THE Community Development Advocacy Foundation, CODAF, a nongovernmental organisation, has called on tertiary institutions to create an ecosystem where responsible consumption, waste reduction and recycling are given top priority.
Executive Director, CODAF, Mr. Richard Benin made the call at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, FUPRE, during the launch of Zero Waste Campus Project, put together by the NGO.
Speaking at the event, Mr Richard Benin said, “Today, we are starting a journey that will change the world and lead to sustainability, that empowers our university community to take meaningful action against the pressing challenges of plastic pollution, particularly the scourge of single- use plastics.
“It may interest you to know that, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, is the first Institution in Nigeria to kick-start this project and it is imperative to put in our best, to make this institution the first Zero Waste Varsity in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“It is our duty as community of thinkers and researchers to set an example by demonstrating values and principles of sustainability and responsibility.
“The Zero Waste Campus Project is a comprehensive strategy to promote a sustainable culture on our campuses, not only reducing plastic waste. Our goal is to establish an ecosystem where responsible consumption, waste reduction and recycling/composting are given top priority.
“Within this ecosystem, each and every member of the university community will be able to actively contribute to the quest for a healthy and green planet and together we will implement innovative solutions such as the introduction of reusable containers, education on waste sorting and advocacy for sustainable alternatives.
“For this project to succeed, we must also look to the structures that support our daily lives on campus.
“Therefore, I urge our university authorities to implement the Plastic Free Campus Blueprint rigorously as that will serve as a roadmap, guiding us towards practical solutions; from reducing single-use plastics in our facilities to eliminating plastic packaging in campus stores and open dumping of waste.
“I want to personally make this request to the Vice Chancellor and the school management to establish a Post Graduate Program on Zero Waste Project by providing our students not only health and safety concern but a critical step in diminishing our reliance on plastic waste.
“If this Post Graduate Programme on Zero Waste is approved, this institution would have once again written it’s name in the sands of time. As FUPRE will be the first institution on planet earth to have such program.
“By doing so, we will empower our campus community to make sustainable choices and significantly reduce plastic pollution.
“Your dedication and compassion are the driving forces behind this project and I am proud to stand beside you as we embark on this journey together.
“Your involvement is vital and instrumental and I am confident that as a committed community we will achieve remarkable strides towards a clean, greener, sustainable and a Zero Waste Campus.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor, of the university, Prof Akpofure Rim-Rukeh flanked by Deputy VC and other senior management staff of the institution said, “The university is a bedrock of knowledge that finds solutions, especially environmental problems and we all know the effect of improper waste management.
“The university through the center for waste management thought it necessary to collaborate with our partners to initiate this project and to remove waste from the university and covert waste to wealth for the betterment of the society.
“We are trying to contribute from our knowledge for the betterment of the university campus where we have over 15,000 students and extend it to the society.
“Before the appeal and request, I spoke with Deputy Vice Chancellor Admin, that we are missing knowledge gap in this country in terms of sustainability.
“We expect to see people with BSc Animal Science, that is too wide, we intend to bring in the waste to a very lower level, like Post Graduate Diploma in Waste Management and Technology.
“The university management is in total support and will commence the program at the 2025/2026 academic session, as we teach the technology of waste management and the principles.”
Others who spoke during the event are Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede, Weyinmi Okotie of the Clean Energy Campaigner, GAIA Africa amongst others
Highlight of the event was a two day training of 60 FUPRE students to take the lead as ambassadors of the Zero Waste Campus Project.
