By Babatunde Jimoh

Access to clean water, basic toilets, and good hygiene practices not only keeps children thriving, but also gives them a healthier start in life.
But many children go to schools with no drinking water, no toilets and no soap for handwashing, which making learning difficult and with devastating consequences for their future.
It is against this backdrop that WATERAid Nigeria, in partnership with Cummins West Africa recently gathered stakeholders for the foundation laying ceremony of WASH facilities at Oregun Junior High School in Ikeja, Lagos.
The foundation laying ceremony is part of efforts by WaterAid Nigeria at strengthening communities through sustainable water for 20 million people by 2025.
Speaking at the event, Thierry Pimi, Vice President, Cummins inc, said the foundation laying ceremony at Oregun Junior School was symbolic .
He said based on World Health Organization’s report that 785 million people lack basic services and 144 million people drink untreated water that they decided to join United Nations ‘ Water Resilience Coalition to provide sustainable water and sanitation to 100 million people in 100 water basins by 2030.
Pimi , who is also the Managing Director, Cummins Africa Middle East Area , added that ” after months of development with Water aid, I am extremely proud to finally see the launch of this wonderful WASH program here.”
Pimi said he hope that the foundation laying at Oregun will triggers a powerful movement across the country, ” and this can only be achieved through deep and strong collaboration.
While promising to continue to work with Water aid, Pimi said for the next three years that they hope to make a positive impact advancing water security for almost 200,000 people across Lagos and Abuja regions.
Also speaking at the event, the Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, thanked the Lagos State government for the enabling environment to situate the project which would go a long way in increasing school enrolment, completion and transition rate among public schools in Lagos.
Mere noted that the intervention also supports the Lagos State Educational Transformation Plan 2020 by improving WASH facilities and services in schools and correctional facilities in the state.
While commending Cummins and WaterAid Nigeria for their unwavering support to qualitative education in Lagos, Commissioner for Basic and I’ll Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said that the foundation laying serves as a collective commitment to providing students with the needed tools to succeed in school.
On his part, representative of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Jude Oyedele, said that the initiative would leave a lasting impact on the education community.
Oyedele urged other private sector players to join hands with the government in building more infrastructure in schools as their Corporate Social Responsibility.