Three – time governorship candidate and the incumbent member of the House of Representatives for Yewa North/Imeko Afon constituency of Ogun State, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, on Tuesday, empowered 2,000 constituents with various intervention packages designed “to enhance economic self-reliance and productivity.”
Some of the programs rolled out included: business support grants of N100,000 each for 1,101 entrepreneurs across the constituency, empowering them to expand their businesses and create more jobs.
The empowerment also included
agricultural support in the form of cash, equipment, and inputs for 177 farmers dedicated to enhancing food security in our communities.
Others were: distribution of fertilizers and other critical farming inputs to at least 300 farmers to boost crop yields and agricultural productivity as well as
vocational equipment including sewing machines, IT equipment, and soap-making tools, alongside cash grants for at least 150 young people pursuing skills development.
“These empowerment items are not handouts but strategic investments in your potential—tools to help you build better futures for yourselves, your families, and our community. We have carefully selected these interventions to address specific needs and create sustainable economic opportunities,” he said.
GNI reiterated his commitment to the 15-year development plan for the constituency anchored on Education, Healthcare Development, Agriculture Development, Border Development, as well as Youth and Women Empowerment.
Read Full Text Of His Address Below:
ADDRESS BY HON. GBOYEGA NASIR ISIAKA, MEMBER REPRESENTING YEWA NORTH/IMEKO-AFON FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, AT THE CONSTITUENCY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM HELD AT SOCIAL CLUB OPEN FIELD, KIKELOMO AYETORO, OGUN STATE, ON 4TH OF MARCH 2025
PROTOCOLS
All praise and adoration belong to God Almighty, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Today, I stand before you with profound gratitude to the Almighty for His endless grace and mercy since you entrusted me with your mandate in 2023. Every step we have taken, every milestone we have achieved, has only been made possible by His grace.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I want to clarify that this event is not an account of my stewardship, as we will present that in our mid-term report scheduled for the middle of this year. Today’s gathering is essentially an empowerment program designed to equip our constituents with tools and resources for economic self-reliance and productivity.
I must first express my profound appreciation to our dear Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON. Your unwavering support and collaborative approach to governance have been instrumental in making our federal interventions more impactful, creating a multiplier effect that benefits our constituency.
My profound gratitude extends to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who has shown immense faith in our capabilities. Despite being a first-term legislator, his belief in our potential has opened doors for impactful service beyond what many would have imagined possible. I am deeply grateful that his faith and belief in me have culminated in the opportunity to chair three committees—Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Student Loans, Scholarships and Higher Education Financing, and most recently, National Planning and Economic Development. This is a remarkable privilege for a first-timer in the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, your support has been a cornerstone of our achievements.
I must specially acknowledge and thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his visionary leadership. Mr. President’s commitment to creating pathways for purposeful representation has enabled us to deliver impactful projects and programs to our constituents. The Renewed Hope agenda is gradually reshaping our nation’s reality, giving us a framework within which we can deliver meaningful service to our people.
THE JOURNEY SO FAR: LEGISLATIVE MILESTONES
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, when we embarked on this journey less than two years ago, we came with a clear vision: to create an optimistic, self-confident and prosperous Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency. This vision is rooted in a 15-year development plan which we unveiled at the beginning of our representation.
Permit me to say that this plan was borne from a deep understanding of our unique challenges and limitless potential, not political expediency.
Our constituency spans 3,798 square kilometers—2,078 square kilometers in Yewa North and 1,711 square kilometers in Imeko-Afon. This vastness is striking when you consider that our territory exceeds the landmass of five African nations: Cape Verde, Mauritius, Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, and is nearly four times the size of Seychelles. We essentially operate as a border region with the scale of a small nation, though without constitutional powers of one.
Since our election to the House of Representatives, we have been actively involved in legislative duties that directly impact our constituency. I am pleased to share some of our contributions on the floor of the House:
I sponsored several critical motions, including the lifting of the ban on the sale of petroleum products within 20km of border towns on July 11, 2023.
I called on the Inspector General of Police to deploy more personnel to Igbokofi Divisional Police Station for effective policing on October 12, 2023.
Together with Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, we motioned for the investigation of the funding structure of national budget beneficiaries and causal factors of the demand for exemption from the envelope system by some government institutions on March 5, 2024.
I also advocated for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the development of border communities in Nigeria.
On the legislative front, I have sponsored bills including:
A bill for an act to establish an Agro-Processing Free Trade Zone in Yewa North-Imeko Afon, which had its first reading on July 25, 2023.
A bill for an act to establish a Federal College of Education (Technical)
A bill for an act to establish the Federal Institute of Technical and Vocational Education in Imeko, Ogun State, which has successfully passed second and third readings.
I also made professional and technical contributions to the Students Loan Repeal and Reenactment Act of 2024.
PROJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS
Beyond formal legislative activities, I have advocated for education improvement, including:
The unveiling of our Education Intervention Plan on February 13, 2024.
Calling for an increase in the education budget to 15% and urging that the sub-allocation to technical education be upgraded to no less than 30% of education allocation during the Polytechnics Committee Inauguration on November 13, 2023.
Emphasizing the need to reposition Technical and Vocational Education in Nigeria at the same event.
Empowerment remains a cornerstone of our interventions, and we are proud to have implemented the following initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and productivity of our constituents:
Entrepreneurship training and provision of starter kits for 200 women and youth in Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency (August, 2024)
Vocational training and empowerment for 460 constituents in Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency. (October 2024)
Skill acquisition training and empowerment for women and youth in August 2024, at Imeko-Afon Local Government Area. (August 2024)
Training and empowerment of 300 youth and women in poultry farming held in Ayetoro in October 2024.
Provision of business support grants for 250 youths and women in October 2024.
Entrepreneurship training and empowerment of 400 youths and women in Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area.
Medical outreach for the constituents held in Ilaro and Eggua in August 2024.
These empowerment initiatives are designed to enhance economic self-reliance, build capacity, and lay the foundation for sustainable growth across our federal constituency.
In less than two years, we have made remarkable strides in infrastructure development. The construction of the Police Divisional Office in Oja-Odan addresses critical security needs in our border communities. We have initiated the provision of potable water through borehole projects in Ayetoro, Iboro, Oniji, Afon, Alakuta, and Ibeku, recognizing that access to clean water is fundamental to human dignity and public health.
Education remains the foundation of sustainable development, and we are committed to providing quality learning environments for our children. As part of this commitment, we have completed the construction of two blocks of three classrooms each, fully equipped with modern facilities, at Ansarudeen Primary School in Ayetoro. Additionally, we are actively renovating schools in Iwoye Ketu, Ijale Ketu, and Ijaka Oke to ensure that students learn in safe, conducive spaces. The ongoing construction of a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) center at Nazareth High School in Imeko is a significant milestone, as it is the first of its kind in Imeko-Afon. While this center is primarily designed for CBT examinations, its establishment reflects our broader vision of integrating technology into education and preparing our youth for an increasingly digital world.
Road infrastructure is crucial for economic development. The completion of the 1.58km road in Imeko has significantly enhanced mobility and commerce.
Energy infrastructure expansion has also been a key focus of our representation, with the provision and installation of transformers in Ayetoro, Oja Odan, Ilara, and Oke-Agbede communities.
Additionally, the installation of 352 solar-powered streetlights across the wards has improved security and extended productive hours for small businesses.
Healthcare accessibility has been enhanced through the ongoing renovation of Primary Health Centers at Agbon Ojodu in Yewa north, as well as in Atapele and Agberiodo in Imeko-Afon. These facilities, once completed, will provide quality healthcare services closer to our people, reducing the burden of travel for medical attention. Our medical outreach held in Eggua, Yewa north, and Ilara in Imeko-Afon simultaneously in August 2024 benefited over 3,000 constituents and underscores our belief that a healthy population is a productive population.
Beyond physical infrastructure, we have implemented several interventions to develop our human capital. Under our Education Support Interventions Plan, we recruited 20 support teachers and have been paying them for 10 months to address staffing gaps in our schools.
We have also facilitated federal scholarships for 12 outstanding students and initiated industrial interventions to create employment opportunities for our constituents.
Already, we have facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture and Lee Group subsidiaries—Sun Crops Limited and Sun Giant Limited—for a Rice and Cotton Cultivation and Processing Project in our constituency. This project, which commenced in February 2025 with a pilot scheme on 50,000 hectares of land, will expand to include cotton cultivation in Imeko-Afon Local Government area later this year.
TODAY’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
Today’s empowerment program marks a significant milestone in our human capital development agenda. We are particularly proud to announce that over 2,000 constituents will benefit from various intervention packages designed to enhance economic self-reliance and productivity.
Some of the programs we are rolling out today include:
Business Support Grants of N100,000 each for 1,101 entrepreneurs across our constituency, empowering them to expand their businesses and create more jobs.
Agricultural Support in the form of cash, equipment, and inputs for 177 farmers dedicated to enhancing food security in our communities.
Distribution of fertilizers and other critical farming inputs to at least 300 farmers to boost crop yields and agricultural productivity.
Vocational equipment including sewing machines, IT equipment, and soap-making tools, alongside cash grants for at least 150 young people pursuing skills development.
Essential business tools including deep freezers, generators, hairdryers, grinding machines, and sewing machines for at least 150 small business owners.
Mobility enhancement through the provision of 5 tricycles and 25 motorcycles to facilitate transportation, logistics, and delivery services.
Agriculture is the backbone of any economy, and access to essential equipment is crucial for its growth. To address this need, we are establishing an Agricultural Equipment Management Committee, launching today. This seven-member committee, including representatives from the Council of Baales, the Farmers’ Association, and women’s groups, will oversee the management and maintenance of farm equipment, ensuring availability to local farmers at subsidized rates. While not profit-driven, its primary goal is to sustain these resources for long-term use. Initially, the committee will manage tools like shredders, palm fruit harvesters, and sprayers, with plans to expand the inventory over time.
These empowerment items are not handouts but strategic investments in your potential—tools to help you build better futures for yourselves, your families, and our community. We have carefully selected these interventions to address specific needs and create sustainable economic opportunities.
PUSHING THE FRONTIERS OF PROSPERITY TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE
I am excited that we have been able to record modest achievements in the last 18 months. However, what brings me even greater joy is the allocation of funds in the 2025 budget for a feasibility and technical viability study on the proposed Agro Processing and Export Free Trade Zone in Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency. While we are working to establish this project through legislation, we have also taken the proactive step of preparing the groundwork for its implementation through this study. I am delighted that our forward-thinking President has approved this initiative in the 2025 budget. I would like to request a standing ovation for Mr. President in recognition of his support.
The strategic location of our constituency, with its vast arable land and proximity to international borders, positions us perfectly to become an Agric processing and export powerhouse. This is not just another project; it is the beginning of an economic revolution that will create thousands of jobs, establish value chains, attract investments, and position our constituency as a significant contributor to national food security and foreign exchange earnings.
As we move forward, I remain anchored to our 15-year development plan. The five pillars of our plan—Education, Healthcare Development, Agriculture Development, Border Development, as well as Youth and Women Empowerment. will continue to guide our development initiatives. These priorities align perfectly with President Tinubu’s blueprint, creating a synergy that enhances implementation.
FOOTNOTE
In conclusion, I want to once again express my profound gratitude to our royal majesties, leaders, and all other relevant stakeholders who have worked with us to achieve this progress. Most importantly, I thank the good people of Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency for their trust and confidence in me.
We are not slowing down; we are building a prosperous future for our federal constituency. I want to assure you that with God on our side, there is nothing we dream of that we cannot achieve. The transformation of Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency has begun, and together, we will push the frontiers of prosperity to new heights.
Thank you for your attention, and may God bless Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Ogun State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
‘Gboyega Nasir Isiaka – GNI
Member, House of Representatives,
Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency
March 4th, 2025
