The Oyo State government, in partnership with its waste management consultant, Mottainai Recycling Limited, on Saturday rewarded traders at Gate Bus Stop, Ibadan, with gifts during an event to mark the 2023 Global Recycling Day.
The day, which is celebrated on March 18 globally, was shifted to March 25, 2023 in Oyo State, following the gubernatorial elections held across the country.
Speaking in Ibadan during the celebration, the Managing Director, Mottainai Recycling Limited, Mr. Adey Adewuyi, said that the celebration was aimed at educating residents on the importance of a cleaner environment.
Appealing to residents to have an attitudinal change, Adewuyi added that Mottainai Recycling Limitrd has launched the green sweepers initiative, to keep the state cleaner.
Adewuyi, represented by the Chief Sustainability Officer, Ms. Deborah Fadeyi, added that the Global Recycling Day is an annual event that aims to raise awareness of the importance of recycling and encourage people to take action to reduce waste and protect the environment.
“The day brings together individuals, organizations, and governments from around the world to promote sustainable practices and highlight the benefits of recycling,” he said.
“The Oyo State government in partnership with Mottainai and other relevant state actors took out time to sensitize residents and traders at Gate, Oje, Beere and environs about the essence of recycling,” he added.
He continued, “We are trying to propagate how proper waste management can be done and show how this can be done for rewards.”
Adewuyi said that Oyo State was blessed with great landscape that needed to be kept clean to leverage the tourism potential of the state.
He added that proper disposal of wastes will lead to less flooding in the state.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief Operating Officer, Seun Fasuhanmi said that concerted efforts should be made to protect the environment from plastic pollution.
According to her, the Oyo State government is working seriously to see that Oyo residents embrace the culture of recycling.
She expressed gratitude to Wema Bank and other partners for their passion for the environment.
Keeping a clean and sustainable environment, she said, will attract Nigerians in the Diaspora back home.
Side attractions at the event were 5-kilometre walk, medical checkup, recyclables for rewards, where the highest paid recyclables received a sum of N20,000.
Others were rewarded with consolation prizes, drinks, shirts and other gift items.
About two tonnes of recyclables were also recovered during the event.
