By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: In a collaborative effort aimed at empowering the youth and promoting environmental sustainability, the Rotary Club, in conjunction with the Rivers State University Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management, has successfully trained over 100 young individuals in Rivers State on the art of converting waste into wealth.
The one-day seminar and training event, held at the Oroworukwo Town Hall in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Rivers State, brought together four Rotary clubs, including the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, and Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Express. These Rotary clubs joined forces with the Rivers State University Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management and Tilda Goes Green, the organizing body.
Rtn Dr. Anthony Ikpor, President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco, expressed the primary objective of the event, stating, “This is one of the policy thrusts of my administration: to train people on how to convert waste to wealth. And in essence, what you’re seeing today is a form of empowerment for the youth.”
Ikpor emphasized the importance of nurturing creativity among the youth, encouraging them to explore possibilities with items like nylon bags, plastic water bottles, and other domestic waste materials found throughout their neighborhoods. He stressed that waiting for traditional white-collar jobs was no longer viable, and early engagement in waste-to-wealth initiatives could create both opportunities and income for young people.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts in waste management, Ikpor called for collaboration from other organizations, companies, and agencies to work alongside Rotary in creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment. He pledged to extend awareness campaigns to all local government areas in Rivers State, including primary and secondary schools and marketplaces.
Rtn Kelechi Ekezie, President of Rotary Club Port Harcourt Airfield, echoed the sentiment that there was untapped potential in the streets of Nigeria. She said, “There is money in the street to be picked, but Nigerians are not aware of it.” Ekezie stressed the need to teach people how to make money while maintaining a clean environment, emphasizing that waste collection could start without any formal certification, and markets for recycled materials were readily available.
Ekezie urged people to cease indiscriminate waste disposal, as it negatively impacts the ecosystem and leads to flooding. She advised, “If you know that what you’re disposing of is valuable, you should keep it.”
Dr. William Azuka Iyama, a resource person from the Department of Geosciences at Rivers State University, emphasized the potential for employment in waste management, particularly in light of Nigeria’s growing population. Dr. Iyama criticized the government’s limited involvement in waste management, rating their efforts at just 10%. He suggested that the government could generate employment by establishing engineering landfills, potentially employing thousands of people while safeguarding groundwater.
Dr. Iyama also proposed giving local chiefs authority to conduct monthly environmental sanitation efforts, ensuring proper waste disposal and unblocking gutters, as many areas lacked adequate drainage systems.
Prof. Akuro Gobo, Director of the Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management, referred to the biblical reference of humans having the power to conquer the earth and make it better. However, he noted that poor sanitary practices had led to adverse environmental changes, including flooding. Gobo recommended collaborative efforts among neighbors to improve sanitation, waste disposal, and proper drainage construction.
Rtn Chinedu Ikegwuani, the Governor-Elect of Rotary District 9141, commended the program organizers and emphasized the need to transform waste into profit to combat Nigeria’s underdevelopment. He urged participants to maximize the opportunities presented by Rotary, the Department of Geosciences at Rivers State University, and the Tilda Goes Green Foundation.
Participants at the event expressed satisfaction with the training and pledged to apply the knowledge gained, while also calling on the government and other organizations to partner with Rotary for the sustainability of this laudable initiative.
The program’s highlight included a practical demonstration showcasing how waste materials can be converted into valuable resources.
