THE Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Ibadan has collaborated with the Oyo State Ministry of Environment, Environmental Health Scientists Association of Nigeria (EHSAN) and the International Federation of Environmental Health to mark this year’s edition of World Environmental Health Day, with the theme: “Environmental Health: Creating Resilient Communities through Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption.”
The event which took place at Beere Community in Ibadan, on September 26, saw staff and students of the department carry out various activities including community awareness walk and data collection, exercises on proper waste segregation and waste upcycling and enlightenment on water, sanitation and hygiene.
In her remarks at the event, Dr Temitope Laniyan, Acting Head of Department (HOD) of the Deprtment of Environmental Health Sciences, said it was important to reach out to Beere Community in order to create awareness about long-standing habits that were detrimental to their health and the environment. “They dispose waste indiscriminately. This habit is not good for their health. This waste they are throwing away can fetch them money. A simple definition of health is absolute soundness. It is not just being not sick or being diseased. You must be sound physically, mentally, socially. When your environment is clean, it affects your character. It creates soundness inside and outside. The importance of a clean environment cannot be overemphasised.”
Dr Taiwo Hammed, President of EHSAN, Oyo State chapter, and lecturer at the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UI, spoke to community members on the importance of segregating their waste instead of lumping all kinds of waste together during disposal. He said such practice will help with recycling and waste-to-wealth initiatives. “We are out to train the people on attitude change, knowledge and practice. Our activities today are in line with the theme of this year’s event. You don’t need to look far to see this poor attitude to waste.” Dr Hammed taught the people about production of organic fertiliser from organic waste, production of diesel and floor tiles from plastic waste and derived fuel from combustible waste.
In his reaction, Tahiru Kolawole Oladipupo, one of the community leaders (Mogaji) in Beere, expressed his desire for the Department of Environmental Health Sciences to work closely with the government on environmentally-sound town planning.
He urged his people not to dispose waste indiscriminately into gutters and streams, warning that in so doing, “they are creating problems for others and themselves.”
Dr Laniyan noted that the department is ready to continue such trainings across core communities in Ibadan with the cooperation of community leaders and politicians representing these communities.
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