jigawa project will leverage Yoma to equip young women with digital and entrepreneurial skills, connecting them to real-world economic opportunities beyond their immediate environment.”
Sabo stated further that in 2018, as part of the UN Youth Policy 2030, UNICEF launched the global Generation Unlimited movement to meet the urgent needs of young people, connecting Nigerian youth with skills, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship pathways to prepare them for the 21st-century workforce.
The MD JISEPA emphasised that “through UNICEF’s technical guidance, we are also ensuring that this initiative aligns with broader goals of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, as contained in the 12-point Agenda on Environmental, Sustainable Development, Contributing to Cleaner Environments, Reducing Waste, and Promoting Inclusive Economic Growth.
“UNICEF’s focus on the most vulnerable women and youths in this project has ensured that this project does not leave anyone behind.”
On his part, the National President of the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, said the association would train the 600 women drawn from the 27 local government areas on the waste recycling management free of charge.
He, therefore, appealed to the state government to provide a take-off grant to all the women who benefited from the training to immediately go into the business with full force.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then