‘I Have Been Doing Social Intervention Programmes in Yagbaland’ – Leke Abejide Says ‘I Started Before Politics’ as His Foundation Disburses ₦130m to Mopamuro Communities
Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, member representing Yagba Federal Constituency, has said his social intervention programmes predated his entry into politics, as he extended empowerment and infrastructure support to communities in Yagba land.
Speaking during a visit to Otafun Amuro, where he met with representatives of Itake-Ide, Aiyedayo Oroke-Amuro, and Otafun-Amuro, Abejide spoke at the ₦10 million community empowerment initiative sponsored by the Leke Abejide Foundation.
He said he had been engaged in social intervention programmes in the constituency since 2014, when he empowered 500 women with ₦20,000 each.
- Advertisement -
He pointed out that given the value of the naira at the time, the amount would run into several millions today.
He cited the payment of WAEC examination fees for students in 2018, said it has continued to date, and confirmed his earlier visit to the area in 2012 as examples.
“I have been doing social intervention long before I joined politics. It is not government money. If you say it is government money, then you are indicting the people in government,” he said.
He noted that giving is his ministry, and that was why he decided to give back to the people and communities, believing that his legacy must live on even after he leaves office.
The lawmaker said he was not comfortable with the condition of their roads, and announced that work would commence immediately with 2km of drainage and 1km of asphalt on the Takete-Ide–Aiyede-Amuro road, starting from the Takete-Ide axis.
He also disclosed that National Assembly members do not have the kind of money people think they have, stressing that contractors handling various projects were yet to be fully settled as he was funding the projects personally “to make life easy for people.”
He announced the establishment of a computer laboratory and digital awareness centre at Community Secondary School, Amuro, and a CBT centre for JAMB candidates in Mopamuro LGA to improve digital literacy.
He noted that only four centres across the country would benefit from such programmes.
Abejide reiterated that all projects were ongoing and funded from his personal resources through the Leke Abejide Foundation, urging communities to take ownership and ensure accountability.
He said the only condition for releasing subsequent tranches was for the people to deliver 100% votes to his mentor and leader, President Bola Tinubu, during the 2027 general elections.
Abejide charged the people to continue giving their cooperation and support, saying that was the only way to encourage him to do more.
Stakeholders from different communities pledged total support for both Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide and President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming general elections.
Those who spoke included Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communication in Kogi State; Chief Charles Yomi Olorunsola; and Pastor Babatunde Samuel of Esanuaje, leader and deputy leader of Mopamuro respectively.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, and association presidents who received Abejide commended the gesture.
They included Chief Richard Dare Fiki, National President of Takete-Ide Progressive Union; Otunba Olayemi Tuesday, Otunba of Takete-Ide; Kabiyisi Otafun-Amuro, Oba Kayode Atte; Chief Olowu Monday of Aiyedayo Oroke-Amuro; Pastor Obadofin Obadiah, Chairman of Otafun Development Association; Oba J.S. Caleb, Alaiyede of Aiyede Amuro; Hon. Ayodele Ige Solomon, President of Aiyede Amuro Development Association; Chief Oludipe Anshewo; Chief Kunle Agbogun; and HRH Oba Alfred Modupe Aiyedogbon, Alamuro of Amuro.
Also present were Chief Olubunmi Ajiboye of Ilai, Hon. Christopher Rotimi Akindele of Ijagbe Mopa, Chief Andero Titus of Okeagi, and Chief Ayodele Joseph Oluwole, who represented Mopa Development Association.
Chief Babatunde Samuel, popularly known as Pablo, described the intervention as timely and said the projects had restored hope in the communities.
The highlight of the event was the disbursement of ₦20 million to the two axis of Ileteju and Odole in Mopa, while ₦10 million each was given to Ilai, Okeagi, Ilemo, and Ijagbe communities, and to Otafun-Amuro, Takete-Ide, Aiyedayo Oroke-Amuro, Aiyede-Amuro, Orokere-Amuro, Agbajogun-Amuro, and Okagi-Amuro in the Amuro axis.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MAY 13TH 2026)
