How Ecobarter is transforming waste to wealth in Nigerian households

By Aisha Gambo
Over the years, Nigeria had practiced poor waste management which posed a threat to the environment and public health of the nation.

According to the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, Nigeria falls among the 30 countries with the worst waste management practice out of 180 countries in the world.

Nigeria generates 32 million metric tonnes of waste annually among which 2.5 million tonnes is plastic waste. With an annual growth rate of 2.4 per cent, waste generation in Nigeria will increase in subsequent years.

Nigeria falls among 30 countries with the worst waste management practices

Interventions for waste management

In 2022, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), signed a US$2.8million agreement to support government efforts to develop sustainable plastic waste management.

In spite of government and other development partners intervention, many household in Nigeria do not have access to formal waste management system which means they mostly use informal channels.

These informal channels consist of collecting waste and dumping them in rivers or burning them which causes water pollution, climate change and disease outbreak.

To address poor waste management in Nigerian households, Ecobarter, a social enterprise begun collecting waste from households in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states, transforming those waste into new valuable resources.

Founded by Rita Idehai in 2018, the organisation’s vision and mission is to bring sustainability to all people and planet and transform how households consume and manage waste from now till 2020 respectively.

Idehai said that waste such as plastic bottles, cartons, aluminium cans, electronics, metals, nylon bags, pure water sachets, old books and newspapers were collected, sorted and sold to companies that use such waste as raw materials.

“We are taking waste away from the environment, we are keeping the environment clean, that means we are improving public health and we are creating jobs.

“We are also making sure the environment is clean while improving the beauty and the value of properties. So that’s another economic advantage for proper waste management,” she said.

From trash to cash

Apart from keeping the environment clean, improving public health and creating jobs, Ecobarter also create wealth for individuals by giving back points and money in exchange for waste.

“We have integrated platforms, the digital side and the offline side where people request for pickup of their waste at their convenience.

“We collect this waste and in return for giving us their waste we give them points which they get to redeem as cash into their bank accounts.

“They can use it to shop with different partners and services on our market place or even donate to different charity organizations that we work with”, Ecobarter founder said.

She explained that points were awarded base on the weight of waste retrieved, adding that 30 plastic bottles weighs 1kg which is equivalent to one ecobarter point.

She added that one ecobarter point was worth N20 while people with 50 ecobarter points would earn N1000.

Ecobarter Beneficiaries

Rebecca Bulus is a full time cleaner who learned about waste collection when she realised the extent to which the littered waste in her community was making.

She said she started picking up bottles and other recyclable in her neighborhood, adding that she had collected 200kg of waste and has earned more than N10,000 from ecobarter.

“I mostly use the money I get to buy food ingredients to cook for my children.

“But there was a time when my child was ill and we had to buy some drugs at the pharmacy. I didn’t have much on me because I have not received my salary yet.

“I only had the money i saved from collecting the bottles and that was what I used to pay for the drugs ” she said.

Similarly, Mrs Lucy, a pharmacist said she usually plant flowers in used plastic bottles but the bottles piled up overtime occupying space in her home.

She added that the situation changed when he learned about Ecobarter as they came to pick up her waste in exchange for points which metamorphosed to cash.

“I checked my app and I had like 500 recycling points, I was like wow that’s a lot.

“I decided to try to exchange it with cash just to see if I would get the money; so I filled in my request on the app and forget about it.

“It was on the next day that I got the credit alert, and I was like, where is this coming from? then I saw that it was from ecobarter,” she said.

Challenges

“Low level of awareness on how poor waste management practices impact not just the environment but even public health is a major challenge ” Idehai said.

She stated that the organisation spent alot in terms of energy, time and money to educate people on proper waste management and it’s importance.

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By Usman Aliyu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In today’s fast-paced world, where technological advancements shape every aspect of human lives, the healthcare sector has also undergone a significant transformation. One such paradigm shift in the Nigerian healthcare institution is the adoption of the digital health records system, also known as Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems.

Among these institutions, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) stands out as one of the pioneers in the Nigerian public health sector that are implementing an interoperable digital health system, thereby revolutionising patient care and justifying the calls for widespread integration across Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.

Mrs Favour Edosa, a mother of four, whose three-decade journey as a patient at the hospital underwent a revolutionary transformation. Gone were the days of lugging around folders and papers across various units. In 2020, when she stepped in for a check-up, a wave of change greeted her.

No more paper prescriptions – just a sleek code from the doctor for her test. At the lab, like magic, her data seamlessly flowed through the electronic channels. She said results were swift, and a mere instruction led her back to the doctor, showcasing the seamless interoperability of the medical health records and management system at this health institution.

Edosa’s experience became a testament to the hospital’s commitment to embracing a future where patient care is streamlined, efficient, and utterly paperless.

Before the introduction of the digital health records, Prof. Stanley Okugbo, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at the hospital, says the processes of health records and management system, were laborious and time-consuming. Okugbo, a consultant physician and the Director, Clinical Services and Training at the teaching hospital, explains that patient records were stored in bulky paper files, making it challenging to access critical information when needed.

“For instance, with the digital system, if you want to see a patient as a doctor, you can easily have access to his previous records. You can collaborate with other doctors as well.

“Digital records are retrievable and you can review them quickly without having to go to the bulk of looking for papers or writing to bring records and case notes.

“UBTH is very large. We see an average of between 1000-1200 outpatients daily. So before the adoption of the electronic system, many case notes were missing.

“It is not necessarily because somebody stole it, but due to poor filing. So you would see across the hospital, people who were looking for case notes; temporary case notes were being opened,” he says.

With the arrival of the digital health records and management system, Prof. Okugbo claims that the innovation has brought a seismic shift in the hospital’s operations as patient information, from medical history to test and results, become readily accessible at the click of a button.

This newfound efficiency, according to him, does not only streamlines the workflow for healthcare providers, but also translates to tangible benefits for patients.

Buttressing these stances, Mrs Tosin Omoregie, who has also been an outpatient at the health institution for years, says the impacts of the digital innovation are not limited to medical and health workers alone.

Patients, she notes, now experienced firsthand, the newfound convenience of managing their healthcare through the system. The seamless access to vital information, Omoregie says, saves their precious time.

In her own encounter, she recalls with amazement the doctor effortlessly prescribing her medication without the customary paper prescription. A trip to the pharmacy, she said, unfolded a digital marvel, where prescriptions were transmitted with a finesse, leaving her genuinely amazed at the cutting-edge transformation in the world of medicine.

Omoregie was not alone as Miss Joy Odigie, also a resident of Benin and an outpatient at the hospital for the past eight years, recalls the countless hours she used to spend navigating the bureaucratic hurdles of scheduling appointments, obtaining test results, and managing prescriptions under the paper-based system.

But with the new system, she avers that the tasks have become streamlined, freeing up time for hospital staff to focus on providing quality care. Odigie appreciates the newfound efficiency, which marked a sharp departure from the time-consuming processes of the past.

“Electronic medical records reduce time wastage in the hospital. Before the digitalisation, I usually spent about eight hours in hospital from the point of submission of the hospital card to the time of getting the prescribed drugs from the pharmacy. I now spend about five hours.

“Paper-based is cumbersome; records can get missing, and health officers spend time looking for case notes. Similarly, test results are more confidential now as they go straight from the lab to the digital platform for the doctors to access.

“The chances of the lab test results getting missing at the patient’s end are reduced. It has also made the health practitioners more efficient and digital compliance,” she said

Upscaling the system

As the success stories of patients like Omoregie and Odigie, as well as healthcare professionals like Prof. Okugbo continue to emerge, the call for an interoperable digital health system in Nigeria becomes increasingly urgent.

The UBTH’s experience serves as a compelling case study for the broader healthcare landscape in the country. In a nation where healthcare resources are often strained, the need for efficient, accurate, and accessible digital health records is critical to improving patient care and optimising healthcare delivery.

Mr Emeka Chukwu, a digital health consultant and co-founder, Digital Health Interoperability Network (DHIN) says interoperability in health records management is crucial, to significantly impacting how healthcare is delivered and the patient outcomes.

Some of the benefits, he says, include enhanced patient care as a result of cross institution information sharing. An interoperable health records system, according to him, also improves efficiency and reduces wasted efforts of duplicate information entry.

“Interoperability can reduce errors and increase safety. Errors such as duplicates, omissions, inaccuracies especially medication related errors.

“Both clinical and public health decision making will be impacted by availability of data from multiple institutions and patients will be more engaged and satisfied with delivered service.

“It can also result in increased hospital revenue; many hospitals deploy integrated digital systems to facilitate cost savings through leakage blockages,” he says.

Chukwu cites countries like Germany, Estonia, the United States and the United Kingdom as places where Nigeria can learn, when it comes to interoperability in the health system.

The expert notes, however, that for facilities to adopt the digital data sharing systems, there is need for the right enabling environment to be in place so as to better manage the processes. Notably, he says, are electricity, internet, the computers, the workforce, technical and users are needed for a robust system.

Sharing the same sentiment, Prof. Okugbo, who is also the deputy to the Chief Medical Director of the UBTH says an interoperable health system encourages interface among major health institutions for efficiency and effectiveness.

He notes, nonetheless, that the journey to a nationwide interoperable digital health system is not without its challenges.

“There are complexities involved in integrating disparate systems across various healthcare facilities in Nigeria. However, he is unwavering in his belief that the benefits far outweigh the obstacles,” he says.

The senior physician envisions a future where patients can seamlessly access their medical records from any healthcare facility, empowering them to take control of their health and make informed decisions.

He emphasises that an interoperable system will enable healthcare providers to collaborate more effectively, leading to better coordinated care and ultimately improving health outcomes for all Nigerians.

He advocated legislation and standardisation from the government to encourage an integrated system among the stakeholders, which will speak to each other.

“I think it is a very good thing, but it can’t come from a hospital like ours. We need policy makers to decide that and legislate the process and to supervise it; otherwise, there will be a lot of abuse.

“One of the problems you wouldn’t want is for your data to be stolen and sold. A lot of data is stolen from Africa and sold. You won’t know they are selling it. So we need government regulation to run that,” he suggested.

Chukwu, who is leading a network that is championing interoperable digital health systems in Nigeria and Africa, concludes that policymakers should not make a mistake to think of one giant system, but rather an investment in interoperability of the existing systems. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng.com)

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Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NB: This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop.

How FAM Initiative is building better mental health awareness among Adolescents and Young Persons in Nigeria

By Aisha Gambo

Glory Ernest , a 23 year-old graduate of Microbiology had battled Body Dysmorphic Disorder while growing up as a child, she felt she was not beautiful and had flaws in her appearance, a situation that affected her self-esteem.

Her story changed when she interacted with a Twitter space hosted by Friends Advocacy for Mental Health (FAM) Initiative which helped her in building a healthy mental health coping mechanism.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance.

A recent study that screened for BDD among patients attending a tertiary institution found that facial flaws were the most common concern, in 62.5% of participants, followed by body asymmetry in 25%.

Body dysmorphophobia is a common disorder, with a prevalence of 0.7% to 2.4% among community samples.

Recent studies confirmed a high prevalence of BDD in dermatology and cosmetic surgery settings with a prevalence ranging from 4.52% to 35.16% and female preponderance.

“My experience with Friends Advocacy for Mental Health (FAM) Initiative was one I desperately needed at the time it came.

“In other words, it came at the right time which I will forever remain very grateful for.

“That space helped me realise I’m beautiful and amazing just the way I am, i don’t have to compare my physical attributes to the societal beauty standards,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common.

In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initial estimates show a 26% and 28% increase respectively for anxiety and major depressive disorders in just one year.

While there is effective prevention and treatment options, most people with mental disorders do not have access to effective care.

According to the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Taiwo Obindo, 60 million Nigerians are suffering from mental illnesses.

Obindo, who stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that only about 10 per cent of them were able to access appropriate care.

“We are left with more than 90 per cent who are unable to access care and this group is called the treatment gap for mental illnesses.

“The gap is as a result of various factors like the knowledge gap in which people do not have appropriate information about the causes and treatment for mental illnesses,” Obindo said.

Bridging the gap of Information on mental health

In an effort to breach the gap on information about mental health, a young lady, Jecinta Egbim, founded a non-profit organization, the FAM Initiative, in September 2020.

The organization has the objectives of taking quality mental health awareness and services to rural communities and schools targeting adolescents and young people.

“Our Mission is to educate young people on mental health, self-awareness and equip them with coping skills for optimal living.

“In our vision, we aim to create a thriving ecosystem where adolescents and young adults receive robust support and empowerment throughout their mental health journey,” she said.

Egbim stated that the Initiative has incorporated different sectors in its dissemination of information, ranging from the Adolescents Safe Haven club in secondary schools across Nigeria, to its intergenerational and interfaith dialogues.

She said sectors serves as connectors to break through the stigmatization and stereotyping of adolescents and young adults who are seeking psychological support.

She added that the organization has initiated over 10 school clubs in Kaduna state, gone on school tours across local government areas in Kano State and are on the path to launching Adolescents Safe Haven clubs in schools across Gombe state.

Egbim added that the initiative held multiple virtual sessions that were centred around mental health awareness, experience sharing and professional perspectives, which ended with open vulnerability and enhanced compassion.

“We have held interfaith dialogues that strengthen religious institution in offering quality mental health support.

“We have also had community outreaches in order to reduce stigma, stereotyping and misinformation around seeking mental health support,” she said.

The FAM Initiative founder explained that they have held a six months volunteer programme that offers rigorous training on self-awareness, self-actualization and empathy building.

She added that all volunteers were mentally cared for and empowered with adequate knowledge making them ambassadors in their various communities.

Experience of Volunteers

As a Volunteer with the Initiative, Halimat Anakobe, says volunteering helped her develop communication skills, deepen her understanding of various mental health issues and appreciating the importance of mental well-being.

“I volunteered with the FAM Initiative for their July-December 2022 cohort as a social media intern, responsible for managing their Instagram page and creating designs.

“Our social media posts have been effective in sharing information and raising awareness about mental health,” she said.

She explained that the organization genuinely care about the mental health and well-being of their members, just as much as they do for their audience.

Similarly, Miss Ernest, a Community engagement volunteer with FAM initiative says she educates adolescents on the importance of mental health under the Adolescents Safe Haven (ASH) club.

“We teach them how to handle situations, stress and how to relate with their peers in a healthy manner.

“Also, I once taught in a primary 4 class and I started speaking to the pupils during our free hours about the importance of kindness among themselves and they tried to be kind among themselves,” she said.

FAM Initiative volunteers with children after a session on mental health

Giving mental support to adolescents and young people

As a mental health organization focused on creating awareness and building a community of mentally resilient young people, “we do not offer medications or admissions, we only offer mental health first aids and counselling,” Egbim stated.

She said the initiative has supported more than 100 young people and adolescents with psychosocial support since 2020.

‘We treat our humans with love, empathy and compassion. We feel what they feel and support them through their journey in the way they desire us to.

“We have partnered with child psychiatrists and have licenced counselors who offer mental health first aids,” she said.

Egbim explained that the organization refer individuals to better professional support as the case may demand.

She added that they have curated a first of its kind Art Therapy and Art Exhibition event for young children and adolescents.

What are the challenges?

“Our major challenges is underfunding in this field. In order to achieve our goals, we need funding,” FAM initiative founder said.

She explained that the Initiative also faced a community push back from time to time during outreaches due to how misinformed some of the communities are on mental health.

“Their first response to the thoughts is a built up defensiveness as a result of this misinformed foundation; but our approach helps them see it from a more relatable perspective,” she said.

Sustaining the project

FAM Initiative founder says the Art Therapy and Art Exhibition events are fundraisers for the Adolescents Safe Haven club where internal income is generated to sustain projects.

She explained that the organization has not received any support from government yet but had many Partnerships and Collaborations with NGOs, Brands and Schools who helped in the execution of projects.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

***This is a project of the Solutions Journalism Desk of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and if used, please acknowledge the writer and NAN.

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Henkel, global manufacturers of industrial and consumer goods, has empowered children and communities in Ibadan, Oyo State, with its “Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT) initiative, ‘Project Waste-to-Wealth’.

The Managing Director of Henkel, Nigeria, Mr Rajat Kaput, on Wednesday in Lagos, said that the programme, meant to commemorate the MIT’s 25th anniversary, would drive sustainability.

He said that the MIT was launched in 1998 for employees and retirees of the company.

He said the programme had become a momentous occasion for the company to showcase a vital component of its Corporate Citizenship activities.

Kaput said the company firmly believes that investing in education and environmental stewardship at grassroots level would yield long-lasting results.

“As a socially-responsible corporate citizens, we recognise the significance of sustainable development and are committed to supporting initiatives that promote environmental consciousness.

“We would continue to strengthen community relationships with local stakeholders and demonstrate our dedication to creating a positive impact beyond our business operations.

“Through ‘Project Waste to Wealth’, we hope to inspire these young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits and foster a sustainable future,” Kaput said.

Mrs Chidera Akwuba, Transformation Manager, Henkel Nigeria, said the company, through events like MIT day, strives to create a positive impact, promote sustainability, and empower the younger generation with the necessary skills to build a better future.

Akwuba said the primary objective was to educate underprivileged children in public primary schools about the importance of sustainability and empower them to become catalysts for positive change.

She said to successfully deliver the initiative, Henkel Nigeria partnered with GWETO, an NGO, and the Waste Museum, to impact the lives of 100 primary school children in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Akwuba said that the children were taught to create art and crafts using recyclable items, fostering creativity while instilling a sense of environmental consciousness.

“Through Project ‘Waste to Wealth’, we aim to inspire and empower the next generation to adopt sustainable practices and take steps towards a greener future,” she said.

The Assistant Head Teacher, IMG Basic Special School Ibadan, Mrs Ganiyat Alabi, commended the company for its consistency in training the children over the years.

She said that this was not the first time Henkel Nigeria was doing an educational training, describing the initiative as very great for the development of children.

“We are very grateful to Henkel for these commitments because these pupils are special children, and they are always eager to practice what they learnt,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Henkel’s employee’s dedication has resulted in it donating money running into millions of Naira, facilitating more than 17,000 volunteer programmes and engaging approximately 10,000 volunteers globally.

The company, with its brands, innovations and technologies, holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Vincent Obi