.COLLABORATES WITH TEKCNO OIL AND AFRICARE ON PROJECT ‘SAFE COOKING’.
Director, Center for Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu – Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, Professor Chukwumereije Okereke, recently called on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba to make presentation on the recent strides of the Centre. While updating the Vice – Chancellor on the new developments, Prof. Okereke said that the Center is in a joint project, with Techno oil, which according to him is one of the largest indigenous cylinder manufacturing companies in Africa and Africare, one of the largest NGO’s in Africa, adding that AE-FUNAI Center for Climate Change and Development is leading in the project.

Prof. Okereke handing over materials to VC, Prof. Nwajiuba
Prof. Okereke revealed that the project involves procurement of 6kg LPG Cylinder Gas for women in two communities in South East Nigeria, one, Okpanku in Enugu State and another, Arondizuogu in Imo state, Nigeria, stating that the rationale for the project is to help women move away from traditional cooking with the use of Fire wood and embrace cleaner cooking, which is the use of gas cylinders. He maintained that cooking with wood is one of the potent killers of women in Nigeria and that 93 thousand women die every year because of inhalant from smoke. The Director further stated that the project will involve free distribution of gas cylinders to the women and support with campaign advocacy materials that will provide information on the dangers of traditional methods of cooking while bringing to light the numerous advantages of cooking with gas cylinder.

Prof Okerere said that the Center found it worthwhile to visit the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nwajiuba, to appreciate him for the support he has given the Center, present materials on the project to him and also announce to him that he has been chosen as one of the persons of influence, to champion and advocate for women to leave the traditional style of cooking. He added that the Center also came to share with VC, progress made so far with the project which he said has been phenomenal, pointing out that a number of gas cylinders has been distributed and that research assistants have been following up with the women. He was glad to say that the women remain delighted and grateful to the University for the distribution of the cylinders. Prof. Okereke at the end, did not mince words to reiterate that the disadvantages of traditional cooking are the inhalation of smoke which is not good for the lungs and body in general, observing that using the method of traditional cooking in an enclosed space, an average woman smokes about 7sticks of cigarettes cooking a pot of soup and in a day takes about 20 sticks. He was delighted to say that he is happy championing the project.
Prof. Nwajiuba was excited that AE-FUNAI is part of the project and leading. He appreciated the Director of the Centre and his team for all the efforts and therefore encouraged other Centers in the University to be part of such activities that impact on the life of the common man.