ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with both countries pledging to expand political engagement, deepen economic cooperation and boost trade and investment.

The renewed commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Japanese Embassy, Shin Honda, to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, in Abuja.

The meeting reviewed the current state of Nigeria-Japan relations and explored ways to strengthen collaboration in areas including sustainable development, technology transfer and private sector investment.

Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Enikanolaiye described Japan as one of Nigeria’s most valued development partners and praised the country’s remarkable progress in industrialisation and innovation.

The minister said Nigeria was keen to deepen economic relations with Japan by attracting greater investment into critical sectors of the economy.

He said: “Japan remains one of Nigeria’s valued development partners, and we commend the country’s achievements in industrialisation, technological innovation, manufacturing and heavy industries.

“Nigeria remains committed to deepening economic ties and attracting greater Japanese investment in key sectors of the economy. We also appreciate Japan’s longstanding support for Nigeria’s development priorities and reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for stronger bilateral cooperation.”

He added that closer engagement between the private sectors of both countries would play a key role in driving investment, technology transfer and economic growth.

“We welcome stronger collaboration between the private sectors of both countries to boost investment, technology transfer and economic growth”, he said.

In response, Honda reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to expanding its strategic partnership with Nigeria through increased political consultations, trade, investment and development cooperation.

“Japan remains committed to strengthening its strategic partnership with Nigeria through enhanced political consultations, increased trade and investment, and continued development cooperation”, he said.

He highlighted Japan’s ongoing support for Nigeria in infrastructure development, agriculture, healthcare, humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding, while noting the contribution of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in promoting commercial relations between both countries.

Honda also briefed the minister on preparations for the Nigeria-Japan Special Policy Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Abuja at the end of August during the visit of Japan’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs.

He said the planned visit to Japan later this year by Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote would further strengthen private sector cooperation.

“The proposed visit of Nigerian business leader, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to Japan later this year will further strengthen private sector collaboration between both countries”, he stated.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the success of the forthcoming Nigeria-Japan Special Policy Dialogue and agreed to sustain regular consultations aimed at advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.

The meeting underscored the long-standing friendship between Nigeria and Japan, with both sides expressing optimism that stronger diplomatic and economic engagement would deliver lasting benefits for the two nations.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, a medical expert who issued an independent report on the health condition of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has reportedly been nabbed in Enugu.

A human rights lawyer, Barrister Maxwell Okpara, raised the alarm over Aghaji’s arrest in a statement on Saturday.

Okpara said the medical expert was picked up at his Independence Layout residence in Enugu on Friday.

The lawyer urged the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, and civil society organizations to intervene in the matter.

Although no reason has been given for Aghaji’s arrest, Okpara noted that the medical report he tendered on Kanu’s health countered the official version presented by the Department of State Services, DSS.

Okpara said in the statement, that:

“Information has reached me that Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, the medical expert who reportedly issued independent medical reports on the health condition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested at his residence in Independence Layout, Enugu State, on 3rd July, 2026.

“Prof. Aghaji’s reported medical assessments were said to have countered the official medical report presented by the Department of State Services, DSS.

“We call on the Nigerian Medical Association, Nigeria Bar Association, Civil Society Group and other relevant authorities to ensure that due process and the rule of law is strictly observed and nobody should be intimidated for speaking the truth.”

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

An improvised explosive device, IED, exploded after being struck by a trailer conveying passengers along the Komala village axis in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, killing one person and injuring nine others.

This was disclosed by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, via his X handle on Friday.

According to Makama, police sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on July 2 when the trailer, driven by one Isa Uba, was travelling from Maiduguri to Damboa.

The sources said the explosive device was suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the route.

A passenger was said to have died at the scene while nine other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Makama reported that a joint response team comprising military personnel, police tactical units, explosive ordnance disposal-chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, EOD-CBRN, operatives, members of the civilian joint task force, CJTF, and local hunters was deployed to the scene shortly after the explosion.

“They said the injured victims were evacuated to hospital for treatment, while the body of the deceased was removed to the hospital, certified dead by a medical doctor and later released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

“The sources added that EOD personnel rendered the scene safe after the explosion, while security forces had sustained combing operations in the area to prevent further attacks,” he stated.