Tech
ABDULLAHI Hussaini, a youth from Kaduna State has called on Nigerians to adopt the use of vermiculture bio-technology in the management of domestic waste.
Vermiculture is a simple bio-technological process of composting, in which certain species of earthworms are used to enhance the process of waste conversion to produce a better end product.
Hassaini, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kano at the two-day Youth Climate Innovation hub for youths in the North West.
According to him, vermiculture is a process of decomposing waste, mostly biodegradable such as vegetable, wastes from farm, and papers among others.
“The idea is to use earthworms to decompose the wastes. It is very easy to implement, you can farm earthworm, it is highly environmentally friendly and it is organic.’’
Hassaini told NAN that he came to the event to showcase the innovative and green idea in order to address the challenge of improper waste management contributing to the effect of Climate Change in the country.
“The idea is to sensitise people on the use of this technology; people can just get a wooden box or container, get some earthworms and put in the container.
“Whatever waste is out in the container will be eaten by worms as it decomposes, it can also be used for fertiliser,’’ he said.
Similarly, a youth from Sokoto State, Goodness Ahienanya said plastic wastes could be used for household furniture and construction of plastics road.
“I pick plastic wastes and make furniture like tables and chairs from it, I also have a project called Plastic Pave Block.
“What the project is about is that I pick nylon bags and pet bottles, after recycling them, I use them to fill pot holes on the roads.
“It is in the process that I discovered that it is possible for Nigeria to have plastics roads, it is cost effective and environmentally friendly. It makes our roads durable,’’ she said.
According to her, the Plastic Pave block is a melting process, when plastic is mixed with construction materials, it becomes durable.
El-sunis Yasha’u, a youth from Kastina proposed a smart application with the artificial intelligence to address some environmental challenges associated with climate change.
“The application is capable of understanding weather anomaly to identify and forecast possible dangers of climate change.
“It will create awareness of climate change, integrated with bioinformatics systems to foster proper and viable afforestation and Great Green Wall programme,
“It will also provide utility and communication system for recycling activities and waste management,’’ he said.
Also, Muhammed Muhammed from Jigawa proposed adoption of proactive measures to encourage the development of alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on firewood as a source of fuel for the mitigation of climate change.
He said affordable Biomass Energy Efficient Cook stoves for the poor people who could not afford using Biogas or Solar energy could also be implemented.
“It will be good to resuscitate the culture of tree planting.
“Conservation of habitat does not always mean that people are not allowed to live, work and make use of specific environment.
“It aims at making sure that people do not over-exploit the environment so that the environment can keep on self-renewal and regenerating for present and future use,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the hub was organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and coordinated by three Non- Governmental Organisations in the six geo-political zones concurrently.
The NGOs are the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI), Talentplus Initiative and Health of Mother Earth Foundation
The purpose of the meeting was to establish Youth Regional Climate Change Innovation Hub that would serve as a platform for continuous interface for the young people.
The organisers harvested and collate Innovations and Ideas from about 70 participants in the zone, while the three best ideas would be presented alongside other ideas from the other five geopolitical zones for a Youth National Climate Innovation hub.
The best overall idea would be showcased at the UN Climate Action Summit in September, 2019. (NAN)
– Aug. 30, 2019 @ 15:12 GMT |
Tags: Waste management: Youth advocates vermiculture bio-technology
