The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has trained 360 youths on waste recycling, management and solar energy installation.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony held yesterday in Maiduguri at the NEDC headquarters, the coordinator of the project, Dr Zainab Chellube, said the participants following the training would specialise in renewable energy and recycling system installation.
She said a research recently conducted indicated that over 451 tons of plastic waste are brought into the state weekly with 105 kilograms generated every Monday alone, adding that much of this waste is disposed of indiscriminately, posing a significant environmental challenge.
She said the training programme aims to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
“Our goal is to equip those in the waste management business by linking practical and theoretical approaches, enabling them to operate in a controlled manner, while generating sustainable income,” Chellube said.
She said the curriculum emphasises best practices and safer handling procedures for waste materials.
“We hope to train even more individuals and engage them further. We envision establishing a central recycling plant in our state, where all participants can collaborate, bringing their waste to be transformed into valuable resources.
”This centralized approach aims to maximize the impact of the initiative and create a sustainable, long-term solution to the region’s waste management challenges,” Chellube said.
Aisha Wakil, who received training in charcoal production using agricultural waste like rice, maize chaff and plastics, said, “It took us about five days to learn this trade skill, and thank God, I now have the knowledge to produce charcoal and even train others.”
Meanwhile, 60 youths from across the six states of the North-East trained for eight weeks in Kainji as Electrical Technicians ( linesmen) by the NEDC in collaboration with the Yola Electric Distribution Company ( YEDC ) and Mainstream Energy Solutions have completed their one year internship with the YEDC.
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