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Exclusive: Oyo LG Council Where Women Hold Power
Despite the diversity of culture all over the world, it is axiomatic that no culture consigns the roles of women above those of men. In other words, except in few cases, the worldwide traditional roles of women are subordinate to men’s role. Women occupy a lower status and perform less significant roles in the societies. Culture and Society account for the differentiation and stratification. It is the cultural facts that limit women.
Right from the infancy, boys are motivated to face arduous challenges and given mechanical gadgets that entail risks. They are constantly reminded that they are boys and as future societal leaders, they are supposed to be ambitious, adventurous and persevering. For to ‘persevere’ means to succeed. Though, a common slogan, but it goes a long to reinforce man’s ego and his adventurous spirits.
But, girls, on the other hand, are treated delicately, dressed well and encouraged to wear expensive trinkets to impress not boys but men. They are totally discouraged from partaking in herculean tasks because culturally such tasks are meant for boys.
Interestingly, things have been speedy, for women have removed most of the cultural inhibitions inimical to their progress and emancipation. They have ‘arrived’ not only in developed countries of the world, but also in gradually developing ones like Nigeria and Oyo state in particular.
It is believed that human world as achieved today would have been a mirage if only men but no women strive. Feminist writers like Marian Levy in his parochial view posited that the human world is “made in women”.
Little then should one wonder that many empires, kingdoms and even modern societies have queen mothers, queen mums, queen dowagers and heroine of all sorts that their folklore flourishes in their wider celebrations in monument of their heroic contributions to the development of society.
Though, there’s still a long way to go towards women’s equal representation in government and society, however, Ibadan South East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), in Oyo state housed female leaders who are making their mark in the modern world.
The Local Council Development Area (LCDA) was created from the present Ibadan South East Local Government situated at Mapo, on January, 2017 by the immediate past Governor Abiola Ajimobi led administration; a project inherited from his political leader, late Governor Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina. Its headquarters is Scout Camp as pronounced by Oyo State Government but still using its temporary office at Ibadan South East Local Government, Mapo.
The present Caretaker Chairperson of the Council Area is Mrs Kehinde Eboda while the Council Manager is Mrs Thomas Morenikeji, the Head of Local Government Administration (HLA) and the number civil servant in the council.
As if this is not enough, Mrs Ajao Fausat is the Director of Administration and General Services and Alhaja Zainab Bolomope is in charge of Finance and Supplies.
These sensitive positions can best be described as the live wire of any local government council because decisions that determine the destiny of the council and its people are made by the key stakeholders earlier mentioned.
One of the civil servants in the council who confided in Mega Icon Magazine disclosed that the LCDA is currently witnessing an harmonious working relationship. She, however predicted possible transfer that may separate these female leaders in not too distance future
“Our council is currently enjoying peace, but you know women have a well-deserved reputation for being catty, gossipy, and, well, witchy in the workplace. Women are – dare I say it? – worse to one another than men are to them.
” The root of this psychological complex perhaps comes from a competitive drive stifled by intimidation when working with men or a feeling of more direct competition with women than with men. We should expect transfer letters very soon and I am sure they will also be affected”, the source added.
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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