By Remi Olayiwola

At this period of economic hardship and its accompanied toll on the citizens in Nigeria, any effort aimed at alleviating the tough consequences on the people deserves an appropriate thumbs up.

Under a situation whereby youths gather themselves together to promote conducive environment under a situation of acute suffering and environmental inadequacies, such organized ventures deserve an appropriate mention in order to galvanise and promote a well organized society.

A Nigerian graduate of Politics, Philosophy and Economics who benefited from an — international scholarship programme ‘organised by the DAAD from Germany, Olamide Olayiwola, in compliance with the institution’s policy of giving back what beneficiaries of such scholarship gained after the completion of two and a half year programme, decided to pay back to Nigeria the gains of such venture.

Olamide floated a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) named Green Mind International Academy (GMIA).

Worried at the alarming environmental pollution where plastics are discarded indiscriminately after the contents might have been consumed, the organisation decided to embark on a barter exchange project under which used plastics and nylons are exchanged for assorted food items.

In confronting the situation, the GMIA searched for some coordinating partners with whom they organized the project. The partners included students from the University of Ibadan (UI), KIK Cleaners limited, an environmental cleaning outfit based in Lagos with a branch in Ibadan, as well as interested environment friendly  organizations. In addition, the GMIA in conjunction with the students of the Biodiversity Conservation Club of the University of Ibadan, organised the one day project.

Explaining the duties of GMIA, the Project and Partnership Manager, Mr. Nathaniel Owolawi, said the focus of the organization is to empower the people, particularly youths, with the knowledge needed to become environmentally friendly.

He explained that the GMIA is interested in equipping the next generation of eco-leaders to build a more sustainable future.

In her own words, the Deputy Chief Conservator, Iyanuayo Otunla, stated that as an NGO, the Biodiversity Conservation Club advocates conservation of nature and biodiversity, adding that the club partners with GMIA as a result of the latter’s mission and activities that align with that of the Club’s objectives.

 Apart from these, she stated that one of the objectives of the club is to give support to any initiative that reduces plastic pollution and other environmental issues that are capable of posing threat to the biodiversity and surrounding environment. The Managing Director of KIC plastics said that after collecting the products, it is the duty of his own organization to recycle the plastics by sorting them out through their colours and removal of the wrappers.

He said that the GMIA Director, Olamide met his organisation through the internet and, having discovered that she is a product of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, like himself, he took interest in her initiative and decided to partner with her for improvement of the society.

Responding to radio and television advertisements announcing that a Plastic Batter project which would exchange for food would commence at the premises of Emmanuel College Basic School, Orita U.I in Ibadan, those who heard the announcement wasted no time in picking used and dumped plastics and nylons around their area in readiness for the barter project.

Coordinators were on ground, dividing themselves into three groups: Nathaniel Owolawi, Adejumo Joy, Faneye Olajide and Adedeji Bukola registered the plastic brought, while Israel Oyeniyi, Precious Musa, and Segun Oladele stood by weighing the items and giving them tags with which they collected food items.

The food items brought for exchange :included rice, beans, garri, tomato pastes, Indomine, Spaggeti as well as sources like green pepper, salt, milk and other noodles.

Just as they submitted the plastic brought for barter, the beneficiaries were ‘given the food items according to the weight of what they submitted. As the information filtered into the town that food items were being exchanged for plastics, neighboring communities stated gathering themselves together, picked plastic and nylons around their areas and hurriedly hired tricycles, commercial taxis and started packing them for onward delivery at the venue.

At the end of the exercise, around 5p.m, the organisers and those who benefited had cause to smile home.

With the second leg of the exchange programme coming up in Ondo State in December this year, the GMIA organizers expressed optimism that the barter exchange programme would go a long way at ensuring a more decent environment. Explaining the gains of the project, Olamide said that the programme succeeded in addressing plastic pollution as well as food insecurity through the community driven approach.

Besides, she said that Green Mind International Academy were able to sensitize the people about the need to ensure cleaner environment, adding that they were able to reduce plastic wastes and ensure cleaner environment.