General News
Okpe Monarch Suspends Creation of ‘Fifth Quarter’ in Sapele-Okpe Community
The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Felix Mujakperuo, has suspended the proposed amendment of the Sapele-Okpe Community constitution and the creation of a controversial fifth quarter that recently sparked tensions within the community.
Mujakperuo, a retired major general and traditional ruler known as Orhue I, issued the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting held at his palace in Orerokpe, Delta State, aimed at resolving the leadership dispute within the Sapele-Okpe community.
The monarch, who also serves as Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, directed that all actions relating to the constitutional amendment and the recognition of the alleged fifth quarter be halted indefinitely.
The meeting followed rising tensions after community leaders on March 1, 2026, passed a vote of no confidence on the community chairman, Onoriode Temiagin, and his executive over allegations that they secretly amended the community constitution and created a new quarter without proper consultation.
However, the monarch set aside the vote of no confidence and allowed Temiagin and his executive to complete their tenure, noting that they have about four months left in office.
The dispute was further fueled by claims that the executive attempted to recognise Otonyasere as the fifth quarter of Sapele-Okpe Community without consulting the existing quarters or members of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association.
The controversy triggered protests on March 4, when hundreds of youths marched through the streets of Sapele, carrying placards with messages such as “We Don’t Have a Fifth Quarter” and “Temiagin Must Go.”
Addressing the stakeholders at the palace meeting, the monarch urged both the chairman of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association, Ede Dafinone, and the community chairman, Temiagin, to work together to resolve the dispute and restore peace in the community.
Several prominent leaders attended the meeting, including Professor Sam Oyovbaire and other community elders.
The Orodje’s intervention is expected to calm tensions and pave the way for dialogue aimed at resolving the leadership crisis within the Sapele-Okpe community.
Resident and Permanent Representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have commenced a strategic retreat in Lomé, Togo, to evaluate progress made under the Commission’s 2022–2026 mandate and outline priorities for the remaining period.
The five-day retreat, scheduled from March 9 to 13, 2026, brings together ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representatives posted across member states, as well as members of the cabinet of the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The meeting also includes outgoing representatives, creating an opportunity for dialogue, reflection, and the sharing of experiences between former and newly appointed envoys.
Participants are expected to review achievements recorded since the beginning of the Commission’s current mandate while identifying key strategies and priorities for the remaining phase.
In her welcome address, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Togo, Ms. Dewey Emily Gray, described the retreat as timely, noting that it provides the regional bloc with an opportunity to reflect on its performance and future direction.
According to her, the presence of both outgoing and newly appointed representatives will help strengthen institutional memory and ensure a shared understanding of ECOWAS goals among member states.
The retreat was officially declared open on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Abdou Kolley.
Kolley highlighted the critical role played by Resident and Permanent Representations in promoting ECOWAS programmes and initiatives across the region since the launch of the Commission’s 2022–2026 mandate.
He noted that the representatives serve as a vital bridge between the Commission and member states, helping to facilitate the implementation of regional policies and development programmes.
During the retreat, participants are expected to deliberate on ways to strengthen coordination among member states, enhance the visibility of ECOWAS activities, and improve collaboration with national authorities and other regional stakeholders.
The meeting will also provide an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned over the past four years and explore new strategies aimed at deepening regional integration, cooperation, and development in West Africa.
Observers believe the outcome of the Lomé retreat could shape the final phase of the Commission’s current mandate as ECOWAS continues to pursue its objectives of regional stability, economic integration, and collective development.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has commended the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) for promoting gender inclusion and creating economic opportunities for women through the capital market.
Speaking on Tuesday at the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange Group in Lagos during activities marking the International Women’s Day, the minister said empowering women economically is key to building stronger institutions and prosperous societies.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu rang the ceremonial closing bell as part of the NGX event themed “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality – Rights, Justice, Action, For All Women and Girls.”
The event attracted several prominent women leaders from different sectors of the economy, including the wife of the Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, and Nollywood actress Funke Akindele.
In her remarks, the minister said the occasion held personal significance for her because her late father-in-law, Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, served as one of the founding presidents of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
She described him as a visionary industrialist who believed strongly in enterprise, innovation and national development.
“It is both a personal honour and a historic privilege to stand here today at the Exchange, celebrating progress while renewing our commitment to a more inclusive economic future,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged stakeholders to ensure women are not only participants in the economy but also leaders shaping its direction, noting that when women thrive in sectors such as business, finance, diplomacy and governance, societies become stronger and more prosperous.
She also congratulated the NGX and its partners for sustaining the global campaign for gender equality within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX, Temi Popoola, emphasized the need for greater female participation in the capital market.
According to him, empowering women entrepreneurs with access to finance would further boost economic growth and innovation.
Popoola noted that women already dominate sectors such as the creative industry and encouraged more women-led businesses to list on the exchange and participate actively in the capital market.
The Dangote Refinery has reduced the prices of petrol and diesel by up to ₦100 and ₦190 respectively, according to its latest pricing template released on March 10, 2026.
Under the new pricing structure, the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, has been lowered by ₦100, bringing it down to ₦1,075 per litre from the previous ₦1,175 per litre.
The refinery also announced that the price of PMS for coastal supply has been adjusted to ₦1,050 per litre, reflecting slight changes associated with maritime distribution costs.
Similarly, the price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, has been reduced to ₦1,430 per litre at the gantry, marking a ₦190 drop from the earlier price of ₦1,620 per litre.
However, the refinery clarified that the gantry prices do not include statutory charges imposed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The latest price adjustments are expected to influence fuel supply and distribution across the country as stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector monitor market reactions.