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Outrage In Ijagemo As Community Petitions Ikeja Electric Over Landlord’s Refusal To Pay Bills For 5 Years

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In the Ijagemo community of Lagos State, a landlord’s alleged corruption and five-year avoidance of electricity bills has led to a petition against Ikeja Electric.

The situation underscores the need for justice, reform, and fairness in electricity consumption.

In a recent unfolding in the Ijagemo community of Lagos State, a collective outcry has emerged against a longstanding practice that has left many in astonishment and disbelief.

At the heart of this controversy is Mr. Gani Oladipupo, a landlord who has allegedly skirted the boundaries of legality by inhabiting his residence for over five years without once registering for or settling his electricity bills.

This action, or rather inaction, has propelled a group of concerned electricity consumers to step forward, petitioning Ikeja Electric, the power supplier to the area, in a bid to bring justice and equity back to their community’s electricity consumption dynamics.

The Spark of Controversy

According to the petition spearheaded by Pastor Amos Moyo Fabiyi, representing the aggrieved consumers, Mr. Oladipupo, who is also an electrician by profession, has not only evaded payment but has allegedly engaged in corrupt practices to maintain his illegal electricity supply.

The accusation extends to claims of bribing staff of Ikeja Electric to prevent disconnection of his power supply and resorting to illicit reconnections whenever his supply was severed.

This situation has not only raised questions about the integrity of the electricity distribution system but has also highlighted the broader issue of electricity theft in rural communities, where such practices can significantly impact the financial and operational efficiency of utility providers.

The Community’s Outcry

The Ijagemo community, like many other rural areas in Nigeria, faces challenges with electricity distribution. A significant number of consumers in these areas are without meters, leading to a reliance on a central billing system.

This system, while designed to ensure fairness, often falls short, primarily when unregistered consumers like Mr. Oladipupo consume electricity without contributing to the cost.

This disparity has left registered consumers bearing the burden for those who bypass the system, a situation that the petitioning group argues is both unsustainable and unjust. “It’s high time authorities stepped in to rectify this anomaly,” Pastor Fabiyi remarked, emphasizing the need for a robust response to deter similar future infractions.

A Call for Justice and Reform

The case of Mr. Gani Oladipupo is not an isolated one, yet it starkly illustrates the broader challenges facing electricity distribution in Nigeria, especially in less urbanized regions.

The petitioners are calling for immediate action, urging Ikeja Electric and relevant authorities to not only ensure that Mr. Oladipupo is held accountable for his years of unpaid electricity bills but also to implement measures that prevent such incidents from recurring.

This includes the installation of meters for all consumers to facilitate fair billing and the strengthening of oversight mechanisms to detect and penalize unauthorized connections and corruption within the utility’s staff.

The goal, as outlined by the petitioning group, is to foster a culture of responsibility and fairness in electricity consumption, ensuring that all users contribute equitably to the cost of the service.

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Union Bank Of Nigeria Marks International Women’s Month 2026 With Inclusion-First “Give to Gain” Campaign

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In observance of International Women’s Month 2026, Union Bank of Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to gender equity through a focused initiative centred on women living with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities.

Aligned with the global theme “Give to Gain,” the Bank’s campaign “Give to Gain: Creating Pathways for Inclusion and Endless Opportunities” centres the lived experiences of women living with disabilities and underscores the need for intentional systems of support for social and economic advancement.

Throughout March, Union Bank will implement targeted initiatives to expand access, foster inclusion, and unlock sustainable opportunities. Activities include a flagship event which held at

The Stable, its multipurpose venue in Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday. The event convened women with disabilities, caregivers, supporting organisations, and advocates for dialogue, mentorship, and resource sharing.

L-R: Chief Talent Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Omayuli Wale-Ajayi; Head, Corporate Banking, Union Bank of Nigeria, Ali Kadiri; Head, Retail and SME Business, Union Bank of Nigeria, Vivian Imoh-Ita; Founder/Executive Director, Deaf International Foundation, Funmilola Ogunro; MD/CEO, Union Bank of Nigeria, Yetunde Oni; SouthWest Coordinator, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Adenike Olorundare; Women Leader, Lagos Chapter, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Olubukola Salako; Executive Director, Corporate Bank & Business Banking Lagos & West, Union Bank of Nigeria, Taiwo Shote; Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Olufunmilola Aluko; Regional Executive, Business Banking SouthWest and Lagos, Union Bank of Nigeria, Emmanuel Aihevba, and Lead Innovation, Events and Platform Management, Union Bank of Nigeria, Chiamaka Moses during the Bank’s commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026 at the Stable, Surulere, Lagos recently.

Complementary efforts include outreach to disability support facilities and collaboration with educational institutions to distribute learning materials to female students with disabilities. Tailored mentorship programmes will build confidence and capability in education, entrepreneurship, and careers. Through its women’s banking proposition alpher and strategic partnerships, the Bank will also deliver business sustainability training specifically designed for women living with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities.
Internally, Union Bank will activate WeHub — its employee-led women’s network — to strengthen inclusive culture and support professional growth across the organisation.

These actions reflect Union Bank’s long-standing commitment to advancing equity for underserved communities — and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). For Union Bank, these are not frameworks to cite; they are commitments to live out.

Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, stated that “At Union Bank, inclusion is not an abstract ideal; it is a deliberate choice. While many conversations around women’s empowerment are important and necessary, women living with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities are too often left out entirely. This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain,’ reflects exactly what we believe: that when we intentionally open access, support, and opportunity to these women, the value created extends to families, communities, and society at large.”

Union Bank’s IWD 2026 campaign is a statement of intent: that true inclusion requires us to go further, reach deeper, and serve those who have waited longest for a seat at the table. In 2026, Union Bank is committed to ensuring that a seat exists — and that it is built to last.

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Just In: Dangote Refinery Announces Petrol, Diesel Price Reduction

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery officially reduced its gantry prices for petrol (PMS) and diesel (AGO) following a series of price hikes earlier in the week.

According to a new pricing template released by the refinery on March 10, 2026, the gantry price of petrol has been reduced by N100, dropping from N1,175 to N1,075 per litre.

The refinery also stated that the price of PMS for coastal supply will now be N1,050 per litre. The difference in price reflects additional costs linked to maritime distribution.

Similarly, the price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) has been reduced to N1,430 per litre at the gantry, down from the previous N1,620 per litre. This represents a decrease of N190 per litre.

The refinery noted that these gantry prices do not include regulatory charges from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Meanwhile, JomogNews earlier reported on Monday that Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised its gantry PMS price to N1,175 per litre — the third upward adjustment in seven days

The refinery communicated the new ex-depot price to marketers and depot operators, up ₦180 from the N995 per litre announced last week Friday, an 18.1 per cent increase in three days.

 

 

 

 

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Drama At Rivers Assembly Over Nominee’s ‘I don’t pay tax’ Statement

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A video circulating online has captured a tense moment during the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The footage seen shows the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, questioning one of the nominees, Charity Deemua, over the status of her tax clearance certificate.

During the screening of commissioner nominees, the Rivers State House of Assembly rejected nominee Charity Deemua after she claimed that as a politician, she did not pay taxes.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule and other lawmakers expressed shock at the statement, leading to the rejection of her nomination along with three others due to lack of tax compliance.

During the screening session, Amaewhule pointed out that the nominee’s tax clearance appeared outdated.

“I just wanted to know, so there’s no current tax clearance. Madam has not been paying tax since 2018. I just wanted to know if she’s been exempted from paying taxes. So let her tell us now,” the Speaker said.

Responding, Deemua explained that she had not had a steady source of income in recent years.

“Like I said before, I’m a politician, I don’t have work,” she stated.

When asked to clarify her employment history, Deemua told the lawmakers that she had previously served briefly in government.

“I was a member, a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission,” she said.

Amaewhule then pressed further about her role in a local government caretaker committee.

“When were you? Hold on… local government caretaker committee member, right?” the Speaker asked.

“I was just three months there,” Deemua replied.

“When? When was that?” Amaewhule asked.

“And I think November last year,” she responded.

“November when? What year?” the Speaker asked again.

“2025,” she answered.

The Speaker then questioned whether she earned income during that period.

“You were not paid salary? Were you not paid salary?” Amaewhule asked.

“In the caretaker committee, we were paid,” Deemua admitted.

“You were paid? Yes. Is that not income? But you said you have not had any income from 2018 to date as a politician. So no tax clearance, and that’s what you are telling Rivers people. Madam, that is not nice. You are misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly,” Amaewhule said.

In response, Deemua apologised and suggested she could address the issue.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. But I think I can still go back for…,” she began before being interrupted.

“No, but you say you have not had any income now,” Amaewhule replied before moving on to the next nominee.

The video of the exchange has since drawn reactions online, with many Nigerians asking that if politicians say they don’t work, what exactly are taxpayers paying for.

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