Rotary International District 9111 has partnered with District 3750, South Korea, to deliver a clean water project to a riverine community in Lagos, improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
The initiative, executed under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme, was implemented in the Isan Community in the Epe Local Government Area of Lagos, providing residents and schoolchildren with access to solar-powered clean water.
Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday during the ‘International Friendship Exchange Visit’ in Ikeja, the Governor of District 9111, Henry Akinyele, said the partnership with the South Korean district began through an online engagement and has since evolved into impactful community projects.
“We are delighted to welcome our friends from South Korea on this friendship exchange. This programme is about building bridges across cultures, sharing ideas, and partnering to create lasting impact in our society,” he said.
Akinyele noted that the relationship, which started during a virtual Water and Sanitation Hygiene engagement, led to the execution of the clean water project in Epe, adding that both districts are now exploring additional interventions.
“The relationship we started years ago translated into the WASH project in Epe, which has been successfully executed. This has spurred the desire to do more global grant projects together,” he added.
Highlighting the impact of the project, Akinyele said the intervention has reduced exposure to unsafe water sources and associated health risks.
“And as I said, apart from the students living healthier, before the water, they had to go maybe to swim, and there was a lot of stress from the lagoon, so many of them would be late to school. And they also contracted water-borne illnesses from the lagoon. So, this clean water now is like disease prevention,” Akinyele said.
He explained that the visit by the South Korean delegation would also include inspection of project sites and participation in the district conference.
“This visit is to build relationships, expand partnerships, visit project sites, and participate in our district conference, the largest gathering of Rotarians in the district,” he said.
The South Korean District Governor, Moon Ok Kang, noted that the water project has significantly improved living conditions in the host community.
“The clean water programme has made a real difference. Students now have easy access to clean drinking water and can focus better on their studies,” she said.
She added that the intervention has also improved access for surrounding communities and reduced illness.
“People in nearby villages now have easier access to clean water, which has improved their daily lives and reduced illness. This project is not just about water; it is about helping people live healthier lives and giving children a better future,” Kang stated.
Kang further disclosed that the next phase of Rotary’s intervention in Nigeria would focus on healthcare.
The project, valued at about $38,500, is part of Rotary’s global grant initiative and is powered by solar energy due to the absence of electricity in the riverine community. Rotary officials disclosed plans for a second phase alongside expanded collaboration on health-focused programmes.
The delegation from South Korea included Rotary Foundation Chair Jung Suk Lee, Grants Committee Chairman Gyung Hee Back, and Global Grants Expert Ku Dong Kim.
Rotary said the partnership underscores its commitment to sustainable development, particularly in underserved communities lacking access to basic infrastructure.
