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U.S Mission Nigeria Reaffirms Robust Relationship With EFCC
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills (Jr.), has reaffirmed that the robust working relationship between the United States government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would continue in order to achieve significant success in the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
He stated this in Abuja on Tuesday when he led a delegation of the US mission in Nigeria on a familiarisation visit to the executive chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, at the commission’s corporate headquarters.
“I’m grateful for the relationship we have both through our legal attache and with these other offices here. The US government was strongly supportive of the creation of EFCC when it was established and our relationship has continued since then. I’m here today to learn a little bit about what the chairman’s priorities are for the EFCC moving forward; what you see as the key trends in financial crimes that you’re addressing and how the U.S. government and U.S. mission can assist you, either with information sharing or sharing of expertise, closer cooperation in specific cases,” he said.

Explaining further, Mills pointed out that “part of the reason we’re so interested in these issues is because they affect both our countries and they affect what we’re both trying to do, which is to create a secure, prosperous Nigeria and build our economies, both the US and the Nigerians,” he said.
Olukoyede, who was delighted with the visit, took the delegation on a brief tour of the mandate of the EFCC. “In the EFCC, our mandate is to fight economic and financial crimes not only to prevent them. We have a mandate to prevent, to investigate and where one has occurred to also prosecute and by extension, we also recover assets in the course of our work, which are one way or the other, subject to the directive of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), led by the president to manage them.
While recognising that Nigeria, over the years, has had a beneficial relationship with the US government and its agencies in EFCC’s efforts to sanitise the country’s financial space, Olukoyede looked forward to amplified relationship with the US government and the US mission in Nigeria for improved outcomes in the fight against corruption and financial crimes.
“The relationship between the United States and Nigeria in relation to the fight against financial crimes dates way back and has been one of very strong synergy and mutually beneficial collaboration. Nigeria and America have been having mutual cooperation, particularly in the area of the fight against financial crimes. And this we hope to build on, to strengthen and to take to the next level,” he said.
He sued for enhanced support and collaboration stressing that “the support is needed, especially in the areas of technology, intelligence gathering and sharing and human capital development. We recognise the fact that most of the work we do is intelligence-driven. And when we talk of intelligence, we are talking of technology. So, we need your support in that area. And also need it in capacity building, collaboration, information and intelligence sharing which is very important. And we are requesting that America needs to reciprocate by attending to our requests on time because we notice that maybe you consider your laws and all of that. We will just wish you could fast-track your response to some of our requests. We would really appreciate if you can improve on that during your tenure,” he said.
Speaking further, the EFCC boss disclosed some of his recent efforts at curbing visa fraud that pose an endless challenge to foreign missions in the country. “Just last year, I established the Visa Application and Immigration Fraud Section in EFCC and we have its desk all across our zonal offices to deal with issues that have to do with visa racketeering and immigration fraud. It is a dedicated desk that works 48 hours. And we’ll be having good results. So we also need your support in that area in the exchange of information and intelligence with us and in technology and gadgets you can support us with. The Nigerian government is willing to collaborate more with the government of the United States to work more for the mutual interests of both countries,” he said.
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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.
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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.
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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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