The journey to a cleaner, more climate-resilient Ondo City officially began with the launch of our PURE-WISE Ondo Project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP).
The project titled “Plantain Residue as an Eco-friendly Alternative for Single-Use Plastic Packaging in Ondo Town” held the inaugural Stakeholders’ Inception Meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Held at the heart of Ondo Town, the Inception Meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the state Ministry of Environment, Ondo State Waste Management Authority, educational institutions, community leaders, traders’ associations, youth-led groups, and PWDs groups.
The meeting provided a platform to:
- Introduce the PURE-WISE project’s objectives, components, and expected impact;
- Share the findings from the baseline studies;
- Share ideas on collaborative implementation strategies; and
- Secure buy-in and long-term support from critical actors within the city.
The Executive Director, Akintunde Akinmolayan, emphasised the role of community-led innovation in tackling the dual challenges of plastic waste and climate change. He presented the findings from the baseline study conducted on people’s perception and attitude towards climate change and waste disposal in the town. At the same time, representatives from the Ondo State Ministries of Environment and Waste Management Authority expressed strong support for the project.
The PURE-WISE Ondo project will now progress into community training, the inauguration of school-based environmental clubs, a 24-week radio sensitisation program, and local innovations that convert plantain waste into biodegradable products.
With continued collaboration among stakeholders, the project aims to:
- Improve urban waste management,
- Reduce plastic pollution,
- Strengthen climate and environmental education, and
- Create green economic opportunities in Ondo.
“PURE-WISE is not just a project—it’s a movement towards cleaner communities, greener jobs, and a sustainable future that also presents plantain stem as an oil waiting to be explored,” said Lucas Famakinwa, one of the workshop participants.
