Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, former president ,Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the Olowu of Owu-Abeokuta, Oba (Prof ) Saka Adelola Matemilola have expressed readiness to lead the crusade against plastic pollution, as the State Government formally unveiled its two waste recycling programmes " Plastic for Cash" and "Blue Box Initiative" as a deliberate strategy designed to enhance the circular economy , generate more job opportunities, create additional income for individuals and ensure properly management of plastic waste to drastically reduce environmental hazard of plastic pollution and promote greener and healthier environment
The State First Lady, Bamidele , Obasanjo and the Olowu of Owu-Abeokuta made the pledge during the unveiling of the two plastic recycling programmes as part of the activities marking the 2025 World Environment Day held on Monday at the Olowu 's Palace at the Oke-Ago Owu in Abeokuta, the State capital, under the theme" Beating Plastic Pollution"
She called on the organized private sector to invest in the initiatives as part of contributions to protect the environment, create more jobs and ensure to an eco-friendly environment for all
The First Lady who lauded the initiative of the State Ministry of Environment, also called on stakeholders to see the task of recycling of plastic and reducing plastic pollution as a shared responsibility to promote healthier and secured environment
Also Nigeria's former president represented by the StEnvironment Commissioner, Chief Anthony Ojesina shared personal experiences of waste to wealth at the Olusegun Onabanjo Presidential Library Complex, Abeokuta where a number of waste recycling plants were established to generate additional foreign exchange for the Centre
He called on the people to key into the initiatives to make money for themselves through circular economy and make the environment greener
Similarly Oba Matemilola emphasized the need for every home and community to be involved in reducing plastic pollution and environmental hazard
"We must use plastic responsibly and prevent environmental degradation usually caused by plastic pollution in the water", he stated
He called on residents to embrace the culture of waste segregation and make money from the initiatives of the State Government
The State Commissioner for Environment Dr Ola Oresanya had earlier explained that The Plastic for Cash Initiative would create business opportunities for people to make additional income, particularly for women, youths and low income earners in the society right from their respective homes through segregation of plastic waste from domestic waste and exchanging for monetary rewards
He expressed concern over the 35 million metric tons of waste being generated annually in Nigeria which Ogun accounts for 1. 6 million metric tons and 32,000 tons of plastic waste daily with just 2,000 of the plastic waste being recycled daily in the state, hence the need to embrace the two initiatives , create wealth and ensure a secured and healthier environment
"We are not only reduce pollution but also create economic opportunities, particularly This initiative is not just a policy—it is a movement. A movement to incentivize for our youths,women,low-income earners", he stated
The "Blue Box Initiative according to him, introduces a structured, house-to-house waste segregation
system, enabling residents to separate recyclables from organic and general waste
"The combination of these two initiatives forms the backbone of our strategy to community-based organizations who continue to work with us to create a cleaner environment" , Oresanya maintained
The Environment Commissioner showered encomium on Governor Dapo Abiodun for the commitment of the administration to the successful unveiling of the two initiatives aimed at preventing plastic pollution and championing a circular
plastic management ecosystems
He also appreciated the role of the traditional rulers in grassroots environmental advocacy, acknowledging the effort of the Olowu for leading the crusade against plastic pollution in community
He urged residents in the state to embrace the lifestyle of re-use and recycling of plastic waste, urging them to see environment as common heritage that must be protected by all
The event was spiced up by various demonstration by environmental clubs in selected secondary schools including Lisabi Grammar School and Taidob College both in Abeokuta
Other participating schools included African Church Grammar School, Maltida Hills School
A 13 year boy, Anu in public primary school was also acknowledged for his passion to convert waste to wealth
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