Residents of Ijebu Ode, Odoyanta and Imosan in Ogun State have praised philanthropist Omooba Abimbola Onabanjo and his wife, Olori Abayomi Onabanjo, following the donation of 52 motorised boreholes aimed at improving access to clean water across communities in Ijebuland.

The borehole projects, spread across several communities within the Ijebu Ode district, were inaugurated over the weekend as part of the couple’s efforts to tackle water scarcity in rural areas.

Speaking during the inauguration, the donors’ representative, Funmilayo Ayanwusi, said the initiative marked the beginning of a broader development plan for Ijebuland.

She explained that 12 boreholes have been completed under the first phase of the project, while construction of the remaining 40 is ongoing.

According to Ayanwusi, the completed boreholes are located in Mokorede, Aiyegun, Ijasi Oke, Olukokun Isale, Olumuroko, Fusengbuwa, Ita Afin, Fusigboye, Odo Esa, Igbogun/Ilede, Imosan and Odoyanta.

She added that each facility is equipped with a power generator, while the donor has also committed to funding maintenance and fuel costs for a specified period.

Describing the intervention as only the beginning, Ayanwusi said more developmental projects would follow to position Ijebuland alongside some of the country’s leading urban centres.

She noted that the initiative reflects the donor’s commitment to humanitarian service and giving back to society.

Chairman of the Olorituns-in-Council in Ijebu Ode, High Chief Adebisi Alausa, described the project as unprecedented, saying it was the first time an individual had provided 52 motorised boreholes for communities within such a short period.

He commended the donors for investing personal resources in projects that directly improve residents’ welfare and urged beneficiaries to protect the facilities from vandalism and ensure they are properly maintained.

At the inauguration in Odoyanta, the Regent of the community, High Chief Abdullahi Adekoya, described the intervention as exceptional, noting that no individual had previously embarked on a similar project in the area.

He also praised the decision to provide free fuel and maintenance for one year, assuring the donors that the community would protect the boreholes and continue to support them with prayers.

Chairman of the Odoyanta Central Committee, High Chief Awonuga Titus, also expressed appreciation for the gesture and wished the donors greater success in future endeavours.

Residents from the benefiting communities celebrated the commissioning of the projects, describing Onabanjo as a philanthropist committed to improving the lives of his people.

The spokesperson for the Ijebu Ode Council of Olorituns, Chief Oluwafemi Kareem Adagojo, thanked the donors for the intervention, saying the community would continue to pray for them because “he who brings water brings life.”