By Chinyere Anyanwu
Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Ogun State, Mrs. Afolasade Adeyemo, has commended the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) for its humanitarian services to the community. The commendation was given during the donation of a 20,000-litre solar-powered borehole in Adugan Community, Olodo, in Odeda town, Ogun State. The water facility, which has a water management kiosk, five water dispensing taps, six 260 watts solar panels that power a submersible pump and a wire mesh fence that protects the facility, is expected to provide access to potable water and support domestic use for more than 2,000 Adugan community members and neighbouring communities. The facility also has a manually operated pump provided to ensure a constant and sustainable supply of water in the community.
In a welcome address, the General Manager, BATN Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, said the BATN Foundation’s attention was drawn to the lack of potable water and felt the need to provide the borehole facility for the community, after a recent visit to the project site of the inaugural winner of the Farmer’s for the Future grant, a BATN Foundation youth agriculture empowerment scheme, situated in the community. He noted that the borehole water facility was one of the over 100 boreholes provided by the Foundation in various communities across the federation.
In an address, Mrs. Adeyemo thanked the BATN Foundation for its intervention in providing a critical facility for the agrarian community, while pledging more private sector assistance.
“Water is a very essential gift to life. That is why this intervention by BATN Foundation is highly appreciated. The intervention has taken a huge burden off our necks. As you know, government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of providing social amenities for citizens,” she said.
The Olu of Olodo, Dr. Adeosun Ebenezer, who was also in attendance, expressed appreciation to BATN Foundation for the humanitarian gesture and implored the residents of Adugan community and neighbouring communities in the village to put the facility into good use and take adequate care of it.
BATN Foundation was established as an independent charity in November 2002 to support the socio-economic development of Nigeria with emphasis on those living in rural communities.