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By Uche Okobi
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has donated water, sanitation and hygiene facilities to two government-owned schools, Maya Junior and Senior Community Grammar Schools, in Ikorodu North Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The facilities donated included one climate-resilient solar-powered borehole, with 20,000 litres capacity overhead tanks to provide safe and reliable water; two gender-inclusive toilets to provide safe, dignified sanitation for male and female students and staff, with the comfort of the physically challenged taken care of, as well as two group hand-washing and drinking water stations installed to promote proper hygiene practices within the school environment.
Principal of Maya Senior Community Grammar School, Ojo Bosede, in her welcome address, appreciated the Church for the funding of the water and sanitation facilities constructed by WaterAid Nigeria.
She called on the Lagos State Government to see to the construction of more school blocks, as the two grammar schools were overcrowded.
Evelyn Mere, Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, which constructed the facilities, represented by Dr. Alao Adebayo, appreciated the Church for providing the funding for the facilities.
The country director announced that the event demonstrated the commitment of WaterAid Nigeria to bring to reality the vision of a world where everyone, everywhere has access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
“These facilities will provide a safer and more enabling environment for learning, while also promoting dignity, particularly for the girl child by eliminating menstruation – related absenteeism that compromises their access to quality education,” she said.
Mere also appreciated the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, for granting WaterAid Nigeria access to the schools.
She also thanked the chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA for his support during the construction, as well as members of Maya Olorijo and Maya Aladiya communities for being receptive to the intervention.
The inauguration was witnessed by senior officials of the Lagos State Government, including Dr. Sulaimon Ogumuyiwa, director-general, Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources; Murtala Olalekan, who represented the director-general, Water Resources; Adegbemile Idowu, director, School Administration, Education District 2, Maryland, who represented the Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary; Mayor Ameen Olawale Ibrahim Apanisile, chairman Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area; Dr Alao Adebayo of WaterAid Nigeria; and the Baale of Maya, Hon.Chief Alade Olukoga, among others.
On his part, Oyedeji who represented the Africa West Area Presidency of the Church, said: “We are grateful today for the opportunity to collaborate with WaterAid Nigeria and the management of the two institutions in delivering the important projects that would help strengthen water sanitation as well as improve services within the school and the wider community.”
