The Leke Abejide Foundation has completed the disbursement of ₦710 million to 71 communities across Yagbaland under its Community Empowerment Initiative aimed at supporting grassroots development projects.
Each community in Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro Local Government Areas of Kogi State received ₦10 million to execute projects considered important by residents.
The grand finale of the disbursement exercise was held in Ife-Olukotun, Okeoyi in Yagba East LGA, where the member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, said the initiative was designed to ensure that every community benefits directly from development support.
According to him, the programme was created to allow communities identify and solve their own pressing challenges without waiting endlessly for government intervention.
“This initiative is about putting resources directly in the hands of the people so they can address their most pressing needs without delay. From agriculture to infrastructure, education to health, the choice of projects lies with the communities themselves,” Abejide said.
The disbursement exercise was earlier held in Ejuku and Ponyan before concluding in Ife-Olukotun, with community representatives receiving cheques on behalf of their people.
Beneficiaries were advised to invest the funds in visible and impactful projects capable of improving living conditions within their communities.
Abejide also used the tour to update residents on ongoing infrastructure projects within the constituency, especially road construction works linking several communities in Yagbaland.
He assured residents that work would continue on the ongoing 2km drainage and 1km asphalt road projects in Ejuku and Ife-Olukotun despite delays in contractor payments.
The lawmaker stated that Ponyan community would also benefit from the ongoing road interventions and stressed that no community along the Igbagun–Ife-Olukotun–Ponyan–Jege–Ejuku–Ijowa corridor would be abandoned.
According to him, construction activities would continue across communities along the route as more funds become available.
Speaking during the event in Ponyan, President of the Ponyan Development Association, Hon. Fabola Banjo, disclosed that the community plans to use its ₦10 million grant to support a community tractor scheme targeted at improving agricultural activities.
He praised the intervention and pledged continued support for Abejide’s political future.
Traditional rulers and community leaders across the constituency also commended the initiative, describing it as one of the largest direct community support programmes witnessed in the area.
At the Ejuku event, the Elejuku of Ejuku, Oba Folorunsho Lamide Ayeni, alongside the President of the Ejuku Development Society, Pastor Adetiba Walid, praised Abejide for sustaining support across multiple sectors including infrastructure, education and community welfare.
The Ife-Olukotun event attracted a large crowd of residents, youth groups and traditional rulers who gathered to celebrate the completion of the empowerment exercise.
Abejide further disclosed that he had reached an agreement with contractors handling the Igbagun–Ponyan–Ijowa-Isanlu road project to continue earthworks on the route pending asphalt overlay.
According to him, the decision was necessary to make the road motorable for residents and farmers moving goods across communities.
Yagba East Local Government Chairman, Hon. Joshua Dare, and Kogi State House of Assembly member, Hon. Emmanuel Obaro, also praised Abejide’s representation at the National Assembly.
They urged residents to continue supporting both President Bola Tinubu and Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, saying more development projects would come to the constituency through sustained political support.