Clean Water Brings Joy to Aato Community

Aato community leaders and government officials in Osun state, southwest Nigeria, were on hand earlier this year to witness the commissioning of a borehole funded by LDS Charities, a humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The commissioning of the project elicited much joy among residents of the community who have been longing for clean drinking water. This is just the latest of many such projects carried out by LDS Charities in various parts of Nigeria.

No fewer than 100 people attended the commissioning ceremony. They thanked the Church for this gesture and prayed for its growth. They also pledged to ensure proper maintenance of the borehole and to set up a water committee for that purpose.

Community members said the provision of clean water will save them hours previously spent in search of water from brooks and wells, and lower the risk of water-borne diseases arising from using contaminated water.

Those present at the commissioning included Yinka Sazam, who represented the executive secretary of the Ayedire local government area in Osun state, and El-haj Bisi, director of administration and general services. Other attending officials from the Water and Sanitization Department were Director J.A Ojo, Deputy Director R.O Adedokun, Sanitation Officer M.A Akande and Special Adviser Kamal Adewale Ajiboye.

Among the community leaders present were the traditional ruler of the community, Chief J.O Opakanmi, Ward Chairman Raifu Elunola and Community Chairman Ogundiran Clement Adebayo.

More than 30 humanitarian projects have been completed in Osun state within the last 18 months, and hundreds have been completed in other states in Nigeria.