The Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives on International Relations, Honourable Christopher Olusegun Omotunde, has facilitated seven motorized borehole projects worth 10 million naira in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of kwara State.
The projects, which were sited at strategic locations within Oke-Ode township, were commissioned on Saturday where a host of indigenes of the community graced the occasion.
Speaking shortly before the commissioning, the Elesa of Oke-Ode, Oba Abdulkadri Alabi Adelodun, thanked the facilitator, Hon. Omotunde, for bringing life to his people, saying “He who brings water, brings life”.
Oba Adelodun, who showered blessings on Hon Omotunde for adding value to the lives of his people, said the people of Oke-Ode would continue to remain ever grateful to him.
The monarch called on other illustrious sons and daughters of the community to take a cue from Omotunde’s kind gesture for his people so as to collectively move Oke-Ode community forward.
In his address at the palace, the Chairman of Oke-Ode Community, Ilorin branch, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Bello, who represented the National President of the Oke-Ode, described the gesture as a monumental support and assistance for the community, especially the women folk and children, who usually endured the brunt of water shortage in the environment.
Bello, who presided over the commissioning at each of the seven commissioned projects, pledged that the community would reciprocate the gesture by standing by him when the need arises.
The Deputy Chief Imam of Oke-Ode, Alhaji Murtado Abdulkadri who offered short prayers before the commissioning of each project, prayed God to elevate the facilitator to a greater height, saying that Oke-Ode community, kwara and Nigeria in general will be better of if he gets to the higher positions.
The Baale of Oke-Ode, Alhaji Abdulfatai Ayinla and the Chief Imam of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Oke-Ode branch, Alhaji Nurudeen Balogun, in their separate comments, said the presence of seven different motorized boreholes was a big relief to members of the community and described the gesture as helpful and worthwhile.
Riskat Motunrayo Asonibare of Emure compound in Oke-Ode could not hide her feelings as she joyfully said the boreholes had practically put a stop to the era of trekking long distances to fetch dirty but little water from distanced streams like Omo-Oko, Ankutu, Aluguti, Igboope, Alatoro and several others.
In his remarks, the facilitator of the project, Hon. Olusegun Omotunde, said the gesture was not politically induced but mainly to bring succour to his people, who had been suffering from access to quality water.
Omotunde, who is a legislative aide to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Lasun, said he equally did the gesture with the help of his friend, Hon. Ahman-Pategi, who is the Chairman House committee on Water resources at National Assembly.
He explained that the gesture was equally targeted at keeping the memory of his living father, Mr Joseph Omotunde, who he said left Oke-Ode for United States of America in 1958 and he still living in the United States up till now.
Omotunde said his father would be 87 years this year and he would be happy if things like these are happening in his home town in Nigeria.
He stated that one borehole had earlier been sunk at his family house at Oke-Ode last year while the new set of another six had just been completed and they are now being put to use with immediate effect.
He therefore called on the people of the area to vote for all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming elections to usher in more developmental projects in the community.
Omotunde said though his friend, Ahman- Pategi might not like his position about canvassing for APC, the truth remains that the APC is reliable party that cares about welfare of the citizens.
The commissioning, which practically marked the end of the hitherto acute shortage of water in the community, was witnessed by the Chairman of Oke-Ode Community, religious leaders, traditional title holders, and a host of women and children of the community.
Hon. Omotunde (2nd right) Naib Imam of Oke-Ode Alhaji Abdulkadir (left), Chairman Oke-Ode Community Ilorin branch Alhaji Bello (2nd left) and others during commissioning of the project
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