The District Governor of District 9126 Nigeria, Rotarian Kayode Olowolagba, commissioned a water reticulation project at Oba Akinbiyi Model High School, Mokola, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday. Represented by the Immediate Past District Governor of District 9125, Rotarian Sagab Sani Ahmed, Olowolagba stated that the initiative is part of the club’s efforts to prevent open defecation in the school.
He explained that the project involved reticulating water from a borehole, previously sunk by the club, into various parts of the school building, including the toilets, and providing water storage tanks. This ensures that students have access to water, thereby discouraging open defecation when facilities are unavailable.
Olowolagba urged the school management to maintain the facility properly, emphasising that such projects are preventive measures against open defecation. He also called on well-meaning Nigerians to assist the needy as a way of serving humanity.
He noted, “Rotary has 36,000 clubs spread across the globe. To administer these clubs, Rotary International organises them into districts—about 525 worldwide, 19 in Africa, and six in Nigeria. I am here to commission the project initiated during my tenure as District Governor. This project, funded by the Rotary Foundation, involved providing water storage tanks and reticulating water into various areas requiring potable water within the school. I urge the school management to ensure proper maintenance of these facilities for the benefit of the students.”
The Immediate Past President of the club, Kolawole Shittu Adebisi, stated that the project was undertaken after discovering that students couldn’t use some facilities due to the lack of a water reticulation system, even though a borehole had been provided three years ago. He said, “This project was made possible through the district grant the club received during my tenure as president. Our assessment revealed that students couldn’t use their toilets because there was no running water, and the laboratory also lacked water. This prompted us to intervene. I also urge the students to make proper use of the water.”
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The Principal of Oba Akinbiyi Model High School, Mrs Atinuke Animashaun, expressed gratitude to the club, stating that the project is a game-changer for the school. She remarked, “I stand before you today to express our deepest joy for the remarkable donation and contribution Rotary Club of Ibadan has made for the development of the school. The provision of a borehole and channeling of water into the building is a game-changer for our school. Access to clean water is a basic necessity, and your generosity has ensured that our students and staff have a reliable source of water for drinking, sanitation, and hygiene.”
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