It’s a moment of excitement and fulfillment for the people of Oke-Alafia community, Ifon-Osun in Orolu local government area of Osun State on Tuesday as one of their age-long aspirations was fulfilled.
The community on Tuesday witnessed the commissioning of a solar-powered borehole and a safe study center constructed by a non-governmental organization, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative in partnership with Box.
The Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Ọba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye 111 led other community leaders, chiefs and residents to the commissioning of the two-in-one project.
While speaking at the event, Ọba Akinyooye applauded the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative and its development partners, describing the gesture as a support not only to Oke-Alafia community but also to Ifon and Orolu local government area.
The monarch said, “what they have done for us is a big gesture. The water and the study center will go a long way in supporting our children and the community.”
Oba Akinyooye called on sons and daughters of the community to join hands with him in bringing development to Ifon by facilitating projects to the area.
“We want to call on all of our sons and daughters outside the town to remember their home with projects. This is what we want in Ifon and our doors are open to support them.”
Earlier in his address, the Global Director of BBYDI, Abideen Olasupo said the motive behind the project was to combat gender based violence associated with the lack of portable water in the community.
He said, “children, most especially young girls trek some kilometers to fetch portable water. This was found to be bringing unnecessary gender-based violence, most especially, again girls. This is what we at Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative with the support from Box Impact Funds are working.
“The borehole is solar-powered because we put into consideration, the challenge of erratic power supply in Nigeria. We also provided a safe study center for them to have peer reading and this will definitely, boost their education.”
Present at the commissioning were chiefs of Olufon, leaders of Oke-Alafia community, women, youths and others.
A resident of the area, Abdullateef Jamiu commended the organization for solving one of the critical problems facing the community.
“Before, we did trek some kilometers to fetch water but with this, a permanent solution has been found. We appreciate the organization and their partners,” Jamiu said.
