Osun trains 1,000 youths, women on waste-to-wealth, energy skills

The ‎Osun State Government has trained 1,000 youths and women on waste-to-energy, wealth-to-wealth skills, equipping the participants with the practical skills to convert waste into energy and income. ‎ ‎The Waste-to-Energy Practical Training Workshop, themed “Power from Plenty,” was organised by the Office of the Director-General and Special Envoy on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, marking the second phase of the State’s waste-based training following an inaugural waste-to-wealth programme held in August this year. ‎ ‎Speaking with journalists in Osogbo at the training, Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, Director-General and Special Envoy on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, said the training was designed to help participants understand that waste is a resource and an opportunity for income generation, environmental protection and improved livelihoods.

Read also: Osun 2026: Obokun APC leaders urge unity, back Oyebamiji for governorship race ‎ ‎The Professor explained that youths and women were prioritised because they bring energy, ideas, courage, resilience, innovation and community strength, noting that when they are empowered with practical skills, communities change, states develop and lives improve. ‎ ‎Obuaku-Igwe said the training focused on waste-to-energy with the aim of promoting green entrepreneurship and helping participants understand that the benefits of waste are multi-faceted and complex. ‎ ‎She noted that the programme was also intended to shift participants’ perception of waste from being a burden to becoming a source of power, income and opportunity, while improving environmental cleanliness and wellbeing. ‎ ‎Also speaking, Taiwo Adewole, Co-founder of Waste-Swap, said participants were trained to convert plastic waste, nylon, used tyres, animal waste and organic waste into gas and clean diesel, using locally-fabricated technology. ‎ ‎He said the technology is affordable and easy to replicate across Local Governments, Associations and Cooperatives, offering benefits that include cleaner environment, reduced energy cost, organic fertiliser and employment opportunities. ‎ ‎Adewole, however, noted that Osun State was selected by the Federal Government from the 36 States of the federation to host the launch of a national waste-to-wealth and youth self-employment programme because of what the State hasbeen doing in recent past.

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