OPay, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has been awarded The Most Trusted Quality Mobile Money and Digital Financial Services Company of the Year at the 2026 ISO World Corporate Brand of the Year Award. This recognition reaffirms OPay’s strong reputation and the trust tens of millions of Nigerians have in its services.

The organisers, ISO World Consult, noted that the selection was based on an outstanding 4.6 from online referrer rating and also highlighted OPay’s strong track record and its role in improving financial services across Nigeria.

This recognition further shows that OPay continues to make financial services simple, secure and reliable for everyday

Nigerians. From sending money to paying bills and supporting businesses, OPay has become a trusted part of daily life.

Chukwudinma Okafor, Chief Compliance Officer, OPay, said: “This award is a strong validation of the trust our customers and partners place in us. We are committed to maintaining high standards in compliance, risk management, and service delivery. Our goal is to keep building a platform that supports growth, protects users, and contributes positively to the financial system.”

OPay remains focused on expanding access to financial services and helping more Nigerians take part in the digital economy.

About OPay

OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, card service, airtime and data purchase, and merchant payments, among others. Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customer’s funds, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has responded to a viral voice note allegedly recorded by a female civil servant, dismissing claims of ethnic exclusion in employment while reaffirming its commitment to fairness, inclusivity and merit in the state civil service.

In a press release issued and signed by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications on Saturday, the government said it had observed the voice note and a related video that sparked reactions, particularly over allegations that Ebira youths were being sidelined in recruitment processes.

The statement emphasized that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remains committed to inclusive governance, describing him as a servant-leader who prioritizes active listening, constructive engagement, and responsiveness to citizens’ concerns.

While acknowledging that the views expressed in the voice note were personal, the government stressed that civil servants are expected to follow established channels for communication and redress. It, however, maintained that the administration would uphold freedom of expression and would not victimise any citizen for peacefully sharing their opinions.

The government expressed concern over what it described as attempts by some individuals and groups to sensationalise the issue, warning that such actions could inflame public sentiment unnecessarily. It noted that the matter should be handled through institutional mechanisms and constructive dialogue.

According to the statement, Ododo has directed that the civil servant involved be provided with adequate protection. He also mandated the civil service to strengthen its internal feedback systems to ensure grievances are addressed promptly and effectively.

Reiterating its stance, the government said recruitment into the civil service would continue to be based on competence, capacity, and available resources, while ensuring equitable representation across the state.

The administration further called on residents to remain calm and disregard misinformation, assuring citizens of its commitment to transparency, public enlightenment, and continuous engagement.

The statement concluded by affirming that the voices of all citizens matter and would always be treated with respect, adding that dialogue and due process remain central to the state’s development.

President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s “unyielding” refusal to give up its nuclear ambitions during peace talks in Islamabad.

While acknowledging that the marathon negotiations in Pakistan had gone “well” and “most points were agreed to,” Trump said Tehran had refused to concede on the issue of its nuclear program.

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

“Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be Blown To Hell!”

US Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan without a deal after weekend talks with a team led by Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf — the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Tehran’s delegation also included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it,” Vance told reporters.

In two lengthy posts on Truth Social, Trump slammed Iran for promising to open the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes, and “knowingly” failing to deliver.

“They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their ‘mine droppers,’ have been completely blown up. They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance?” Trump said.

Iran had effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz for weeks, since the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign against the Islamic republic more than six weeks ago.

On Saturday, the US military announced that two US warships had transited the strait at the start of a mine clearance operation.