AS part of the state government efforts to unlock numerous potentials inherent in solar energy, waste management, recycling and environmental sustainability programmes, the wife of the Ogun State Government, Mrs. Funso Amosun Amosun has fulfilled her promise to take on a trip to Europe, the first winners of the National Green Essay Competition for Secondary School Students to acquire green education and skills on conserving the environment.

Those on the trip to Europe were the winners in a competition based on her book entitled: Green Education for the Youth (GEFTY). Twelve students had emerged winners and they were called GEFTY Ambassadors.

Following the competition, Mrs. Amosun had pledged further exposure through foreign trainings oversees on the fundamentals of a sustainable environment for the ambassadors.

She explained that the training has been carefully put together “to broaden the knowledge of the GEFTY Ambassadors on environmental issues and develop a responsible citizenry capable of arresting further degradation, deforestation and climate changes issues.”

The governor’s wife said the training was aimed at exposing the GEFTY Ambassadors to “job opportunities in solar energy, waste management, recycling and environmental sustainability.”

Mrs. Amosun has been involved in series of awareness campaigns on environmental issues and protection. In April 2013, she embarked on a state-wide green awareness campaign with a symbolic tree planting exercise followed by a five-kilometre awareness and advocacy walk led by the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

In an effort to boost employment generation, Mrs. Amosun in partnership with some Chinese investors had also embarked on a waste to wealth scheme, imploring youths to explore waste recycling business to sustain the environment and earn a living, rather than seeking white collar jobs. More than 500 youths acquired practical skills on Green Empowerment for the Youth (GEFTY II) – Waste-to-wealth initiative at Opako-Adigbe Refuse Dumpsite in Abeokuta.