Opeyemi Olawore
An Ibadan Born Corp Member, Joshua Oyedele who is serving in Cross River State has distinguished himself through his community development effort in his place of primary assignment – Community Secondary School, Itigidi, Abi Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State.
Joshua Oyedele started with his personal community development project at the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Camp in Cross River State. The Project was remarkable and successful. Follow this link for the project; https://www.nairaland.com/6485483/nysc-nairalander-honored-orientation-camp#100361246 .
According to the young Oyedele Joshua, “on getting to my place of primary assignment, I began to look out for a problem to solve, when I discovered that youths living in the area have skills limited to tailoring, barbing, farming and Okada riding, therefore, I decided to train them in skill acquisition in three areas of Tie and Dye, Bag Making and Shoe Making.
“Before mobilization for the NYSC, I had already registered a business name- ‘Just Recycle Initiative.’ In furtherance to the vision and mission of the initiative, I decided to empower Youths and Women, while tackling the challenge of unclean environment in Abi Local Government area of Cross River State using recycle and Up-cycling tools.
“I started the Campaign with a clean-up exercise in Itigidi community, after which thirty Youths were trained on recycling and up-cycling skills. The programme which lasted for six days (12th-18th August,2021) was rounded up with a clean-up exercise and award presentation ceremony. The programme was carried out in partnership with my team members Leap Africa and other Stakeholders in Itigidi Community, Abi Local Government Area coupled with the support of my family and friends online and offline.
Joshua Oyedele obtained his Bachelor Degree in Fine and Applied Arts (Textile Major) from the University of Benin, while he had the secondary education at Federal Government College, Ogbomoso.
“I explore numerous form of non-biodegradable waste especially wastes from fabrics in creating realistic abstract and functional (bags, shoes, tables, chairs etc.) arts. I am not just doing arts but communicating the importance of having an environment free of waste in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals 13, 3 & 6. This is what motivated me to start an initiative called Just Waste to Wealth Initiative, which is now referred to as Just Recycle Initiative.
“From young age, I gathered different form of waste littering the house. This made my parents to support my art drive and they gave me the required supports.
“I also communicate hope to the hopeless by making them to understand that if a waste can be up-cycled, then there is much hope for them. I believe my artworks will give hope through whatever medium I choose to express myself, ” he said.
He advised the youth to be consistent and committed to their dreams and should never give up on their dream, while noting that a day of reckoning will surely come.
Mr. Joshua Oyedele also solicits for the government support in order to reach out to more youths.
Some of the projects handled by Mr. Joshua Oyedele include; skill acquisition and empowerment of thirty youths, recycling and up-cycling of wastes, clean-up exercise, Waste to Wealth workshop, fabrication of Tyre Ottoman Chair, bags, carved pendants, key holders, button from coconut shell.
Others are repurposed wine bottles, flower vases, award presentations and portraits of the Governor of Cross River State using fabric pieces, portrait of State Coordinator of the NYSC in Cross Rivers State, portrait of Military Official at the camp and a host of others.
