Pecohub Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, has commenced the process of producing plastic products in its waste-to-wealth project after receiving €50,000 from the Government of France to combat plastic pollution and promote a safer environment in the institution.
The university was one of five institutions in Nigeria selected by the French government as beneficiaries of its plastic management project worth €753,000 to help universities across Nigeria develop innovative, adaptive and sustainable ideas addressing plastic pollution, which has become a major source of environmental degradation in the country.
The five institutions that were given the award to fight plastic pollution on campus include Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife; Yaba College of Technology; University of Calabar and the University of Delta.
At the official inauguration of the French Embassy Fund (FEF), the head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, French Embassy, Thierry Valentin, said the five institutions have been awarded over N500 million to encourage young Nigerian researchers to develop innovative ideas for a safer environment.
He noted that the project to combat plastic pollution in Nigeria, tagged the French Embassy Fund (FEF), was part of the French government’s global effort geared towards encouraging proper and effective management of plastic waste.
While speaking at the event, the vice-chancellor of the University, Prof. Sunday Elom, commended the French government for supporting research and innovation in Nigeria, assuring them that the university would make judicious use of the money to promote research, innovation and development in the area of managing plastic waste.
The vice-chancellor, who was represented by his deputy in charge of academics, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga, further reiterated the university’s commitment to a safer environment, recalling how it was one of the reasons the institution established the Campus-Green Initiative, which, according to him, has helped in promoting beautiful, eco-friendly and safer environment on campus since its inception in 2016.
After the inauguration of the French Embassy Fund for the waste-to-wealth project of the university, the institution took delivery of 130 bags of waste bins to promote environmental sustainability and responsible plastic waste in the school.
The waste bins have been installed round the university to combat plastic pollution. The installation of the bins was part of the university’s broader plastic waste management project, which aims to address environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution within the university community.
The programme, which is coordinated by Prof. Robert Onyeneke, is scheduled to run for 14 months. It includes various activities designed to create awareness, encourage proper waste disposal and explore innovative ways to repurpose plastic waste into valuable products.
While taking delivery of the waste bins, Onyeneke highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating that its was one of the key activities outlined in the university’s environmental sustainability plan.
“This project is a crucial step towards keeping AE-FUNAI clean and free from plastic waste, and we are committed to ensuring its successful implementation,” he said.
He further explained that the 130 bins will be strategically placed around the campus to ensure easy and proper disposal of plastic waste.
He added that the measure would not only enhance cleanliness within the institution but also contribute to a larger environmental movement that promotes recycling and waste-to-wealth initiatives.
Last week, the university organized a one-day workshop with the theme ‘’Plastic Waste Management in AE-FUNAI’’, aimed at reducing, reusing and recycling plastic waste to create value, and support young researchers in developing solutions for a healthier environment.
Declaring the workshop open, the VC of the university, Prof. Elom, appreciated the French government for the award, stating that the university would work tirelessly to reduce the menace of plastic waste on campus.
The VC, represented by Prof. Ejiaga, reiterated that the theme of the project, “Green Campus Initiative: Transforming Plastic Waste to Wealth in AE-FUNAI Community”, encompasses elements of environmental education, community education and entrepreneurial development that promote responsible and recycling practices on campus.
He maintained that the university was committed to a safer environment through the Campus-Green Initiative established in 2016, with the aim of making the campus more environment-friendly and beautiful by planting trees and raising awareness about climate change.
He appreciated the coordinator of the project, Prof. Onyeneke, and his team for the feat, while hoping that knowledge gained at the workshop would positively transform society.
In his remarks, in “Transforming Plastic Waste to Wealth in AE-FUNAI”, Prof. Onyeneke, lauded the French Embassy in Nigeria for their dedication to environmental sustainability in Nigeria and lasting collaboration with AE-FUNAI.
He noted that, in AE-FUNAI and its environs, the magnitude of plastic waste was not comprehensively known, as plastic waste was increasing and the crises required urgent attention.
He said the purpose of the workshop was to bring together stakeholders in Ebonyi State, the academia, government, the private sector and communities, among others, to share knowledge and explore practical solutions aimed at reducing plastic waste as well as promoting eco-friendly alternatives.
Prof. Onyeneke reiterated that tackling plastic waste challenge in the environment requires coordinated efforts at different levels and enjoined the masses to join hands to address the challenge.
In his goodwill message, representative of the National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Ebonyi State, Austin Nwanuforo, applauded the organizers of the workshop for availing them the opportunity to participate in plastic waste management awareness, stressing that, as an agency, they have been driving advocacy and sensitization on plastic waste management.
He stated that plastic waste has been a challenge to the nation, and called for all hands to be on deck to curb the crisis.
Nwanuforo mentioned that the agency has introduced a mechanism known as the 6R, which means Reduce, Reuse, Recover, Repair, Redesign and Recycle, aimed at mopping up plastic waste.
He added that the agency has also drafted a regulation that ensures that plastic waste management is handled by all stakeholders, for proper management.
He assured the university of the agency’s willingness to partner with it in the area of awareness creation by introducing environmental club in the university where students will be educated properly on plastic waste management.
Presenting a lecture titled ‘’Preventing Plastic Pollution: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,’’ Dr. Friday Archibong stated that improper waste disposal systems and lack of awareness about sustainable waste disposal are issues surrounding the environment, which in turn, causes a lot of harm to the body.
He noted that, in preventing plastic pollution, all regulatory measures from the university and the government must be put in place to stop indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste in waterways and landfills.
Contributing, Dr. Obinna Oje, who spoke on ‘’The Role of the Universities in Tackling Plastic Waste,” maintained that universities play a pivotal role in addressing plastic waste through education, research, innovation and community service, adding that, as hubs of knowledge and innovation, they are positioned to drive systemic change by placing a ban on plastic items in cafeterias, and as well install water refill stations on campus.
He enjoined students and faculty members to join hands and contribute to a sustainable future, stressing that plastic waste pollution, if not properly managed, can damage health and harm lives.
One of the facilitators of the programme, Okechukwu Pius, a professor of Engineering Geology and director of Human Resource Development in the university, explained that the French Embassy approved the project for the institution following a proposal.
He said plastic wastes would be collected in the university and turned into finished products, and urged the public to avoid reusing plastic by using it to produce of market what people consume, which he said exposes people to health risks.
“It is not good to reuse plastic because, when you talk about contamination or pollution, there are three aspects. We have what is called physical contamination, there is also the chemical aspect of it and there is also biological contamination.
