August 6, 2024

WATER FOR LIFE (W4L) PROJECT SERIES: THE ASSESSMENT

In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly recognized access to clean water and sanitation as a fundamental human right. This resolution affirms that every person is entitled to safe, sufficient, and affordable water for personal and domestic use.

Further strengthening this global mandate, Sustainable Development Goal 6 was established to ensure universal access to clean water and sanitation by the year 2030. Progress on this goal is measured by the availability and sustainable management of safely managed drinking water services.

However, for many rural communities across Nigeria, especially those on the outskirts of major cities like Abuja, access to clean water remains a serious challenge. These underserved areas are often burdened by poor sanitation infrastructure, contaminated water sources, and preventable diseases such as cholera.

The Challenge in Kaida Tsoho

In August 2024, the Nikki Udezue Foundation (NUF), in partnership with Dr. Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, conducted a detailed assessment in Kaida Tsoho community, a rural settlement within the Abuja Municipal Area Council. This visit marked the beginning of the Water for Life (W4L) project’s implementation in the community.

Kaida Tsoho was selected based on prior reports of water scarcity, poor sanitation, and repeated outbreaks of waterborne diseases. The assessment revealed that most residents rely on unsafe water sources like shallow wells or rain collection. For women and children, the task of fetching water meant long daily walks, missed school days, and increased exposure to health risks.

During the assessment, the NUF and Dr. Sir Emeka Offor Foundation team engaged local families, community leaders, and school authorities to better understand the challenges. It was discovered that many households lacked access to any hygienic water source, and open defecation was still common due to inadequate sanitation facilities.

What Water for Life Will Deliver

In response to these findings, the Water for Life project in Kaida Tsoho will include the following interventions:

Installation of a borehole water system to provide safe and consistent access to clean water
Establishment of a community water committee, responsible for basic maintenance and accountability
Organization of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) training sessions, especially focused on women and school-aged children
Rollout of environmental sanitation and hygiene education programs within the community and nearby schools

The goal is not just to provide infrastructure, but to also educate and empower the community to take ownership of the project and sustain it for future generations.

A Powerful Partnership

This impactful project is made possible through the partnership between the Nikki Udezue Foundation and Dr. Sir Emeka Offor Foundation. Both organizations share a deep commitment to grassroots development and social impact.

Dr. Sir Emeka Offor Foundation brought in additional technical and logistical expertise to strengthen the implementation phase of the Water for Life project. Together, the teams are working to ensure that the solution provided in Keida is sustainable, community-owned, and culturally relevant.

Mrs. Nikki Udezue, founder of NUF, remarked during the visit,
“We believe water is life. It should never be a luxury. Every child deserves to wake up knowing they have clean water to drink and a safe environment to grow. Kaida Tsoho is just the beginning.”

Join the Movement

The Water for Life project is more than a development initiative. It is a call to action for every individual, organization, and agency that believes in dignity, health, and equality.

Together, we can make clean water accessible, one community at a time.