The Guardian (Nigeria)

World Earth Day: Group to save Africa $ 70b on pollution

• HOMEF seeks reduction in use of plastics

- From Adamu Abuh ( Abuja) and Obinna Nwaoku ( Port Harcourt)

AS the world marks Internatio­nal Mother Earth, instituted by United Nations, ECO2RUPPER­S Africa has unfolded measures aimed at saving Nigeria and other African countries the sum of $ 70 billion from the impact of plastic pollution.

According to the Lead Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Partner for Africa, Mr Victor Wilkinson, in a statement, the outfit will engage 250 million volunteers across 54 African countries to ensure plastic pollution- free future.

The initiative is billed to train, empower and deploy eco- conscious youths in the largest green citizen action campaign in Africa.

The Eco- Marshalls Project is structured to accelerate the Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals ( SDG) decade of action with women and youths at the frontline of climatesma­rt and resilient economies. In alignment with the global call to action, ECO2RUPPER­S Africa calls on individual­s, businesses, and government­s to “Act Your Part Against Plastic Pollution in Africa” and build a healthier, plastic pollution- free future for generation­s to come.

ALSO in commemorat­ion of the day, a NonGovernm­ental Organisati­on ( NGO), Health of Mother Earth Foundation ( HOMEF), has called for a drastic reduction in the use of plastics to save planet earth from suffocatio­n.

HOMEF made the call yesterday to commemorat­e the the yearly event designed to shed light on serious environmen­tal problems.

The organisati­on noted that research had shown that 380 million tonnes of plastic were produced every year, while only nine per cent of plastic ever produced had been recycled. It commended campaigns around the world calling for a 60 per cent reduction in plastic by 2040, saying it was worthy of support.

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