By Folorunsho Joshua.
The developmental presence of the member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon (Elder) Leke Joseph Abejide, has become increasingly visible across Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, with a wide range of projects and interventions cutting across water supply, infrastructure, health, education, empowerment and security.
Across several communities in Mopamuro, residents have benefitted from the installation of motorized and solar-powered boreholes, including in Takete Idde, Ikeji Compound, Orokere Old Site, Efo Amuro (a Fulani community) and Aiyede Amuro, significantly improving access to potable water.
In the area of infrastructure, Abejide facilitated the grading and opening of key rural roads, notably the Orokere–Oroke Road and the Oke-Agi–Imela axis, enhancing connectivity, ease of movement and local economic activities. Selected communities in Mopamuro have also benefitted from the installation of solar-powered streetlights , improving security and night-time visibility.
Employment and empowerment form a major plank of the lawmaker’s interventions. Indigenes of Mopamuro have secured jobs with the Nigeria Customs Service, while others have benefitted from political appointments at both federal and local government levels through his facilitation. In addition, over 21 motorcycles were distributed to beneficiaries in the LGA.
Through multiple mega empowerment programmes, spanning the three Yagba local governments, Mopamuro residents received items such as cars, tricycles, motorcycles, sewing machines, grinding machines, generators, laptops, water pumps, hand dryers, as well as mechanical and electrical tools. Another round of empowerment also saw the distribution of similar items alongside food supplies.
The lawmaker’s Special Adviser on Public Communications—Bashiru Abdul Mohammed, stated that the women and small-scale traders in Mopamuro have not been left out, cooperative societies in the LGA accessed an interest-free loan facility totalling ₦25 million, while several women entrepreneurs received direct cash support to boost their businesses. Widows in Mopamuro have consistently benefitted from the distribution of food items, clothing and relief materials for over four years, as part of a wider Yagba intervention.
In the education sector, Abejide facilitated the distribution of textbooks to all public primary and secondary schools in Mopamuro, alongside the provision of modern tables and chairs to selected schools, helping to improve the learning environment.
Health interventions includes, free medical care for pregnant women and children aged 0–5, a deworming programme for children under five, and the delivery of medical equipment to Mopa General Hospital*, strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
Farmers in Mopamuro have also benefitted from the distribution of agricultural seedlings, aimed at boosting food production and supporting rural livelihoods.
Beyond social and economic interventions, the lawmaker has contributed to community safety. He provided a vehicle and motorcycles and placed local youths, popularly known as “Lion Squad,” on stipends, equipping them with logistics to support efforts against banditry across Mopamuro.
Traditional institutions have equally received attention, with SUVs provided to all traditional rulers across Yagba, including beneficiaries from Mopamuro.
Community leaders and residents note that Hon. Abejide has also supported numerous community development initiatives through direct donations, reinforcing his grassroots engagement.
Observers and residents of Mopamuro says the scale, spread and consistency of these interventions point to what many describe as an unprecedented developmental footprint in Mopamuro Local Government Area, with supporters arguing that the record stands out when compared to previous representations of Yagba Federal Constituency and Kogi West Senatorial District.
