A prominent businessman and philanthropist, Omooba Abimbola Onabanjo, and his wife, Olori Abayomi Onabanjo, have donated 20 additional boreholes to communities in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, as part of efforts to address water scarcity and provide access to potable water.

The latest donation, which is the second batch in the series, comes barely two weeks after 12 communities benefited from boreholes donated by the entrepreneur and Ijebu royal prince.

The communities that benefited from the second batch 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 during the inauguration and handover ceremony in Ijebu-Ode, the donor’s representative, Funmilayo Ayanwusi, said the initiative was aimed at addressing the water needs of the community.

She said the initiative is targeting 52 boreholes across different parts of Ijebu-Ode.

Ayanwusi stressed that the project was purely philanthropic and driven by the benefactor’s desire to contribute to the development of his community, rather than by any political ambition.

“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 borehole is equipped with a generating set to power it.

Ayanwusi explained that more than 100 artisans had been engaged in the execution of the project, thereby creating economic opportunities for welders, plumbers, engineers and survey personnel.

“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,” she said.

The Chairman of the Ijebu-Ode Council of Oloritun, Alhaji Adebisi Alausa, commended Onabanjo’s gesture, which he said had reduced the burden on the government.

“This has never happened before. I will be 89 on Friday, August 21. I have not witnessed this type of occasion before.

“With what Abimbola has done now, he has reduced the job of the government by a huge percentage,” he said.

Alausa, therefore, called on political leaders to revive the old water pipelines and reservoir systems across Ogun State, saying such measures would provide a more permanent solution to the state’s water challenges.