Over one thousand, two hundred students of Oregun Senior High School in Onigbongbo LCDA of Lagos now have access to safe, clean water as well as toilet facilities for a conducive teaching and learning environment.
The Project which includes the construction of solar powered and grid powered Water schemes, installation of water storage facilities with a combined capacity of 28,000 liters, gender friendly toilet facilities, renovated bathrooms, a fetching point and hand washing stations was facilitated by an NGO WaterAid Nigeria and funded by Cummins Inc.
At the hand over of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH facilities to the school management and students, Country Director WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, said the initiative would boost school attendance especially girls and restore the dignity of the students and teachers while using a gender friendly toilet.
The WaterAid Country Director represented at the event by Mr. Emmanuel Iorkumbor who is the Head of Business Development and Partnership, said the development was a collective effort to promote access to clean water, improved sanitation and dignity for communities across the country.
“We are delighted to witness yet another milestone in the collective effort to promote access to clean water, improved sanitation, and dignity for communities across Nigeria.
This project reflects a shared commitment to strengthening community engagement and improving the wellbeing of our children, teachers, and the wider community”
“The initiative goes beyond infrastructure, as it is about health, education, dignity, and sustainable development with inclusion of solar power to demonstrate thoughtful planning towards sustainability and maintenance, ensuring that these facilities continue to serve the community effectively for years to come”
The Project funder’s representative, Mr. Asif Khan, who is the General Manager of the Gas Business for Cummins West Africa, Nigeria Limited, expressed confidence that the facility will improve hygiene, reduce absenteeism, enhance learning outcomes, and inspire the community to take ownership of its continued maintenance and success.
“As we formally handover this facility today, we believe it will serve as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change within the school and the larger community”.
“I wish to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this project, our partners, the implementation teams, community leaders, school management, and members of the community whose cooperation made this achievement possible, together, we have demonstrated what can be achieved through collaboration, vision, and a shared commitment to humanity” Cummin MD says
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, represented by Mr Sola Quadri thanked all development partners in executing the project and promised to ensure the facilities are maintained and protected from Vandals.
Appreciating the gesture, the Principal of Oregun Senior High School, Mr Opeolu Sunday-Olatunji, commended WaterAid Nigeria and Cummins Inc. for their massive support to ensure no child is left out of school noting that for years the school has challenges of inadequate sanitation infrastructure which is now a thing of the past which will keep diseases away from the teachers and students while female students during their periods have access to clean and safe water to clean up themselves.
“Today, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to WaterAid Nigeria for their unwavering dedication, technical expertise, and passion in bringing this project to life”
“Their commitment has once again shown that impactful partnerships can transform lives.
We also sincerely appreciate Cummins Inc. for their generous support and commitment to improving communities through sustainable development initiatives”
“Their investment in this project is an investment in the future of over 1,200 students and staff members who will directly benefit from improved access to safe water and sanitation.
Indeed, access to clean water and proper sanitation is a fundamental human right” the Principal said
Highpoint of the Project handover was presentation of Drama on WASH by students of the school while Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, was signed by the School Management and WaterAid with presentation of Sanitation materials for maintenance of the facilities.
Reporting by Yemisi Dada