FUPRE Unveils Zero Waste Campus Project

By Wilson Macaulay 

In appropriate   response to the increasing need to properly manage waste in our environment and to transform it into a wealth creation venture, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), on the  10th of September , 2024, launched its “Zero Waste Campus Project.” 

The program,  which is aimed at turning the university into a model for sustainable waste management, was declared open by the Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Rim Rukeh .

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor highlighted the importance of effective waste management, stating that waste is essentially "energy gone astray." He drew the attention of the audience to everyday examples, such as how tailors create colorful dresses from fabric scraps, demonstrating how what is considered as waste can be put  to alternative uses. 

Engr Prof. Rim -Rukeh Akpofure  the FUPRE Vice Chancellor also mentioned the practice of collecting waste from septic tanks and transforming it into manure. However, he emphasized that plastic waste remains the most pressing challenge, as it often ends up in gutters and poses a threat to the environment due to its slow degradation process.

The Vice Chancellor introduced Dr. Yemi, the Director of the FUPRE Centre for Waste Management, and encouraged the university community to actively support and participate in the Zero Waste Campus Project.

During his address, Dr. Yemi Ogunkeyede  , the Director  FUPRE Waste Management Centre explained the primary objective of the project: to achieve a zero-waste environment at FUPRE. He stressed that the initiative is not just about removing plastic waste from  the environment but also about transforming it into wealth-generating products through creative recycling. To demonstrate this, some of the students presented  products made from collected  waste materials to the Vice Chancellor, who pledged the full support of FUPRE’s Management in making the Project Zero  Waste a success.

Dr Yemi Ogunkeyede Presented the blue print of the Zero Waste Campus Project to the VC, the two Deputy Vice Chancellorrs and others.

While speaking with Daily independent Newspaper Correspondent, Dr Yemi said the essence of the Zero Waste Campus Project is to educate the Students,   Staff, train the trainers and turn every waste to wealth.

Mr. Ejiro Okodeso, FUPRE’s Chief Environmental Officer, delivered a goodwill message in which he expressed great enthusiasm for the project. He noted that the Zero Waste Campus Project is designed to tackle the issues of every kind of waste especially plastic waste, which poses a significant environmental threat. 

Mr. Okodeso urged adherence to the project’s blueprint to ensure its success and called for collaboration with the Minister of Environment and Water Resources in securing grants to support the initiative.

He also highlighted the long-term goal of the project, which is to create a campus environment free of plastic waste through artistic recycling. Products made from recycled materials, such as decorative items,  were showcased by FUPRE students during the launching of the FUPRE Zero Waste Campus Project.

 These included palm trees made from plastic, mirrors adorned with plastic artwork,  plastic hand fans. A group of master's degree students produced a table from abandoned tires, while other students crafted flower vases from broken bottles and waste spoons.

In his remarks, Weyemi Okotie, another key speaker at the event, emphasized the need for FUPRE to align with international best practices in waste management, specifically within the framework of a circular economy. He called for a reduction in the amount of plastic waste in the environment and urged the university community to adopt recycling policies as part of the solution. He further explained that achieving a zero-waste system requires managing consumer behavior and turning waste into useful products.

Mr. Henry Olukowa, in his address, called on the FUPRE community to give their full support to the project, ensuring that the university becomes truly free of waste in all its forms.

Ms Melody Enyimaya   Who spoke in the train the trainers session about  organic  and inorganic waste management noted

that waste are not valueless products but useful for our everyday living if properly managed.

She emphasized that the FUPRE Zero Waste Campus Project is the best path to take to ensure that waste are recycled

to prevent the  myriad problems  caused by waste  in our environment because the Zero Waste Management does not believe in waste. 

She added: " Waste is actually energy gone astray, from this perspective we do not see waste but concentrate on what can be done to convert the energy or waste into productive use.

In summation  of the the event, Dr. Yemi who  gave  the vote of thanks extended his gratitude to the Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Rim Rukeh, for spearheading the project, and also acknowledged the contributions of FUPRE’s partners, including Colour Africa, the Waste Management Board, staff, students, and other attendees.

The Zero Waste Campus Project marks a significant step forward in FUPRE's mission to become a beacon of sustainable waste management practices, with the potential to inspire similar initiatives across other Nigerian universities.