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President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Sanae Takaichi on her historic emergence as Japan’s first female Prime Minister, describing her victory as a landmark achievement and a reflection of her decades-long service to Japanese politics and governance.

In a statement released on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu hailed Takaichi’s rise to Japan’s highest political office as ‘a testament to her unwavering dedication and leadership,’ adding that her election shattered a long-standing gender barrier in one of the world’s leading economies.

Takaichi, a seasoned politician and former Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, clinched the top job after securing majority support in Japan’s parliament.

Tinubu, in a personally signed congratulatory letter, extended warm felicitations on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, noting that her victory signified the trust and confidence reposed in her by the Japanese people.

‘Your Excellency, on behalf of the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extend to you my warmest congratulations on your election as the first female Prime Minister of Japan,’ the President said.

He continued: ‘Your victory as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and ultimately as Prime Minister constitutes a remarkable expression of the confidence reposed in you by the people of Japan. Your election is also a testament to your tremendous contributions to your political party and the governance of Japan.’

President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Japan, expressing optimism that both nations will continue to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, and development.

‘As you assume this mandate, please rest assured of Nigeria’s continued goodwill and support for Japan,’ Tinubu stated. ‘I look forward to working closely with you to expand the productive and strategic relationship our two countries have built over the years.’

He concluded by wishing Takaichi a successful tenure in office, expressing confidence that Nigeria-Japan relations would flourish under her ‘capable and visionary leadership.’

FirstBank has announced the successful integration of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) into its flagship digital banking platform, the LIT App.

The move allows customers to make instant, secure, and cost-effective cross-border payments across Africa in their local currencies.

Developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat, PAPSS is a revolutionary payment infrastructure designed to simplify and accelerate trade across the continent by enabling real-time transactions in African currencies without dependence on foreign exchange conversions.

Speaking on the milestone, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, said the integration underscores the bank’s commitment to enhancing digital capabilities and promoting financial inclusion across Africa.

‘This partnership reinforces FirstBank’s mission to simplify financial transactions for our customers. By bringing PAPSS into the LIT App, we are enabling faster, safer, and more convenient payments that support trade and economic growth within Africa,’ Ezirim stated.

Echoing his sentiments, Mike Ogbalu, CEO of PAPSS, described the collaboration as a significant leap toward creating a unified African payments ecosystem.

‘Every time an individual or business sends money instantly within Africa in their own currency, we’re not just transferring funds, we’re connecting dreams and empowering growth. This partnership with FirstBank’s LIT App moves us closer to a borderless Africa where payments no longer stand in the way of opportunity,’ Ogbalu said.

The LIT App, known for its user-friendly features such as virtual cards, scheduled transfers, and multi-payment options, now extends its reach to facilitate cross-border commerce, particularly benefiting SMEs and entrepreneurs engaged in intra-African trade.

With PAPSS live on the platform, customers can now send money across African countries directly in naira, eliminating the need for US dollar, pound, or euro conversions. This integration reduces transaction costs, improves settlement efficiency, and enhances access to digital banking services, advancing financial inclusion and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda.

By adopting PAPSS, First Bank reinforces its leadership in Africa’s digital banking landscape and its role in driving the continent’s economic integration through innovative financial solutions.

Established in 1894, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (‘FirstBank’) is West Africa’s oldest financial institution, with operations spanning Africa, Europe, and Asia. The bank maintains subsidiaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Senegal, as well as offices in London, Paris, and Beijing.

With over 43 million customer accounts and a network of 820 business offices and 280,000 agent locations across 772 local government areas in Nigeria, FirstBank continues to set industry benchmarks in innovation, financial inclusion, and corporate governance.

The Ogun State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate arrest of the Managing Director of Ojibas Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Tajudeen Abioye, for allegedly causing extensive environmental degradation in parts of the state.

Lawmakers directed the State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, to ensure Alhaji Abioye’s arrest and appearance before the Assembly’s Committee on Environment to answer allegations that his company’s mining activities have posed serious threats to lives and livelihoods in the Elegan Progressive Community, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.

The resolution followed the adoption of a report by the Committee on Environment, which said that the company’s operations had led to massive environmental destruction, including the damage of roads, contamination of water sources, and loss of farmlands.

During plenary, Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide invoked the powers of the legislature under Section 129(1)(d) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), authorising the police to execute the warrant of arrest and produce the company’s managing director before the House without delay.

The Speaker noted that the decision became necessary after Alhaji Abioye repeatedly ignored several invitations from the Assembly to appear before its Committee on Environment to defend himself against the allegations.

Elemide reaffirmed the House’s commitment to accountability, environmental justice, and the rule of law, stressing that the legislature would not tolerate acts that endanger citizens’ lives or undermine its authority.

‘No one is above the law. The Ogun State House of Assembly will continue to stand for justice and defend the rights of the people. We are determined to hold anyone accountable, no matter how highly placed, for actions that destroy our environment or threaten human lives,’ Elemide declared.

Meanwhile, residents of the Elegan Progressive Community, led by Pastor Samuel Fadeyinoluwa, staged a peaceful protest to the Assembly complex, demanding urgent government intervention to halt the alleged environmental degradation caused by Ojibas Nigeria Limited.

The protesters, drawn from affected communities such as Abisodun, Adeolu, Oke-Odo, Oluwo Osin, Aiyetoro, Age, Ajerogun, and Bisodun, lamented that illegal mining had devastated their farmlands, polluted their water sources, and destroyed local infrastructure.

Addressing the demonstrators, Speaker Elemide assured them that the Assembly, through its Committee on Environment, had already initiated full legislative action to ensure justice and environmental restoration in the affected areas.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has raised concerns over a possible internal sabotage following a drone attack by Boko Haram on military personnel in Mafa.

Zulum spoke on Friday during a post-assessment visit to the areas attacked early Thursday, describing the use of drones by the terrorists as ‘frightening’ and a sign of critical gaps in Nigeria’s airspace security.

‘Honestly, we had credible intelligence that Mafa would be attacked, and it was circulated to all relevant authorities. Yet, the attack still happened. We need to come together state, federal government, and military high command to identify and address the gaps,’ he said.

The governor expressed worry over the growing threat of drones in the hands of non-state actors, stressing that the incident is a national security concern, not just a Borno State issue.

‘We must urgently review our borders and airspace. This is the right time for a comprehensive assessment of our security architecture to prevent terrorists from using armed drones,’ he added.

Zulum also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their response to the attack while urging the public to provide credible information on suspicious activities.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai reportedly killed over 50 terrorists and repelled simultaneous assaults on military positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko between midnight and 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, according to the Joint Task Force North East.

Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of OPHK, said the combined ground and air efforts inflicted ‘devastating losses’ on the terrorists and successfully defended the military locations.

Nigerian Afrobeat artist Yemi Alade has spoken on how deception can affect ones mental health, opening up on her struggle with depression.

While speaking with Chude Jideonwo, Yemi Alade revealed that she once found it hard to come to terms with her real age.

She stated that for three years, she used to tell people that she was 22-years-old instead of her actual age.

‘There was a time someone asked me how old I was, and for about three years I kept saying 22, Then one day I calculated it and realised I was already 25. I was depressed for a few days because my mind couldn’t process it. It was mental for three years I didn’t know my age.’ She said.

Eight officers of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have been sacked while five others were compulsorily retired as punishment as the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) dished out disciplinary measures to 31 officers over various acts of misconducts.

NIS Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI), R Akinsola Akinlabi said this in a statement on Friday.

Akinlabi said that the decision followed the review of recommendations of the board from its Disciplinary and General-Purpose Committee (BDGPC), which met on July 11, 2025.

According to him, the sanctions underscore the board’s resolve to enforce discipline, integrity, and accountability within the Services under its supervision.

‘Eight officers were dismissed for serious misconduct and violation of Service Regulations, while five others were compulsorily retired for offences bordering on misconduct.

‘Additionally, eight officers were demoted by one rank, and five were issued written warning letters.

‘The board also review appeals by two dismissed officers, but upheld their dismissal after finding no merit in their cases.

‘However, one officer was reinstated following a successful appeal, while two others were exonerated of all charges,’ he said.

In a related development, Akinlabi revealed that the service dismissed two junior personnel after they were found guilty of criminal conspiracy.

This, he said were involving stealing, illegal possession of firearms, and kidnapping.

‘Their dismissal followed internal disciplinary proceedings concluded on April 14 and Sept. 4, 2025, respectively,’ he said.

Akinlabi said that the supervision was under the Chairman of the CDCFIB and Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap.

He said that the NIS remained committed to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards across all cadres.

‘The disciplinary actions will be implemented without fear or favour and in strict compliance with extant rules and regulations,’ he assured.