By Kehinde Aderemi
Recently, the people of Owu-Ikosi, a community in Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area, Agbowa, Ikosi, Lagos, had a breath of fresh air, as a United Kingdom-based non-governmental organisation, Merry Gold Water Project, built a borehole for the community.
The project, the group said, was its second in three years. It said it was part of its efforts to contribute to the development of the community and reduce the burden of the people.
At the event, chairman/CEO of the organisation, Prince Akeem Olugbenga Adenuga, who spoke virtually via zoom, said the idea of building boreholes for vulnerable Lagos communities came when he realised that residents of these developing communities lacked potable water.
He added that he had such terrible experiences while growing up in the community, and therefore, decided to bridge the gap by building the water project.
Adenuga stated further that he was using the Merry Gold Water Project as a platform to reach out to people by providing potable water and also improve the health of the people.
His words: “While growing up, we used to travel far from home to fetch water, which was very rigorous. Now, we are in a jet age. There is no need to travel far from home to fetch water.
“In 2021, we constructed the first borehole for the people of Odo Ayandelu town. The project has helped over 2000 residents of the town. Now they have access to water.
“Having fulfilled the dream, we decided to extend the gesture to the people of Owu- Ikosi, a neighbouring community. That is what Merry Gold will be doing.”
Prince Adwenuga maintained also that Owu-Ikosi water project will serve over 3000 people in the community, adding that though power supply had been erratic in the community, the NGO would power the water project with solar energy.
While expressing gratitude to some of the donors abroad, Adenuga said he was fulfilled that some eminent people had shared in his vision to provide water for the people. He charged the residents to see the project as their asset by putting it to good use, even as he pointed out that with the kind support of the donors, he assured that other developing communities in Lagos State would also benefit from the gesture.
Chairman of Ikosi Ejinrin Local Council Development Area, Mr Wale Raji Anomo, was represented by the Chief of Staff, Prince Wale Gberefu.
Gberefu thanked the NGO for the gesture, saying Ikosi Ejinrin LCDA would continue to support any idea and initiative geared towards improving the lives of the people.
He also urged the people of the community to continue to be good ambassadors, saying the council boss would continue to develop the area.
Royal father of the day and host of the occasion, Olowu of Owu-Ikosi, Oba Nelson Ogunlari, expressed gratitude to all the team and management of Merry Gold Water Project, assuring that the community would always appreciate the gesture. The monarch later appointed two of his top chiefs to oversee the maintenance of the water project.
“Today, I am overwhelmed by this gesture. I remember the day Prince Adenuga inaugurated the water project at Odo-Ayandelu. I told Oba Ganiyu Aderibigbe that I also want this project in my town and Kabiyesi said I should consider it done.
“Today, I am happy that we are all alive to witness this event. I pray God to continue to bless Merry Gold and all the people that have contributed in one way or the other to ensure that this water project is achieved,” said the royal father.
In his remarks, Alayandelu of Odo-Ayandelu, Oba Aderibigbe Asunmo said the gesture embarked on by Merry Gold was for the good of humanity.
“We are grateful to Merry Gold. It is our responsibility as royal fathers to see the water project as our project. If we can maintain this facility, in the next few years, we are going to witness another great project in the community,” Oba Aderibigbe stated.
The Iyaloja Kajola, Chief Bimpe Adebonajo, said the community women would do their best to make sure that the water project is well maintained.
Public Relations Officer, Prince Obafemi Adesanya, said Merry Gold would soon embark on water projects in other communities.
“Water is life. That is why we are doing everything possible to provide potable water for Lagos communities. The Owu-Ikosi Water Project is the second phase, and very soon, we will also inaugurate another project. I hope the residents would fulfil their part of the deal,” he said.
Members of the Board of Trustees of the organisation, the reporter learnt, include Mr Jide Lanlehin, a lawyer, George Miller, Madam Grace, Otunba Femi Sanni and wife of the initiator, Mrs Olamidun Abimbola Adenuga, and others.
Other dignitaries at the event were the Chief Imam of Owu- Ikosi, Alhaji Afolabi, Lisa of Odo Ayandelu, M O Onabajo, the Oluwo of Owu-Ikosi,Babatunde Osilaja and many others.