Lawmaker Leke Abejide, representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, launched a N600 million financial intervention scheme through his non-profit organization in Kano State. The programme, tagged “Yoruba Community Political Mobilisation and Empowerment,” is designed to enhance economic self-reliance among women while galvanizing support for the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Abejide dedicated N500 million to interest-free loans for female entrepreneurs and businesswomen, alongside a separate N100 million grant specifically allocated for widows. The event also featured the distribution of food supplies, including bags of rice, alongside clothing and direct cash palliatives to attendees.
How is the empowerment structured?
To ensure proper accountability, recipients have been organized into cooperative societies based on their respective commercial sectors, facilitating structured loan disbursement and recovery. The initial phase caters to women from southwestern states—Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti—as well as Kwara, Kogi, and members of the Ebira, Igala, and Bassa ethnic groups residing in Kano.
Abejide explained that polling unit coordinators would be appointed from among the beneficiaries to drive grassroots political mobilization for President Bola Tinubu and other party candidates. He noted that similar humanitarian interventions have been sustained in Kogi State for over eight years, covering educational support such as WAEC fee payments for tens of thousands of students.
What were the reactions of leaders present?
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir- Yusuf lauded the federal lawmaker for the intervention, urging recipients to utilize the funds prudently and support government policies. The governor announced a personal and state donation of N100 million to bolster the foundation's efforts.
The traditional ruler, the Oba Yoruba of Kano, Murtala Alimi-Otisese, also commended the gesture, noting its positive impact on community welfare. Dignitaries at the well-attended gathering included former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and various regional community leaders.