President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, August 14, embark on a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil, with a stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In Japan, the President will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama from August 20 to 22. The conference, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, will focus on Africa’s economic transformation, improved business environment, institutional reforms, private investment, and innovation.

During the summit, Tinubu will participate in plenary sessions, hold bilateral meetings, and engage with the executives of Japanese companies investing in Nigeria.

Initiated in 1993 by the Japanese government, TICAD is co-hosted by the United Nations, UNDP, the African Union Commission, and the World Bank. It is held every three years, alternating between Japan and Africa. The last edition took place in Tunisia in August 2022.

At the end of the conference, President Tinubu will proceed to Brasilia, Brazil, for a two-day state visit from August 24 to 25, at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In Brazil, he will meet his counterpart, participate in a business forum with Brazilian investors, and oversee the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The President will be accompanied by key ministers and senior government officials.

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Alárá of Aramoko-Ekiti, HRM (Dr) Adégòkè Olú Adéyemi,  who died at the age of 82.

In a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele commiserated with the people of Aramoko-Ekiti and the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, describing the late monarch as an astute public servant whose reign brought rapid and positive transformation to the community.

The Senate Leader recalled that Oba Adegoke, as former Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), made numerous contributions to the institution’s growth, laying a solid foundation that helped position it among the country’s leading state-owned universities.

“I am shocked by the passing of our royal father, whose reign witnessed significant development in Aramoko-Ekiti,” Bamidele said. “It is on record that he worked with successive state governments, most recently with Governor Oyebanji’s administration, to promote peace, unity, and religious harmony in the culturally rich community.”

Bamidele extended his condolences to Governor Oyebanji, the Alárá-in-Council, and the entire Aramoko-Ekiti community, praying for the repose of the monarch’s soul and urging his family to take solace in the enduring legacy of good name he left behind.

Former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has regained his freedom after two days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Tambuwal was detained on Monday when he appeared at the EFCC headquarters to answer questions over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to N189 billion during his tenure as governor.

According to EFCC sources, the former governor was granted administrative bail after fulfilling all stipulated conditions. His release came amid growing political tension over the case.

In a sharp rebuke, the anti-graft agency accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of attempting to politicise its investigation, insisting that its work is guided solely by evidence and due process.

The EFCC stressed that no individual, regardless of political affiliation, is above scrutiny in the ongoing fight against corruption.