By Dada Ahmed.
The need for quality representation by elected political office holders in Nigeria, as a legitimate demand of the citizenry who elected them into power, cannot be overemphasized.
Political observers believe that lack of quality representation by many elected politicians in various political offices of the country since the down of democracy in 1999, can aptly been described as one of the factors responsible for the social, economic and political crises facing Nigeria.
They argue that the failure by some politicians to adhere to the true nature of politics, by seeking to advance the cause of people’s welfare while in public office, has heightened Peoples for dividends of democracy with disturbing consequences in some instances.
However, all hope for the desired dividends of democracy from elected politicians in Nigeria is not lost as some of them have imbibed the culture of paying back not only to the society, for the privilege of being elected, but also ensuring the upliftment of the material condition of their constituents.
The essence of this concept came alive recently in Kogi State when a member representing, Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro Local Governnent Areas of Kogi State, Hon. Leke Abejide, (Yagba Federal Constituency), launched a MEGA Empowerment programme for the improvement in the wellbeing of his people.
The epoch-making occasion, which brings joy and satisfaction to his constituents, has been described as the largest and one of its kind in Yagba Federal Constituency, as no fewer than 2,000 small entrepreneurs benefited from his vocational training equipment, cars, laptops, tricycles, motorcycles and mechanical tools among other gestures.
The occasion saw the distribution of 70 motor vehicles, Highlander, Toyota Camry, Siena, Pontiac and Golf, 300 grinding machines, 32 tricycles, 300 sewing machines, 40 motorcycles, 120 water pumps, 30 laptops, 44 dryers, 100 generators, 70clippers, 80 mechanical/ electrical tools, 20 sewing machines.
The empowerment materials distributed also include: Fertilizer, Hairdryers, Electrical/ Mechanical tools, Primary and Secondary school instructional materials and others.
Eunice Abraham Ibukun, the Specia Assistant( Media and Publicity) to Honourable Leke Abejide,Yagba Federal Constituency,stated this in a statement she issued recently.
The lawmaker, she added,also enrolled young minds in the area into various skill acquisitions programmes,to enhance their knowledge and ability and for entrepreneurship and for self reliance.
“Also, selected youths across Yagba were trained and empowered, through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), to promote diverse Agricultural extension,” the legislative further revealed.
In his remark while launching the distribution of the materials,Hon. Abejide did not only thank his people for electing him into such position of responsibility, but more importantly, God Almighty, for making his victory at the electoral college possible.
Going down memory lane, on how his political journey started, the legislator said he felt politics was not good for his type of person,considering the fact that he was noted for straightforwardness but was surprised that his people kept on persuading him to contest until he yielded to their call contested and won the the election.
“The journey to National Assembly began in 2019 and has been impactful, I will continue to deliver people-oriented policies to the people,” he he further promised.
Presenting his other score cards of achievements since 2019, he disclosed that he sponsored bills and motions, constructed 11 motorised boreholes and did the first empowerment programme( payment of WAEC) fees among others.
The legislative’s aide qouted her boss as saying that, the 4th phase of WAEC payment would soon be done, while his 5-year projection in that regard would gulp about N 375 million.
He assured the widows that their welfare from him would not stop, in addition to providing the area with classroom furniture and instructional materials.
The House of representatives member said within 2 years in office, he had been able to facilitate rehabilitation of roads and reconstruction of Omuo-Oke road while work on Igbagun-Alu-Ifeolukotun is ongoing,”to be completed soon by God’s grace before the end of his first tenure.”
”Hon. Abejide made it clear that his major concern is the Iluagba-Mopa-Isanlu road which is being achieved through personal resources, “Ibukun said.
The legislator said he had also carried the cry of his people to the door step of the federal government which included the road in the 2022 budget, adding that he also got assistance from his colleague, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Housing in 2022 budget to compliment his efforts on Iluagba – Isanlu road.
The federal legislator, who said that he would continue to lobby and put in personal efforts to get the road constructed, added that he was able to assist YAGBA indigenes into federal government parastatals and Nigeria Customs Service, although the recruitment started before he was elected.
“I cannot quantify the numerous financial assistance rendered by me to indigenes of Yagba in areas of business, education and health,” the federal lawmaker further disclosed.
He also told his people to
that he facilitated the CBN N500,000 loans to 335 persons in Yagba in addition to installing
solar-powered street lights in some communities and towns in the constituency, assuring that such effort would reach other communities soon.
On security,Hon. Abejide decried insecurity in Yagba, promising that in no distant time, he would procure vehicles to support the local hunters and vigilantes to secure farmlands and forests.
“I want to commend the swift action of the gallant officers in the Egbe-Odo Ere robbery attack, they deserve our maximum support in all ramifications,” he lauded.
The lawmaker,who said that he built Alu Police station,pledged his continued support to the Nigeria Police to combat insecurity, crime and criminality in Yagba.
Hon. Abejide said his focus in 2022 would be on roads, especially rehabilitation and grading, adding that many heavy equipment had been purchased and would soon be deplored to start work the purpose intended.
Hon. Leke, who is the Chairman, the House of Representatives Committee on Customs & Excise, advised the recipients to use the items for their upliftment.
He expressed appreciation for the love he received from the people of Yagba Federal Constituency in his political journey so far.
It is instructive to stress at this juncture that while the focus of this piece not to unnecessarily praise any politician, the belief is that, politicians who practicalise the love of their constituents at heart while in office, through quality representation, need to be lauded.
This is to serve as morale booster to their colleagues to follow suit and use politics to put smile on the faces of the people who elected them into office to fulfill their trust for better life.
It is also to show that politics is not for the self aggradisement or corruption enrichment, but for the practitioners to see that privilege as sacrosanct and a social contract between them and the people which must be fulfilled to ensure peace and developmnt.
When this is done in the best interest of the people, the concept of democracy as the “Governnent of the people, by the people and for the people” will have a pride of place in political space of not only in kogi state but also Nigeria at large and the country will achieve the desired lofty developmnt in the comity of nations.
Dada Ahmed is a blogger and media consultant.
