Stories from Abdul Salaudeen, Ilorin
In line with its mandate to address the lack of potable water in Kwara communities and empower youths with sustainable skills, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, ABS, Foundation, has successfully trained 25 people on borehole repair and water system maintenance.
On Friday, ABS Foundation officially presented working tools to the 25 selected trainees who successfully completed the two-week intensive training from the 16 local government areas.
The presentation of tools took place during the closing ceremony at the Foundation’s office in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The initiative with the theme; “Community Water Champions”, and facilitated by AFEB Global Ltd commenced on July 1 and ended on Friday, July 11.
The participants were drawn from the 16 local government areas, representing a deliberate strategy to ensure widespread grassroots impact and sustainable access to potable water.
Delivering his address at the event, the Project Director of ABS Foundation, North Central, Malam Musa Aliyu, highlighted the significance of the project and reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to real and 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 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 trainees are now equipped to become employers of labour and first responders to water system failure in their areas,” he added.
Aliyu said the programme is part of its 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 is a movement for water security and economic empowerment.
“Let me also note that ABS Foundation is a non-political and not-for-profit organisation. All participants were nominated by various groups and organisations.
“During our selection process, the final 25 were selected based on criteria other than political affiliation,” Aliyu emphasised.
Also speaking, the Senior Programme Manager, 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 are 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 occupations, 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 programme witnessed classroom sessions, written and oral assessments, safety training and extensive field work.
After the initial lectures, safety kits were distributed to the participants, who then proceeded to real-life borehole renovation exercises across several local government areas.
As part of their practical field assignment, the trainees embarked on renovation of one hand pump borehole in Kaaba Kajola, Idofian District, Ifelodun Local Government Area.
They also repaired two hand pumps and motorised boreholes at Alanamu Market, Ilorin West Local Government Area.
Other practical projects include rehabilitation of a hand pump borehole in Ajakitipa, Isale Oja, Shao, Moro Local Government Area, restoration of one industrial borehole in Ganmo, Ifelodun Local Government Area, as well as repair works at Magaji Are 1, and Magaji Are Primary School, Idi Ape, Ilorin East Local Government Area.
