The Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Ondo State Chapter, on Wednesday, 18th December held its 2025 End-of-Year Celebration and Awards Ceremony to mark a year of growth, impactful service delivery and professional excellence in the water drilling sector.
The event, which took place in Akure, was attended by the National President of AWDROP, Prof. Ipoola Okunlola; the National Vice President, South-West, Alhaji Najeem Areoye; state executive members and practitioners from across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
In his address, the Ondo State Chairman of AWDROP, Mr. Akinwa Vincent Temidayo, expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the association throughout the year, noting that despite various challenges, particularly health-related issues faced by some members, the association recorded no loss of life.
He highlighted AWDROP’s contributions to society through the provision of potable water to several public institutions, including the Nigerian Army Barracks, Akure; the Nigeria Police Headquarters, Igbatoro; the Federal Road Safety Corps office; the residence of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Akure; and a school project executed through the Brecan Initiative of Mrs. Betty Akeredolu.
According to him, two landmark projects were successfully completed to commemorate the end-of-year celebration. These include a borehole project at the residence of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant in Ondo State, Alagbaka, Akure, and the Okitipupa Zonal Water Project, executed in honour of the association’s Royal Patron, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Obatuja Adetoye, the Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, to serve the host community.
Mr. Akinwa also announced that the Ondo State Chapter now has a drilling rig machine donated by a member, as well as a plot of land donated by the association’s patron for the construction of a state secretariat.
In his remarks, the National President, Prof. Ipoola Okunlola, congratulated members on their achievements and disclosed that extensive manpower development programmes would soon commence. He explained that members would be trained at both national and chapter levels, noting that such trainings would now be conducted in Ondo State without the need to travel to Kaduna.
He emphasised that water plays a critical role in public health, noting that over 80 per cent of diseases are either water-borne or water-related.
According to him, planned trainings will cover drillers, hand pump technicians, geologists and supervisors, as well as professionals on proper drilling supervision and report compilation.
Prof. Okunlola also revealed that AWDROP has developed a mobile application capable of generating site coordinates from the cloud, urging members to key into the training programmes.
He added that the reintroduction of Bills of Quantities would enhance accountability and ensure better returns on investment for investors, drillers and consultants, stressing that water remains central to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Occasion, Engr. Benson Ajisegiri, commended AWDROP members for their competence and professionalism.
He urged the association to engage more qualified geophysicists, noting that inadequate surveys often result in financial losses during drilling operations.
He also called for a review of drilling costs to promote standardisation, sustainability and fairness within the industry.
Delivering a guest lecture, Dr. Bayode Gold spoke on the health implications of drilling activities on practitioners, advising members to prioritise occupational safety.
He highlighted hazards associated with the profession, including noise, vibration, dust exposure, heat stress and fatigue, while emphasising the need for safety consciousness, use of protective equipment and regular medical check-ups.
As part of the ceremony, past leaders and members who had served the association meritoriously were honoured. Those recognised included Alhaji Najeem Areoye Oyeyemi (former State Chairman and current National Vice President, South-West), Hon. Lolade Gbengudu (former Chairman and Deputy Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly), Mr. Obafemi Hassan (former Financial Secretary and current National Auditor), Pastor Wole Oniyire Jacob (former Public Relations Officer) and Mr. Austine Ogodo (former State Taskforce Coordinator).
Other award recipients included Engr. Dr. Benson Ajisegiri, Alhaji Yusuf Oluwatoyin (National Secretary, Board of Trustees), Commandant Oluyemi Ibiloye (NSCDC, Ondo State), Hon. Ayodele Samson Akande, Rt. Col. Gbogi Emmanuel, Chief Emuleomo Frederick Omolade, Engr. Emmanuel Rotimi Oladimeji, Mr. Omotayo Olofinbinu Thompson, Prince Adeniyi Ola Francis Adegbengbe and Engr. Ifedayo Ibukun, among others.
In a chat with newsmen, the National Vice President, South-West, Alhaji Najeem Areoye, congratulated members and assured them of the association’s continued commitment to their welfare, capacity building and professional development.
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