The Khalil Suleiman Halilu Foundation, KSHF, has emphasised the importance of access to clean water across rural and urban communities.
The foundation, which stated this during the virtual lunch of Give Africa—an arm of the KSH foundation on Thursday, maintained that access to clean water is a lifeline and not a luxury.
The event was themed “The Integral Role of Water in Community Development: Exploring its Social and Economic Impacts.”
The foundation revealed that it has commenced three notable initiatives through Give Africa to support communities across the northern region of the country.
The initiatives are to plant a tree, light up, and build a well.
According to Give Africa, under the Build a Well initiative, the foundation has constructed nine wells and five boreholes in Northern Nigeria through partnerships with Global Shapers Kano and Water the Needy Foundation.
They said the gesture is to enable the communities to have access to clean water.
In his opening remarks, the founder of KSHF, Khalil Suleiman, said the organisation aimed to simplify the act of giving.
“We want to utilise the power of technology and community to build a more inclusive society. Our goal is to simplify the act of giving. To address widespread distrust, we ensure that every contribution reaches those in need. We also celebrate the act of giving, as it transforms lives one act of kindness at a time,” Mr Suleiman said.
Also speaking, clean energy expert Edima Okodi stressed that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and not a privilege reserved for the affluent.
Ms Emdodi emphasised the significance of the organisation’s work and recommended further advancement towards sustainable practices to ensure long-term water availability.
“Globally, one in three children under the age of five lacks access to clean water, leading to diseases like cholera and diarrhea. This makes Give Africa’s work crucial, as it provides opportunities for children to grow healthy without having to walk long distances to fetch water.
“As the world changes right before our eyes due to climate change extremes draining water resources and exacerbating water scarcity, our focus must extend beyond providing water to embracing sustainable practices like conservation, rainwater harvesting, and efficient irrigation. This ensures that today’s conservation efforts make water abundant for the future. Access to water is a lifeline, not a luxury for a select few,” Ms Okodi said.
The event also featured a panel discussion on the topic “Water Accessibility in Relation to Education, Health, and Entrepreneurship’.
The panellists reiterated the need to bridge knowledge gaps regarding water management, lifecycle operation costs, and maintenance to facilitate easy access to education and healthcare.
