Magnusson Award winner has changed lives through new community solar powered water system 

A recent recipient of the Magnusson Award has changed lives thanks to a project installing a solar-powered water system in his local community.

MSc Environmental Management student Chidozie Kenneth Nwaigwe received theMike Smith Magnusson Award, a financial award given towards a project of the recipient’s choice.

The Magnusson Awards, established in 2007, are made possible thanks to the work of the GCU Foundation, which raises funds to help transform lives through education. The Foundation has raised over £10million to date, supporting thousands of students through a variety of educational opportunities.

After a successful application, Chidozie has been able to put his award towards an important project: building a 24-hour central water dispensing site for a community in Nigeria, which currently suffers from acute shortage of potable water.

Now completed, Chidozie is delighted to see the positive effect that the project has had on the community and how transformative it will be to the lives of those who live there.

We spoke to Chidozie about the project:

How did it feel to have been awarded the Magnusson Award that allowed you to complete this task in the first place? 

“It was a dream come true and the feeling was ecstatic. That £1m jackpot winning feel!

I had always longed for the day when my community will boast of having potable water and knowing my efforts have brought this dream to reality, gives me a feeling of accomplishment. It feels good knowing that people there will no longer have to put their health at risk by consuming unsafe water from rivers, streams and even rainwater.”

Could you tell us a bit about the water system project – what did it mean to you and what sort of work was involved to complete it?

“The project is a solar powered borehole system, which combines a mix of manual borehole drilling technique and modern-day solar system installation. The inspiration to use solar power is borne out of my strong love for environmental protection which is in conformity with SDG Goal 6 & 13. I also want to lend my voice to the negative effects of global warming.

The project lasted for a total of 10 days. I travelled from the UK to Nigeria to personally supervise the work. We began drilling on 2nd July 2022 and moved onto the well completion processes, plumbing, the overhead water tank installation, and the solar system installation.   

The project involved Professors from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri-Nigeria, and some lecturers, together with various artisans and locals, who teamed up to make it a success. They were all involved from the initial ground survey, up until the project completion on 11th July 2022.

The project means a lot to me as it not only provides potable water for indigent Nigerians, but also demonstrates a prototype of what modern water aid should be, with regards to environmental protection. The project signposts my commitment as an environmentalist to always ensure that I give my best towards global carbon emission reduction and environmental protection.”

Now that the project is finished, how beneficial will this be to the people who have access to this new innovative water system? 

“A few days ago, I put a video call across to Nigeria to see how things were moving. Lo and behold, I was met with a crowd of women and youths who were lined up to fetch water. They were all joyful and took turns to pray for the donors of the Magnusson Fund and indeed the management of Glasgow Caledonian University.  

The project has made life easier as it saves them from walking long distances to fetch “not so clean” waters from the local river. This project also saves the residents from waterborne diseases, which prior to this time have been a recurring menace responsible for illnesses and sometimes deaths in the local area. Quality of life has indeed been transformed positively through this noble project.”

Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping with the project? 

“I especially want to pass on my appreciation to my lecturer in Renewable Energies, Dr. George Loumakis, who always gave excellent professional guidance on everything related to the solar system installation. I also want to show my appreciation to lecturers from the Geology department of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri – Nigeria, who contributed knowledge and expertise to the success of the project. Notable mentions to Prof. C.C.Z Akaolisa, Prof. S.O. Onyekuru, Mr. Okechukwu Stephen, Mr. Calistus Iwuji etc.

My appreciation would not be complete if I do not recognise the principal of the University, Prof. Pamela Gillies, Dr. Sally Magnusson, Susan Rogers and indeed every donor to the Magnusson Fund. I say unequivocally that your efforts are greatly appreciated in faraway Nigeria, and you are touching lives and making lifelong impacts. I pray we can do more of these such projects, to reach out to more people in need in the Global South and put everlasting smiles on all these faces. “

Find out more about the Magnusson Award on the GCU website

By Rachael McAlonan   

Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media  here