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Makinde pledges stiff measures against gender-based violence
The Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has declared that his government will put in place stiff measures to curtail gender-based violence in the state.
The governor, who stated this on Thursday, while commissioning the Family Court at the Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, the state capital, pledged that the government would continue to maintain cordial relationship with other arms of government for the overall benefit of the people of Oyo State.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted Governor Makinde as saying that the Family Court was commissioned to deal with matters relating to Child Rights, marital issues and other related matters in the state.
The governor said that the commissioning of the court was aimed at strengthening the laws around the Child Rights Acts, 2003 in the state, adding that though the act was domesticated in Oyo State in 2006, the architecture for its enforcement was not established.
He called on the people of Oyo State to contact the Oyo Ministry of Women Affairs’ Rapid Response Team (OYOMWA-RRT) if any child’s right is violated in the state.
He said: “Today, we are here to commission the Family Court. You may recall that one of the points raised in our Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State, 2019-2023, is to play our part in strengthening the laws around the Child Rights Act, 2003.
“Although this act was domesticated in Oyo State in 2006, the court where this law was to be enforced was not established. We all know what happens when a law is made but the architecture for enforcement is non-existent.
“With the establishment of this court, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion will be better positioned to carry out its responsibilities. I will, therefore, want to use this opportunity to call on the good people of Oyo State to not hesitate to contact the Oyo Ministry of Women Affairs Rapid Response Team (OYOMWA-RRT) should they see any child’s rights being violated.
“Violation of a child’s rights will include all sorts of physical and emotional abuse. I can assure you that they will be swift in their response and they will make sure that the rights of that child are protected.
“Also, all other issues that directly impact the family and the child will be resolved in this court. So, I look forward to continued cordial relationship with all arms of government for the overall benefit of the people of Oyo State. I therefore declare this Family Court open.”
Governor Makinde, who maintained that he looks forward to continued cordial relationship with all arms of government in the interest of the state, said: “I look forward to a continued cordial relationship with all arms of government for the overall benefit of the people of Oyo State.
“It is always a delight for me to be part of activities that show the collaboration between the three arms of government. Certainly, our growth as a people is strongly dependent on the synergy between the executive, judiciary and legislature.”
He added that his administration has been able to achieve what it has achieved so far due to its ability to manage the little resources that accrued to the state in the last one year, and the fact that the government was able to block leakages and stealing of the resources of the state.
“Actually, the Chief Judge thanked me because this project was made possible owing to the payment of their subventions. But I don’t think it was the payment of subvention that was enough to make this happen. Before now, from 2006, we had Paris refund. We had excess crude at a point when our oil was selling for more than $100 per barrel and all the money came in. “So, it must have been the judicious management of the resources that led to this.
“We are faced with double jeopardy right now, because we have the pandemic to deal with. At the same time, we have the economic meltdown. But if we manage the little resources that we have, we can do more. We are not magicians but what we have done basically is that we stopped the stealing of the resources of the state and now, we have more money to do what is necessary for the state.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Honourable Justice Muntar Abimbola, said that the court will protect the child’s rights and afford the children opportunity to seek for enforcements of their fundamental human rights as recognized by the constitution.
He appreciated Governor Makinde for paying full outstanding pensions and gratuities of all retired Judges since 2013, noting that the governor also promised to pay retired workers their outstanding payment since 1999.
The Chief Judge hinted that the new Family Court is headed by Hon. Justice A.F.K. Adeeyo while the magistrates that will be working there will be Mr. S.H Adebisi and Mrs. Sumbo Adetuyibi, adding that the court will commence sitting on Monday, July 13, 2020.
In their separate remarks, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Oyo State, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, appreciated Governor Makinde for running an all-inclusive government that allows other arms of government to work effectively.
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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