*In this interview with IGBERE TV, Miss Earth Nigeria Fire 2020, Tammy Esther Andoya shares her experience. How she emerged as the winner of Miss Earth Nigeria Fire 2020.*
Read the full excerpt below,
*IGBERE TV : Can You Tell Us Your Name?*
Andoya : My name is Tammy Esther Andoya and I am the current Miss Earth Nigeria Fire 2020.
I am currently on my master’s program, studying International relations and Diplomacy from Shanghai University, and consider myself a supporter of the Earth and her environment; hence, I support the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), passionate about the environment, environmental policies, and a sustainable lifestyle.
This includes, learning and teaching various ways to a more practical and sustainable way of life, through awareness and local community outreach.
And for this I personally believe in three things:
Waste sorting,
Recycling and
Consumer consciousness.
This is because one of my lifelong dream is to have the ability to inspire and motivate young people and I look forward to reaching a generation ready to embrace environmental consciousness in other to avoid the concept we call “green washing”.
*IGBERE TV : Why Did You Contest For Miss Earth Nigeria Pageant?*
Andoya : I hope to encourage and promote sustainable and practical solutions to solid waste problems, hence, why I believe in the Miss Earth vision and contested in the Miss Earth Nigeria pageant, where I came runner up and an elemental queen. This is a pageant whose vision aligns with my mission and I am glad to have partaken in the contest; under the great tutelage of Ibinabo Fiberesima, the national director, we studied, and were drilled, winners emerged and thus became“beauties for a cause”!
I emerged one of the elemental court queens of Miss Earth Nigeria 2020 and was crowned Miss Earth Nigeria Fire 2020. I want to take this time out to congratulate the current queen, Miss Earth Nigeria 2020 and the rest of the elemental court, may her reign be pleasant and wishing her a strong stride as she takes Nigeria to the Internationals.
*IGBERE TV : What Are Your Plans Since You Have Finally Emerged As The Winner?*
Andoya : I am grateful to be a part of this, this year and I am excited and encouraged to continue in my advocacy and extend my vision and in view of this, I established an NGO called the Environmental Resource Initiative (ERI).
ERI’s mission is to promote public health and environmental awareness through:
Elevating sustainable and responsible solid waste management practices.
Encouraging proper wastewater management and urban conservation and
Partnering with other Organisations to support our local communities.
So far, projects from community covid- testingsandenvironmental clean-ups in the United states, to a “Stop Covid Awareness” walk in Lagos has been in the works and I am happy to say, the Environmental Resource Initiative (ERI) has already begun its outreach home and abroad.
I volunteer with another organisation in the US in aiding public health awareness and local Covid test screenings as well as looking to raise ERI volunteers here to grow into a bigger role in the States and in Nigeria, we are raising armies of the Earth! Lovers and supports of the ERI vision and mission are growing.
In the recent weeks, we have had:
An awareness walk we tagged “Walk against Covid”, where we raised awareness concerning public safety amidst the public health crisis – covid-19.
With support from local authorities, we just had a successful community road work project, where we cleaned-up and repaired an extremely damaged road connecting to a major road, that had been destroyed due to erosions and poor maintenance.
Prior to ERI intervention, it caused environmental pollution leading to various unknown health hazard to the people in Ipaja, Lagos state.
Finally, we just had a food drive/palliative program to support the less privileged people who have had a tough time adjusting to the new normal that comes with covid-19. We supported local widows/widowers, and the elderly in the communities of Lagos Island, Ikoyi and Obalende. It is interesting to add that, plastic bags were not used in distribution of the above project.
*IGBERE TV : What Message Do You Have For Your Fans?*
Andoya : I would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You”, and express my gratitude to everyone who supports ERI, volunteered with ERI and even donated to our cause and projects.
We intend to keep the fire burning and give out more palliative/food programs to those in our local communities that need them while raising recycling awareness, have more environmental clean-up event and promote awareness.
The Environmental Resource Initiative (ERI) welcomes everyone to support our cause. We are open to collaborations with other NGOs, volunteering, and donations.
Please, feel free to reach us at info@erinitiative.org and follow our social media handle on Facebook and Instagram @_erinitiative as well as do not forget to visit our website www.erinitiative.org to keep up with our upcoming activities and blogs as well as engage with our communities.
I also would like to thank my fans and Family for their undying support and the Miss Earth Nigeria organization for crowning me the Miss Earth Nigeria Fire 2020! Its been a wonderful ride and I remain passionate in my advocacy and in the Protection of the Environment.
I am a Woman of the Earth!
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