Philanthropist Donates 20 Boreholes to Ijebu-Ode Communities
A prominent businessman and philanthropist, Omooba Abimbola Onabanjo, and his wife, Olori Abayomi Onabanjo, have donated 20 additional boreholes to communities across Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, to address water scarcity and improve access to potable water.
The latest donation is the second batch of boreholes provided by the couple, coming barely two weeks after 12 communities benefited from the first phase of the initiative.
The beneficiaries of the latest batch include Olode Isale (Imupa), Idepo (Ijasi), Obalende 1 (Porogun), Obalende (Seicko), Oju Koti, Alawa, Ojofa, Ita Osu New Market (Ikongba), Ayegbami (Idomowo Community), Ipamurin and Ishado.
Others are Imoru, Ariyo Street (Moborode), Eleru Gbeda (GRA Festac), Oniworo, Onirugba, Itaajana, Sabo 2, Idomila and Ijagun Road.
Speaking on Sunday at the inauguration and handover ceremony in Ijebu-Ode, the donor’s representative, Funmilayo Ayanwusi, said the project was driven by the need to address water shortages in the communities.
She disclosed that the initiative is expected to provide a total of 52 boreholes across different parts of Ijebu-Ode.
Ayanwusi stressed that the project was purely philanthropic and was not motivated by political ambitions, describing Onabanjo as a businessman committed to giving back to his community.
“Why a water project? Water is essential for everyone. It is a basic necessity not only for human beings, but also for animals and plants. Recognising the need within the community, he saw an opportunity to make a difference and decided to help alleviate the community’s water shortage,” she said.
According to her, each borehole is equipped with a generating set to ensure access to water.
She added that more than 100 artisans had been engaged in executing the project, creating economic opportunities for welders, plumbers, engineers and survey personnel.
“Omooba Abimbola Onabanjo is not a politician. He never was, he isn’t, and I don’t think he has plans of becoming one anytime soon. He is someone who always wants to give back to his community,” Ayanwusi said.
The Chairman of the Ijebu-Ode Council of Oloritun, Alhaji Adebisi Alausa, commended the philanthropist for the initiative, saying it had helped reduce the burden on government.
“This has never happened before. I will be 89 on Friday, August 21. I have not witnessed this type of occasion before,” Alausa said.
“With what Abimbola has done now, he has reduced the job of the government by a huge percentage.”
Alausa, however, urged political leaders to revive the old water pipelines and reservoir systems across Ogun State, saying such infrastructure would provide a more sustainable solution to the state’s water challenges.
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