Experts have called for more enlightenment and capacity-building programs for youths to aid their involvement in plastic waste management as a step towards sustainable development.

Coming at a time when the rainy season is gradually picking up, proper disposal of solid domestic waste would go a long way in preventing blockages in drainages, which could cause flooding.

This call was made at the closing ceremony of a one-year project on plastic management with the theme “Deploying the power of IT- Engaged Youths in Effective Plastic Use and Plastic Waste Management,” which also featured the launch of its full report, held recently at the Digital Pearls International Hall, Durumi II, Abuja.

In her welcome address, the National Coordinator, Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program, Ibironke Olubamise, said the adverse effects of improper plastic waste management is a global conversation and youth involvement is sacrosanct.

Olubamise highlighted the potential of Nigerians to effectively manage their plastic waste and develop innovative solutions to tackle this issue.

She stated: “One of the attractive things about it was the fact that this project addressed the youth, and we think that these are the people that are already becoming leaders of tomorrow. It is just important for us to support them to see what they can come up with as far as waste management and plastic waste management are concerned.

“I am impressed with the launching of the report. The content can inspire all the youth to get involved. There is hope for us. We can manage our waste ourselves. We can come up with genuine ways to manage the plastics, whether from production, after use, or even before production. These are some of the things we’re looking out for in UNDP.”

Speaking to The Guardian, the National Coordinator, Digital Peers and the chief convener, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, expressed excitement at the enthusiasm shown by the youths throughout the program.
She emphasized that the ideas garnered by these youths are critical in managing plastic waste in the country.

“The project managing plastics waste management is over a year now. It’s been quite interesting and quite exciting working with young people. Young people who you would otherwise have thought they don’t have anything to do. I feel so delighted. If we were able to harvest quite some ideas from them, that shows that there’s a lot of hope for the nation.

“Many things can still happen, despite all the challenges that we are going through. So, I feel so glad that we are rounding up everything about this first project today. The presentation of the book is about a summary, a compendium of all that has happened in this project. We hope there will be more programs like this to equip the youth. So, I feel excited about it.” she said.

The representative of one of the schools who participated, Margaret Ngozi Ofordu, showed eulogy to the organizers.

She revealed that the impact of the program on their students is evident in the eco-friendly building blocks produced by these students.

In her words: “I and my students are grateful to have been part of this program. The program has impacted our students such that they converted waste plastics into low-carbon building blocks. These plastics cause a lot of pollution in our environment, resulting in global warming.

“These students, during their creative thinking, took the plastics that are around the school, went into research and during their research, they saw they could reuse and recycle plastic waste. They swung into action and they started different processes. In the end, they converted the waste plastics into eco-friendly building blocks.”