Oshodi Parapo Foundation, a Lagos-based non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) has urged students to consider venturing into waste recycling business as a viable means of revenue generation.
The initiator of Oshodi Parapo Foundation, Mr. Solomon Edukugho, made the call during a Plastic Waste Management training organised recently by the foundation in partnership with Oshodi/Isolo Local Government area.
According to Edukugho who is also the CEO, Solomon’s Ltd, students stand to enjoy the benefits of generating revenue for themselves as students, their schools, communities and their families when they are involved in recycling waste products.
On the training which came under the theme: ‘Plastic Waste Management, the Best and Beneficial Practices’, he said was part of their 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
On waste disposal, Edukugho said : “Reckless waste disposal has led to blockage of sewage and drainage networks and choking of water bodies. “Waste will remain part of our lives as long as we exist.
“While many produce more waste than others, everybody produces it every day as leftover food, cans, plastic bags or garbage. Efficient handling of waste is an important factor in the developmental progress of any nation and the health of its people.
‘’There are countless opportunities Nigerian government can exploit in its large, and growing waste market by creating an innovation to recycle products, which will lift thousands of Nigerians out of poverty” said Edukugho.
On his part, the General Secretary, Oshodi Parapo Foundation, Olukayode Lemo said there has not been enough advocacy on waste management and added that the government need to intensify their campaign and equally invest in waste management.
Lemo stated that over the years, waste have proven to be a hidden source of wealth.
In his words: “If you can recycle it, why waste it? This mantra has become the driving force that has moved many from idleness to waste entrepreneurs’’.
However, he appealed to Nigerians to stop living in ignorance and turn their attention to a hidden secret inherent in turning waste to wealth.
They should get the information of how to translate waste to wealth, stressing that the venture is capable of making a lot of Nigerians rich.
Also he stressed that the initiative has the capacity to expand when the trained youths start making money.
He advised Nigerians against disposing their wastes indiscriminately, as recycling of waste can turn the tide of poverty in their lives.
Deputy Director of Environmental services, Oshodi/Isolo local government, Comrade James Ahotu, stressed the need for participants not to keep the knowledge to themselves, but share with their friends and families.
His words “What you are learning today should not end here, but you should continue to practice it and by doing so, you should teach your neighbours, families and friends on how to make this craft because you can make a living from it”.
Main objectives of the project according to Ahotu is to ensure sustainable management of waste, which has become a problem in the world and turn it to wealth. Stressing that it would help both the youth and the old, to learn how to make a living with waste like nylon.
On his part, the Co-ordinator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Vocational Training Institute, Afeez Adesanya said that the Chairman of the Local Government, Otunba Kehinde Adeola ‘s vision was to empower youths and have been collaborating with different NGO to impact the youths and over 7,000 have been trained various youths on various vocations.
Adesanya task participants who are mostly students to take advantage of the knowledge and start up something.
“Don’t see waste to wealth business as a dirty job, rather eke a living from it. You can decide to collect the waste during their leisure and make money from it” said Adesanya.
Some of the teachers, who participated at the programme, described the workshop as good and educative, they said: we have learnt how to turn waste to money by recycling plastic.
Adding that what they’ve learnt would go a long way in affecting their lives positively.
Participants at the workshop included Students, teachers, representatives of the Environment Clubs in the Senior Secondary Schools in Education District VI Oshodi, CDAs and Market men and women also in the Oshodi community.
