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SANWO-OLU’S DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF’S REMAINS LAID TO REST
•Soyannwo was a confidant, faithful believer in collective dream of Greater Lagos – Governor
The remains of the late Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo, were committed to mother earth on Thursday at the Vaults and Gardens, after a funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David Parish, Victoria Island.
Governor Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. (Mrs). Abimbola Salu-Hudeyin, Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro and Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, attended the funeral service to bid the late Soyannwo farewell.
The service was also attended by members of the Lagos State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, All Progressives Congress (APC), religious and traditional leaders, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, and public servants, as well as family, friends, and associates of the deceased.
The late Soyannwo, who was appointed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2019 as Deputy Chief of Staff and re-appointed in 2023, died on May 15 after a brief illness at age 55.
Speaking during the funeral service, Governor Sanwo-Olu, described Soyannwo as the engine room of his administration, whose death has created a big vacuum.

Elder brother of the deceased, Mr. Bayo Soyannwo; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; the First Lady, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; wife of deceased, Mrs. Yewande Soyannwo and the children during the funeral service of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David Parish, Victoria Island, on Thursday, 23 May 2024.
He implored family of the deceased to take solace in God that the deceased lived a good life and touched many lives positively while on earth.
The Governor, who described the late Gboyega Soyannwo as “a brother, an armour-bearer, a confidant, and a faithful believer in the collective dream of a Greater Lagos,” said the late Deputy Chief of Staff, was a team player par excellence who worked tirelessly for the success of his administration.
He said that the late Soyannwo was a firm believer in impactful governance, adding that he was dutiful and passionate about development.
In her emotional tribute, which moved some of the congregation to tears during the service, the widow, Mrs. Yewande Soyannwo, eulogised her late husband. She said she had spent the best of her life with Gboyega, whom she described as a great partner and lover, having spent 24 years together as a couple.
She appealed to family, friends, colleagues, or anyone the late Gboyega Soyannwo might have offended while on earth for not meeting their expectations to forgive him, for death is inevitable.
“If I don’t give my tribute, it will be a disservice to Gboyega. Who am I to question God? Gboyega was intentional about everything, even when he is frowning.
“As your wife, I bless the day I met you. I bless the womb that brought you forth. I bless the children that God gave us. Everyone that matters to me matters to Gboyega. We had our issues, but they were nothing deep. What else can I say? I just want to thank God for giving him to me.
“I pray for strength to carry on. For the people Gboyega may have offended, who probably thought he didn’t give them a contract or help facilitate it, he had no power over that. Some relationships turned sour. He didn’t have the power to award contracts. Please forgive him,” she pleaded.

Elder brother of the deceased, Mr. Bayo Soyannwo; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; the First Lady, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; wife of deceased, Mrs. Yewande Soyannwo and the children during the funeral service of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David Parish, Victoria Island, on Thursday, 23 May 2024.
In his exhortation, Pastor Dapo Akinosun, who read from Proverbs 22:29 and Romans 12:14, prayed for the repose of the deceased, urged those who are still alive to use their position to better the lives of the less privileged in society, by being selfless in service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
During the funeral service, prayers were offered for the entire Soyannwo family and Lagos State Government by the Lagos State chapter Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rt. Revd. Stephen Adegbite.
News
Union Bank Of Nigeria Marks International Women’s Month 2026 With Inclusion-First “Give to Gain” Campaign
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.
News
Just In: Dangote Refinery Announces Petrol, Diesel Price Reduction
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.
News
Drama At Rivers Assembly Over Nominee’s ‘I don’t pay tax’ Statement
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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