A total of two hundred women have been trained on the conversion of waste products to use-able materials under a waste to wealth initiative powered by Ripple Africa Trust Foundation in collaboration with domestic and international partners.
This was revealed on Tuesday in Minna, the Niger State Capital during a policy dialogue organized by the Foundation at Haske Luxury Hotel.
Speaking with Newsmen at the event, the Programmes Manager of the Foundation, Deborah Dabas, disclosed that the initiative was financially backed by the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society with a view to empowering women and ensuring a cleaner environment across communities
The initiative is said to have changed the mindset of participants on how they hitherto view wastes as a menace to appreciating their economic value for a sustainable environment.
Also speaking with Newsmen, Mr Fanem Peter Akra, said to ensure the initiative is sustained, the organization does not just train and abandon participants but ensure they are registered members of a cooperative where they can access financial tools for their businesses.
He also mentioned the Arts for Advocacy component of the initiative which helps portray the creative and artistic products participants have been able to make! courtesy of their training on how to convert wastes to re-usable products – with a view to creating awareness and encouraging more women to key into the opportunities provided by the initiative
Some of the items on display at the event included bags, purses, foot-mats, key-holders and other household items all made from waste products such as nylons and disposable plastic bottles.
Ripple Africa Trust Foundation called on the Niger State Government to join other partners in supporting the drive of the initiative as it aligns with its women empowerment agenda
Some of the stakeholders represented at the policy dialogue were representatives from the Ministries of Women Affairs, Environment, Industry, Commerce and Cooperative as well as Ministry of Vocational and Technical Education – among others
Edited by Favour Owonibi.