Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, is in partnership with the French Embassy Fund (FEF 209) project, on plastic waste management on campus.
In line with this, the university on Thursday, February 27, 2025, hosted a one-day workshop with the theme “Plastic Waste Management in AE-FUNAI”, aimed at reducing, reusing and recycling of plastic waste to create value, and support young researchers in developing solutions for a healthier environment.
AE-FUNAI was one of the five institutions of higher learning in Nigeria that won the French Embassy research grant for plastic waste management in Nigeria to combat plastic pollution and promote safer environment on campus.
Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunday Elom, extended his gratitude to the French government for the award, assuring that the university would work tirelessly to reduce the menace of plastic waste on campus.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga, reiterated that the title of the project, “Green Campus Initiative: Transforming Plastic Waste to Wealth in AE-FUNAI Community”, encompasses elements of environmental education, community education, and entrepreneurial development that promote responsible and recycling practice on campus.
He maintained that the university is committed to a safer environment through the Campus-Green Initiative established in 2016, with the aim of making the campus more environmental- friendly and beautiful by planting trees and raising awareness about climate change.
He appreciated the coordinator of the project, Prof. Robert Onyeneke and his team for the feat, while hoping that knowledge gained at the workshop will positively transform our society.
Earlier in his welcome address titled “Transforming Plastic Waste to Wealth in AE-FUNAI”, the Project Coordinator, Prof. Robert Onyeneke, appreciated the French Embassy in Nigeria for their dedication to environmental sustainability in Nigeria and lasting collaboration with AE-FUNAI.
He noted that in AE-FUNAI and its environment, the magnitude of plastic waste is not comprehensively known as plastic waste is continuously increasing and the crises require urgent attention.
He said that the purpose of the workshop was to bring together key stakeholders in Ebonyi State, the academia, government, private sector, communities, amongst others, to share knowledge and explore practical solutions aimed at reducing plastic waste as well as promoting eco-friendly alternatives.
Prof Onyeneke further reiterated that tackling plastic waste challenge in our environment requires coordinated efforts at different levels, thereby, encouraging the masses to join hands together to address the challenge.
He extolled the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elom and his management team, for their unwavering support, adding that sustainable plastic waste management falls within the core of the Vice-Chancellor’s strategic vision of building an environmentally conscious, socially inclusive and climate-resilient university.
While giving his goodwill message, a representative of the National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Ebonyi State, Mr. Austin Nwanuforo, applauded the organisers of the workshop for availing them the opportunity to participate in the plastic waste management awareness creation, stressing that, as an agency, they have been having advocacy and sensitisation on plastic waste management.
He stated that plastic waste has been a challenge to the nation and called for all hands to be on deck to curb the crisis.
Mr. Nwanuforo, mentioned that the agency has introduced the mechanism known as R, which includes Reduce, Reuse, Recover, Repair, Redesign and Recycle, aimed at mopping out plastic waste in the society.
He added that the agency has also drafted a regulation that ensures that plastic waste management is being handled by all the stakeholders for proper management.
He assured the university of the agency’s willingness to partner with it in the area of awareness creation by introducing environmental club in the university where students will be educated properly on plastic waste management.
Presenting a lecture titled “Preventing Plastic Pollution: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, Dr. Friday Archibong stated that improper waste disposal systems and lack of awareness about sustainable waste disposal are issues surrounding our environment which, in turn, cause a lot of harm to the body.
He noted that in preventing plastic pollution, all regulatory measures from the university and the government must be put in place to stop indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste in waterways and landfills.
Contributing, Dr. Obinna Oje who spoke on “The Role of the Universities in Tackling Plastic Waste”, maintained that universities play a pivotal role in addressing plastic waste through education, research, innovation, and community service, adding that as hubs of knowledge and innovation, they are positioned to drive systemic change by placing a ban on plastic items in cafeterias, and as well install water refill stations on campus.
He enjoined students and faculty members to join hands and contribute to a sustainable future, stressing that plastic waste pollution, if not properly managed can cause health damage to lives.