Abia State, on Saturday, September 20, joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Clean Up Day 2025, which this year focuses on the theme: “Tackling Textile and Fashion Waste Through Circular Fashion.”
World Clean Up Day, observed annually, highlights the urgent need for sustainable waste management and environmental preservation. In Abia, the occasion served as a reminder of the state’s ongoing efforts to maintain cleaner cities and advance modern waste management practices.
Before Governor Alex Chioma Otti assumed office, major towns such as Aba and Umuahia struggled with severe waste management challenges. The governor had declared a state of emergency on waste at the time. Today, the situation has significantly improved, with the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) driving initiatives that have earned commendations locally and nationally.
Speaking on the significance of the day, Mazi Ogbonnia Okereke, General Manager and Chief Executive of ASEPA, urged residents to adopt proper sanitation practices, including the use of biodegradable bags for waste disposal, avoidance of indiscriminate dumping, and prompt payment of sanitation fees to support the agency’s services.
Okereke also emphasized the state’s transition into modern waste management strategies, which include recycling and converting waste into useful resources such as fertilizers, energy, and consumer products. He reaffirmed Abia’s commitment to the United Nations’ zero-waste agenda and the principles of the circular economy.
Highlighting the expansion of the traditional “3Rs” of waste management: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle into broader frameworks of up to 12Rs, Okereke encouraged residents and industries to embrace practices such as Refuse, Rethink, Repair, Repurpose, and Remanufacture.
Given Abia’s strong presence in Nigeria’s textile and fashion sector, ASEPA specifically called on industry players to adopt circular fashion practices to reduce textile waste and promote sustainability.
“As a state with a vibrant fashion industry, we urge entrepreneurs to rethink their waste practices and embrace sustainable trends that align with circular fashion,” Okereke said.
World Clean Up Day 2025 thus provided Abia State with an opportunity to reflect on its progress, renew commitments, and call on citizens and businesses to actively contribute to creating a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable environment.
