Climate Change: UNIZIK, Groups  Train 2,000 Environment Protection Ambassadors

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis and Laboratory Services, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka ,has commenced the third phase of special training workshop on waste management, environment and entrepreneurship.

The training of 2,000 participants, which commenced in Awka, is in partnership with Nivi Chim Consult, Chicason Group, Carbon Africa and other international collaborators, and would last for 12 months.

Speaking , the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nivi Chim Consult, Mr Amechi Akorah, said the primary objective of the training is to produce necessary manpower to drive the protection of the environment through effective waste management.

Akorah, who was the Managing Director of Anambra Waste Management Authority, said the training would provide participants with necessary knowledge and skills on waste to wealth entrepreneurship, to create awareness on numerous opportunities in building careers and generating wealth through caring and protecting the environment.

He said: “In addition to the training programme, the participants will also be involved in training different categories of people in various parts of the state, South-East and Nigeria on Waste management initiatives.

“We would strengthen collaboration with government at all levels and other stakeholders to expand the programme to achieve the objectives of eliminating waste in the environment and entrenching international best practices.

“We want to produce environment protection ambassadors and waste managers with entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to explore opportunities in the sector,” he explained.”

Earlier, while declaring the session open, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone, said the programme is in line with the vision of his administration’s key focus on human capital development.

Professor Esimone, who was represented by the Coordinator of Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis and Laboratory Services, Prof Hugh Maduka, said: “This capacity building programme offers participants opportunity to improve their skills for efficient service delivery as well as becoming self relevant.

“Human resources development is key index in development  and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka has this as major focus in its academic activities. The University lays premium on maintaining excellence,” he added.