A 2019 alumna of the U.S. Consulate’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, Jumoke Olowookere, has opened a first of its kind waste museum and upcycling training centre in Ibadan with support from the United States Africa Development Foundation.
The Waste Museum will provide environmental education and equip women and youth from underserved communities with up-cycling skills.
At the opening ceremony of the museum in Ibadan, Olowookere highlighted the importance of finding creative and productive ways to create employment by turning waste into valuable products.
She explained that her overall objective of establishing the Waste Museum is to protect the environment from degradation and support the expansion of sustainable up-cycling businesses in Nigeria.
She pointed out that environmental risk factors of indiscriminate disposal of waste and the rising pile of garbage in our cities are huge and with the Waste Museum, the value of waste would be showcased..
According to her, the ultimate goal is to ensure that no waste goes into the landfill, and that people see how waste can be turned into wealth.
In a remark, U.S. Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Jennifer Foltz applauded Olowookere for raising awareness among the youth and encouraging community members to take the lead and be part of the solution to preserving the environment.
She noted that the U.S. government would continue to support efforts aimed at encouraging increased and improved up-cycling and recycling in Nigeria.
Pointing out that the Waste Museum is creatively and sustainably addressing two societal challenges —unemployment and waste management, Foltz said the U.S. Consulate is particularly inspired by the work of its AWE alumna, Jumoke Olowookere, while the opening of the Waste Museum further demonstrates the impact U.S. government exchange alumni are making to address challenges in their local communities across Nigeria.
