The Osun State Government has initiated a training program aimed at empowering youth and women in generating energy from waste. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address climate change while promoting green entrepreneurship in the state.
Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, the Director General and Special Envoy on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, disclosed this after a training session held in Osogbo, yesterday.
She emphasized that youth and women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and acknowledged the importance of prioritizing their involvement in sustainable practices.
“We are targeting 1,000 youths and women. This training marks our second batch; the inaugural one focused on waste-to-wealth, while this session centers on waste-to-energy,” Prof. Obuaku-Igwe explained.
She explained that the program’s primary goal is to foster green entrepreneurship by encouraging participants to shift from a linear economy to a circular one, promoting the idea that waste can be seen as a valuable resource. “The benefits of waste are multi-faceted and complex, aiming to improve both environmental cleanliness and income generation for participants,” she added.
Prof. Obuaku-Igwe urged community members to continue cooperating with the government on climate action initiatives, highlighting the potential for projects to generate carbon revenue and improve the state’s compliance with climate change standards.
Taiwo Adewole, co-founder of Waste-Swap, elaborated on the training content, explaining that participants learned how to convert various types of waste—including plastics, used tires, and even animal waste—into gas and diesel.
He disclosed the upcoming program supported by the Federal Ministry of Youth, which will also involve training participants in all 36 states across Nigeria.
Adewole emphasized the advantages of the waste management program, noting that it not only cleans the environment but also provides raw materials for production and creates employment opportunities.
He said the initiative was part of the State’s commitment to addressing climate change while empowering its youth and women through innovative and sustainable practices.
