For Jumoke Olowookere, a 43-year-old graduate of the University of Ibadan and an alumna of the United Nations Consulate Academy of Women Entrepreneurs, it was time to turn waste into wealth as she launched a Waste Museum centre in Ibadan.
Jumoke, the founder and Creative Director at African Creative Hub and African Creative Sustainable Energy, the Social Enterprise Companies is on a mission to create a sustainable world without wastes through education and upcycling wastes into functional, durable and affordable products towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1, 4, 8, 11, 12, 13 and 17.
Jumoke is also the initiator of #PP40WastetoPlayground, an initiative she used to reach out directly to over 16,000 students and 1,500 teachers in 40 public primary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State in 13 months, teaching them waste upcycling skills for free to mark her 40th birthday. She also partnered with several companies in planning and executing sustainability events for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) events.
Speaking at the launching of the Waste Museum and Upcycling Training Centre, the first of its kind in Nigeria, held at Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State on Wednesday 16th February, 2022, Jumoke 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 was to protect the environment from degradation and support the expansion of sustainable upcycling businesses in Nigeria.
Jumoke posited that the United States Consulate’s Academy was proud to support and encourage sound waste management practices that will protect the environment and foster socio-economic inclusion for Nigerians in low-income communities.
The waste museum, which was established with support from the United States Africa Development Foundation, will provide environmental education and equip women and youth in the communities with upcycling skills.
“Environmental risk factors of indiscriminate disposal of waste and the rising pile of garbage in our cities are huge. With the waste museum, we are showcasing the value of waste. We want people to see how waste can be turned into wealth and to ensure that no waste goes into the landfill – a zero-waste future is possible. That is our ultimate goal.” Jumoke submitted.
While responding to some questions on a private radio station based in Ibadan and monitored by Rulers’ World, Jumoke appreciated the US consulate for making her dreams come true, adding that she had benefited from a grant of $10,000 from the US DF Fund which assisted her to fast track her dreams.
While unveiling the museum in Ibadan, the US Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Jennifer Foltz applauded Jumoke 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, promising that the US government will continue to support efforts aimed at encouraging increased and improved up-cycling and recycling in Nigeria.
According to her “today, we are celebrating the opening of a waste museum as it creatively and sustainably addresses two societal challenges – unemployment and waste management. We are particularly inspired by the work of our AWE alumna, Jumoke Olowookere. The opening of this waste museum further demonstrates the impact US government exchange alumni are making to address challenges in their local communities across Nigeria. The US government is committed to supporting alumni of its programmes by providing resources that will help them to build upon their exchange experience for the benefit of the Nigerian people. US government-sponsored exchange programme alumni living in Nigeria have several opportunities to be involved in post-exchange activities, and receive access to specialized resources including grant opportunities.” Jennifer Foltz posited.
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