In a bid to address water challenges in rural communities, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation (ABS) has trained 25 plumbing technicians, one from each of the 16 local government areas in Kwara State. These technicians, now known as Water Champions, will be responsible for repairing damaged boreholes and water wells across the state.
The Foundation has also equipped the technicians with modern tools and equipment to support their work, ensuring they are well-prepared to respond to water infrastructure issues in their localities.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Ilorin, the Foundation’s regional director said the Water Champions underwent a three-week intensive training focused on water quality management and community engagement. According to him, the initiative is designed to promote self-reliance in maintaining water systems while providing access to safe, potable water across Kwara’s rural areas.
He noted that over 120 million Nigerians rely on boreholes as a primary source of water, especially in remote areas where alternatives are either unsafe or unavailable. This initiative, he said, aims to reduce the risk of water-borne diseases by ensuring that communities have trained first responders to keep water systems running.
The Foundation’s Senior Programme Manager added that beyond improving water access, the project also creates employment opportunities for young people across the state. He explained that the current initiative is a pilot phase, with plans to scale it up in future. He described the Water Champions as ambassadors, empowered not only to fix boreholes but to also train others in their communities.
One of the beneficiaries, a team lead from Kaiama LGA, expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the training and the tools provided. She noted that the value of the training and kits would have been far beyond the financial reach of most participants.
Meanwhile, the Foundation responded to allegations made by a state commissioner suggesting political motives behind the initiative. In a statement, the Foundation reaffirmed its non-partisan identity, insisting that it is focused solely on philanthropic and community development work.
It maintained that attempts to politicize or sabotage its interventions are misguided and only serve to undermine community progress. The Foundation called on the state government to support rather than frustrate independent efforts aimed at improving the lives of rural dwellers.
It added that the positive feedback from communities, including letters of appreciation and reports of successful repairs, stands as proof of the impact of the Water Champions program. The Foundation also highlighted that the initiative has created a legitimate source of income for the beneficiaries while addressing a major infrastructural need.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Foundation stated that it will continue to explore new ways of serving communities across the state and will not be discouraged by politcal interference.
