One of my goals is to help people activate the latent ability within to create wealth from renewable resources that exist in their midst. Turning the adversity of water hyacinth infestation into prosperity.
– Achenyo
Nikę: It has been too long. How have you been? MitiMeth continues to grow from strength to strength. For those who don’t know you, who is Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro?
Achenyo: Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro is a Computer Scientist turned Social Entrepreneur. She is the Founder of MitiMeth, an award-winning Social Enterprise transforming waste and building livelihoods through the transformation of invasive aquatic weeds and agricultural residues.
Nikę: Most important question on everyone’s mind – What’s kept you going? What continues to inspire you to use what most pęeople consider unusable into something beautiful?
Achenyo: The vision which MitiMeth is striving to achieve. Our vision is to create environmentally and economically thriving maker communities and to become Nigeria’s #1 choice in natural fiber products. We aren’t there yet! I am inspired to use the God-given ability we possess to innovate and create things. One of my goals is to help people activate the latent ability within to create wealth from renewable resources that exist in their midst. Turning the adversity of water hyacinth infestation into prosperity.
Nikę: What was your experience as a Cartier Women’s Initiative Awardee? (What year were you a beneficiary?) What has happened since then?
Achenyo: I am a 2014 Fellow and the 2014 Laureate for Sub-Saharan Africa. The Cartier Awards catapulted MitiMeth onto the Global stage. By having this well-known luxury brand believe in what we are doing at MitiMeth and support our work has provided a mark of credibility.
Nikę: If you could, compare the response to MitiMeth’s products within the Country (Nigeria) versus elsewhere.
Achenyo: We are just breaking into the export market but one thing I can tell you is that our products are locally made with global appeal. Our products are not mass market.
Nikę: What is in store for you and Mitimeth in 2022?
Achenyo: We have a few things in the works as we discover new ways to utilize the natural fibers we work with and new applications as well. We are looking to build and strengthen production capacity. And we are constantly looking for new markets – to build market linkages both locally and internationally.
Nikę: How can folks contact you on social media and purchase MitiMeth products?
Achenyo: Store location: 1 LASWA Yard, Falomo Jetty, Ikoyi, Lagos
www.linkedin.com/company/mitimeth
www.facebook.com/mitimethupcyling
Nikę Campbell is the Founder of Our Paths to Greatness. She is an author and screenwriter. She writes about immigrant experiences and African history that are in danger of being misrepresented or lost.