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Ogbomoso: Concerns mount as family crisis, religion, 2023 elections delay announcement of new Soun
It is no more news that Ogbomoso, the second largest city in Oyo State, South West Nigeria has no Oba (monarch) at the moment.
The ancient city was founded by a warrior known as Soun Ogunlola. Ogunlola was said to have rescued the old Oyo empire from the oppression of Elemoso.
Ogbomoso is located in the Northern part of the present Oyo State.
The city, which produced one of the former governors of the State, late Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala and a former Inspector General of Police, late Sunday Adewusi, has since December last year been without a monarch.
This was as a result of the transition of the immediate past Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungnade 111.
Oba Oyewumi joined his ancestors on December 12, 2021, at the age of 95.
The monarch was a successful businessman before he ascended the throne of his forebears on October 24, 1973. He reigned for 48 years.
However, since the transition of the last occupant, the Soun of Ogbomoso stool is still vacant.
This is despite the fact that the kingmakers in Ogbomoso have screened the princes who indicated interest to ascend the throne and have since picked a nominee to ascend the throne.
DAILY POST gathered from prominent indigenes of Ogbomoso that 25 indigenes indicated interest in the throne.
It was learnt that 23 of them purchased the form, but two other people later joined the race.
A source told DAILY POST that the kingmakers have screened the applicants and have since sent the name of the choice nominee for the position to the State government for approval and announcement.
The name was submitted to the Oyo State government in March this year. However, as of the time of this report, the name has not been announced.
Findings by DAILY POST revealed that several factors may be responsible for the delay in the announcement of the new monarch.
Some of the reasons for the delay according to residents of the ancient city included family feuds, 2023 political permutations, religion and litigations.
An Ogbomoso indigene, who craved anonymity revealed that the kingmakers concluded their work on March 22, and promptly dispatched the name of the nominee to Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, through Ogbomoso North Local Government.
The source, who is very close to the palace, hinted that various reasons were responsible for the delay.
One major reason, according to him, is the feud tearing the family apart over the choice of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye as Soun nominee.
He added that political exigency in the face of 2023 general elections, rationalization of religion and court cases were also responsible for the delay in the announcement of the new monarch.
He said, “Family feuds erupting in the selection of a new monarch is not something strange, it has always been part of the process.
“If the process is repeated hundred times, it will still be dogged by crises; so hanging on to the flare-up of rancour within the family or families as the basis for the standoff by the governor is roundly untenable; it is like the arbiter, that is the voters, holding back from voting because rivals are crying blue murder over the emergence of party candidates through rancorous processes.
“Therefore, l consider the feud as a design that suits and feeds the selfishness of the powers that be. Thus, the inevitable family feud in an enterprise as selection of a new Soun is an alibi to put the process on hold indefinitely.
“Prince Ghandi Olaoye, the Soun nominee, is a Christian but there is a strong indication that a section of the Muslim community is vehemently opposed to his choice on religious ground.
“I am aware there are no less than three suits challenging the process, two from co-contestants and one from the three families of Ologolo, Oluopo and Olukan seeking to be included in the ruling families of Soun dynasty, being from the royal families too.
We don’t know what is causing the delay in the announcement of the new Soun- Areago
The Areago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobaloju Otolorin, while speaking with DAILY POST, noted that no one knows what is causing the delay in the announcement of the name of the new Soun.
The Areago added that the name of the nominee had been forwarded to the State Government since March this year.
The Areago spoke with DAILY POST during a telephone conversation on Tuesday.
He said that, “On 23rd of March, we submitted the name, we cannot say what is causing the delay, we don’t know why the government is yet to announce the name. We don’t know what is causing the delay.
“We sent one name, you know when two people are contesting, one person will win and they will write the result on it.
“23 people collected the form and two more people joined making it 25”.
Effort made by DAILY POST to get a reaction from the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Taiwo Adisa since Tuesday proved abortive as calls put through his phone were not answered, while an SMS sent to him has not been replied as of the time of filing this report on Wednesday.
But, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, when contacted on Tuesday, said that he was just posted to the office.
He said that he would check the files and get back to our reporter.
“I have to check. I have just been posted to that ministry. I have just been posted there. I have to check and get back to you.
“You can call me back tomorrow if you did not get a response from me or you just send a message,” he said.
However, subsequent effort made to get further comment from Olaleye proved abortive as calls put through his phone on Wednesday were not answered, while SMS sent to him has not been replied as of the time of filing this report.
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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