CITIZENS COMPASS –The Ikorodu Local Government Area in Lagos State on Saturday, says it will partner with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Wecycler and Sahara Foundation on youth empowerment in the area.
Council Chairman,Wasiu Ayodeji Adesina, made the commitment during the inauguration of Go Recycle hub at Ojogbe area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
He appreciated the initiators of the projects for the innovation, adding that, “it is an empowerment programme that has the potential to transform lives, communities, climate and our planet,” he said
The council chairman, in his quest to create the enabling environment, promised to embark on acquisition of 10 acres of land for large-scale agricultural production and a trade fair to sell products at cheaper rates.
“Through this initiative, we empower communities and take ownership of their waste management.
“We will empower entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions and encourage individuals to make sustainable choices.
“This idea can turn a liability into an asset, a burden into a blessing, and turning waste to wealth,” he said
Earlier, Mrs Folashade Oluyinka, representing the Wecycler, advised residents to efficiently manage their waste products since they generated tons of waste daily, from household trash to industrial byproducts.
She advised the youths to join the recycling business, as a means of livelihood through monitoring of waste materials produced, as a result of human activity to get valuable resources.
“The whole purpose of the waste management is to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfill, while empowering the people.
“However, waste can be a catalyst for change.”
“We will also empower marginalised groups to access economic opportunities.
“We are not just empowering people to convert waste to wealth but we want to achieve other ideas.”
She said that the other ideas include; building skills and capacities, creating jobs and income streams, promoting sustainable livelihoods and reducing inequality and poverty.
Mr Seun Adeyeri, one of the youths, commended the chairman for his initiative and urged more youth to key into the re-cycling business for self-reliance.
