Member representing Yagba federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Elder Leke Abejide has bemoaned the rate at which students dropped out of school due to financial constraints.
He made this known during the grand finale of this year’s payment of West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for all students in Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro local government areas of Kogi state in Isanlu on Friday.
The Rep member said he is mulling the idea of extending the payment to the entire Kogi West senatorial district, adding that he is not pleased with the state of students who always drop out of school from SS2 due financial challenges.
This year’s payment made it the fourth consecutive years the Rep member is paying WAEC fees of all students in both public and private secondary schools in Yagba federal constituency.
Abejide challenged those criticising him to take up the challenge and begin payment of National Examination Council (NECO) which is cheaper.
He enjoined the secondary school students to study well and hold on to the words of Abraham Lincoln as they study; “I will study and get ready, someday my time will come”.
He reminded them that there is no magic to success.
“It is about hard work, right choices and persistence. I charge you with the words of Henry Wadsworth; ‘The heights great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, rather they were attained while their companions slept they toiling in the night.’
“Students, I want you all to shun all social vices, despicable acts and hooliganism. Resist peer pressure and remain focused, also set goals for yourselves, ask teachers questions and study and in all pray to God to crown your efforts with success,” he counseled.
Hon. Abejide congratulated all beneficiaries of this year’s payment and their parents. He coveted their prayers that God grant him more strength, grace and opportunities to do more of these.
While reacting to allegations levelled against by an unnamed aspirant who vowed to unseat him in 2023, Abejide stated that he is aware that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) visited Yagba federal constituency, checked all projects executed and were satisfied.
The federal lawmaker noted that just in two and half years he has served as his people’s representative, he has spent more than 20 times what he can get in the government.
“Yagba is one of the most envied constituencies. The name of the constituency rings a bell across the country in terms of human development index, capital projects and quality representation.
“The bars of representation is already raised very high in Yagba Federal Constituency. God will not allow whoever wants to bring it down to take the seat.
“The election is near. Your PVC is your voice and its another opportunity to choose the next calibres of leaders wisely,” he said.
He assured that the reconstruction of Iluagba-Isanlu road he embarked upon last year will be continued with asphalt overlay, especially the Mopa township axis, adding that other rural roads across Yagba land have been marked for construction.
“The Chairman, House Committee on Works noticed my efforts on the road and gave a special fund for the portion I am executing. I have put it on myself that this is what I will be doing yearly. This year, we will flag some other roads,” he added.
