Christmas: Abejide Flags Off N1bn Food Distribution To Widows, Constituents In Kogi

* Promises N710m community support in 2026

The member representing Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, has flagged off the distribution of food items and other relief materials valued at about ₦1 billion to widows and constituents across the constituency as part of activities to mark the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Abejide said the gesture was part of his annual humanitarian intervention aimed at supporting widows and vulnerable constituents.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bashiru Abdul Mohammed, Thursday, Hon. Abejide stressed that the initiative has been sustained for about nine years.

According to him, the distribution will cover all the 34 wards and polling units across Yagba Federal Constituency to ensure that residents have food items to celebrate the festive season.

“The distribution of food items is my usual gesture. It will reach the 34 wards and all polling units across Yagba Federal Constituency so that our people can celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

“This initiative did not start today; it has been in existence for about nine years,” Abejide said.

He said the items lined up for this year’s distribution include 24,000 bags of 5kg rice, 10,000 packs of 2kg garri, 10,000 six-yard wrappers for widows, as well as salt, sugar and noodles.

Abejide said the initiative was driven by his passion for philanthropy and his commitment to showing genuine care for widows, especially during the festive period, in line with moral and religious teachings.

He also announced a review of his earlier pledge to support autonomous communities across the constituency. The lawmaker recalled that he had previously promised to support each of the 71 autonomous communities with ₦5 million but was unable to fulfil the pledge due to the demands of his governorship ambition at the time.

According to him, the pledge has now been reviewed upward, with a commitment to provide ₦10 million each to the 71 autonomous communities to support community-based projects.

“By 2026, all the autonomous communities in Yagba Federal Constituency will benefit. A total of ₦710 million will be disbursed to support community development projects,” he said.

The lawmaker, thereafter, formally flagged off the distribution exercise and urged those handling the process to ensure that the items get to all wards and polling units, particularly widows and other deserving beneficiaries across the constituency.