Leke Abejide Disburses ₦130m to Mopamuro Communities, Says His Social Intervention Started Before Politics, Unveils Road, Digital Projects
The member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, has declared that his long-standing social intervention programmes across Yagbaland began years before his entry into partisan politics, as the Leke Abejide Foundation disbursed over ₦130 million to communities in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The lawmaker made the remarks during a community engagement and empowerment programme held in Otafun-Amuro, where he met with representatives and stakeholders from Takete-Ide, Aiyedayo Oroke-Amuro, Otafun-Amuro, and other communities within the Amuro axis.
The intervention programme, which drew traditional rulers, political leaders, development associations, and residents from different communities, featured the distribution of funds for community-based development projects and announcements of additional infrastructure and educational initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Abejide said his passion for humanitarian service and grassroots empowerment did not start with politics, recalling that he had been involved in social intervention programmes in Yagba land as far back as 2014.
According to him, one of his earliest interventions involved the empowerment of 500 women with ₦20,000 each, an amount he noted would be worth significantly more in today’s economy.
“I have been doing social interventions long before I joined politics. This is not government money. If anyone says it is government money, then such a person is indicting those in government,” Abejide stated.
He also cited his sponsorship of WAEC examination fees for students across the constituency since 2018 and earlier community engagements dating back to 2012 as evidence of his sustained commitment to grassroots development.
The federal lawmaker described giving as part of his personal calling, stressing that his goal was to leave behind a lasting legacy of development and empowerment in Yagba Federal Constituency.
Road, Education and Digital Projects Announced
Beyond the financial interventions, Abejide unveiled several development projects aimed at improving infrastructure and digital education within Mopamuro communities.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of roads within the area and immediately announced the commencement of drainage and asphalt work on the Takete-Ide–Aiyede-Amuro road.
According to him, the project will begin with the construction of two kilometres of drainage and one kilometre of asphalt from the Takete-Ide axis.
Abejide also disclosed plans to establish a computer laboratory and digital awareness centre at Community Secondary School, Amuro, alongside a Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre for JAMB candidates in Mopamuro Local Government Area.
He explained that the initiative was aimed at improving digital literacy and expanding educational opportunities for young people within the constituency.
The lawmaker noted that only a few centres across the country were expected to benefit from the programme.
He further maintained that all projects being implemented under the initiative were personally funded through the Leke Abejide Foundation, adding that contractors handling some of the projects were yet to be fully paid.
“People think National Assembly members have unlimited access to funds, but many of these projects are being financed personally to make life easier for our people,” he said.
Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
Abejide also used the occasion to rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He told the communities that continued support and cooperation would encourage more development projects across the constituency, adding that accountability and proper utilization of funds by beneficiary communities would determine the release of future tranches.
The lawmaker noted that one of the expectations from beneficiary communities was overwhelming support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Stakeholders Commend Intervention
Political leaders, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders who spoke during the event commended Abejide for what they described as sustained grassroots development and people-oriented representation.
Among those present at the programme were the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo; Chief Charles Yomi Olorunsola; and Pastor Babatunde Samuel, popularly known as Esanuaje and Mr. BABLO.
Traditional rulers and community leaders also lauded the intervention, including Chief Richard Dare Fiki, National President of Takete-Ide Progressive Union; Oba Kayode Atte of Otafun-Amuro; Oba J.S. Caleb, Alaiyede of Aiyede-Amuro; HRH Oba Alfred Modupe Aiyedogbon, Alamuro of Amuro; and several presidents of development associations across the area.
Pastor Babatunde Samuel described the interventions as timely, noting that the projects had restored hope and renewed confidence among residents of the benefiting communities.
Breakdown of Disbursement
The empowerment programme saw ₦20 million disbursed to the Ileteju and Odole axis in Mopa, while ₦10 million each was distributed to communities including Ilai, Okeagi, Ilemo, Ijagbe, Otafun-Amuro, Takete-Ide, Aiyedayo Oroke-Amuro, Aiyede-Amuro, Orokere-Amuro, Agbajogun-Amuro, and Okagi-Amuro.
Community leaders assured the lawmaker that the funds would be judiciously utilized for projects that would directly impact residents and improve living conditions across the communities.