The Ikorodu Local Government Area in Lagos state said on Saturday that it will partner with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Wecycler and Sahara Foundation on youth empowerment in the area.

Wasiu Adesina, the chairman of the council, made the commitment during the inauguration of the Go Recycle Hub in the Ojogbe area of Ikorodu, Lagos.

Mr Adesina appreciated the initiators of the projects for the innovation, adding that “it is an empowerment programme that has the potential to transform lives, communities, climate and our planet.”

The council chairman, in his quest to create an enabling environment, promised to embark on the acquisition of 10 acres of land for large-scale agricultural production and a trade fair to sell products at a cheaper rate.

“Through this initiative, we empower communities and take ownership of their waste management.

“We will empower entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions and encourage individuals to make sustainable choices.

“This idea can turn a liability into an asset, a burden into a blessing, and waste into wealth,” he said.

Earlier, Folashade Oluyinka, representing the Wecycler, advised residents to efficiently manage their waste products since they generate tonnes of waste daily, from household trash to industrial byproducts.

Ms Oluyinka advised the youths to join the recycling business as a means of livelihood through monitoring the waste materials produced as a result of human activity to get valuable resources.

“The whole purpose of waste management is to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills while empowering people.

“However, waste can be a catalyst for change.”

“We will also empower marginalised groups to access economic opportunities.

“We are not just empowering people to convert waste into wealth; we want to achieve other ideas.”

She said that the other ideas include building skills and capacities, creating jobs and income streams, promoting sustainable livelihoods and reducing inequality and poverty.

Seun Adeyeri, one of the youths, commended the chairman for his initiative and urged more youth to key into the recycling business for self-reliance.

(NAN)