From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The French Embassy in Nigeria, through its French Embassy Fund Project, has donated 250 Euros to five tertiary institutions to curb plastic pollution on campuses.
Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Department, at the French Embassy, in Abuja, Thierry Valentin, disclosed this while honouring institutions, namely; Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), YabaTech, Alex Ekwueme University (FUNAI), University of Calabar (UNICAL) and the University of Delta.
“Funding under this programme is intended to support Young Nigerian researchers from the partnered Universities in order to develop innovative adaptive ideas for a healthier and safer environment, where Plastic Waste has less to no impact, especially in the educational environment.
“The French Embassy Fund is a programme under the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs designed to help French representations abroad to carry out innovative actions on the ground that have a rapid impact and are highly visible for the benefit of local populations,” Valentin said.
Acting Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, expressed hope that the recognition will set a precedent for broader support, positioning Nigerian universities as leaders in future academic and societal challenges.
“There is this impression about the decline in the intellectual space affecting Nigerian universities and Nigerian graduates.
“But at moments like this, we have cause to be proud of our university brand because it’s a huge recognition of the tremendous work that our researchers have continued to render, sometimes under-reported. This is a moment of joy. As a regulator of university education on behalf of the 274 universities, it’s a major recognition, it’s a game-changing opportunity to have the French government support research activities around the specifics of plastic waste disposal. It’s one matter, it could just easily be one singular contribution to resuscitating the research culture in our universities.”
Emphasising the critical role of research in academia, he reiterated that universities must engage with pressing global issues to maintain relevance.
In addition, Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, UNICAL, Prof. Eyong Ubana Eyong, said it was unfortunate that the country grapples with a severe plastic pollution crisis that poses serious environmental and health risks.
“Plastic waste is a challenge not only in our universities but globally, particularly in Nigeria. If you look around, you will find various forms of plastic everywhere.
“Plastic that is not picked up remains visible for weeks, underscoring the menace we face. The French Embassy’s initiative to transform the plan,” he said.