Honorable Leke Abejide : An Exceptional Leader, Impactful and Far-Reaching Legislator
By Rotimi Phillip
Odofin
If there is any one who has made quality legislative representation a delightful experience in the history of democracy in yagba federal Constituency, there is no other person than Honourable Engineer Leke Abijide.
His first term in office as a representative of the good people of Yagba Federal Constituency has brought about monumental Development to the Land which is accompany with so much humanitarian assistance of great impactful benefits to the people.
Little wonder why the people are eagerly awaiting another opportunity to return him to the green hollow chamber for another four years of positive legislations.
The downtrodden, the poor and the less privileged people have been enjoying the dividend of democracy and still enjoying better life owing to the help and support from his philanthropist gestures.
More so, Hon Abejide is equally matching human capital development with infrastructural development.
Just recently he confronted the monster of reconstructing the deplorable federal road that passes through Yagba Land.
He single-handedly reconstructed long-abandoned portion of Kabba Ilorin federal road with asphalt overlay, a fit which no one from the axis had ever attempted before now.
The road which has remained a nightmare to the people and commuters for decades is gradually taking a new and good shape through the dogged efforts of a man who has the concern, welfare and well-being of his people at heart.
Its also noteworthy to place on record that Hon Abejide has consistently been paying for the WAEC and NECO fees of Senior Secondary School students of the federal constituency for the past four years even before coming into office thereby lifting the burden of paying the fees by parents and guidance from yagba descendant.
Less than few weeks to end the year 2021, the astute politician crowned the year, December 2021 by dolling out empowerment equipments of great magnitude including vehicles as part of his empowerment scheme,desire to enhance the socio-economic status of the people.
The empowerment program was one of its kind in Yagba Federal Constituency, where no fewer than 2000 small entrepreneurs benefited from vocational training equipment, while cars, laptops, tricycles, motorcycles and mechanical tools, fertilizers in bulk were distributed by the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency, Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide specifically on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, in Yagba East.
The lawmaker has also enrolled young minds in various skill acquisitions programs to enhance their ability and also raise entrepreneurs in Yagba.
He equally selected youths across Yagbaland to ensure they were trained and empowered through the National Directorate of Employment NDE so as to promote diverse Agricultural extension.
During his remark at the MEGA empowerment programme, Hon. Leke Abejide thanked God Almighty for making it possible for him to have giving back to his people.
In his address, Hon. Abejide went down the memory lane on how his journey started politically, he initially felt politics is not good for his type considering his kind of person as a straightforward person, but said while he saw politics in okunland been played rightly, he decided to joined, he said.
Hon. Leke however revealed that he later yielded to the Clarion calls by his people to contest after a lot of persuation from them.
According to him,” after yielding to calls by my people, I therefore came home to launch the African Democratic Congress party ADC, and my people accepted me and the party wholeheartedly and they never regretted ever making such a decision”,
“The journey to National Assembly began in 2019 and has been doing my best to positively impacted on my people.and I promise I will continue to deliver people-oriented and dividend of democracy to my people.
He analysed his achievements so far since 2019, including the bills and motions he has sponsored on the floor of the House of Representatives, which includes 11 motorised boreholes and their locations, with the first empowerment program, payment of WAEC fees and others.
The Rep. Member said another round of payment of WAEC fees which will be the 4th phase will soon commence, while giving an estimation of his 5years projection to be about 375Million.
Within Hon. Abejide’s 2years in office he has been able to facilitates the rehabilitation of roads and reconstruction of Omuo-Oke road as well as the work ongoing projects, Igbagun-Alu-Ifeolukotun, which he said will be completed soon before the end of his first tenure.
” Hon. Abejide emphatically said that one of his major priority is the Iluagba-Mopa-Isanlu road which is being achieved through his personal resources.
Hon. Abejide reiterated that by the time the Iluagba-Isanlu road is done, it will remain one of the best Asphalt overlay , he further said the federal government has included the road in the 2022 budget while he also got assistance from a colleague who is the Chairman House Committee on Works and Housing, he promised to compliment his efforts on Iluagba – Isanlu road. He assured his people that he will continue to lobby and contact the relevant people at the top to ensure that the road is duelly constructed.
He was able to assist YAGBA indigenes into federal government paratatals and NCS even though
the recruitment started before he was elected.
“I cannot quantify the numerous financial assistance rendered by me to indigenes of Yagba, in area of businesses, education and health”. Also, the CBN 500 thousand naira loans were facilitated to 335 persons in Yagba, solar-powered streetlights have been installed in some communities and towns in the constituency which will go round to other communities soon.
Hon. Abejide reminded the people that he never forgot the promise of 5M project in each community across Yagba, the delay was due to the resources diverted to salvage the situations at the Iyamoye road and Iluagba-Isanlu road to ease the agony of the people who ply the road at the time Iyamoye road was cut off, we have to rescue the ugly situation, he said.
However, he gave the assurances that the projects will start soon but said they can not all be done at once but will be executed in phases.
On the perennial Insecurity In Yagba, Hon. Abejide,he promise to procure Vehicles to support the local hunters and vigilantes to protect lives of our people, and also secure farmlands.
“I want to commend the swift action of the gallant officers in the Egbe-Odo Ere robbery attack, they deserve our maximum support in all ramifications.
He said he will continue to support the Nigerian Police and will also continue to support them. As part of his contributions, Hon. Abejide built and maintained the Alu Police Station.
Hon. Abejide said he will continue to support police to combat insecurity and crime in Yagba.
At the recent empowerment programme, Hon Abejide ” Today is an epoch-making day in the history of Yagba as many lives will be transformed, he encouraged beneficiaries to use the items judiciously.
The empowerment materials distributed includes:
Vehicle,
Laptops,
Grinding Machines,
Sewing Machines,
Tricycles,
Motorcycles,
Generators and Clippers,
Fertilizers,
Hairdryers,
Electrical/ Mechanical tools,
Primary and Secondary school instructional materials and others.
Hon. Abejide said his focus in 2022 by God’s grace is on roads especially rehabilitation and grading revealed that he has bought some heavy equipments to repair the roads.
Hon. Leke, who is the Chairman, the House of Representatives Committee on Customs & Excise said the present leadership at the House of Representatives is committed to making laws that will help reduce the poverty rate and promote the economy of the country.
Hon. Leke said his primary function as a legislator is to make laws that will promote his constituency, but he has taken it upon himself not just to make laws but to also prioritise the needs of the people in his constituency through the empowerment program as a key responsibility also in line with his campaign promises.
He said the Mega Empowerment is one of the largest in Yagba as 70 motor vehicles, which includes: Highlander,Toyota Camry,Siena,Pontiac and Golf were distributed.He also said 25 vehicles are yet to arrive but are already in Nigeria.
300 grinding machines,
32 tricycles,
300 sewing machines,
40 motorcycles,
120 water pumps,
30 laptops,
44 dryers,
100 generators,
70 clippers,
80 mechanical/ electrical tools,
20 sewing machines and many more items were distributed today.
Hon. Leke advised the recipients to use the items for their upliftment. While appreciating the labour of love he has received from the people of Yagba Federal Constituency.
