In a remarkable act of community development, His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Saheed Balogun Agbaje (Agbajelola I), the Olu of Ilupeju Oke-Odo Gbagura Kingdom on Sunday inaugurated a borehole project in Sabo community of Abeokuta North local government area in Ogun State.
The project, initiated and completed by the Sabo Stayte Carnival Committee 2024, was handed over to the Seriki Hausa of Egbaland, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan by His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Saheed Balogun Agbaje during the inauguration ceremony attended by dignitaries, community leaders, and residents.
Speaking at the commissioning, Oba Saheed Agbaje highlighted the significance of the borehole, noting that thousands of residents, including the Maternity Centre and the nearby police station, would benefit from the project.
“We thank God for today. This borehole is a critical resource for the community. We must ensure it is maintained to serve the people for years to come,” he said.
The monarch also emphasized the need to revive cultural events in the community to foster unity and attract visitors from beyond Ogun State.
“We need to start cultural events where various tribes can perform. Let’s find a way to bring this back to the Sabo community,” he urged.
In his remarks,the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ogun State on Inter-Ethnic Affairs, Prince Hadi Sani, commended the monarch for his unwavering support for the Sabo community.
He stressed the importance of maintaining the borehole, urging the leadership to assign a dedicated person to oversee its operation. “Over 90% of boreholes collapse due to poor management. This one must not fail,” he cautioned.
The Councillor representing Ward 9 in Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Olakunle Afolabi, also commended the efforts of the Sabo Stayte Carnival Committee for their impactful contribution to the community through the commissioning of a borehole project.
Hon. Afolabi expressed his appreciation for the committee’s initiative, noting its importance to the residents of Sabo.
He urged the committee to ensure inclusivity by involving members of the community who are no longer residing in Abeokuta, as well as those in the diaspora, in future projects and programs.
“We still have many of our people who are outside Abeokuta or in the diaspora. It is important to carry them along in initiatives like this so they can contribute meaningfully to the development of the community,” he said.
Hon. Afolabi also stressed the need for the community to take responsibility for maintaining the borehole to ensure its long-term functionality. “This project is for the benefit of everyone. Let us come together to maintain it so it serves the community for years to come,” he added.
In his address ,the Chairman of the Sabo Stayte 2024 Carnival Committee, Mr. Suraj Ibrahim, expressed his excitement over the successful completion of the project.
“We wanted to give back to the community, and this borehole is something the community will benefit from. I hope future committees will continue this legacy and undertake even bigger projects,” he said.
Meanwhile, a member of the committee, Adeosun Azeez, popularly known as Father, explained the motivation behind the project. “
“Water scarcity has been a significant issue in the Sabo community. After consultations, we decided to install the borehole at the maternity centre, which will serve not only the hospital but also the police station and surrounding areas,” he said.
Adeosun also addressed the growing issue of drug abuse, urging parents to monitor their children closely. “Drug abuse is a menace in our society. I advise youths to stay away from it and focus on their future,” he added.
The Seriki Hausa of Egbaland Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, Iyaloja of Lafenwa, Councillor of ward 8 Aboekuta North, Hon Waheed Akomolafe and Baale of Obasa praised the committee for their efforts and prayed for the project’s success.
The Seriki assured the community of his continued support for youth-led initiatives, stating, “Anything that concerns Sabo, we will come together to achieve it.”
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Sabo, SP Ahmed Yakubu, pledged to provide security for the borehole and the entire community.
The week-long Sabo Stayte Carnival featured various activities, including a trade fair, football competition, and the borehole commissioning.
The grand finale and award ceremony is scheduled for Monday, 30th December 2024.
The highlight of the event was the football final between Premier 5Aside FC and Legendary FC. The match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, leading to a penalty shootout where Legendary FC emerged victorious.
The Olu of Ilupeju Oke-Odo presented the trophy to the winning team, commending their sportsmanship.
Alhaji Shehu Usman, Chairman of the Arewa Community Political Forum in Ogun State, praised both teams for their performance, noting, “It was a friendly and peaceful game. I’m proud of the players and will host the winners to show my appreciation.”
The Sabo Stayte youth also congratulated the the Olu of Ilupeju Oke-Odo Gbagura Kingdomon on his birthday anniversary. They wish him long life and prosperity in good health.
