SDGs: Kwara Govt. sensitizes MDAs on recycling waste to wealth management

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Kwara Government has embarked o   sensitization of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to conversion of waste to wealth management in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 9, 11 and 12.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SDGs includes; Goal 8, titled; Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 9; Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure | Access to Insurance Initiative.

Others are Goal 11- titled: “Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 12 is about ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, which is key to sustain the livelihoods of current and future.

In her address, Hajia Mariam Imam, the Seniour Special Assistant to Kwara Governor on SDGs, said the goal of the convention is to explore vital topics that will help navigate the present.

She apoke on the theme: “Harnessing Today’s Opportunities for a Sustainable Future”,

According to her, it is also expected that this convention will ensure a prosperous and secure future for everyone, especially those approaching retirement in the Civil Service.

She said: “We aim to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to harness opportunities in agriculture, information and communication technology, entrepreneurship, and other related fields of endeavour.

“This is so you can thrive both professionally and personally which is in line with SDG Goal 8, 9, 11 and 12,” she said.

In his presentation, Mr Olushola Gegele, a Regenerative Entrepreneur expert said there are many opportunities in utilizing waste and converting them to wealth.

He submitted that rice husks and sawdust from the agricultural and wood industries, which are abundant in Nigeria can be used as substrate for growing mushrooms .

He postulated that the mushrooms business is billion dollars industry which is capable of bring huge income to Nigeria.

According to him, mushrooms are one of the easiest foods to grow, nutritious and that it boosts the immune system of the body.

Gegele added that the substrate on which the mushrooms are grown are later converted to fertilizer for the soil, adding that this is creation of value chain where nothing is wasted.

He observed that what is regarded as waste is no longer waste but could be processed and converted to another product, adding that people should start collection of pure water nylon, plastics and iron where it could be sold to industries for recycling.

Gegele advised the participants to form cluster association and become collectors and recyclers of wastes to wealth projects in the state.

According to him, the state government is already providing enabling environment for industries to go into recycling of wastes.

Also speaking, Mr Ishola Kayode, the Special Adviser to AbdulRazaq of Digital Innovation assert that people can leverage on technology and social mwdia for personal growth.

He opined that there technology can be applied in agriculture to boost food production. (NAN)

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