A severe supply crunch has pushed the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to an unprecedented ₦2,000 per kilogramme in Osun State, forcing thousands of households and small businesses to abandon cleaner energy for firewood and charcoal. A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the state capital and surrounding communities revealed that the sharp price hike has strained domestic budgets, inflated operational costs for food vendors, and triggered a quiet return to biomass fuels. Vendors, Housewives Cry Out For local food vendors, the price surge threatens their very survival. Mrs. Rukayat Abiola, a fast-food operator at the Owode-Ede Market, disclosed that her operational expenses have skyrocketed. To stay afloat, she has marginally increased food prices and integrated charcoal into her daily operations to cut costs. "The government must step in," Abiola pleaded. "This persistent increase is killing small businesses." Domestic consumers are feeling an identical pinch. Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, a resident of Owode-Ede, likened the current cost of refilling a standard gas cylinder to paying school fees. She noted that the rapid jump from ₦1,400 to ₦2,000 per kg left her with no choice but to purchase a traditional coal pot. Civil service families are also adjusting. Mrs. Juliet Adeosun, a housewife in Osogbo, noted that her husband’s fixed salary can no longer absorb the erratic spikes in energy costs. "We are rationing our spending," Adeosun said. "If prices do not drop by the end of the month, we are transitioning to a coal pot." The crisis marks a full circle for many residents. Mrs. Foluke Olugbemiga, a petty trader, recalled how high kerosene prices years ago forced her family to adopt gas. "Now that gas is unaffordable, we have no choice but to return to firewood," she lamented. Retailers Blame Depot Costs Gas marketers in the state have defended the pricing, attributing the spike to forces beyond their control. At Dada Estate in Osogbo, retail prices have hovered as high as ₦2,150 per kg. Retailer Dayo Efunkunle explained that the adjustment reflects surging depot rates, severe supply fluctuations, and high logistics overheads. "We are not profiteering," structural marketer Kunle Ibiyemi added. "The high retail price is strictly driven by acute supply shortages." Ibiyemi warned that without immediate federal intervention to boost local production, improve distribution networks, and stabilise prices, the environmental gains made in promoting clean energy over the last decade could be entirely erased.

IBADAN — The Oyo State House of Assembly has cancelled all elaborate activities planned for its third anniversary, citing the deteriorating security situation in the state. During Thursday`s plenary, lawmakers voted to forgo festivities to show solidarity with residents facing severe security threats, particularly in the Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso axes. Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin stated that celebrating is inappropriate while citizens grapple with safety concerns. Instead of hosting events, the 10th Assembly—inaugurated on June 14, 2023—will redirect its full attention to legislative governance and urgent security interventions. Focus Shifts to Oversight and Safety Speaker Ogundoyin emphasized that the legislature remains fully operational and committed to its duties despite regional challenges. He highlighted the Assembly`s proactive measures, including a recent legislative security summit and targeted stakeholder dialogues aimed at curbing the violence. The House is also actively reviewing the impact of existing security frameworks. The Post Legislative Scrutiny Unit is currently evaluating the implementation of two critical laws:The Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law (2019)The Oyo State Security Agency Law (2020) These reviews will determine if the current laws need amendments to better combat the evolving security threats. Three Years in Numbers Defending the track record of the current assembly, Ogundoyin listed key legislative milestones achieved over the last three years: 36 bills successfully passed into law.276 resolutions adopted and transmitted to the executive arm.Active committee oversight deployed to ensure compliance with passed resolutions. The Speaker assured the public that committee oversight will intensify to hold government institutions accountable and restore peace to the affected communities.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has officially withdrawn from the upcoming local government elections scheduled for December 2026. In a strongly-worded statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan, the main opposition party labeled the planned grassroots polls as "illegal, ill-conceived, and self-serving," dealing a significant blow to the credibility of the upcoming transit of power at the third tier of government. The declaration, signed by the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare, accused the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde of deliberate administrative overreach and political desperation. The APC alleged that the sudden push for the December elections is a calculated political maneuver by Governor Makinde. According to the party, the governor is attempting to rush the electoral process to install handpicked loyalists into the 33 local government councils before his constitutional tenure ends in May 2027. "The same Makinde is now trying to impose another set of lackeys who would be loyal to him even after leaving Agodi Government House," Sadare stated. The opposition argued that the governor is fully aware that his political influence will evaporate after the 2027 general elections. Rushing the local polls, the party claims, is his final strategy to retain a grip on grassroots machinery. Local Government Autonomy Under Fire A central pillar of the APC’s boycott is the ongoing crisis surrounding local government autonomy in Oyo State. The opposition party painted a grim picture of local administration under the current government, accusing Makinde of systematically undermining grassroots democracy. Key grievances raised by the APC include: The party alleged that the governor has heavily compromised the financial independence of the 33 local government councils for over seven years.The boycott statement noted that the current electoral push would only worsen the economic and structural hardships felt by citizens at the local level.The APC stated that the governor has proven he cannot be trusted to deliver a free, fair, and autonomous local government structure. Standoff Ahead of 2027 The APC expressed confidence that the people of Oyo State are eager for May 2027 to arrive so that the third tier of government can finally regain its administrative and financial freedom. By pulling out entirely from the race, the APC has effectively set up a tense political atmosphere in the state, signaling that it will not validate an electoral process it deems fundamentally flawed and unconstitutional. As of the time of going to press, the Oyo State Government and the ruling People`s Democratic Party (PDP) have yet to issue an official response to the APC’s boycott and the heavy allegations leveled against the governor.

Northern youths, under the aegis of the Coalition of Arewa Youth Groups, has warned that 2027 may be Nigeria’s last election. The coalition issued the warning at a press briefing where they demanded the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC. The group called on Northern youths to come together and vote out the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 general elections. The Arewa youths lamented El-Rufai’s continued detention, noting that there are several former governors, who are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, but are moving freely. It added that many of such ex-governors are even contesting elective positions under the APC. “If things continue to happen like this in Nigeria, 2027 might be our last attempt to have an election, because if we don’t fight APC the evil in it, we are going to be worse than the military rules. “So I would like to call on our Northern brothers, especially those from Kaduna that we must rise up. We must resist Governor Uba Sani’s attempt to make Kaduna a one-party system. “The arrest of Nasir El-Rufai will not stop us from our plans and our mission of sending this government back to where they belong. President Bola Tinubu must go back to Lagos, while Governor Uba Sani might follow him as well,” the group said.

Felix Rojas, 44, received the maximum sentence Wednesday in a New York court after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the April 2025 incident. Upon release, Rojas will face an additional 15 years of strict post-release supervision. The Transit Crime According to prosecutors, the incident occurred aboard a northbound R train where 37-year-old Jorge Gonzalez had lost consciousness and died from an unrelated medical episode. Transit surveillance footage captured Rojas noticing the unresponsive passenger, targeting him, and sexually abusing the body. Court documents state that Rojas also ransacked the deceased man`s pockets during the assault. Rojas evaded transit police for nearly three weeks before surrendering to authorities. He turned himself in only after the New York Police Department publicly released surveillance images of the suspect, though he initially denied the allegations during police interrogation. Immigration and Systemic Fallout Following the sentencing, federal immigration authorities confirmed that Rojas is a Mexican national with a prior record of multiple unlawful entry attempts into the United States. The depravity of the crime has reignited intense public scrutiny regarding safety, emergency response times, and the adequacy of camera monitoring within New York City’s sprawling subway system. Family Remembers Victim The victim, Gonzalez, had resided in the United States for nearly two decades. Speaking outside the courtroom, devastated family members described him as a deeply devoted father and an industrious provider. They noted he consistently worked grueling hours across the construction, restaurant, and service industries to financially sustain his family back home in Mexico.

1. The Lead Opinion The indefinite industrial action by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) is not merely a labor dispute; it is a profound indictment of the state`s security architecture. While the union is entirely justified in demanding better protections following the traumatic kidnappings in Oriire, the resulting collateral damage—idled children and compromised education—demands an immediate, multi-pronged resolution from the Oyo State Government. 2. Core Arguments & Stances Safety Over Syllabi: The government must stop viewing school security as an afterthought. Negotiating the end of the strike requires more than just standard salary talks; it requires concrete, visible security measures deployed to fortify public schools. Academic Compromise: Even if the strike were to end immediately, the syllabus is severely compromised. The looming rush to cover academic ground will heavily disadvantage public school students, widening the gap between them and their privately educated peers. The Burden on Working-Class Families: With public schools completely shut down, working parents in urban centers like Ibadan are facing an impossible choice. Many are forced to leave toddlers under loose supervision or expose impressionable youths to street hawking to supplement family incomes. 3. Key Recommendations Immediate Deployment: Government must immediately establish visible security patrols and perimeter fencing around vulnerable rural and semi-urban schools to restore confidence. Palliative Academic Planning: The Ministry of Education must redesign the term calendar to realistically accommodate the lost weeks, preventing teachers from rushing the syllabus. Emergency Childcare Support: Until schools resume, local government authorities must collaborate with community leaders to create safe, structured civic spaces and localized daycares for younger children. The Ministry of Education must pivot to active, structured intervention to secure schools and salvage the academic year, prioritizing infrastructure audits for security, curriculum compression, and the establishment of community-based safe learning hubs. Additionally, the plan calls for utilizing broadcast-based distance learning, deploying mobile counseling units for trauma support, and restructuring academic calendars for catch-up instruction. For detailed actionable recommendations, consult the Ministry of Education.

A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the future of public education in Oyo State as the indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) enters a critical phase, leaving classrooms deserted and parents in a state of panic. The industrial action, which commenced on June 1, was triggered by the traumatic May 15 abduction of teachers and pupils in the Oriire Local Government Area. While the strike serves as a protest against worsening insecurity, its immediate fallout is being felt most acutely on the streets, where thousands of school-age children have now been left idle. Academic Calendar Disrupted The timing of the strike has amplified the anxiety of education stakeholders. Schools were shuttered just as pupils and students were preparing to commence their continuous assessment exercises. Veteran educators warn that even if the strike is called off immediately, the academic calendar has been severely compromised. Resuming schools will likely force teachers into a frantic rush to cover the syllabus, heavily disadvantaging students. Parents Resort to Desperate Measures With public schools completely shut down, working-class parents in Ibadan are struggling to keep their children safe and productive. In neighborhoods like Mokola and Total Garden, children are increasingly seen roaming the streets or hawking goods to supplement family incomes. Some parents in Nalende have hurriedly enrolled their children in tailoring and other vocational apprenticeships just to keep them supervised. In areas like Yemetu, residents have formed informal neighborhood clusters to watch over groups of children while their parents are at work. The most vulnerable demographic remains children between the ages of three and seven. Too young for vocational training, these toddlers are frequently left under the loose supervision of neighbors or completely unattended. A Call for Urgent Government Action While some teachers have criticized parents for a lack of vigilance during the crisis, the consensus among residents is that the ultimate responsibility lies with the state. Distressed parents are urging the Oyo State Government to urgently intensify negotiations with the NUT. Stakeholders emphasize that resolving the strike permanently will require more than just salary talks; the government must deploy visible, concrete security measures to fortify public schools against further insurgent attacks.

Prominent Yoruba leader, Iba Gani Adams, and renowned historian, Professor Akin Alao, have jointly tackled the federal government over rising insecurity, demanding the immediate passage of the state police bill. Speaking at the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) North America Online Summit 2026, the duo urged President Bola Tinubu and the Senate to fast-track the ongoing constitutional amendment. The House of Representatives has already approved the decentralized policing framework. Economic Paralysis Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, warned that banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes have crippled regional commerce. "Trade and commerce have suffered immensely," Adams stated. "Nightlife and related economic activities have virtually disappeared in many cities due to fear." He added that local and foreign investments are drying up, triggering mass unemployment and acute poverty. To combat this, Adams proposed a multi-pronged approach:Rapid state police deploymentJoint South-West governance security initiativesYouth vocational training programsFinancial bailouts for small businesses. Agricultural Collapse Prof. Alao of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) warned that Nigeria`s food security is under imminent threat as regional instability targets agrarian communities. "Greater attention must be given to rural security," Alao argued. "We must make it safe for farmers to return to their lands to boost food production." The academic noted that the security crisis is actively de-industrializing Nigeria. He revealed that manufacturers are fleeing to neighboring nations like Ghana, while local commercial activities now grind to a halt by 6:00 PM. Alao called for immediate funding boosts, technology-driven intelligence sharing, and a total restructuring of the national security architecture to halt the drift.

Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been completely vindicated after a United Kingdom court cleared her of all bribery and corruption allegations. A jury at the Southwark Crown Court in London returned a unanimous not-guilty verdict on Wednesday, dismissing all six counts of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery. The ruling brings a definitive end to a high-profile legal battle that has spanned several years. The verdict,Unanimous not-guilty verdicts on all six operational charges.The jury deliberated for more than 46 hours before reaching its conclusion. Southwark Crown Court, London, United Kingdom. THENEWSCREDIT reports that Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria`s Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015.She held office under the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.Prosecutors claimed she accepted luxury perks in exchange for awarding lucrative oil contracts. The former minister consistently maintained her absolute innocence throughout the trial. She testified that she held no direct influence over the independent award of government contracts. The jury completely rejected the prosecution`s case, confirming her clearance.

Warning that "Nigeria is bleeding," the House of Representatives Minority Caucus on Wednesday demanded an immediate overhaul of the country`s security architecture and issued a 72-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to rescue abducted school children and teachers in Oyo State. Led by Minority Leader Fred Agbedi at a press conference in Abuja, the opposition lawmakers asserted that politics must be set aside to prioritize national safety. They reminded the administration that Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution explicitly mandates government to prioritize the security and welfare of its citizens. The caucus strongly condemned the murder of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, the former Nigerian Army spokesman, who was killed while held captive by terrorists in Katsina State. While extending condolences to his family, the lawmakers expressed concern over the "questionable circumstances" surrounding the release of the late general`s wife. They demanded a transparent investigation, questioning how terrorists can now assassinate military generals with impunity. Action Over Propaganda The lawmakers noted that despite the President declaring a state of emergency on November 25, 2025, the security situation has continued to worsen. “The nation requires funding on security intelligence, not propaganda, improved welfare for frontline troops, and not wildcards for appointees,” Agbedi stated. The caucus insisted on a coordinated, no-ransom special military operation within 72 hours to free the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oyo State, emphasizing that the government must offer "no excuses." Judiciary and 2027 Electoral Warnings Shifting focus to democratic stability, the caucus criticized a recent Federal High Court judgment that ordered the de-registration of five political parties—a ruling subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal. To prevent further institutional damage, the opposition urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to intervene and resolve conflicting judgments regarding political party registrations. Agbedi additionally cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against being used to compromise democratic processes, vowing that the opposition would reject any pre-rigged outcomes ahead of the 2027 general elections. "We will not be silent. We will not be intimidated," Agbedi declared, reassuring citizens that opposition parties will resist political suppression. "To Nigerians, do not despair. 2027 will not be decided in a room or by compromised courts. It will be decided by you, the people."