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Polaris Bank Empowers Over 500 Journalists On Modern Trends In Journalism

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Polaris Bank Limited recently hosted a hybrid capacity-building seminar for approximately 500 journalists both in Nigeria and internationally.

The seminar, themed “Empowering Journalists in the Digital Age: Storytelling, Tools & Transformation,” aimed to equip media professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s rapidly changing journalism landscape.

In a welcome address, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head of Brand Management & Corporate Communications at Polaris Bank, highlighted the bank’s longstanding tradition in media education. He pointed out that Polaris Bank has been investing in such initiatives for the past 12 years and confidently stated that the bank has been in the vanguard in digital capacity building for the Nigerian media. Bolarinwa stressed that enhancing the skills of journalists ultimately benefits society as a whole.

Drawing from a well-known Chinese proverb, he explained that the bank prefers to teach people how to fish rather than simply giving them fish to eat. Empowering journalists to become self-sufficient, he said, is the guiding principle behind the Polaris bank’s executive management annual approval and support of the seminar.

The media seminar featured training sessions led by two prominent journalists: Mr. Taiwo Obe, Founder and Director of The Journalism Clinic, and Mr. Abayomi Adisa, a senior journalist with BBC. Obe reminded participants of the fundamental purpose of journalism, quoting veteran American journalist Tom Rosenstiel: “The purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their governments.”

Photo caption:
L-R: Miss Adaku Sharon Nwankwo, Digital PR Executive, Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Rasheed Bolanriwa, Acting Head, Brand Management & Corporate Communications, Polaris Bank; Mr. Abayomi Adisa, Senior Journalist, BBC and Mrs. Bukola Oluyadi, Group Head, Customer Experience & Value Management at Polaris Bank during the hybrid capacity-building seminar organised by the Bank for journalists in Lagos recently.

Obe discussed the significant transformation journalism has undergone since the early 2000s, driven by technological innovation. He highlighted the emergence of mobile journalism (Mojo), which allows journalists to capture, produce, and share news content in real-time. Obe mentioned Reuters’ 2007 introduction of the Mojo Toolkit, which included the Nokia N95, a small tripod, compact wireless keyboard, solar charger, and external microphone, as a milestone that made it easier for reporters to deliver news on the go.

He encouraged journalists to explore and utilize a variety of free digital applications available on the Google Play Store. By embracing these tools, journalists can go beyond traditional text-based reporting and incorporate audio, video, and interactive graphics to tell more compelling stories. Obe also highlighted the growing adoption of artificial intelligence in Nigerian newsrooms, noting that AI is now being used for tasks such as copy editing, content illustration, content strategy, and advertising targeting, which opens new avenues for efficiency and creativity in journalism.

He further advised journalists to leverage the data from their news stories in innovative ways, suggesting that they transform story data into guidebooks, archival material, issue analyses, position papers, recommendations, puzzles, Q&As, and even inspiration for full-length books.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abayomi Adisa, who focused his presentation on writing for social media, urged participants to harness the magic of making their audiences stop, engage, and share their posts. Adisa outlined key strategies for crafting effective posts and teasers, ensuring that the content is personal, relevant to the audience, engaging, shareable, and concise. He acknowledged that social media is an environment characterized by distraction and noise, so content must be both influential and personally resonant to capture attention.

Speaking at the seminar, Mrs. Bukola Oluyadi, Group Head of Customer Experience & Value Management at Polaris Bank, during her closing remarks emphasized the bank’s commitment to supporting the media industry. She remarked that these seminars are crucial, as no industry or organization can flourish without the involvement and backing of the media.

Oluyadi stated that capacity building is not a one-time effort but a continuous process. She noted, “People cannot improve with the status quo of yesterday; we need to keep building.” According to her, the bank is dedicated to sustaining this initiative annually, fully aware that consistent investment in the media is essential for long-term growth and sustainability.

 

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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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