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Adeleke Flaunts Cooperative Financing Scorecard, Expands Start-Up Grants to 2000

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has flaunted his government’s records in cooperative financing for small businesses and expanded the start-up grant programme with 2000 new beneficiaries.

A government statement in Osogbo on Thursday cited Gov Adeleke as saying that the event was not just another ceremony; but a bold statement of his commitment to people-centric governance and inclusive development.

Gov Adeleke declared, “We are gathered here for the presentation of Business Registration Certificates, Point-of-Sale Terminals (POS), and Start-Up Grants to 2,000 women and youth beneficiaries of the Imole Business Empowerment Scheme 1.0, organized by the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment in partnership with First Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc.”

Describing the scheme as a practical demonstration of resolve to take empowerment beyond slogans, Gov Adeleke highlighted advances already recorded by his administration in all sectors.

According to Gov Adeleke, “In January 2024, Osun State held its First Cooperative Summit and Awards, the first of its kind in the history of our state. It was at that maiden summit that I announced a ₦1 billion cooperative revolving loan, which, in response to the growing needs of our people, was later reviewed upward to ₦3.450 billion. Out of this, ₦1.6 billion has already been released to beneficiaries across the state.

“Through the cooperative revolving disbursement programme, we have implemented two phases. Ward-based cooperatives initiatives, expanded from 332 to 401 wards, with 389 wards fully benefitting. So far, ₦736,050,000 interest-free loans have been disbursed at the grassroots level, directly impacting over 20,000 households.

“Conventional cooperative unions and societies under the umbrella of FOSCOOP received ₦800,000,000, reaching over 250 cooperative unions and societies, with 10,233 individual cooperators benefitting.

“We extended our reach to Osun indigenes outside the state, disbursing ₦50,000,000 to beneficiaries in Abuja and Northern Nigeria.

“Together, these interventions bring our total cooperative revolving loan disbursement to ₦1,586,000,000.00.

“In September 2024, we flagged off the new working capital of the MSMEDF programme, laying the foundation for the ultra-modern office complex of the Osun Micro Credit Agency, and disbursed ₦250 million MSMEDF cheques to prospective loan applicants.

“In May 2025, the Ministry, in collaboration with Fidelity Bank, organized a Food Bank Initiative where over 3,000 residents received free foodstuffs to cushion the hardship of the times.

“We are also upgrading the Sen. Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke College of Cooperative Studies, Ode-Omu, to become a Uniosun campus for cooperative and management studies, starting academic activities in September 2025 with approved programmes in Taxation, Transport Management, Development Studies, and others.

“Our administration has empowered persons living with disabilities, in partnership with Project Enable Africa, while also rehabilitating and upgrading structures at the Cooperative College in Ode-Omu.”

He noted further that the Imole Business Empowerment Scheme 1.0 marks a turning point. This initiative is targeted at 2,000 women and youths across the 30 Local Governments and the Area Office of Osun State.

“Each beneficiary will walk away today with: CAC Business Registration Certificate; POS Terminal, and a Start-Up Grant, to immediately begin their journey into entrepreneurship and financial independence.

“Beyond the handover of tools and funds, this scheme is built on capacity building and training, so our beneficiaries can grow and expand their businesses sustainably. This initiative is not just about today; it is about building the future of Osun State.

“It is about equipping our people with the skills, opportunities, and support to thrive. By focusing on women and youth, we are investing in the most productive segment of our society”, the Governor explained.

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Welcoming the governor and the team, the Commissioner for Empowerment and Cooperatives Development, Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe noted that the event is not just a presentation of empowerment items, but a testimony of this administration’s commitment to sustainable development, youth empowerment, women’s inclusion, and inclusive economic growth.

He charged beneficiaries to use these opportunities wisely to grow their businesses diligently, and become worthy ambassadors of this noble initiative.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye; Yeyeluwa Modupe Adeleke-Sanni; members of the State Executive Council and top officials of Fidelity Bank and First bank.

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2026 Poll: Osun Ndigbo Backs Adeleke’s Second-Term Bid

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Ahead of the 2026 governorship election, the Ndigbo community across the local government areas of Osun State has declared its support for the second-term bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

A government house statement in Osogbo on Wednesday night has it that ndi Igbo cited his administration’s developmental strides across the state for their decision.

The endorsement was made during a courtesy visit by leaders of the Igbo community in Osun to the governor at the Government House in Osogbo, where they commended his leadership and commitment to inclusive governance.

ALSO READ: Adeleke on Why he Deserves Second Term

Speaking on behalf of the association, President-General of the Ndigbo in the state, Chief John Dike, praised the governor for the infrastructural and social development projects being carried out across the state.

He particularly commended the governor for appointing some members of the Igbo community as Senior Special Assistants, describing the gesture as a sign of recognition and inclusion of the community in the affairs of the state.

Chief Dike, however, appealed for further inclusiveness, requesting that more Igbo indigenes be considered for appointments into the state cabinet and other employment opportunities within the government.

He also urged the state government to allocate land for the construction of a modern secretariat for the Igbo community and grant approval for an endorsement rally in support of the governor’s re-election bid.

In addition, the Ndigbo leader sought assistance for Igbo farmers operating within the state, while assuring the governor of the community’s unwavering support for his administration and second-term ambition. Members of the delegation also presented campaign caps to the governor as a symbol of their solidarity.

Responding, Governor Adeleke expressed appreciation for the endorsement, noting that the Igbo community has continued to contribute positively to the social and economic development of the state.

He assured them that his administration would continue to promote their welfare and support their progress, while granting the requests presented during the visit.

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Adeleke on Why he Deserves Second Term

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has declared that his administration’s record of performance and fulfilment of electoral promises justifies a second term in office.

A government house statement in Osogbo on Wednesday has it that the governor made the declaration while hosting a delegation of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), Osun State Council, during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Osogbo.

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It was gathered that the delegation was led by the National Vice President of the society, Asiwaju Justice Adeigbe (Rtd), alongside the Chairman of the Osun State chapter, Chief Daud Oladapo.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the State Secretary of the society, Dr Afeez Akande, praised the Governor’s performance and pledged the support of the organisation for the continuity of the administration.

“We have been following what you are doing and your track records. You are wonderful and you are marvelous in our eyes. The monumental works you have been doing in Osun make it look like we have never had a Governor like this before,” Dr Akande said.

He noted that the administration’s projects are known for timely delivery and strategic impact on the lives of residents.

“We have identified that once you embark on projects, they are time-bound. It shows genuine administrative acumen, love for the state and love for the people,” he added.

Dr Akande also cited infrastructural developments, specifically the ongoing dualisation of roads, notably that of Iwo as an example of the Governor’s vision-driven leadership.

“That road project has helped to boost economic activities in the area. Such development can only come from someone with vision who follows through with implementation. We appreciate what you are doing and we are resolved to support the continuity,” he said.

Responding, Governor Adeleke thanked the delegation for the visit and reaffirmed his commitment to people-centred governance.

“Today marks the starting point of campaigning for the August 15, 2026 governorship election. We need your prayers and support for a free and fair election through which the will of the people will prevail,” the Governor said.

Governor Adeleke also unveiled an upgraded Five-Point Agenda that will drive his re-election campaign.

“Our reloaded Five-Point Agenda will focus on integrated youth, women and workers’ welfare and empowerment; infrastructure consolidation for citizens’ social and economic wellbeing; agro-industrial expansion for human development and collective prosperity; affordable and qualitative health and education access; and an improved and secured business environment for job creation,” the Governor stated.

Explaining why he deserves a second term, the Governor pointed to the administration’s record across several sectors.

“When the opposition asked whether I deserve to be re-elected, I told them yes based on my performance in this first term in office,” the Governor said.

“I deserve re-election because of what our administration has delivered for the people of Osun. We have empowered the cooperative movement with almost four billion naira, strengthened community development associations with grassroots health and infrastructure projects, and implemented the Imole Medical Outreach that has benefited almost eighty thousand residents.”

He added that the administration has also revived agriculture and rural development across the state.

“We revived the cocoa revolution through aggressive seedling distribution and new farmers’ initiatives, acquired brand new tractors now serving farmers across the state, and implemented thousands of local projects through integrated rural development under the O-RAMP programme,” he said.

Governor Adeleke further highlighted achievements in governance, infrastructure and economic management.

“We introduced a 45-day window for the acquisition of Certificates of Occupancy, revived the Osun Free Trade Zone with active investors, digitised tax and revenue collection, and implemented the SIFMIS payroll application to ensure transparency in the management of public funds,” he stated.

The Governor also cited major achievements in infrastructure and social services.

“We have constructed over 350 kilometres of roads, developed three major flyover bridges, revived six moribund waterworks, drilled 332 boreholes across wards, rehabilitated schools and health centres, and paid inherited half salaries and almost one hundred billion naira in pension debts,” he added.

Governor Adeleke assured the people of Osun that his administration will continue to deliver inclusive governance and sustainable development if re-elected.

“My promise to the people of Osun is that now and when we are re-elected, we will continue to run an inclusive and forward-looking government that keeps the people at the centre of our programmes and policies,” he said.

Other dignitaries, and political functionaries present included the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi, and the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina.

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Fuel Price Shock: Nigerians May Soon Pay ₦1,500 Per Litre – Marketers Warn

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Oil marketers have warned that Nigerians may soon pay as much as ₦1,500 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, as global oil prices surge following the escalating conflict involving Iran in the Middle East.

The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, issued the warning on Tuesday while speaking on a television programme on the impact of the global crisis on fuel prices.

According to him, the current volatility in the international oil market has already pushed petrol prices above ₦1,000 per litre at the depot level, with the ex-depot price from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery now standing at about ₦1,175 per litre.

He explained that once logistics, transportation, and other operational costs are added, the final pump price could rise significantly, possibly reaching ₦1,500 per litre in the near future.

Despite concerns about the rising cost of fuel, Gillis-Harry noted that steady availability of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery remains a major relief for Nigeria, stressing that consistent supply is better than a nationwide fuel scarcity.

He added that the refinery’s production capacity is helping to stabilize supply across the country at a time when global markets remain highly unstable.

The latest price adjustment by the Dangote Refinery marks the fourth review within two weeks. Petrol prices increased from ₦995 per litre to ₦1,175 per litre, while diesel rose from ₦1,430 to about ₦1,620 per litre.

The development comes amid a sharp spike in international crude oil prices triggered by fears of supply disruptions due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Brent crude recently climbed above $102 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to around $101 per barrel.

Industry analysts say the rising oil prices are already having a ripple effect on Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, forcing depot operators and fuel marketers to adjust their prices in response to the global market trend.

Meanwhile, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stated that although Nigeria introduced a crude-for-naira arrangement to support local refineries, the facility still purchases crude oil at international market prices, leaving it exposed to global price fluctuations.

 

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