IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE — In a historic demonstration of community development and philanthropic goodwill, a Prince of Ijebu-Ode, Omooba Abimbola John Onabanjo, alongside his wife, Olori Abayomi Onabanjo, has launched a massive water intervention project. The royal couple has donated 20 brand-new, fully functional boreholes to 20 distinct communities across the ancient kingdom. This major intervention comes as a continuation of their structured efforts to wipe out the persistent scarcity of clean, potable water that has plagued the area for years.
With 12 boreholes previously completed and working perfectly, this latest phase of interventions brings the total number of newly inaugurated water projects to 32. This rapid development moves the royal family closer to their ultimate targeted goal of installing 52 modern boreholes across the nooks and crannies of Ijebu-Ode and its neighbouring environs. The intervention has sparked immense joy, especially among the local youth and women, who have long carried the heaviest burdens of the water crisis.
Expanding the Footprint of Relief
The water intervention scheme has been structured to ensure that no corner of Ijebu-Ode is left behind. Over the past two weeks, the project moved at an accelerated pace, delivering clean water directly to neighborhoods that had previously relied on expensive commercial water vendors or unsafe natural sources.
The communities that are already enjoying the initial phase of 12 projects include: Mokorede, Aiyegun, Ijasi Oke, Olukokun Isale, Olumuroko, Fusengbuwa, Ita Afin, Fusigboye, Odo Esa, Igbogun/Ilede, Imosan and Odoyanta.
The newly completed phase of 20 boreholes expands this network of relief to additional highly populated areas, commercial hubs and residential zones. The new beneficiary communities include: Ojukoti, Alawa and Ojofa, Ita Osu and the bustling New Market (Ikangba) area, Olode Isale (Imupa) and Aiyegbani (Idomowo community), Ipamurin and Isado, Imoru and Moborode (Ariyo Street), Elerugbada (GRA FESTAC), Oniworo and Onirugba, Ita Ajana, Sabo 2, Idomila, and the heavily travelled Ijagun Road axis.
A Royal Vision for Survival and Dignity
Speaking on behalf of the donors during the launching ceremonies, the official representative of the project, Funmilayo Ayanwusi, emphasised that the multi-million naira initiative stems from a deep sense of duty and pure love for the land. She made it clear that the project is entirely philanthropic, designed to help Omooba Onabanjo pay back to his ancestral community as a devoted Prince.
"First and foremost, water is an essential need for everyone," Ayanwusi stated during a press briefing. "It is a basic necessity of life, not only for human beings, but also for the survival of animals and the growth of plants. The donor looked at the daily hardships faced by ordinary citizens and saw an urgent opportunity to make a lasting difference. He decided to step in personally to alleviate the acute water shortages that have disrupted households, schools, and markets."
Ayanwusi assured the gathering that the project team would not rest on its oars. She confirmed that technical assessment teams are already mapping out the next locations. More boreholes will be drilled and completed very soon, pushing the project forward until the final promise of 52 boreholes is fully realised across Ijebu-Ode.
Elders and Traditional Leaders React
The sheer scale of the intervention has caught the attention of the town's highest traditional and community leaders, many of whom noted that private interventions of this magnitude are incredibly rare.
The Chairman of the Ijebu-Ode Olorituns (the council of respected community heads), Alhaji Adebisi Alausa, expressed deep gratitude and emotional relief during the opening ceremony.
The octogenarian leader confessed that the scope of the project left him astonished.
"In all my 89 years of life on this earth, this is the very first time I have seen a single individual plan and execute such a massive, capital-intensive public utility project from their own pocket," Alhaji Alausa remarked.
He added that it brought him immense joy to witness such a historic transformation within his lifetime.
The elder statesman stressed that a donor of Omooba Onabanjo’s calibre deserves the continuous, heartfelt prayers of all community elders, mothers and fathers.
In the same vein, the Agbadagbodo of Ijebu-Ode, Chief (Colonel) Tunde-Anthony Awote (rtd), praised the Prince and his wife for their selflessness.
High Chief Awote observed that the Prince's name is already being written in letters of pure gold across the hearts of the youths, men and women of the kingdom due to his extraordinary generosity.
Chief Awote encouraged the royal couple to remain steadfast, urging them not to relent in their efforts.
He noted that such critical infrastructure projects are the foundational steps needed to transform Ijebu-Ode into a major, modern metropolitan town.
Security and Maintenance: The Area Commander’s Charge
The massive influx of public infrastructure has also drawn the attention of local law enforcement. The Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force in Ijebu-Ode, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Wasiu Yusuf Adesoye, spoke strongly on the link between infrastructure, community care and local security.
ACP Adesoye stated that he was deeply impressed by Omooba Onabanjo's public-spirited gestures.
However, the security chief issued a firm reminder to the beneficiary communities regarding their responsibilities.
He noted that the only true way to encourage the donor to do even more is for the community members to take absolute ownership and properly maintain the boreholes.
"Law enforcement cannot fight crime or protect communities entirely on its own," ACP Adesoye explained.
"Support from the private sector and from dedicated individuals is absolutely vital for a robust, working community policing system. When a community lacks basic amenities like water, people wander into vulnerable areas at odd hours, creating security risks. These boreholes bring relief, but residents must look beyond the excitement of the initial donation. They must build long-term maintenance plans and ensure the operational functionality of these facilities."
Women and Youth Rejoice, Promise Protection, and Ask for More
The direct impact of the water project is felt most deeply by the women and youth, who are traditionally responsible for household water sourcing. Across the various nooks and crannies of Ijebu-Ode, these groups turned the launching events into vibrant celebrations, dancing and singing praises to the royal family.
Speaking on behalf of the youth, Comrade Olalekan Adebamiro, commended the Prince, describing him as a stellar role model for young leaders across the nation.
"Omooba Onabanjo is a leader we can truly look up to when it comes to the culture of paying back to the community," Comrade Adebamiro said.
"He is an exceptionally good listener and an amiable leader. He is someone who always centres the voices of ordinary people in everything he does. The majority of the youth across every corner of Ijebu are genuinely enjoying his impactful actions."
Adebamiro pointed out that the intervention had restored social dignity to many homes. "He has helped a lot of our women in major ways. Before now, our mothers and sisters faced insults and embarrassment just trying to fetch daily water from the compounds of private neighbours. By putting these boreholes in public spaces, he has completely wiped out that daily insult."
Mrs. Serifat Onamusi, a prominent market trader, spoke passionately on how the clean water access directly lifts the financial and physical burdens off local women.
"This wonderful gesture has truly saved us as women," Mrs. Onamusi stated.
"We used to spend hours searching for water or spending our hard-earned trading profits just to buy buckets of clean water for our children. Now, the water is right at our doorsteps. We are so happy, and we thank Omooba and his Olori."
However, expressing the collective sentiment of the community, both the youth and women admitted that their appetite for development had only grown. Invoking the classic tale of Oliver Twist, they openly asked the wealthy philanthropist for additional interventions.
"We are overjoyed, but like Oliver Twist, we cannot help but ask for more because we know Omooba has the heart for the people," Adebamiro added.
"We need help with youth employment, skills centres and market upgrades."
To show their commitment, the youth groups and market women jointly promised to ensure the security of the boreholes by preventing the vandalism, theft or misuse of the facilities and ensuring that they remain functional for generations to come.