News Release

Osun-Commissioner Lauds Church

The provision of clean water to communities in the State of Osun by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not only giving clean water to the people but also saving lives that would have been lost to consumption of un-hygienic water.

The Honorable Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, State of Osun, Professor Olubukola Oyawoye made this known at a reception with representatives of the Church to discuss the modalities for the commencement of the second phase of the clean water project in the State.

The Commissioner gave thanks to God and the Church for serving humanity by providing clean water to the people of her State. In her words, “the Church is not only preaching the word of God but also providing for the needs of the people, which for me, is worth emulating by other faith based organizations in Nigeria.”

She continued, “The clean water provided by the Church is now helping families in the communities to stay more united. Wives are no longer walking several kilometers to fetch water from the stream, which has made them stay away from their homes too long and rendered them less productive when they return.”

The commissioner said that people will be relieved from the problem of the water-borne diseases that come using water from the streams.

She concluded by saying that the Osun State Government is ready to support the Church in all ways necessary to make sure that the beneficiaries of the clean water project actually own it.

Elder and Sister Reynolds, representatives of the LDS Charities(the Church's humanitarian organizations) explained that the Church has completed 14 of the 16 clean water projects planned for the State.  The other two are under construction. 

The Reynolds further explained that the issues of hygiene should be taken more seriously by the communities. They emphasized the need for hygiene supervisors to provide training for hygiene trainers who in turn train 25 family representatives each (comprising one person each from 25 families). These family representatives will eventually train their own family members.

Earlier, Alhaji Toyin Yusuf, the Program Manager for Osun State Rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Agency commended the Church for its efforts in the area of provision of clean water. He pledged that his agency will help in making sure that the benefiting communities meet their obligations during and after the completion of the projects.

Responding, Elder Olukanni, the Church's Public Affairs director for Africa West Area, thanked the Commissioner for hosting the delegation. He highlighted all the worldwide humanitarian efforts of the Church, especially in Nigeria to include Vision Care, Clean Water provision, Neonatal Resuscitation Training, Immunization of Children.

He said the Church is always willing to partner with people and organizations to do good to all men, irrespective of their religion, race, or affiliation.

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