Residents of Aleelo Village in Akufo, located in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, have long struggled to access clean water, often trekking several kilometres to neighbouring communities. Their plight changed this week with the donation of a well by Namatai Tembo, a student of IITA International School, Ibadan.
At the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, the village head, Musliu Olabanji, shared how the community had stopped using their only river out of fear of an "evil spirit" believed to dwell there. This fear, he said, forced residents—many of them elderly and children—to endure long journeys in search of potable water.
Expressing her relief, women leader Akindele Olatundun described the donated well as a strategic intervention that would significantly reduce the daily burden on villagers. She praised Tembo’s generosity and called on the Oyo State Government and philanthropic Nigerians to support the village further by installing boreholes.
Tembo, the young donor, recounted that her interest in providing clean water to underserved communities began in Grade 3. Although an initial plan to fund a borehole in Grade 5 fell through due to financial constraints, she remained committed to the cause. With the support of her parents and donors, she fulfilled her dream by gifting Aleelo Village a functional well.
"I wanted to make a real difference in the lives of people who lack basic needs like clean water," Tembo said, beaming with pride as she saw her dream become reality.
Shepherd Timothy, Head of IITA International School, highlighted that student-led projects like Tembo’s are designed to foster independent thinking beyond the classroom. He emphasized that such initiatives have the potential to impact not just local communities, but the world at large.
Edith Ekun, the project coordinator, added that the school encourages students to take ownership of their learning journey through real-world problem-solving, giving them the freedom to research and act on issues they care about.
Tembo’s initiative has not only brought clean water to a grateful community but also inspired a broader conversation on youth-led change and civic responsibility.