Ighodalo Oyakhilome Princewill, from Benin City, Nigeria enjoyed a float ride in the July 4th celebration and parade in Rexburg last week. He wanted to come and say "thank you" to the Rexburg Rotary Club, and all the clubs in District 5400, for all they've done to provide clean water in Nigeria.

"I'm glad to be part of this celebration. This is actually my first float ride since I was born and I'm glad I'm here, and like I said to my fellow Rotarians here, I will go back home and make a copy of what I've seen, right over there on our Independence Day, which is October 1st".

Princewill says the Rotary Clubs have helped 28 villages in Nigeria gain access to clean water. There's an average of about 2,000 people in each village. Princewill said, "It makes me feel great because we have been able to cut down the incidences of water-borne diseases in my community by about 75%, so our children no longer die of diarrhea and vomiting".

Darla Wilson, President of the Rexburg Rotary Club said , "Rotary was first started here in America by people who wanted to serve others. Rotary has provided us a means to serve people all over the world."

Rusty Broughton of Idaho Falls was the Chair of our Districts' efforts to finance these water projects. This was not Princewill's first visit to our District. He was a featured speaker at District Conference a few years ago.

This article is excerpted from Sasha Zimmerman's story on KPVI News 6.