Emmanuel lkpeama
As part of efforts aimed at ameliorating problem of scarcity of water in Olaniran and Akinbode community in Isolo local government area of Lagos State,Rotaract Club of Isolo on Friday 16,May 2025, donated and commissioned a borehole at Akinbode Street in Isolo Community.
The project which involved rehabilitation of the only existing borehole in the community, to supply the people with uninterrupted safe drinking water witnessed the presence of the District Governor of Rotary Club 9111,Dr Oluwole Kukoyi, Chief of Staff,AG Sylvia Abdalla, Rotarian Oriyomi Saka(District Rotaract Representative)and other Rotarians and Rotaractors.
The project, estimated at N1.2M was a burden shared by the club when they visited the community months ago.
In her welcome address, the President Rotaract Club of Isolo, Rotaractor Ruhamah Ifere stated that the resilience of the community inspired the club to embark on the project.
“Their smiles, even through struggle, stirred something in our hearts. It was clear: water was not just a need here—it was a cry for help, and also a call to action.”
Ifere went further to state that that the gesture formed part of the Club’s commitment to help the needy in society, stating that when the “Water-to-Life” vision was born.The club imagined more than just water flowing from a pipe as they saw hope being restored.
“We envisioned young girls having more time for school, women leading clean water cooperatives, and entire households living healthier lives.”
Rotaractor Ifere used the opportunity offered during the commissioning, to thank members of the Rotary Club of Isolo for their doggedness and zeal in seeing them through this project by granting the club the sum of N500,000 through the district grant, though the project gulped N1.2M.
She equally thanked all the members of Rotaract of Isolo for their support, encouragement and prayers towards the actualization of this project.
“Bringing this vision to life was not without its hurdles. After securing the grant, we set up a dedicated project committee. We held dialogue sessions with local stakeholders, ensuring this wasn’t just “our” project—but “their”solution too.
” Midway, we faced challenges—delays in funds, equipment breakdowns, even digging a new borehole after the first site failed. There were moments we felt stretched but never broken.We pressed on because the dream was too important to abandon. And today, we are proud to say we emerged victorious.”she said.
The president advised the Akinbode community and its environs to make good use of the water borehole,protect the facilities.
“We are happy that this project has seen the light of day. Water and sanitation falls under one of the five avenues of Rotary International.“We undertook some need assessment, and realised that the people needed safe water, so we decided to take on the borehole rehabilitation for them.
“Rotary and Rotaract is all about making and difference and that is giving back to society to enhance the living standards of our communities. So wherever we find out that they are challenged, we do whatever we can to salvage the situation for them,”
This borehole is not just a structure. It is a statement that when young people lead with purpose, when institutions support with integrity, and when communities collaborate with openness, transformation is possible.”
“Let this water remind us every day that change does not have to come in waves—it can begin with a drop. One drop that empowers a woman to cook safely, one drop that frees a child to learn, one drop that ripples into dignity and well-being.”
“To the women of this community—you are not just recipients of this project; you are now custodians and change agents. We believe in your strength, and we trust you will protect and sustain this gift.”she submitted.
The District Governor of Rotary Club district 9111, Rotarian Oluwole Kukoyi,speaking at the commissioning ceremony,expressed the club’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by communities in Lagos.
He expressed joy at the execution of the project, saying that it will help achieve hygiene and cater for the needs of the community.
“We are proud to have been able to make a positive impact on the lives of the people of Akinbode community,this project is a testament to our club’s dedication to providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities to communities in need.”
Rotarian Kukoyi advised the community to make good use of the water borehole protect in making in sure that the borehole is ever functioning as water is life and essential to the people, while thanking the oba of Isolo and the LCDA for their support in ensuring that this project came to reality.
In expressing their gratitude and delight at the project’s commissioning,the traditional ruler of Isolo,HRH Oba Issa Abiodun Olakunke, the Mobadenle Faronbi Sekoni Arolagbade Alagbeji III Osolo of Isolo who was represented by Otun Oba,Prince Yahya Abiodun Lawal Arowooye showed their delight by praying that the donors will be blessed beyond measure.
He prayed earnestly for Rotary Club and Rotaract Club of Isolo saying that their individual lives will never be dry, while commending the club for the various development they have been bringing every year in the community.
Earlier the immediate past president of Rotaract club of Isolo,Damilola Kushimo described Rotaract Ifere as a worthy successor who sought to build on the legacies and also making a mark of her own.
” She’s a worthy successor given how she’s sought to build on the legacies and also making a mark of her own.”
“The league of past presidents is proud of her and it’s expected that she gives the next president coming after her the needed support to succeed.”he stated.
Rotaractor Damilola who initiated the project during his tenure supported the advice given by the District Governor, Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi and the Otun Oba Osolo, Chief Yahya Abiodun Lawal-Arowooye that the community should take absolute ownership of project.
” I will only re-echo the words of the District Governor, Rtn. Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi and the Otun Oba Osolo, Chief Yahya Abiodun Lawal-Arowooye that the community should take total ownership of project.”
“It is for their own good and aside that it is when we see that they use and protect it jealously that we will be encouraged to do more for them and extend the gesture to other communities.”he submitted
Speaking with Journalists, Prince Lawal called on the people of Olaniran and Akinbode community to ensure that the borehole is protected and ensure that it is in good condition so that the borehole can serve the purpose why it was renovated.
He admonished members of the community to ensure diligent use of the facility so as to attract more from Rotaract club
One of the Community leader, Mr lookman thanked the Rotaract Club of Isolo for coming to their rescue in renovating the borehole which has been abandoned for years, noting that the community would ensure that the borehole is well utilized for the benefit of Olaniran and Akinbode Street.
“This has come as a big relief for us and our children and we are happy. We plead that a lot more of such kind gestures will come to our Community,”
” We pledge to ensure the proper maintenance and upkeep of the facility.”he said.
Investigator news reports that the project, which was donated by the Rotaract Club of Isolo,is aimed at providing clean and potable water to the surrounding community.The borehole, which is equipped with a modern pumping system and storage tanks, is expected to supply over 10,000 liters of clean water daily.
The Rotaract Club of Isolo has a long history of providing facilities to Isolo communities.The club’s efforts have had a significant impact on the lives of thousands of people in Isolo and the commissioning of the Akinbode borehole project is a testament to the club’s ongoing commitment to providing sustainable solutions to community challenges.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by leaders and members of Rotary Club district 9111, members of Rotaract Club of Isolo, representatives from Oba of Isolo including Chief Rasaki Jimoh Mayor (Mogaji Ishoru of Isolo), Chief Jamiu Sagunbi Ajanaku(Osuro of Isolo) and Otun Oba Prince Yahya Abiodun Lawal Arowooye and members of Olaniran and Akinbode community were in attendance
