Waste to Wealth: Oyo State Government Educates Youths on Recycling

In a move to inspire a more responsible citizenry on sustainability practices, the Oyo State Government has appealed to youths in the state to venture into recycling of plastics and wastes.

Speaking on a bi-weekly programme, ‘Head of Service Speaks’, on the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism online radio, Aloore, the Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Modupe Adeleye, said schools could tap into the state government’s waste to wealth initiative, by engaging and educating children on the advantages of plastic recycling.

Adeleye noted that the state government-approved waste management consultant has deployed a holistic approach towards reducing waste, promoting sustainability and creating better communities, charging residents to take advantage of the benefits inherent in waste recycling.

The PS, who explained that all homes churn out large amounts of industrial wastes through the use of plastics, paper and nylons, noted that if well harnessed, those waste materials could turned into wealth, emphasising that the Ministry had, since 2021, in conjunction with relevant bodies, embarked on a pilot programme on ways to separate and preserve waste products.

She noted that the Ministry had recently taken the awareness campaign to some major markets in the state, especially the new Gbagi Market in Ibadan, where the government-approved waste management consultant, addressed the traders.

Maintaining that waste is wealth, Adeleye enjoined youth and the entire populace to consult the Ministry on the way forward to harnessing the opportunity.

In another dimension, the PS described the recent steps of the state government on the ban on street trading, as grace-saving for the masses, explaining that the action taken so far is to save marketers and passersby from untimely death and injuries.

She reiterated that the government was keen on the well-being of the people of Oyo State, urging market men and women to comply with the government directive by maintaining cleanliness in their various shops.