Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to introduce a government-backed bulk food purchase scheme to reduce the cost of essential commodities and expand the state’s mass transit fleet to ease transportation challenges.
Abiodun disclosed this 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 improving residents’ living conditions.
The proposed scheme, to be implemented through the planned Gateway Trading Corporation, is designed to make essential food items and household commodities available to residents at more affordable prices.
The governor said the initiative was conceived in response to the rising cost of living, following a suggestion by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hameed Ademola-Benco.
He explained that bulk purchasing would enable the government to negotiate better prices for essential commodities and provide relief to households struggling with rising food costs.
According to Abiodun, the initiative could also stimulate competition in the open market by encouraging traders to review their prices in response to the availability of cheaper goods through the government-backed platform.
He assured labour leaders that his administration would work towards implementing the scheme, stressing that government policies should address the practical economic challenges facing 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 followed concerns raised by organised labour about the need for more buses to ease daily commuting, reduce transport costs and improve mobility across the state.
Abiodun added that improving public transportation remained an important part of his administration’s efforts to enhance workers’ welfare and reduce the financial burden associated with daily travel.
The governor also addressed concerns raised by labour representatives over leave allowances and the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), assuring them that the issues were receiving attention.
On education, Abiodun described teachers as indispensable to Ogun State’s growth and development, noting that their responsibilities extended beyond classroom instruction to character formation, discipline and preparing young people for responsible leadership.
He said the quality of education in any society depended largely on the competence and commitment of teachers, adding that their influence played a significant role in 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 aimed at improving teaching and learning in public schools.
Abiodun also commended teachers in the state for their performance, which he said had earned them recognition and awards at national and international levels.
He praised Ogun students for their achievements in academic competitions and educational assessments, describing their performance as a reflection of the efforts of the government, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to maintain high educational standards.
The governor said the meeting was convened to appreciate organised labour for its support since the beginning of his administration and provide an opportunity for constructive engagement on issues affecting workers and the wider public.
He commended the labour leaders for their contributions and suggestions, noting that regular consultations with stakeholders were essential to developing policies that reflected the needs of residents.
In their separate remarks, the Ogun State NLC Chairman, Hameed Ademola-Benco; the state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akeem Lasisi; and the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Sewakanu Noah, alongside other labour leaders, commended the governor for what they described as development across various sectors.
The labour representatives acknowledged the administration’s payment of salaries and allowances, regular promotions and settlement of outstanding gratuities and pensions.
However, they 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 leaders 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”.
