THE INITIATIVE
WHO WE ARE
Though conceived by 2004, In 2007, Environment and Tourism support Initiative (EATS) as aptly named emerged and started development work in the city of Makurdi Benue State, North Central Nigeria, and over years has extended her work to Eastern part of Nigeria. A light of hope and mission to match force passionately through awareness creation and education in combating environmental pollution that results in the outbreak of diseases associated with bad water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices as well as to resonate deeply with other challenges affecting the environment pollution, waste dumps, open defecation,
deforestation and poverty aiming to arm and transform communities with the knowledge and tools for environment friendly behavior, initiatives and economic activities.
Founders Bio
Fondly called Meg by family, friends, and colleagues, Margaret is the third child of her parents, admired for her dedication and prowess. Driven by a desire for self-actualization and service to humanity, she voluntarily resigned from NBC to join the Child Right Protection Initiative (CRPI), an NGO as a volunteer. Inspired by her vision for a healthier environment, she founded the Environment and Tourism Support Initiative (EATS) in 2004, registered in 2007. Her focus is strengthening rural communities’ capacity to take ownership of developmental programs/projects, especially those affecting women and children, to ensure sustainability
IMPACT AND MILESTONE
Through the course of EATS work, 5 communities with 54 villages in 5 different Local Government Areas in Imo State were impacted with knowledge on Community-Led Total Sanitation (a UNICEF-supported program).
Close to 80% now have access to improved toilet facilities, thereby eliminating grossly open defecation. Some schools were donated tap-fitted buckets and soaps to encourage handwashing. EATS-Initiative, during the COVID-19 lockdown, produced and donated face masks, food items, and clothing to Nukuchi Community in Bwari Area Council of the FCT via Mrs. Rebecca Isiaku, wife to the traditional head of the community. They were also encouraged to keep a clean environment, with the planting of 3 economic trees to demonstrate the importance of tree planting after basic education on Climate Change.
EATS, in the recent past, has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Environment in the inter-ministerial committee to plan and execute a week-long activity to mark either World Toilet Day, Global Handwashing Day, or Environment Day
EATS’ consistent effort through the Department of Forestry of the Federal Ministry of Environment has brought Nigeria as a registered Member Nation of the Mountain Partnership in 2023. (The Mountain Partnership is a United Nations voluntary alliance of partners dedicated to improving the lives of mountain people and protecting mountain environments around the world.)
On the 19th–20th October 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, EATS participated as one of the 32 organization founding members of Africa NGOs Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (ANAES) under the umbrella of Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS).
The 32 founding members drawn from 18 countries emerged after a process of selection based on the organization’s capacity for governance & leadership, program management, human resources, financial management, partnership, and collaborations.
Our organization was one of the founding members based not just on the above criteria, but on a long, consistent, and trustworthy working relationship with the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS), the Africa Regional Mountain Forum (ARMF), and the Mountain Partnership (MP).
This outing spurred EATS to review her objectives and scale up activities in line with intervention areas that promote livelihood, peaceful communities, and building the future we want.
LEGAL STATUS AND PARTNERS
EATS is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Registration Number RC: 24041 in 2007, Abuja, Nigeria. A member of Network on Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Nigeria, Africa Regional Mountain Forum (ARMF), Mountain Partnership (MP), Convener Network of Mountain Actors in Nigeria (NoMAIN), founding member of Africa NGOs Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (ANAES), and in collaboration with Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) and Universal Peace Federation (UPF). EATS works with committed community field volunteers and staff.
EATS Initiative’s Impact
Trees Planted
4,00+
Improved Water Sources
20
Community Trained
50+