By Adeola Ogunlade
The Acting Vice-Chancellor , University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebola Ekanola, has lauded the launch of the ‘Green Campus Project’ founded by SWEEP Foundation, Recycledge with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) at the University of Ibadan (Ui).
The project is designed to facilitate the implementation of a waste management programme at the UI and other selected universities.
The event featured seminars, interactive sessions, and donations of plastic waste collection assets and infrastructure, including cargo tricycles, receptacles, and equipment for the university environment.
Ekanola, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola, thanked the organisations involved in the project and, more importantly, the Students Union Government (SUG) of the school, who facilitated the project, aimed at helping to make the campus cleaner.
“It is an example of the town and gown relationship. The government cannot provide all that we need in the university. Towns, unions, and organisations have roles to play and this is an example and we are very grateful,” he said.
The President, SWEEP Foundation, Phillips Obuesi, stated the impact of the programme on the selected universities and surrounding communities
His words: “Campuses suffer from indiscriminate waste disposal habits of staff and students, mostly occasioned by low-level awareness and inadequate infrastructure to support proper waste management across these campuses.
“The Green Campus Project is scheduled to flag off in the following universities: University of Ibadan, University of Benin, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, University of Port Harcourt, and Obafemi Awolowo University.It will focus on galvanising support for more sustainable means of dealing with packaging waste through cost-effective aggregation models. It also aspires to eliminate waste incineration, a common practice in many institutions.’’
“We are providing a behavioural change education for the university community, particularly the students within and outside the campus. We are hoping to recover wastes and other recycled wastes (1000 tons) that litter the environment. We want to ensure that our environment is clean, green, and sustainable”.
Also, a 500-Level student of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Odeyinka Akeem Odetayo, who was among the 24 ambassadors on the Green Project, said: “I love volunteering for activities and when I saw this opportunity, I went for it. All of us are reaching for a sustainable environment.
“One of the ways to achieve that is by retrieving pet bottles and waste from the environment. I believe that if this message gets to everyone in the community, all of us will become change makers. The task given is to represent the Faculty of Agriculture. I will use my strength to reach out to every student and faculty member and inform them of the benefits of a clean and sustainable environment.”
Also, A 200-Level student of Law, Matter Abodunrin, said she was elated to be part of the project.
“We will embark on advocacy regarding clean environment and we are planning to liaise with restaurants and cafeterias around the faculty on the proper disposal of their wastes,” she said.