NGO, Ministry organise maiden Oyo waste summit, clean-up

As part of activities marking the recently concluded World Clean-Up Day, Recycledge, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, organised a two-day event in commemoration of the globally celebrated day.

With the theme ‘Make Room for Life,’ the two-day event started with the maiden edition of the Oyo Waste Summit held at the House of Chiefs, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, on Friday, 20th September.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Honourable Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, noted the giant strides the ministry is putting in place towards effective waste management in the state.

Mogbonjubola stressed the attendant effects of waste and other harmful environmental practices in human life, adding individuals must begin to embrace and adopt daily actions that protect the environment.

He said, “As we celebrate this occasion, let us be reminded that we have a part to play in the effort to clean, protect, and preserve our planet. In line with this vision, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has intensified efforts to implement strategies and policies that promote effective waste management, recycling, environmental education, and sustainable development.

“Beyond today, however, we must remember that cleanup is just the beginning. It is equally important to embrace sustainable practices in our everyday lives. From reducing waste and reusing materials to recycling and supporting eco-friendly products, we must make choices that “Make Room for”Life”—choices that reduce the burden on our environment and create rooms for nature to heal and prosper.”

The Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal, in his keynote address, emphasised that defaulters of environmental laws will be brought to face the law.

Lawal stressed the impact of harmful human practices on the environment, noting that the government has taken environmental cleanliness as a key policy.

He said, “This present administration has been proactive in tackling issues related to climate change by promoting the use of renewable energy and encouraging tree planting campaigns across the state. We recognise that making room for life means taking deliberate steps to preserve the ecosystems that support life.

“I implore every citizen of Oyo State to abide by the environmental laws and patronise the waste contractors assigned to their communities instead of disposing of waste indiscriminately. Kindly be informed that a commission on the Rule of Law has been established, and part of their role is to enforce environmental laws and bring defaulters to justice.”

The event witnessed guest lectures by Dr Adamu Garba of the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre and Dr Shade Akinsete of the Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Ibadan.

During the summit, a panel session that brought together major recyclers and upcyclers in Oyo State was held where residents in Oyo State learnt how to gain economic wealth and job creation from their waste through recycling and upcycling.

Speaking shortly after the event, the co-convener of the event and co-founder of Recycledge, Mr Victor Oyejide, spoke about the need for continuous public enlightenment and advocacy on proper waste management, stating that when united, humanity can make room for life and take real action to protect the environment.

He further stated that part of the essence of the Oyo Waste Summit was for residents to be educated on how they can convert their trash to cash, adding that all forms of recyclables, when sorted, can equally be used as a tool for social intervention.

On the second day of the event being Saturday, September 21, residents of Ibadan came out in their numbers to sweep and pick waste from Cocoa House, Dugbe, to Mokola Roundabout.

The two-kilometre stretch walk was led by the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Honourable Mogbonjubola, and co-founder of Recycledge, Victor Oyejide, for street enlightenment, waste recovery, and sorting.

The event witnessed the presence of market leaders, environmental health officers, youth society organisations, waste consultants, street sweepers in the state, recyclers and upcyclers operating from Oyo State, and representatives of various partnering companies.

The event recovered 86 kg of recyclables and 252 kg of non-recyclable waste.

The clean-up, which is the first to be jointly organised under the ministry, has been promised to be sustained in months to come.

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