Stakeholders Seek Conversion Of Waste To Wealth

Stakeholders have decried adverse effects of waste pollution in society, saying it should be used to generate wealth. The stakeholders reached the resolution in Lagos, August 9, 2023, at the Finland-Lagos Recycling Culture Research and Development Project, F-LRCRDP, organised by University of Eastern Finland, UEF, and University of Lagos, UNILAG.

The two-day workshop, which started on Tuesday, aiming “to strengthen recycling practices” in Lagos, had representatives from enforcement agencies and Ministries Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research), Prof. Bola Oboh said the school is saddled with research and development engagements to provide sustainable solutions for society.

She noted: “Achieving local and global development goals is only possible with collaborative efforts of the academia, industry, and government.”

On her part, the Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, UNILAG, Modupe Omirin, said: “We are concerned about the environment. It’s not just the field environment in terms of procuring buildings. We are concerned about the quality of the environment because these things create value. They also create health hazards.”

Prof. Pertti Pasanen from the Department of Environmental Science, UEF, said environmental issues, such as waste or solid waste management, material efficiency, and preventive actions against negative effects of climate change, are critical to the university.

He said: “One point in our university strategy is rooted in global challenges, to which we seek solutions in our profile area, through interdisciplinary research and multidisciplinary education.

“UEF has a long history and tradition of environmental research and education. Sustainable development issues are common worldwide, and we observe a principle of sustainable development and sustainable use of natural resources in the university’s activities.”

Pasanen, who is also the principal investigator in the project, noted that collaboration between institutions and countries is key in the fight against environmental pollution and global warming, to achieve an environment free from all forms of pollution.

“The international collaboration on F-LRCRDP is an example of our university’s effort to participate and support other countries to develop solutions and practices for circular economy,” he said.

Guardian/Shakirat Sadiq