A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide, has launched a N600 million empowerment programme in Kano, aimed at supporting Yoruba women, widows, and vulnerable people. The programme, which was launched under the auspices of Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF), was inaugurated at Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, on Saturday. Abejide, a Kano-based business tycoon, is mobilizing two million voters from Yoruba extraction resident in Kano for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
The empowerment programme includes a N500 million interest-free loan scheme to women Corporative Societies, designed to support them in establishing businesses that will enable them to take care of their family needs. Another N100 million was earmarked for widows, including assorted food items that would be distributed to the beneficiaries. According to Abejide, the initiative was designed to ensure sustainable economic empowerment through a revolving loan arrangement that would enable other women to benefit after previous beneficiaries successfully repay their loans.
The programme covers women from eight Yoruba-speaking states, namely Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, and Kwara, alongside Ebira, Igala, and Bassa communities from Kogi state resident in Kano. Abejide assured the beneficiaries that the programme would be continuous, stressing that it was not designed as a temporary political gesture but as a sustainable intervention capable of transforming businesses and lifting families out of poverty.
Abejide also announced that widows captured under the programme would receive direct financial support through their bank accounts to strengthen their petty businesses, while all participating women would receive rice and six yards of printed wax fabric. He warned beneficiaries against misusing the funds, explaining that the foundation had established monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and minimise defaults.
The lawmaker also revealed that the Foundation would soon extend its empowerment initiative to youths and men in business, particularly unemployed young people, to help them become self-reliant and economically productive. He said the Foundation had already collected the names of prospective beneficiaries as preparations for the next phase of the programme continued.
Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, commended Abejide for the kind gesture, and assured the Yoruba people resident in Kano of the state government's commitment towards their welfare and wellbeing. Governor Yusuf who promised to donate a land for the building of ultra modern palace for Oba Yoruba in Kano, also donated N500 million for the project.
The event was attended by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who said Kano is a very significant state, particularly because of its diversity and the harmonious relationship among its different communities. He urged the people to support the ruling APC and ensure the reelection of President Tinubu and other APC candidates in the state.
Key points
- Leke Abejide launches N600m empowerment programme in Kano to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's reelection in 2027.
- The programme targets Yoruba women, widows, and vulnerable people, and includes a N500 million interest-free loan scheme to women Corporative Societies.
- The initiative aims to promote unity among Yoruba associations in Kano and support sustainable economic empowerment.
