In line with its mandate to address the growing challenge of potable water availability in Kwara communities and empower youths with sustainable skills, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Foundation has successfully trained 25 people on borehole repairs and water system maintenance.
The ABS Foundation also officially presented working tools to the 25 selected trainees who successfully completed the two-week intensive training, from across local government areas of the state.
The presentation of tools to the participants took place on Friday, July 12, 2025, during the closing ceremony, at the Foundation’s office in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The initiative, themed “Community Water Champions”, and facilitated by AFEB Global Ltd commenced on July 01, 2025 and was concluded on Friday, July 12th, 2025.
The participants were drawn from across the entire 16 local government areas of the state, representing 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 reiterated 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 rural areas,” Aliyu said.
“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 failures in their areas,” he added.
The top of official of the ABS Foundation, 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’s 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 any political affiliation,” Musa Aliyu emphasised.
Also speaking, the Senior Program 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’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 programme witnessed 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 renovation exercises across several local government areas.
As part of their practical field assignments, the trainees embarked on renovation of one hand pump borehole in Kaaba Kajola, Idofian District, Ifelodun LGA.
The also repaired two hand pump and motorised boreholes at Alanamu Market, Ilorin West LGA.
Other practical projects are 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.
Speaking with newsmen they were awarded certificates of completion and presented with essential borehole repair kits, the participants expressed gratitude to the foundation and promised to put the training in productive use.
A female participant and team lead, Halirat Bake from Kaiama LGA, who was full of appreciation to the foundation, said the training, if paid for, would have cost the participants more than they could afford.
She added that the kits have also solved another major challenge they would have encountered, considering its financial worth if they were to procure them.
Mr Ishyaku Aliyu, one of the participants from Patigi, said despite his knowledge in plumbing, he has been unable to carry out certain repair functions.
He however explained that with the training, he can now repair both hand held and motorized boreholes.
Babalola Joshua Oluwafemi, from Share, Ifelodun LGA, coming for 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 has exposed me to a lot which I didn’t know before.
“I can now comfortably carry out repairs 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.
Adam Olanrewaju Mohammed from Ilorin South LGA, while thanking the ABS Foundation, said he was amazed at the unquantifiable level of knowledge he acquired in just the two weeks of training.
Mohammed added that the initiative was already having impacts in communities.
“For the communities we have been to for field work, they are already enjoying the benefits due to the 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.
Aside the technical work, the team paid courtesy and condolence visits to traditional figures, including the Baba’sale of Ilorin, who recently lost his brother.
The Balogun Alanamu Development Association also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation and its founder, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, for revitalising abandoned boreholes that had long served the bustling Alanamu Market and nearby mosque.
END.