The Leke Abejide Foundation has completed the grand finale of its Community Empowerment Initiative, disbursing ₦10 million each to 71 communities across Yagbaland in a major grassroots development intervention valued at ₦710 million.
The initiative covered communities in Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro Local Government Areas of Kogi State, with each community receiving direct financial support for projects identified by residents as immediate priorities.
Speaking during the final disbursement ceremony held in Ife-Olukotun, Leke Abejide said the programme was created to ensure that no community in the constituency was excluded from development opportunities.
According to him, the initiative allows communities to independently decide how the funds will be used, whether for agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure or other pressing needs.
He explained that the goal was to place resources directly in the hands of the people to accelerate development at the grassroots level without unnecessary delays.
Earlier disbursement events had also taken place in Ejuku and Ponyan, where beneficiaries received their cheques and were encouraged to utilise the funds for impactful projects capable of improving living conditions within their communities.
Abejide also used the tour to provide updates on several ongoing constituency projects, including the construction of a 2km drainage system and 1km asphalt road in Ejuku and Ife-Olukotun.
Despite delays in contractor payments, he assured residents that work on the projects would continue and pledged that no community along the Igbagun–Ife-Olukotun–Ponyan–Jege–Ejuku–Ijowa road corridor would be left out of the development plans.
Traditional rulers and community leaders across the constituency commended the intervention, describing it as one of the largest grassroots empowerment programs witnessed in the area.
The Elejuku of Ejuku, Folorunsho Lamide Ayeni, alongside community leaders in Ponyan and Ife-Olukotun, praised Abejide for sustained support across infrastructure, education and community welfare.
Community representatives disclosed that part of the grants would be invested in projects such as tractor schemes, road rehabilitation and other economic initiatives aimed at boosting livelihoods and improving local productivity.
Traditional rulers also highlighted previous interventions by the lawmaker, including support for schools, stipends for royal institutions and infrastructural development projects across Okunland.
The Ife-Olukotun Descendants Union commended the rehabilitation of the Igbagun–Alu–Oranre–Ife-Olukotun–Jege–Ejuku–Ijowa road, describing it as a critical intervention that would ease transportation challenges, improve the movement of farm produce, strengthen economic activities and enhance security in the area.
Director General of the foundation, Ayobami Dada, clarified that the funds were personal donations from the foundation’s chairman and not government allocations.
He added that monitoring teams had already been established to track projects and ensure the funds are properly utilised for community development.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Shola Adebola, appreciated residents and stakeholders for their cooperation throughout the week-long exercise.
Community leaders and residents across Yagbaland described the initiative as unprecedented in both scale and impact, saying it has strengthened confidence in community-driven development and grassroots representation.