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Okuama Massacre: No One Left In Okuama Community – Gov. Oborevwori 

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There is no one left in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State where Army officers and men were killed, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said yesterday.

Describing the incident as strange, he said he was unable to reach any of the community leaders.

The governor said he received an update from the military, and that the the situation was under control.

The member representing the community in the House of Representatives, Francis Waive, told his colleagues at the Green Chamber yesterday that his people were hiding in the bush.

Oborevwori spoke with reporters at the State House, Abuja, after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on developments.

The Army put the number of those killed at 17, including four officers.

The officers are Lt. Col. A.H Ali, Maj. Safa, Maj. D.E Obi, and Captain U. Zakari.

The soldiers are Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Yahaya Danbaba, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Haman Peter and Ibrahim Abdullahi.

The rest are Privates Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Ibrahim Adamu and Adamu Ibrahim.

The officers and soldiers were on a peace mission when those believed to be Okuama youths ambushed and murdered them on Thursday.

More outrage greeted the dastardly act yesterday.

The Senate, House of Representatives, prominent Nigerians and groups called for a thorough investigation.

They want the perpetrators brought to justice.

The Senate, which observed a minute’s silence in honour of the slain officers and men, mandated its committees on the Army, Defence, Air Force and Navy to investigate the killings.

Immediate past Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, called for an independent investigative panel to unearth the true nature of the incident.

Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri warned against drawing hasty conclusions on the killings or politicising the situation.

The Urhobo Traditional Rulers and the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) called for an independent truth commission on the killings and the underlying causes.

The Forum of Delta State Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) called for a special panel to probe the incident.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) urged the community leaders to expose those behind the killings.

Oborevwori said while his government has met with the military, it has not been able to meet with the community leaders because the place has been deserted.

He added: “First and foremost, the community has been deserted. So, the issue of whether we’ve been able to see the community leaders, no. We’ve only gotten full briefing from the Army and we’re on it because this week the traditional council is going to meet and discuss. I’m going to invite stakeholders. We’re on top of it.”

The governor said a security meeting was held on Monday with the heads of security agencies in attendance.

“We’re on the same page to fish out the real culprits because innocent people will not suffer for it. They have assured us that no innocent person will be victimised.”

Oborevwori said peace and security were key priorities of his administration.

According to him, he had worked with other stakeholders from Okuama and Okoloba to address the age-long rivalry between them.

The governor said: “Since last year, we’ve been enjoying peace. We commend all the security agencies, but an unfortunate thing happened last week. People who don’t know the issues are talking.

The two communities have been having issues for years. On February 7, they were invited by the state government. The two communities – the members representing the two local governments, the council chairmen and the leaders of those communities – were invited.

They agreed to work together and signed a peace accord. This unfortunate incident is very sad because Delta is governed by the tenets of the rule of law and decency. I promised Deltans that I’d be the governor of all and we’ve been enjoying peace. One of my M.O.R.E. Agenda is that we’ll enhance peace and security, and that’s what we’ve been doing.

What is happening now is something that we did not bargain for, but we want to assure everybody that there’ll be no more attacks on the villages. Those who are culpable will be brought to book, but the innocent citizens will not be attacked.”

He said the families of those killed will not be abandoned.

“The people that have been killed, the officers and soldiers – we must see how we can find succour for their families and give them a befitting burial,” Oborevwori said.

 

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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.

See video:

 

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