By Fatima Saka
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, as part of efforts to tackle water scarcity and improve access to potable water.
The latest intervention is the second phase of the couple’s borehole initiative, coming barely two weeks after 12 communities benefited from the first batch.
The new beneficiaries 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 intervention was driven by the need to address persistent water shortages in the communities.
Ayanwusi disclosed that the initiative is expected to deliver a total of 52 boreholes across different parts of Ijebu-Ode.
She stressed that the project was purely philanthropic and had no political motivation, 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 of the boreholes is equipped with a generating set to ensure uninterrupted access to water, while more than 100 artisans were engaged in the execution of the projects.
She said the initiative had created economic opportunities for welders, plumbers, engineers, surveyors and other workers involved in the construction and installation of the facilities.
“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 intervention, saying it had significantly reduced the burden on government in providing essential services to residents.
“This has never happened before. I will be 89 on Friday, August 21. I have not witnessed this type of occasion before,” Alausa said.
He added: “With what Abimbola has done now, he has reduced the job of the government by a huge percentage.”
Alausa, however, called on political leaders to revive the old water pipelines and reservoir systems across Ogun State, noting that such infrastructure would provide a more sustainable solution to the state’s water challenges.
He said while philanthropic interventions such as the borehole projects were commendable, restoring existing public water infrastructure would help provide water to a larger number of residents and ensure long-term access to potable water.
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