AN NGO, Real Act of Kindness (RAK) Foundation, on Sunday inaugurated electrification projects in seven communities in Badagry area of Lagos State to enhance the living standard of people.

Inaugurating the projects, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Pioneer of RAK Foundation, said he never knew that the project would be such financially intensive.

Ogunlende, however, thanked Allah that the projects had become a reality and successful story.

He said: “I always said it is not about me, it is about doing what Almighty Allah asked us to do, such as quenching thirst, inspiring change and empowering generations, which are our guiding principles at RAK.

“The communities reached out to me about 14 months ago.

“I called them for a meeting where people from the community told me that they have transformer, but have not been able to connect it for over six years, that was how our journey began.”

Ogunlende said it was normal to give helping hands to one another and restore hope in the lives of people.

He said that when the request was made, what came to his mind was the Holy Quran chapter 17 verse 30 Suratul Anbiya, which says, “And God said let there be light and there was light.

“The same was also said in Genesis 1:3, let there be light and there was light. I am answering my calling,” Ogunlende said.

He said that for miracles to happen, there must be obstacles, thanking God for the enablement to overcome many obstacles facing the NGO.

“I thank God that with the little we have, we have been able to complete the electrification of these seven communities.

“The beneficiary communities are Pogbe CDA; Progressives CDA Agblemakaku CDA, Achievers CDA, Ifesowapo CDA, Ashiribo CDA and Alafia CDA.

“I am glad and fulfilled that people in the communities are happy. We are not here to change the whole world, but to make a difference,” the foundation pioneer said.

Also, Mr Akeem Agbeleye, the foundation Engineer, said that the electrification projects cost the NGO about N5.2 million.

According to Agbeleye, these include purchase of concrete poles, fixing, aluminum conductor, cross bars, insulators and other administrative charges.

“There was a time that we were facing challenges including theft, but Ogunlende was focussed and magnanimous enough to continue with the project, even in the face of the challenges,” he said.

Reacting to the development, Mr Olajide Lawal, Chairman, Transformer Committee in Toga-Todovi Community, said it was a great news when the Lagos State Government under former Gov. Babtunde Fashola, gave the transformer to the community in 2015.

“Our happiness was soon short-lived when the transformer was abandoned, and all efforts to power it through letters, calls, visit and the likes, were futile.

“At a time, we resigned to fate, thinking that some witches and wizards were responsible for our plights.

“We got to know about RAK during his yearly Ramadan Free Feeding programme and something inspired us to reach out for some support.

“To our greatest surprise, we received his feedback that he was ready to support us, and here we are today, a six-year abandoned project is now fully funded by an indigenous NGO.

“Indeed, we are glad and we cannot, but continue to thank this young God sent man,” Lawal said.

In his remarks, Chief Samuel Amosu, the Baale of Toga, said that the transformer had been lying idle for over five years due to lack of financial ability by the community to power it.

“We thank God that after writing to RAK Foundation, our dream came to reality.

“We cannot compare RAK to other people with means, they have more than enough, but  they failed to use it” he said.

Amosu, however, urged other well meaning Nigerians, especially Badagry indigenes to follow the footstep of RAK Foundation.

Also, Mrs Wuraola Sewenu, a petty trader in Todovi Community, said the residents were faced with many challenges due to lack of power until RAK came to their rescue.

“Because we need regular electricity supply in the community and we don’t have it, we faced a lot of challenges such as low sales.

“Our husbands do not always stay at home with us, they come late in the evening due to lack of power supply.

“We thank RAK Foundation for this support, and we pray that God will continue to protect him and lift him high,” she said. (NAN)

-Feb, 21, 2021 @ 18:59 pm