By Abbas Nazil
Osun State Government has empowered youth and women with practical waste-to-energy skills, positioning waste as an opportunity for clean energy generation, income creation, and community development.
The empowerment initiative took place in Abere, Osun State, on 19 December 2025, as part of the state’s drive to link environmental responsibility with economic growth.
The one-day Waste-to-Energy Practical Training Workshop was organised by the Office of the Director-General and Special Envoy of the Governor on Climate Change and Renewable Energy and held at the SDC Hall, OSAMA, Abere.
The training, themed “Power from Plenty,” focused on equipping participants with hands-on, scalable techniques for converting everyday waste into useful energy solutions.
Participants were drawn mainly from youth and women groups across the state, reflecting the administration’s commitment to inclusive climate action and skills development.
The workshop combined expert-led theoretical sessions with interactive practical demonstrations designed for application at household, cooperative, and community levels.
Speaking at the opening session, the Director-General and Special Envoy of the Governor on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Professor Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, described the initiative as a deliberate response to everyday environmental and economic challenges.
She explained that waste commonly seen in homes, markets, and streets could be transformed into power and livelihood opportunities when supported with the right skills and knowledge.
Professor Obuaku-Igwe stressed that the programme reflects a shift in Osun State’s climate strategy toward people-centred solutions that address jobs, livelihoods, and sustainability at the same time.
She noted that climate action must directly benefit citizens by creating employment, protecting the environment, and ensuring inclusion across gender and age groups.
According to her, empowering youth and women remains central to the long-term development agenda of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration.
She added that practical green skills can reduce environmental degradation while opening new pathways for self-employment, cooperative enterprises, and community-based initiatives.
Throughout the training, participants engaged in group exercises, live demonstrations, and interactive discussions with facilitators experienced in renewable energy and waste management.
The sessions exposed participants to waste-to-energy concepts that can be easily adapted to small-scale and local conditions without heavy capital investment.
Participants were also encouraged to see themselves as active solution providers within their communities rather than passive recipients of government programmes.
Several attendees described the workshop as timely, noting that it bridged the gap between environmental awareness and real economic opportunities.
They highlighted that the practical nature of the training made it easier to understand how waste could be converted into value and income.
At the end of the programme, participants received certification, reinforcing the skills-based and outcome-driven focus of the initiative.
The Waste-to-Energy Practical Training Workshop forms part of Osun State’s broader efforts to promote renewable energy adoption and green livelihoods.
The initiative aligns with national climate commitments while strengthening local capacity for climate-smart development.
By prioritising skills acquisition, inclusion, and community impact, Osun State continues to frame climate action as a tool for economic empowerment, environmental stewardship, and long-term social resilience.
