Bel©m: Osun State Government says it has leveraged digital tools, data and innovation hubs to fast-track Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation in the state. Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, the Director-General and Special Envoy of Osun State Government on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, highlighted this during the global launch of the ‘From Waste to Wheels and Watts’ initiative.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the launch took place on the sidelines of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) in Bel©m, Brazil. Obuaku-Igwe emphasized that Osun State is focusing on ending poverty and other deprivations through strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth while addressing climate change and preserving natural resources.
Obuaku-Igwe stated that the state is becoming a digital sustainability hub, using data-driven policies and youth innovation to address climate change impacts. The circular economy and waste-to-wealth initiative aim to transform Osun State’s waste management system into a green economy by establishing Material Recovery Outlets (MROs) in local communities.
Furthermore, the initiative includes a referral and tracking system to encourage recycling participation among households, schools, and businesses. This complements an existing recycling hub in Osun, supporting the institutionalization of a circular economy through partnerships with communities and the private sector.
The initiative is expected to reduce landfill burden and lower greenhouse gas emissions from unmanaged waste while promoting waste segregation and recycling at household and community levels. Osun State has also introduced solar-charged electric bicycles for urban and peri-urban mobility to decrease fossil fuel reliance in transport.
Additionally, the ‘Imole Clean Cook Stove’, an energy-efficient alternative, was launched to replace traditional cooking methods using kerosene, firewood, and charcoal. The government has distributed solar-power lanterns to schoolchildren in rural areas, improving access to clean lighting for education and enhancing child safety.
The state initiated Climate-Smart Farming for Rural Women to enhance capacity-building and technology transfer, enabling women farmers to adopt drought-resistant crops, efficient irrigation, and organic farming methods.
Mr. Femi Dosumu, Chairman of Greener Climate Limited, noted Osun State’s participation in the ‘Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow’ challenge, promoting afforestation and sanitation. According to Dosumu, Osun State is also involved in the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) to restore degraded forests and manage forest reserves effectively.
The state government collaborates with Osun State University to develop efficient Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems to support national climate goals.