Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has promised to introduce a government-backed bulk food purchase scheme and expand the state’s mass transit fleet as part of efforts to ease the rising cost of living and reduce the financial burden on residents.
Abiodun made the pledge during a stakeholders’ meeting with organised labour representatives from the Ijebu axis in Ijebu-Ode, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and policies aimed at improving living conditions across the state.
The proposed bulk food purchase scheme, to be implemented through the planned Gateway Trading Corporation, is expected to make essential food items and household commodities available to residents at more affordable prices.
The governor said the initiative followed a suggestion by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hameed Ademola-Benco, in response to concerns over the rising cost of essential commodities.
According to Abiodun, bulk purchasing would enable the government to negotiate better prices for food items and other household necessities, providing relief to families struggling with increasing living expenses.
He added that the initiative could also encourage competition in the open market, as traders might be compelled to review their prices in response to the availability of essential commodities at lower rates through the government-backed scheme.
Abiodun assured the labour leaders that his administration would work towards implementing the initiative, noting that government policies must address the everyday economic challenges confronting workers and other residents.
On transportation, the governor promised to increase the number of mass transit buses available to government workers and members of the public.
He said the planned expansion was in response to concerns raised by organised labour about the need for more buses to ease commuting difficulties, reduce transportation expenses and improve mobility across the state.
The governor also addressed concerns over leave allowance and the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), assuring the labour representatives that the issues were receiving attention.
On education, Abiodun described teachers as indispensable to the development of Ogun State, noting that their responsibilities extended beyond classroom instruction to character formation, discipline and the preparation of young people for responsible leadership.
He said the quality of education in any society depended largely on the competence and commitment of its teachers, adding that their influence was critical to shaping the future of individuals and the nation.
Reflecting on his personal experience, the governor said quality teaching and proper upbringing had helped shape his values and contributed to his journey in life.
He disclosed that his administration had constructed and renovated about 1,600 classrooms, employed hundreds of teachers over the past seven years and introduced reforms to improve teaching and learning in public schools.
Abiodun commended teachers in the state for their performance, which he said had earned them recognition and awards at national and international levels.
He also praised Ogun students for their achievements in academic competitions and educational assessments, describing their performance as evidence of the collective efforts of the government, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to sustain high educational standards.
The governor said the meeting was convened to appreciate organised labour for its support since the beginning of his administration and to provide an opportunity for constructive engagement on issues affecting workers and the wider public.
He commended the labour leaders for their contributions and recommendations, stressing that regular consultations with stakeholders were necessary to develop policies that reflected the needs of the people.
In their separate remarks, the state NLC Chairman, Hameed Ademola-Benco; Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akeem Lasisi; and Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Sewakanu Noah, alongside other labour leaders, commended the administration for what they described as development across various sectors of the state.
The labour leaders acknowledged the payment of salaries and allowances, regular promotions and the settlement of outstanding gratuities and pensions under the administration.
They, however, called for a review of the Contributory Pension Scheme, the establishment of a Ministry of Labour Affairs and increased subventions to tertiary institutions.
The labour representatives also pledged their support for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence in the party’s leadership.
They said they needed “someone who will serve with dignity, beautiful at heart and beautiful in character.”
