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I’ve lost a father, confidant, Makinde mourns Pa Adigun
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has described the death of the pioneer president of Ibadan Solidarity Group and Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Engineers, Chief Lere Adigun, as a huge loss to the state.
The governor, who was speaking in Ibadan on Saturday at the burial of the business icon stated that the state has lost one of its finest individuals.
Makinde said Engineer Adigun was like a father and confidant to him, adding that the late Aare Ago Aare Olubadan of Ibadanland was a selfless elder who stood by him in times of trouble.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa quoted the governor as saying that the late Adigun played the role of father in his life since the demise of his father, Pa Makinde, in 2012.
Makinde, who was speaking at the Oluyole home of the Adiguns, where Islamic clerics, including the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Abubakar Agbotomokekere, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Akinola and other clerics, conducted Islamic prayers for the deceased, called on leaders to emulate him.
The body of Engineer Adigun was later laid to rest at his Eyin Grammar, Molete, Ibadan, home.
Governor Makinde, who stated that Pa Adigun lived a great and selfless life, described how the late engineer gave him 101 per cent support, during his pursuit to become governor in 2015 and, also, in 2019, even when, according to him, it was glaring that all Ibadan elders were in support of the establishment.
The governor added that his biological father and Pa Adigun were the only two people who could give him an advice and he would not scrutinise, noting that in his one year in office as governor, Pa Adigun never called him for anything personal, but would always call to offer advice and make case for others, who were aware of their relationship.
He urged residents of the state to always comport themselves in a manner that, when they are no longer alive, people could give testimonies about them as it was being done for Pa Adigun.
The governor said: “I thank you Islamic leaders and clerics, the Olubadan and political figures who have taken time to come here today to pay last respect to Engr. Lere Adigun, who has been my father since the demise of my father eight years ago.
“I commiserate with you and his biological children. You are not the only ones who can lay claim to Baba as your father; after I lost my biological father, he has been my father. So, I have lost a father and confidant.
“In my 52 years on earth, there are only two people who can give me advice and I won’t scrutinise it; my father and Chief Adigun. But I have lost the two of them. The same relationship I have with him is what he had for me and it is a similar situation I was in eight years ago, that I am in today. My father died on July 7, 2012, and Baba died on 7 August, 2020.
“When I was told that Baba’s health needed attention, I came to his house and told him, Baba, you have to go to the hospital – though he had told everyone that he wouldn’t go – he told me that whatever I chose, he was okay with it and we took him to UCH so he could have the best of attention. So, we had time to prepare and to reflect on what has happened.
“Yesterday, when I had the call and they used Baba’s number, I knew the news they would give me. I told the people around me that I didn’t want to see anyone after I heard the news. But after three hours, I started asking myself why I was feeling sad. Engr. Adigun lived a good life.
“So, I started reflecting on everything we had done together. He made me develop interest in golf. Baba deserved to be celebrated. He was the chairman of my first Ramadan lecture and subsequent ones. He had been president of Ibadan Foundation. When I approached him that I wanted to be governor, he said he would support me. In 2015 he was with me. In 2019 when all the elders were with the establishment, Baba broke ranks with them and supported me.
“Ever since I became governor, whenever Baba called me, it had never been for selfish reasons. Baba always called me for others, because people who knew the influence he wielded on me always went to him. He was my eyes and ears where I could not reach.
“So, I can say that Oyo State has lost one of its finest and I can only pray that the point Baba reached before he was called to God, God will give us the strength to carry on.
“I also want to advise some of our people who are still living, whatever we do, let us remember a day like this. ‘I want to become this and that’, death will end it all. Let us live in such a way that when we are no longer there, people will have nice things to say about us the way we are doing about Baba Lere Adigun.”
Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Sheik Mamoon Elesinmeta, admonished everyone to remember their last day on earth and what people will say after their demise.
He said the Quran made it clear that human beings were created from the soil and shall return to the soil, warning that no matter the riches, power or influence, human beings must be mindful of posterity and do good so that people can say good things about them.
Similarly, one of the sons of the deceased, Mr. Dotun Adigun, said it is a privilege to be a son of the late engineer, appreciating Governor Makinde for what he stood for to the family and the people of the state.
“We appreciate you, Mr. Governor for what you stand for; what you stand for to my father, to the family. I can’t thank you enough. I say thank you for standing on the shoulder of a real icon like my father.
“There are lots of dignitaries that my dad had a relationship with. He seemed like an ordinary person in the house but he was many things to many people.
“He fought to stay alive, he fought. If he had made it back, every minute would have been spent to serve humanity,” he said, appreciating the Islamic clerics for the roles they played since their father passed on.
Some of the dignitaries who attended the prayers include the representative of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Oloye Lekan Alabi; Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Abubakar Agbotomokekere and his council; Aare Muslumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Akinola; Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja; Commissioners for Education and Special Duties and other government functionaries; Chief Saka Balogun; Engr. Femi Babalola; Chief Bosede Adedibu and Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu, among others.
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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