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Ajimobi committed to Agriculture, Grassroots development.
OYO state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Tuesday assured that his administration is committed to further deepen the dividends of democracy to the people, adding that the government has established a committee to look into genuine complaints from the LCDAs creation.
The governor, who disclosed this at the town hall meeting held for the people of Oyo and Ogbomoso zones in Oyo Town on, also stated that the government would revoke the ownership of any unused fertile land for agriculture, and that the government would distribute the 210 hectares at Rural Community Development Centre (RCDC), Awe, Oyo Town, to farmers to boost food production in the state.
The town hall which was the third in the series of recently resuscitated stakeholders’ engagement between the government and the citizens to discuss and jointly find solutions to critical issues affecting the state had in attendance traditional rulers, community, religious and party leaders, cultural and ethnic groups, religious bodies, youths and faith based organisations, students from Secondary Schools and higher institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations, Labour leaders, politicians among others.
Governor Ajimobi alsi reiterated that there was no going back on the conduct of local government elections in the state in February 2017, noting that the government has started considering petitions received on the newly created LCDAs with a view to make necessary adjustments.
He said, “we realized that we need to further deepen the dividends of our government and that is why we created the LCDAs. If we started from the scratch, it will take time. We know the creation is not perfect but we are ready to make necessary adjustments. We are being guided by the principles of fairness to all, we are going to follow the federal government approved map for the state and we will follow the constitution of the land in redressing the grievances from the LCDAs creation”.
Ajimobi further explained that the drop in oil revenue has turned everybody to the abandoned agriculture, stressing that his administration is constructing automated silos of international standard in Atiba to boost food storage in order to improve food security.
Continuing, the governor warned that the government would take over unused fertile farming land for use, maintaining that the state would leverage on its position as the largest producer of cassava to boost its internally generated revenue through agriculture and ensure that there is enough food for the people of the state.
“Oyo state is the largest producer of cassava in the country. We have many unused fertile land for farming. I want to appeal to our people to release these lands for those that need it for farming to boost agricultural produce in the state. We are ready to revoke any unused lands and give it to farmers for use. We are ready to also share the 210 hectares of land at RCDC Awe, Oyo Town for the use of our farmers,” the governor said.
He appealed to the entire citizens of the state to collaborate and support government’s plans and policies for reviving education in the state and consequently reiterated his assurance that the crisis in the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) would be resolved by month end and the school will be reopened.
Ajimobi appreciated the market men and women for their expression of interest to support the renewed Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) drive of the state, pledging that his administration would continue with its unprecedented infrastructural effort to open the state for more industrialization.
The governor promised that Atiba FM, a fully digital radio station based in Atiba, and the Silo for food storage would be ready for commission this year.
In their separate reactions, the traditional rulers present at the town hall through their representative, Oba Oparinde Stephen Femi, the Akibio of Ilora and the retired Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu commended Governor Ajimobi for his efforts at transforming the state and his resolve to return education in the state to the path of glory.
In his remarks, Archbishop Ladigbolu said that the people of Oyo Town appreciated the governor’s gesture for citing the silo and Atiba fm in Oyo and for the ongoing dualization of the road in the town.
“We thank the governor for his achievements so far in the state, the people of Oyo Town appreciate him for the road dualization, the Silo and Atiba Fm. No governor has dualised roads in Oyo town before, Ajimobi stands out and we say thank you to him on behalf of the Alaafin of Oyo and the people of Oyo and Ogbomoso zones of the state,” he noted.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has mourned the death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo, popularly known as Able, describing his demise as a painful loss to the progressive family.
Oladipupo, who represented Ibadan North-West Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, was widely regarded as a grassroots politician and committed party loyalist until his passing.
Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, said the late politician’s death had created a vacuum within the party and among those who benefitted from his unwavering commitment to public service.
In a condolence statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the federal lawmaker described the late Oladipupo as a dependable progressive, humble political actor and loyal party stalwart whose impact would remain indelible.
He said the deceased dedicated his life to serving humanity, strengthening the progressive movement and supporting the aspirations of many at the grassroots.
Oseni said, “The death of Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo (Able) came to me as a rude shock. Oyo State and the progressive family have indeed lost a committed, loyal and selfless leader whose passion for service, humility and dedication to the people stood him out.
“He was not just a politician but a bridge-builder, a dependable ally and a grassroots mobiliser who believed strongly in the ideals of our great party. His contributions to the growth of the APC in Oyo State and his service to humanity will remain unforgettable.”
The APC senatorial candidate noted that the late former lawmaker remained steadfast in promoting peace, unity and political development, adding that his simplicity and accessibility endeared him to many across political divides.
According to Oseni, the late politician’s legacy of service and sacrifice would continue to inspire younger politicians and party faithful.
He, however, urged members of the APC, associates and family members of the deceased to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and the positive impact he made during his lifetime.
Oseni also prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
State governors have proposed a new national minimum wage of N100,000 for Nigerian workers as part of efforts to cushion them from the biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), disclosed the proposal on Saturday in a post by the state government’s official Facebook page. He said the move aims to improve workers’ welfare while ensuring that government finances remain sustainable.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances.”
The NGF chairman explained that ongoing discussions are focused on balancing the need to boost workers’ purchasing power with the capacity of governments to deliver essential public services and development projects.
“The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain projects that directly impact citizens,” he added.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national debates on salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to contend with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Currently, Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month. Some states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Imo, are already paying above the national benchmark to support workers amid the country’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has continued to call for a comprehensive review of salaries, insisting that workers deserve a living wage that reflects present-day economic realities rather than merely guaranteeing survival.
The average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, rose to N1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, representing a 23.69 per cent increase compared to the N1,239.33 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, findings by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have shown.
The sharp rise in petrol prices came amid mounting inflationary pressure and worsening living costs, with Nigerians grappling with soaring transportation and food expenses that have continued to shrink household purchasing power.
The NBS disclosed this in its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for April 2026, released on Friday.
The report further showed that on a month-on-month basis, petrol prices rose by 18.97 per cent from N1,288.54 recorded in March 2026, underscoring persistent volatility in the downstream petroleum market.
A breakdown of prices across states revealed that Yobe recorded the highest average retail price for petrol at N1,599.05 per litre during the review period.
Edo and Bauchi followed closely with average prices of N1,595.74 and N1,589.07, respectively.
However, Niger residents paid the least for petrol at an average of N1,403.89 per litre, while Sokoto and Katsina recorded N1,404.16 and N1,406.28 respectively.
At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average retail price at N1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West posted the lowest at N1,508.81.
The latest petrol price increase comes as millions of Nigerians continue to battle the ripple effects of rising inflation, with higher energy costs worsening transportation fares and the prices of essential commodities.
Similarly, the NBS said the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as cooking gas, rose by 13.73 per cent month-on-month to N8,706.93 in April 2026 from N7,655.73 recorded in March.
On a year-on-year basis, the price increased by 10.42 per cent from N7,885.60 recorded in April 2025.
Lagos recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,745.10, followed by Nasarawa at N9,451.70 and Bayelsa at N9,422.74.
In contrast, Anambra recorded the lowest average price at N7,204.76, while Ondo and Ogun followed with N7,239.49 and N7,825.75, respectively.
At the regional level, the North-West recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,025.07, followed by the North-East at N8,847.16, while the South-East posted the lowest average price at N8,224.37.
Also, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas increased by 13.89 per cent month-on-month to N22,382.20 in April 2026 from N19,652.83 in March.
Compared to April 2025, the price rose by 10.43 per cent from N20,268.06.
According to the NBS LPG Price Watch for April, Katsina recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N25,596.71, followed by Kogi at N24,558.25 and Gombe at N24,438.97.
Ogun recorded the lowest average price at N19,564.36, while Bauchi and Anambra followed at N20,178.87 and N20,511.90 respectively.
The North-West recorded the highest zonal average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N23,276.95, followed by the North-Central at N22,865.29, while the South-East posted the lowest average at N21,060.92.
The latest figures signal growing pressure on household energy costs, raising concerns over the implications for inflation and the cost of living in the coming months.
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