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CODAF LAUNCHES ZERO WASTE CAMPUS PROJECT IN FUPRE

End Single Use Plastics Campaign in Campus



INTRODUCTION

The escalating issue of plastic pollution presents a substantial challenge to environmental sustainability in Nigeria. The inadequate management of waste and the excessive utilization of single-use plastics have adverse effects on ecosystems, public health, and community well-being. Compounding these challenges are deficient waste governance systems, a lack of awareness, and limited community engagement. Consequently, an urgent imperative exists to advocate for sustainable practices and enhance awareness regarding the hazards associated with the persistent use of single-use plastics.

In line with the above, Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) embarked on yet another project aimed at promoting sustainable practices and mitigating various forms of plastic pollution in the environment. This was done by the introduction of the Zero Waste model to youths and undergraduates in Nigeria, starting with the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) in Warri, Delta State.

ABOUT THE ZERO WASTE CAMPUS PROJECT

The Zero Waste Campus Project with the theme “End Single Use Plastics Campaign in Campus" is a component of the CODAF School of Governance program with specific emphasis on fostering zero-waste governance in Nigerian universities. The project is targeted at two major Nigerian universities, namely the Federal University of Petroleum Resources and the Delta State University of Science and Technology Ozoro, both situated in Delta State, with a dedicated focus on sustainability, by collaborating with the staff and students of these institutions.

Through this project, CODAF launched a "plastic-free campus" as a means of reinforcing the broader campaign to prohibit single-use plastics in the Nigerian society, thereby promoting sustainable practices and mitigating various forms of plastic pollution in the environment.

The objectives of the project is to foster zero-waste governance in Nigerian universities by launching a "plastic-free campus" initiative, to reinforce the broader campaign to prohibit single-use plastics in Delta State to promote sustainable practices and mitigate various forms of plastic pollution in the environment, and to collaborate with the staff and students of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun and Delta State University of Science and Technology Ozoro to achieve a plastic-free campus. The project is in three phases, which includes the Launch and Zero Waste School of Governance Training, Brand Audit and other project activities and the policy advocacy phase.


ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT

COLLABORATION: On September 9th, 2024, the project was officially launched with the presentation of the Plastic-Free Campus blueprint and the Zero Waste School of Governance manual to the Vice Chancellor of FUPRE by the Executive Director of CODAF. This initiative fostered a shared understanding for the project's implementation at the university, clearly defining its goals and objectives to ensure its long-term sustainability.

LAUNCHING: On the 10th of September 2024, the Zero Waste Campus project was launched in FUPRE, with the Vice Chancellor, the entire managerial staff of the University, students and the media in attendance. The event, which was held at the New Auditorium of FUPRE, had over 150 people in attendance.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of CODAF, Benin Richard stated that the Zero waste campus project is a comprehensive strategy to build a sustainable waste management culture on campuses, not just aimed at reducing plastic waste, but to also establish an ecosystem where responsible consumption, waste reduction and recycling are given top priority. He appealed to the University to set up a sustainable water project to serve the university, and to also consider setting up a post graduate program on zero waste to further drive the zero waste model in the academia.

While speaking on “Why Zero Waste” GAIA Africa Clean Energy Campaigner, Weyinmi Okotie stated that the Zero Waste model promotes a circular economy that encourages a society to produce waste that can be reused. He added that the Zero waste goals also looks at responsible production of waste that goes beyond educating end users on waste management, into also advocating for producers to be responsible for the waste they generate.

While launching the project, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh stated that his duty as the VC includes looking into areas that will make the University relevant to the society and as such, the Zero Waste Campus project has presented yet another opportunity as relates to the institutions motor of excellence and relevance. He added that the university prioritizes waste management, hence the setting up of the center for waste management in the university. The VC accented to welcoming any collaborative effort with CODAF to further drive the Zero Waste Initiative, and to also look towards suggestions for the establishment of a Post Graduate program on Zero Waste in the university.


Other speakers at the launch were the CODAF Project Manager on Environment, Melody Enyinnaya, and the Director of the FUPRE Center for Waste Management and Sustainable Resource, Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede.

The students also presented artistic wares and household items that were made out of waste, to further drive the message of reusing and repurposing of waste.

PRESENTATION OF DOCUMENTS

The CODAF team presented some documents to the VC and administration of the school, to further guide the Zero Waste initiative in the university. One of the documents is the Zero Waste Guidelines developed by GAIA Nigeria to facilitate the implementation of zero waste practice. 10 hard copies of the zero waste guidelines were formally presented to the institution where some of the copies will be seated at the university library. The second document is the Plastic-Free Campus Blueprint; A strategic blueprint outlining practical steps for transitioning the university into a plastic-free campus, which will involve collaborative efforts with the Students Union and the University Management to ensure a smooth and effective transition.

TRAINING

Based on the school's recommendation, 60 participants comprising both students and staff, were trained as part of the "End Single-Use Plastics Campaign on Campus" to promote Zero Waste practices within and beyond the school. The two-day training covered topics such as an Introduction to Zero Waste by Melody Enyinnaya, Data Management in Waste Assessment by Nohwo Fred, Material Recovery Facility (MRF) by Melody Enyinnaya, Sachet Economy/False Solutions and organic waste management by Weyinmi Okotie, and Inorganic Waste Management/Maggot farming by Melody Enyinnaya. The training also included group work and interactive sessions to reinforce the knowledge shared with participants.

PLASTIC FREE AMBASSADORS

At the end of the training, a total of 60 ambassadors made up of students and lecturers from FUPRE were inaugurated as Plastic-Free Campus Ambassadors, tasked with the duty of promoting the zero waste model within and outside the campus and to transfer such knowledge and consciousness to other students and lecturers within the school campus, other higher institution and their individual communities.

The Director of the Center for Waste Management and Sustainable Resources of FUPRE, Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede who will be heading the Plastic -Free Campus Ambassadors stated that the group would develop and implement projects that will look towards the drastic reduction of plastic within the school, and further expose the environmental and economic possibilities around Zero Waste.

Radio Discussion 

At the EnviroGist radio program on 13:09:2024, Dr. Akinyemi was a guest to discuss the campus zero waste project, the waste management strategies of the institution and how to bring this knowledge down to communities and interested individuals. Dr. Akinyemi used the moment to notify the general public that the institution will be starting up post graduate programs around zero waste as stated by the VC during the launch and that the zero waste campus project has created a platform for knowledge sharing between the university and communities. In no time training on repurposing waste materials will commence where individuals outside the university will be trained on how to reuse and repurpose. 

CONCLUSION

The introduction of the Zero Waste model to students is fast becoming an important subject matter, especially among the young generation, as the project has highlighted that the higher percentage of waste developed within Africa is made of plastic. This project has exposed the dangers of plastic waste to the environment and how production and use of single-use plastic contributes to the climate crisis in the world today. The project has also discouraged false waste management solutions such as incineration and burying of waste, thereby highlighting the possibilities in Reducing, Reusing, Repurposing and Recycling waste for environmental protection and a circular economy. We are certain that this project marks the beginning of Zero Waste as an academic study in higher institutions.

RECOMMENDATIONS

·         Looking at the scourge of waste pollution, there is a need to set up Zero Waste Campus projects across all Universities in Nigeria, to promote zero waste among youths and to instill that knowledge in institutes of learning.

.       To keep pace with the evolving dynamics of our environment and society, it is essential for schools to update their curriculum by introducing courses that address these challenges. For instance, incorporating Zero Waste courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels would be highly beneficial.

·         In order to promote a circular economy, segregation of waste from source, collection and recycling points should be set up across the board to reduce waste.

·         Sensitization on waste segregation should be carried out, to educate people on waste segregation. If we can get this right, zero waste will be made easier.

·         Waste management  call to end single-use plastics should go beyond educating end users, to move towards the multinational corporations that keep producing waste without any plans for end use. Laws should be set up to hold producers accountable for the waste they produce.

 



NEWS HEADLINES
https://thesouthernexaminer.com/africas-premier-petroleum-varsity-fupre-moves-to-tackle-ndeltas-waste-m-p12705-95.htm

https://elviraspen11.blogspot.com/2024/09/fupre-to-introduce-post-graduate.html

https://naturenews.africa/fupre-pioneers-nigerias-pg-diploma-in-waste-mgt-technology/

https://www.popularnews9ja.com.ng/fupre-to-introduce-postgraduate-programme-in-zero-waste-management/

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/09/25/fupre-to-introduce-zero-waste-management-post-graduate-programme-in-2025-2026-academic-year/


WHAT'S CODAF

CODAF also known as Rural Community Empowerment Initiative (RUCEi) works to bridge the communication gap between policy makers and the grassroots AND raise awareness of rural dwellers and empowering them to be active players in environmental decision making.

This mandate is anchored on article 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights which states that “All peoples shall have the right to a general satisfactory environment favourable to their development

OurGoal

To engage in intervention projects that builds the capacity and empowers rural community people to defend their collective rights to participating in natural resource governance through a right-based approach

OurMission

To engage in intervention projects that builds the capacity and empowers rural community people to defend their collective rights to participating in natural resource governance through a right-based approach

OurVision

We envision a self-sufficient community in the management of their environment and resources without any form of marginalization.