In its drive towards ensuring quality living through provision of access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), WaterAid Nigeria in conjunction with PepsiCo Foundation has provided a 10,000-litre capacity solar-powered borehole and a newly constructed inclusive female-friendly toilet to Ojodu Junior High School in Lagos State.
At the project commissioning and handing-over ceremony on Monday, May 6, 2024, Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, disclosed that the WASH facility provided would serve 700 pupils and staff of the school daily.
She said: “Over the past two years working with stakeholders, we have pursued the objectives of improving the lives of about 173,000 people including men, women and children.
“We have also built the capacity of community members by training over 20 female local area mechanics, empowering and establishing a Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM) to maintain and operate the new water facility.”
In her submission, Devendi Adari, PepsiCo Foundation Sub-Saharan Lead, highlighted the essence of the project in Nigerian schools.
She said: “One of key focuses of PepsiCo Foundation is to look at access to clean water, we also want to continually work in regions where people live and also make a huge progress in those areas.
“First of all, water is life, sanitation is dignity. To drive education in a meaningful way, we need to have a conducive leaning environment. I think that is what this WASH facility does.”
Onabamiro Adebowale, Principal of Ojodu Junior High School, in his reaction disclosed that the school has grappled with the challenges of inadequate access to safe and clean water for too long. He was full of praise for the facilitator of the project in the school.
His words: “We celebrate the achievement of WaterAid Nigeria and PepsiCo Foundation for providing WASH facility for the school. It is their love and commitment for the children’s quest for education that compelled them to go the extra mile to see that the pupils learn in a very conducive and clean environment.”
Lambert Omoruyi, Chairman, WASHCOM Committee, lauded the facilitators for taking the initiative to the school.
He said: “As a committee, we know the project is for the benefit of our children in the school and we know the role water plays in our lives. We are assuring you that we will try and ensure that this facility is maintained at all times.”
The WASH project was launched by WaterAid Nigeria in November 2022, and it was being implemented with the support from PepsiCo Foundation in partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
Dignitaries at the project commissioning include representatives of the Permanent Secretary/Tutor General of Education District IV, Executive Chairman of Ojodu LCDA, David Olusegun Odumbaku, was also duly represented.
Others that graced the occasion were Alhaji Usman Tijani Adeda, PTA Forum Chairperson of the school, Heads of various MDAs, among others.
By Ajibola Adedoye
