By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The Member representing Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, has flagged off the distribution of food items and other relief materials valued at about ₦1 billion to widows and constituents across the constituency as part of activities marking the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Abejide described the intervention as an annual humanitarian initiative aimed at supporting widows and other vulnerable residents, noting that the programme has been sustained for about nine years.
According to him, the distribution exercise will cover all the 34 wards and polling units across Yagba Federal Constituency to ensure that beneficiaries are able to celebrate the festive season with dignity.
“The distribution of food items is my usual gesture. It will reach the 34 wards and all polling units across Yagba Federal Constituency so that our people can celebrate Christmas and the New Year. This initiative did not start today; it has been in existence for about nine years,” he said.
Abejide disclosed that items lined up for this year’s distribution include 24,000 bags of 5kg rice, 10,000 packs of 2kg garri, 10,000 six-yard wrappers for widows, as well as quantities of salt, sugar and noodles.
He explained that the gesture was driven by his passion for philanthropy and commitment to caring for widows and the less privileged, particularly during festive periods, in line with moral and religious teachings, adding that no society can achieve sustainable development if vulnerable groups are neglected.
The lawmaker further noted that beyond festive interventions, his office has continued to initiate programmes targeted at improving the welfare of constituents, including empowerment schemes, educational support and facilitation of federal projects across the three local government areas.
Abejide also announced a major review of his earlier pledge to support autonomous communities across the constituency.
He recalled that he had previously promised to provide ₦5 million each to the 71 autonomous communities but was unable to fulfil the commitment due to the demands of his governorship ambition at the time.
According to him, the pledge has now been reviewed upward, with a new commitment to provide ₦10 million to each of the 71 autonomous communities for the execution of community-based projects.
“By 2026, all the autonomous communities in Yagba Federal Constituency will benefit. A total of ₦710 million will be disbursed to support community development projects,” Abejide assured.
He stressed that the funds would be strictly monitored to ensure they are utilized for impactful projects such as rural roads, water supply, electricity and community halls that directly improve the living standards of the people.
Community leaders and beneficiaries at the event commended the lawmaker for his consistency and generosity, describing the intervention as timely and impactful, especially in view of the prevailing economic challenges facing many households.
They prayed for God’s continued guidance and strength for Abejide, urging him to sustain his people-oriented programmes and inclusive style of representation.
The lawmaker thereafter formally flagged off the distribution exercise and urged those coordinating the process to ensure transparency and equity, stressing that the items must reach all wards and polling units, especially widows and other deserving beneficiaries across the constituency.
