Environmental advocacy group myEnvironment myWealth Nigeria, in collaboration with The Verdant Circus Africa Foundation, organized a plastic advocacy event in honor of the oldest woman in Elele Alimini, Rivers State, Nigeria, Lady Margaret Enyindah, who passed on to glory.
The event, titled "The VERDANT GRANDMA," aimed at raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives. It also featured educational talks, interactive workshops, and community clean-up activities.
Participants also had the opportunity to learn about the importance of reducing single-use plastics and how they can contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.
In this interview with ALLI ABIOLA, the convener of myEnvironment myWealth Nigeria, Wonne Afronelly, expressed gratitude for the turnout and support from the community.
Excerpts
ALLI ABIOLA: How was the turnout at the plastic advocacy event in honor of the oldest woman in Elele Alimini, Lady Margaret Enyindah, who was a community advocate?
WONNE AFRONELLY: The burial was a great success. I may have doubted the willingness of the invited schools to attend a burial, as it is not the norm. But to my greatest surprise, two schools showed up with their teachers and students, and they also prepared adequately with presentations on plastic advocacy.
According to them, they were honored to have been invited to such a grand occasion, knowing who and how far The Verdant Grandma's good deeds had spread beyond the community. More shocking is that a particular school, Emma Light Academy, also gave me an envelope of cash to support the burial. It made me super excited and grateful that I did not leave them behind.
Can you share any standout moments or highlights from the event that made it particularly memorable?
During the presentation on plastic pollution by the schools Emma Light Academy, Elele Alimini, and Wisdom Field School, Elele Alimini, the students were pretty exceptional! They explained in detail all they had learned during the advocacy with The Verdant Grandma in July 2022 and even cited good examples that any layman could understand. In addition, they quoted and explained to other guests some very important quotes by Afronelly: "Environmental hazards are not just the government problem, but the people problem."
Were there specific side attractions or activities that resonated well with the attendees?
Most of the activities that surprised the guests and passersby were the dance steps by the students expressing their love for The Verdant Grandma and how much they would miss her.
In combining the plastic advocacy event with the burial ceremony, how do you feel it contributed to creating a meaningful and impactful experience for the community?
The combination of a plastic advocacy presentation during a burial is not very common, and so that made many who kept wondering what the students were doing in a burial of such caliber listen and pay very close attention to the details of the presentation. As a matter of fact, the Nye Ishi Ohna and Traditional Head of Elele Alimini, Ohna John WONNE, had to call back the students up stage again, thank the students especially, and give them cash gifts for the excellent presentations.
Did you encounter any challenges or successes in conveying the importance of plastic advocacy during the event?
One major challenge that still gets me worried is an ugly incident that happened before the presentation by the students. A certain LGA chairman walked into the reception of Mrs. Alice Okachi WONNE (JP) unannounced, and his aides went on to chase the children who were already seated and rehearsing their presentations off their seats under one of the tents. This was a very troubling scene for me, as I barely walked in as the scenario played out.
Without knowing why the young men chased children out so fiercely, I scolded them in the most friendly way, and that caught the attention of the LGA Chairman, who not only acknowledged but also asked me to confirm if I didn't realize that his aids did the act because of him.
I politely apologized to him, but I must say that I was pretty disappointed that a public officer would approve of such acts by his aides without apologies to the children who were obviously ill treated.
May I use this opportunity to tender my unreserved apologies to the school children and their teachers, who were pretty embarrassed by the actions of the LGA Chairman and his aides?
Another distressing incident occurred after the major burial activities when, in the company of my sister and a cousin, I went in search of burial brochures at the house of the supervisor of the burial committee. This was necessary because approximately 95% of guests and friends in Mrs. Alice Okachi WONNE (JP)'s reception tent did not receive copies of the burial brochure, and the school teachers had requested some.
Upon arriving at the supervisor's house, we were informed that they had run out of brochures, and we inquired as to why the condolences of the son-in-law of the VERDANT GRANDMA, Ohna John WONNE, the Nye Ishi Ohna, and Traditional Head of Elele Alimini Town, had been intentionally omitted from the final production. The supervisor, his son, and other family members reacted aggressively, forcing us to flee for our safety. The matter has since been reported to the SCID for thorough investigation.
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| Condolence of Ohna John WONNE, the Nye Ishi Ohna, and Traditional Head of Elele Alimini Town |
Were there any specific messages or lessons about environmental awareness that you aimed to convey during the event?
Yes, the particular campaign Grandma endorsed in 2022 on the need to stay away from plastics was the major message conveyed by the children during their presentations.
Can you share insights into the community's engagement and participation in both the plastic advocacy and burial aspects of the event?
I must commend the efforts of the teachers and also the parents of the students who embraced our organization and played their part in helping us coach the schoolchildren positively.
I was really pleased to see that schoolchildren could attend a burial, which is usually not welcomed by most parents or school heads.
Did you collaborate with any organizations or individuals to support the plastic advocacy initiative, and if so, how did that partnership contribute to the event's success?
One regular partner we always have is the media coverage and production done by Easy-Cool Digital Production. We have worked with the founder, Mr. Coolman Amadi, since 2013 until today, and he has always been very supportive beyond media coverage.
Looking back, what do you consider the most significant outcome or impact of the plastic advocacy event in honor of your late grandma?
More people are beginning to pay attention to the message "Alternatives to Plastics." This is a confirmation of the quote that says, "If you want grown-ups to recycle, just tell their kids the importance of recycling, and they'll be all over it."
The Young Verdants in our various partner schools have been doing well preaching the gospel of environmental sustainability, especially the dangers of plastic pollution in Elele Alimini Town and beyond.
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