Project Pick-A-Thon, an environmental sanitation event organized by the 100-level and 200-level MBBS classes in collaboration with RecycleEdge, Dokia, and the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Oyo State Chapter, was held today, 9th of November, 2024, between 7AM and 10AM at the University of Ibadan.
The event kicked off at the University’s main gate with an exercise training session, followed by a brief sensitization on proper waste disposal, the main picking exercise, and a fun, interactive session.
Speaking on proper waste disposal, Victor Oyedeji, the co-founder of RecycleEdge, emphasized the importance of environmental sanitation, “Non-biodegradable wastes pollute the environment, and it is our duty to prevent this by recycling plastics and disposing of such wastes properly,” he said.
About 120 volunteers, including members from the 100 and 200-level classes, were grouped into large teams, each further divided into smaller groups of three. Equipped with large trash bags, they collected plastic waste, which was set aside for recycling, while paper and nylon materials were disposed of in incinerators. They worked along the major road leading from the University’s main gate, through Heritage Park, and then converged at the Student Union Building (SUB).
Reacting to the Pick-A-Thon, one of the volunteers, Loveth Ayegboyin, said, “I’m glad to be here because these simple actions go a long way to clean up our environment.” Another volunteer, Nwosisi Chisom, shared her experience, saying, “It actually feels weird to be picking up dirt in public, but doing this in a group makes it feel comfortable.”
At the end of the Pick-A-Thon, the volunteers enjoyed a fun and interactive session to celebrate their efforts. Organizers announced that all volunteers will receive certificates of participation, recognizing their contribution to the event.
The project organizers included, among others, Dabor Moses, Project Head, Bakare Abdulbasit; Assistant Project Head, Olajide Melody and Omoniyi Michael; Publicity Coordinators, and Adeoti Hassanah and Esther Oluwafunmike Adeola, Welfare Coordinators.
Project Pick-A-Thon demonstrated the potential of student-led action in promoting a cleaner campus environment. This will encourage good sanitation practices for the sustainable improvement of the university environment.
Ugor Benedict.
