In continuation of the
result-specific partnership and synergy of purposes between Welfarewatch
International (WI) and Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS, Ado-Odo Division), the
Project Manager of WI, Ademola Ayokanmi and the Ogun State Branch Divisions
Liaison Officer of RCS, Suraju Kehinde Yahya were in Alapoti, Asokere and other
villages that make-up the agrarian rural community.
Equally conspicuous in the Rural
Rapid Assessment (RRA) team were Messrs. Stephen Lazars and Kumar Girish. The
two expatriates were both representatives of the project’s principal partner
and financier, Ade-Folorunsho Technical Ventures, an indigenous company that
has chosen renovation and reconstruction of social infrastructure used mainly
by the less privileged, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in Ogun State and
beyond.
The tedious journey to farming
settlement began in Sango-Ota around 7.45am in the morning of May 24th,
2015 and after the bumping and romping drive due to bad roads and
inaccessibility, the visiting RRA team arrived at the Alapoti village two-an
half hours later.
Eager and expectant people of
Alapoti and other villages were on hand to welcome the group and were
subsequently conveyed round the communal infrastructure that serve more than
six villages, all surrounding Alapoti village.
Many social facilities were inspected
including community water sources, toilet points as well as the Catholic
Primary Schools in Asokere with virtually all its roofs gone or collapsing and
where they (roofs) were still standing, the walls are either dilapidated or
down completely.
From the team’s observation in the
course of conducting the needs assessment and information gathered from the
community people, the pupils of the school learn under strenuous conditions
with little or no encouragement for their teachers and mistresses on the part
of the state government though salaries are paid regularly. The school lacks
toilet facilities and clean water sources for hygiene purposes also.
As expected, the farming settlement
is deficient in healthcare service be it primary or whatever. The community,
according to the people depends on herbs for their survival during malaria attack
and every other sickness, as it takes a tedious ride to Atan Primary Health
Centre or Ota General Hospital for orthodox medical treatment. Revealing more during
the brainstorming session, it was said that pregnant women, children and the
aged were most vulnerable and at in terms of prompt medical attention in an
emergency situation.
After the assessment of the
community’s infrastructure, the visiting team sat down with the community
people to set priorities and through engagement decide on actions to be taken.
The interface that was well-attended by all the villages representatives, it
was resolved that the school needs urgent attention and should be given
priority along with the provision of functional borehole for the agrarian-community
to be located in Alapoti village for easy of accessibility by other people in
the satellite villages.
Before rounding up, a committee was
raised to marshal plans as well as coordinate the project implementation activities
and this includes nomination from the visiting team as well as the village
people. The committee members are expected to work and interact closely with a
view to making recommendations to the decision-makers on how best to conduct
the project activities.
Below are some of the pictures taken
during the rural rapid appraisal tour, brainstorming and engagement with people
of Alapoti, Asokere and other villages in the agrarian settlement, north of
Atan town, Ogun State.
