Member representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, has hosted a Facebook Live broadcast where he engaged one-on-one with his constituents and Nigerians on issues concerning his constituency, activities at the National Assembly and his stewardship so far in office.
The one-hour, twenty-nine-minute live programme provided an opportunity for constituents to ask direct questions and receive immediate responses from the lawmaker.
The virtual engagement was anchored by Dokita Olamide Ogunleke, an Ibarapa-born ace broadcaster.
Speaking during the live broadcast held on his official Facebook page on Sunday, March 15, 2026, Hon. Adepoju appreciated the people of Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency for giving him the mandate to serve them.
He also thanked them for their support since his election into the House of Representatives of Nigeria, as well as for their advice and recommendations during his annual constituency town hall meetings.
According to him, such gatherings have become an integral part of his stewardship, providing an avenue to interact directly with the people and better understand their needs.
Responding to questions from the programme anchor, the federal lawmaker reiterated that no lawmaker receives any money as constituency allowance, contrary to widespread public belief.
Ibarapakan explained that each constituency has a “purse”, which is a budgetary provision for constituency projects, adding that lawmakers do not receive the funds directly. Rather, legislators only nominate projects, while the relevant government agencies award the contracts and supervise execution.
He explained that the only role lawmakers play is to confirm that projects nominated for their constituencies have been executed satisfactorily while they issue letters of completion before contractors are paid by the Federal Government.
The lawmaker emphasised that what is often referred to as ‘constituency allowance’ is not a monetary payment to lawmakers but statutory projects implemented by the Federal Government in various constituencies.
On his stewardship in the education sector and calls for the inclusion of junior secondary school students in his scholarship programme, Hon. Adepoju stated that every community in the constituency can now boast of at least a new block of classrooms, facilitated through his efforts to bridge infrastructural gaps in the constituency’s learning environment.
Aside from this, he highlighted several educational initiatives which include, but are not limited to, free annual holiday lessons involving the engagement of no fewer than 45 teachers; the First-Class and Distinction Luncheon for outstanding students; the nationally celebrated One-Day Rep Initiative; sponsorship of JAMB forms for students; the fully equipped ICT Centre at Igbo-Ora Grammar School, Oke-Ayin, to boost digital literacy, the recently completed constituency library.
According to him, these initiatives represent verifiable efforts toward improving the standard of education in the constituency.
The lawmaker, however, noted that the most significant intervention is job creation for graduates, stressing that providing employment opportunities also contributes to the development of education. According to Hon. Adepoju, when graduates are gainfully employed, it sends a strong message to critics that education is never a scam.
He expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to facilitate several developmental initiatives for the constituency but also expressed disappointment over what he described as the politicisation of development. He stated that development, rather than politics, should be the primary concern of the people.
He disclosed that he stopped publicising job opportunities facilitated by him over the last three months because some individuals focus more on the number of people employed rather than the opportunity created itself, despite the fact that the names and pictures of beneficiaries are often published when appointment letters are issued.
According to him, some individuals go to great lengths to discredit such efforts simply because they are driven by partisan considerations. He noted that if some people had the power, they would even attempt to block employment opportunities for constituents simply because the person facilitating them does not belong to their political party.
Despite this, the lawmaker maintained that such criticisms have kept him focused, noting that the actions of such individuals do not represent the views of the majority of people in the constituency. He said that power is transient and that if he leaves office today, there will be so much joy in his heart knowing full well he has served his people with the fear of God.
Responding to a question on possible intervention at Oyo State School of Science, Idere, which the questioner described as the only institution of its kind in the region but has now become a shadow of its former self, Hon. Adepoju said he had received similar reports about the condition of the school.
While acknowledging that the school recently benefited from an intervention through the Federal Ministry of Education, he assured constituents that he would also explore ways to support the institution.
He emphasised that although he may not be able to meet every need, collaboration between him and the public can make meaningful progress possible.
On employment opportunities in agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Fire Service and Immigration, the lawmaker noted that many ministries and agencies have recorded zero capital releases since 2025, which has slowed down the issuance of employment letters.
He assured constituents that once the final list of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board recruitment is released, no fewer than 18 constituents will benefit courtesy of his lobbying efforts.
He added that the delay in the implementation of the 2025 federal budget has also affected other agencies from issuing employment letters to some constituents whose names were forwarded as far back as early 2025. According to him, once the budget is fully implemented, the situation will improve.
Speaking on electricity challenges in the area, Hon. Adepoju disclosed that he has held several meetings with the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, including discussions during the 2026 budget defence, where he serves as a member of the House of Representatives on Power. He said the Minister is strongly aware of the electricity situation in Ibarapa but the non implementation of the budget has caused so many problems in the execution of meaningful projects that can ameliorate the plight and sufferings of the citizenry.
He explained that beyond lobbying for necessary facilities to address the electricity challenge in the constituency, he also pushed for funding for the substation power project in the region, which originally commenced in 2009.
The lawmaker cited that the nation has not made any significant progress since 2025 to the extent that the Minister of Health came out to lament that out of N218b budgeted for capital expenditure, the federal government of Nigeria only released N36M meaning no construction of new hospitals, no provision to purchase drugs, vaccines and others.
On legislative activities, Hon. Adepoju stated that he has sponsored several Bills and Motions, particularly Motions which he described as easier to move than Bills.
According to him, the Bills and Motions are focused on promoting development not only in Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North but across Nigeria.
During the programme, several constituents also used the opportunity to interact, network and make personal and community requests, which the lawmaker promised to look into.
The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, however, assured constituents that the virtual engagement, which attracted thousands of viewers during the live broadcast, would be held twice every month.
Hassan Adesodi Olaoniye
Special Adviser to Hon. Adebayo Adepoju
(Media and Publicity)
March 16, 2026
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