In a series of tense exchanges spanning late 2025 and early 2026, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned Donald Trump and the international community that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has already escalated into the beginning of World War III due to Russian aggression and its growing alliances.

While Zelensky has warned that Vladimir Putin’s actions are dragging the world into a global conflict, Trump has frequently flipped this narrative, accusing Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” by refusing to make immediate concessions for a peace deal.

“I said that we would have World War III. The President (Trump) didn’t hear me…him with his guys,” Zelensky said in a televised interview on Wednesday.

“I’m not sure they (the United States) can estimate that Russia will support Iran with weapons, drones, and missiles. And—100 percent—it’s helping now with air defense.”

Pointing to the situation in his country, Zelensky said the next stage of the Iranian war could be troop deployment, saying there are 10,000 North Korean soldiers currently in Russia.

“Yes, they are on the territory of Russia, but they can come to Ukraine,” he presumed. “It can be the same with Iran; Russia can send troops.”

Zelensky said countries in the Middle East have remained neutral on the Ukrainian conflict because of their long history of economic relations with Moscow.

“They understand Russia is the aggressor but are not loud about it or strong on sanctions,” he said. “Now they are beginning to understand what it means to live under attacks.”

Reports in Western media suggest Russia is sharing drone warfare strategy learned in Ukraine with Iran, potentially boosting Tehran’s ability to hit U.S. and Gulf interests in the Middle East.

The war, now on Day 13, has affected at least a dozen countries, with no ceasefire indication in sight. The U.S. has struck thousands of targets and has not indicated boots on the ground.

“They (Iran) are pretty much at the end of the line,” President Trump said Wednesday night. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to end it immediately.”

Residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Sogunro waterfront communities in Lagos have officially rejected a proposal by the Lagos State House of Assembly to relocate them to the Agbowa area of Epe.

The rejection comes after a recommendation made during Tuesday’s plenary session (March 10, 2026), following a series of controversial demolitions that began in late December 2025 and continued into early 2026.

Some residents, who spoke in separate interviews on Wednesday, said they never reached any agreement with the state government regarding relocation to another part of the state.

The Secretary of the Makoko Gunuvi Student Association, Zannu Silivester, told journalists that discussions between the communities and the government had only involved suggestions and deliberations, without any binding agreement on relocation.

According to him, the announcement of a relocation plan came as a surprise to many residents of the waterfront settlements.

“All discussions held so far have only involved suggestions and debates between the Lagos State Government and residents of the Makoko waterfront community.

“We are surprised that a conclusion was announced and published without the knowledge or agreement of the Makoko community.

“Nigeria is a democratic nation, and democracy means the people have the right to choose their future, not decisions being imposed on them without consultation,” he said.

Silvester also criticised claims that the Oloto Royal Family are the ancestral owners of the waterfront communities.

He alleged that during earlier visits by community representatives to the Lagos State House of Assembly, the chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Noheem Babatunde Adams, had reportedly stated that Makoko waterfront belonged to the Federal Government and not to the Oloto family.

“However, we are now surprised to see the same Oloto family being mentioned and listed as the owners of Makoko. This sudden change raises serious questions and concerns that the public deserves answers to.

“Makoko waterfront community has existed for decades, with the Ogu (Gunuvi) people as the original residents due to their traditional occupation of fishing, which requires close access to the water,” he said.

Silvester added that residents would not rule out staging a peaceful protest if the relocation plan proceeds without their consent.

“The people of Makoko are law-abiding citizens, but we will continue to defend our rights, heritage and ancestral homes. We urge the government to fulfil the promises made to the citizens of Makoko and to engage with the community in a transparent and democratic manner.

“If our voices continue to be ignored, the people of Makoko are prepared to mobilise peacefully in large numbers again, even greater than our previous visit to the Lagos State House of Assembly, to defend our rights and seek justice,” he added.

Also speaking, a community leader, Isaac Dosugan, said earlier discussions with government officials centred on defining boundaries for the communities rather than relocating residents.

The 75-year-old resident said the understanding was that the government would designate specific areas for the communities while developing undemolished sections into affordable housing.

“I was born in this community, and I am 75 years old. In all the meetings we had with the government, our suggestion was that the government should designate a boundary for us in the water area. We also suggested that they should develop the remaining areas for us into befitting residences.

“It is surprising that they are now saying that they will relocate us. We will not agree to this, and we reject any relocation plan,” he said.

The residents’ reaction followed a recommendation by the Lagos State House of Assembly during plenary on Tuesday that those affected by the demolition in the waterfront communities be relocated to the Epe axis of the state.

According to a statement from the Assembly’s Public Affairs Directorate, the recommendation followed the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Rules and Business.

The report was presented after a petition was submitted to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, titled “Urgent Appeal Regarding Ongoing Mass Forced Eviction and Illegal Demolition Threatening Tens of Thousands in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro Communities.”

While presenting the report, Adams explained that the committee arrived at its recommendations after holding five separate meetings with the petitioners and conducting an oversight visit alongside government officials, relevant agencies and representatives of the affected communities.

The Assembly noted that the demolition exercise carried out by the state government displaced numerous residents, including women, children and the elderly, while homes and other property were destroyed.

Lawmakers also observed that the waterfront communities rely heavily on fishing for survival and have historically lived close to the water due to the nature of their occupation.

As part of its recommendations, the Assembly urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Special Adviser on E-GIS to verify the enumeration report submitted by the affected communities.

“The committee further recommended that the government relocate the remaining residents of Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon to a proposed low-cost housing estate to be constructed in the Agbowa area of the state, where they can continue their fishing activities,” the statement added.

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.