Leke Abejide Foundation Disburses ₦120m in Yagba East, Says Community Projects Funded by LAF
Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide says his foundation, Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF) not National Assembly allocations, is funding community projects in Yagba Federal Constituency as Isanlu receives ₦40m and eight other communities get ₦10m each.
The member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, has clarified that the ongoing multi-million naira community development interventions across Yagba land are being financed through his personal foundation and not through funds meant for National Assembly members.
Abejide made the clarification during the disbursement of ₦40 million to the Isanlu community under the Leke Abejide Foundation’s community empowerment initiative in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Speaking at the event held at the GYB Event Centre in Isanlu, the federal lawmaker cautioned against the growing public perception that lawmakers receive special allocations for such interventions, insisting that the projects are privately funded by his family foundation.
“Don’t indict your National Assembly member. It is my foundation that is financing these community projects,” Abejide stated.
He explained that his philanthropic activities predated his entry into politics, noting that he and his family had been involved in humanitarian and social intervention programmes long before he was elected into the House of Representatives in 2019.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at accelerating grassroots development, improving living conditions, and addressing infrastructural deficits across communities within Yagba Federal Constituency.
The Isanlu Community Development Association received a cheque of ₦40 million for projects identified and prioritised by the community, while eight additional communities — Ijowa, Iye, Ilotin, Ilafin, Odogbe, Ido-Jesa, Idofin and Irunda-Ile — received ₦10 million each.
The latest phase of the intervention brings the number of beneficiary communities under the initiative to more than 48.
Abejide disclosed that the long-term target of the foundation is to ensure that each of the 71 communities in Yagba Federal Constituency benefits from up to ₦50 million in development support over a four-year period.
He explained that the funds would be released in phases, depending on transparency, accountability and visible progress recorded by benefiting communities.
The lawmaker also urged residents to sustain their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the President as his political mentor and leader.
He said subsequent releases under the programme would depend partly on the level of political support and unity demonstrated by the communities.
Community leaders and stakeholders at the event commended the intervention, describing it as unprecedented in the history of representation in the constituency.
Among dignitaries present were the Executive Chairman of Yagba East Local Government Area, Hon. Monday Dare; member representing Yagba East in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Obaro; the Agbana of Isanlu, His Royal Majesty Oba Moses Itomi; and Overseer S.O. Aguda.
The speakers praised Abejide for sustaining interventions in education, healthcare, infrastructure, empowerment and employment across Yagba land.
The Agbana of Isanlu described the lawmaker as a dependable ally of the community, noting that his support for the area had started long before he ventured into partisan politics.
“There is no reason to replace someone who is performing,” the monarch reportedly said while urging residents to continue supporting the lawmaker.
Beneficiaries pledged to ensure prudent management of the funds and promised that the projects would be utilised to address critical community needs, including roads, healthcare, water supply and education.
The lawmaker announced that the next phase of the disbursement exercise would continue in Oke-Oyi communities.