Saraki Foundation Offers Solution To Water Problems In Kwara Through 25 Borehole Engineers  

As one of its impactful ways to contribute to societal development and aid the efforts to address water problems in Kwara State, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Foundation has successfully trained 25 young people who have been taught the skills and knowledge needed to address issues that have to do with borehole repairs and water system maintenance.

The Foundation has officially presented working tools to the 25 young people in question who are from the 16 local governments in the state and have successfully completed the two-week intensive training programme.

The presentation ceremony took place on Friday, July 12, 2025, at the Foundation’s office in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The training programme held for the ‘Community Water Champions’ which was facilitated by AFEB Global Ltd began on July 1, 2025, and ended on Friday, July 12, 2025.

There were participants from the 16 local governments in the state as a deliberate strategy by the Saraki Foundation to ensure widespread grassroots impact and sustainable access to potable water.

Delivering his address at the event, the Project Director of the ABS Foundation, North Central, Mallam Musa Aliyu, highlighted the significance of the project and restated the Foundation’s commitment to real, people-focused development.

 ‘This training is part of our mission to empower communities with practical solutions. Over 120 million Nigerians depend on boreholes. When these systems fail, the result is often devastating, especially in the rural areas.

By training these young men and women, we are not only addressing water scarcity but also building a community-based technical workforce.

These borehole engineers are expected to become employers of labour and first responders to water system failures in their respective communities’ he added.

Mallam Musa Aliyu also noted that the programme is part of the Foundation’s broader mission to solve real community problems while empowering citizens with practical, income-generating skills. 

‘By investing in water system rehabilitation and vocational training, the Foundation is tackling water insecurity, creating jobs, and boosting local economies all at once.

This is not just a training; it’s a movement for water security and economic empowerment.

Let me also note that ABS Foundation is a non-political and not-for-profit organization. All participants were nominated by various groups and organizations. 

During our selection process, the final 25 were selected based on criteria that excludes political affiliation’ he said.

Also speaking, the Senior Programme Manager, Mr Olanrewaju Lawal, said the project will not only guarantee access to potable water across Kwara communities, but also create employment opportunities.

‘This is just the pilot phase. Our plan is to scale up the project in the next phase. 

I must also mention that our trainees are ABS ambassadors. They’re trained and equipped to go back to their various locations and also impact others with their training experience.

While they are free to engage in other occupation, ABS Foundation allows them to engage in private contract jobs with our tool kits. But the tools must not be sold because it remains community property’ he warned.

The training programme featured classroom sessions, written and oral assessments, safety training, and extensive field work.

After the initial lectures, safety kits were distributed to all participants, who then proceeded to real-life borehole repairs at different locations in the state.

As part of their practical field assignments, the trainees carried out repair of a hand pump borehole in Kaaba Kajola, Idofian District, Ifelodun LGA and  two hand pump and motorised boreholes at Alanamu Market, Ilorin West LGA.

Other practical projects are the rehabilitation of a hand pump borehole in Ajakitipa, Isale Oja, Shao, Moro LGA, restoration of one industrial borehole in Ganmo, Ifelodun LGA as well as repair works at Magaji Are 1, and Magaji Are Primary School, Idi Ape, Ilorin East LGA.

In an interview with Team@orientactualmags.com, some among the borehole engineers expressed gratitude to the Foundation and promised to put the skills and knowledge they have acquired into good and productive use.

A female participant and team lead, Halirat Bake from Kaiama LGA, who was full of appreciation to the Foundation, said the training programme, if not sponsored by ABS Foundation, would have required what they may not have the financial means to pay for.

She added that provision of the equipment by the Foundation also helped to solve what would have been a major challenge.

Mr Ishyaku Aliyu from Patigi also noted that despite his plumbing skills, he has been unable to carry out certain repair works. 

He however explained that with the training programme, he can now repair both hand held and motorized boreholes.

Babalola Joshua Oluwafemi, from Share, Ifelodun LGA, noted that the training has exposed him to the practical aspect of the work.

‘I’m an engineer by profession, but what I knew practically was limited because we did more of theory in school. But this training programme  has exposed me to a lot which I didn’t know before.

I can now comfortably carry out repair which will not only earn me a living, but also ensure that our communities do not lack water again because of minor issues with our boreholes.

All the communities we have visited and carried out repair works, I could see the joy in their heart. That alone gave me joy too that I have been empowered to make my community better. I cannot thank the financier of this initiative enough’ he said.

While thanking the ABS Foundation, Adam Olanrewaju Mohammed from Ilorin South LGA, said he was amazed at the unquantifiable level of knowledge he acquired during the two-week training programme.

Mohammed added that the initiative is already having impacts in communities.

‘For the communities we have been to for field work, they are already enjoying the benefits because it resulted in availability of water.

This will also enhance the economy because farmers will have water for irrigation purpose, just like other business men and women who need water for their business’ he said.

Apart from the technical work, the team also paid courtesy and condolence visits to traditional figures, including the Baba’sale of Ilorin, who recently lost his brother. 

The Balogun Alanamu Development Association expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation and its founder, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, for revitalizing abandoned boreholes that had long served the bustling Alanamu Market and the nearby mosque-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you