By: Manoah Kikekon
ActionAid Nigeria and the Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED), donated a boat, engine and life jackets to Ojogun Island in Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), in Badagry, Lagos State aimed at easing the movement of students, traders, and patients.
The commissioning and official handover held on Thursday 16 July 2026 in the community, For over 100 years of the communities existence, the Island’s residents have grappled with the high cost and safety risks of water transportation. The new initiative seeks to provide a safer alternative for school children, teachers, and those seeking urgent medical care on the mainland.
Mr. Kehinde Arowosegbe, the Partnership and Local Rights Specialist for ActionAid Nigeria, who represented Actionaid Country Director is Andrew Mamedu organization’s Country Director, Dr. Andrew Mamed, explained that the intervention was born out of a deep concern for the community’s prolonged suffering.
"The many years of suffering of the people in this community prompted this," Arowosegbe said. "It has been difficult for residents to access the mainland during emergencies. Oftentimes, a woman in labour requires extra effort because they can access medical care, and teachers are often unable to come to school and they most go to school, some arrive late while some do not stay. This intervention is here to bridge transportation gap hence, it is now community property. However there will be time to time monitoring by the people and ActionAid maintenance team.
Henry Adenigba, the Executive Director of Programs at HUFFPED, added that the donation is part of a broader commitment to supporting underserved riverine communities, including Aivoji, Akoko, Iragbo, and Pashi. "This is a laudable one which will provide succour to the entire community," Adenigba noted.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Executive Chairman of Olorunda LCDA, Hon. Ajose Peter Kumayon, who lauded the partnership and promised to scale up the intervention.
"I know the community still needs more support, and as a local government, we are also going to donate two engine boats and life jackets, with provisions for divers to accompany them," the Chairman announced.
He emphasized that the community would be responsible for managing the boats, with priority given to teachers and health personnel. "The people have to make sure they maintain this boat as it is important to their survival," he added, while also calling on other NGOs to partner with the council to further support local development.
The impact of the donation was immediately felt by the residents, who have long endured the dangers of unreliable water travel. Lukmon Asuramu, a community leader, described the intervention as a "great relief," and promised that the community would ensure the facilities are properly maintained.
Funmi Ewumi the Woman leader in a harrowing reflection on the past struggles of the community. "We are happy as women because we've lost several children to the lack of boats to take them to the hospital when they are sick," she said. "Just three days ago, a pregnant woman lost her baby because there was no means to take her to the hospital in time. We are really happy and grateful for this."
According to the project coordinator, Adebowale Keinde, "the intervention is expected to ease the long-standing transportation challenges faced by residents, providing safer and more reliable access to schools, healthcare services, markets, and other socio-economic opportunities inline line with the projet baseline findings."
The commissioning was led by the Executive Chairman of Olorunda LCDA and attended by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District V, the P&LRP Specialist, ActionAid Nigeria, the Executive Director of HUFFPED, alongside community leaders, women, youth, and other stakeholders.