NGO recovers tons of waste in Yobe

The ‘Make Yobe Green and Safe’, an environmental and peace initiative, has recovered more than 15 tons of waste through coordinated community collection activities, thereby providing short-term green job opportunities for vulnerable youth and women in local communities Founder of the initiative, Abubakar Abdulmusawir, said the move was meant to serve as a pathway to […]

The ‘Make Yobe Green and Safe’, an environmental and peace initiative, has recovered more than 15 tons of waste through coordinated community collection activities, thereby providing short-term green job opportunities for vulnerable youth and women in local communities

Founder of the initiative, Abubakar Abdulmusawir, said the move was meant to serve as a pathway to peacebuilding and youth empowerment in Yobe State.

He said the NGO, which was founded in 2020, focuses on environmental protection, waste recovery, and community-based green job creation for vulnerable young people.

According to him, its most recent intervention was a 10-day environmental recovery project supported by the Luminary Project, which combined large-scale plastic waste collection with youth engagement and community awareness.

“During the recent 10-day exercise, the team successfully recovered over 5 tons of plastic waste from communities, drainage channels and open spaces.

“A significant portion of this waste consisted of materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sachet bags commonly referred to by the team as unwanted plastics,” he said.

According to him, ‘These materials are often ignored by informal waste pickers due to the lack of a stable recycling market and the difficulty of processing them through mechanical recycling systems.

“Their accumulation in the environment contributes to blocked drainage systems, urban flooding and increased public health risks, especially during heavy rainfall periods,” he said.

He said in addition to the environmental cleanup, the project also recovered more than 15 tons of waste through coordinated community collection activities, providing short-term green job opportunities for vulnerable youth and women in local communities. Many of the participants come from areas affected by economic hardship and insecurity.

According to Abdulmusawwir, the project goes beyond environmental sanitation.

”It is also a deliberate effort to address unemployment and reduce vulnerability among young people. In many parts of the state, limited livelihood opportunities remain a key driver of social instability and recruitment into criminal or insurgent activities.

“By engaging young people in structured environmental work, the initiative provides an alternative pathway built on dignity, income generation, and skills development. This approach strengthens community resilience while promoting environmental sustainability,” he said.

The founder explained that the vision of Make Yobe Green and Safe (MYGS) is rooted in the belief that peace and environmental protection are closely connected. “When young people are meaningfully engaged through green jobs creation, they are less exposed to negative influences and more empowered to contribute positively to their communities,” he noted.

“Through this integrated model of environmental restoration and social inclusion, the organization is advancing a concept it describes as ‘peace through green jobs creation.’ The approach highlights how climate action and waste management can also serve as tools for social stability and community development,” he said.

“The organization plans to expand similar initiatives across Nigeria, focusing on circular economy solutions, youth employment and sustainable waste management systems that can turn environmental challenges into opportunities for growth and peace,” he said.