As Sokoto State continues to grapple with a worsening water crisis, a local philanthropist has stepped in to provide urgent relief to communities struggling for access to clean and safe water.
The state, particularly its capital city, Sokoto metropolis, has been experiencing acute water scarcity for weeks. Residents blame the situation on erratic electricity supply, which has crippled the operations of the Sokoto State Water Board.
With taps running dry and water vendors charging high prices, many households have found themselves in dire straits.
In response, Faruku S. Fada, a well-known philanthropist and native of Sokoto, has launched a personal initiative to supply water to some of the hardest-hit communities.
Through the use of privately funded tanker trucks, he has delivered nearly 40 truckloads of water to neighbourhoods including Kofar Rini, Kofar Marke, Kanwuri, Madunka, Kofar Taramnia, and Kofar Atiku. He aims to reach 50 deliveries by the end of the day.
“Sokoto metropolis is a large city with a growing population, yet we have inadequate access to water due to persistent problems with the water board,” Fada told reporters.
“I couldn’t sit back and watch my people suffer. As a native of Sokoto, I see every resident as a brother or sister.”
Fada explained that his selection of the areas was based on population density and vulnerability to health risks that could arise from prolonged water scarcity.
He emphasized that the crisis is not new and that government interventions have yet to yield a sustainable solution.
To complement the water deliveries, Fada has already financed the construction of three large-capacity boreholes in different parts of Sokoto.
Each borehole is capable of storing up to 25,000 liters of water, providing a more stable and long-term solution for nearby households.
He said plans are underway to build additional boreholes across both the northern and southern parts of the state.
The philanthropist called on the Sokoto State Government to take a more strategic and intentional approach to resolving the water crisis.
He recommended the deployment of high-capacity generators to power existing water facilities and the implementation of large-scale borehole projects to enhance water distribution in the state.
“Water is life. Without it, you can’t achieve anything,” Fada said. “Government must be intentional and strategic about fixing this crisis.”
Beyond his water-focused interventions, Fada is also spearheading an economic empowerment initiative targeting women across the state.
He announced plans to launch a training program focused on the local production and packaging of noodles and snacks—a project he described as the first of its kind in Nigeria.
“I want to start with 100 women—50 from Sokoto North and 50 from Sokoto South—and eventually scale up to 200,” he said. “This will help them gain skills, generate income, and promote economic stability in Sokoto.”
Community leaders and residents have expressed gratitude for Fada’s efforts, describing him as a model of civic responsibility and compassion in a time of need.
