From WhatsApp’s plan to begin charging businesses per message to the death of National Population Commission Chairman, Aminu Yusuf Wushishi, several major developments dominated the news cycle on Friday.

Reno Omokri challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s claim about President Bola Tinubu’s age, while Uganda’s King Oyo, the world’s youngest reigning monarch, died at 34.

In the legal profession, newly inaugurated Nigerian Bar Association President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, vowed sanctions against lawyers who use abusive language on social media.

Here’s your complete evening roundup:

1. WhatsApp to charge businesses per message from October 1

Businesses using the official WhatsApp Business Platform will begin paying Meta for certain service and utility messages from October 1, 2026. The change will affect large companies, including banks, fintechs, telecom operators, retailers and logistics firms that use the platform for customer communication.

Meta said the new system would charge businesses on a per-message basis for service messages and qualifying utility messages sent within an open 24-hour customer service window. “Effective October 1, 2026, Meta will charge on a per-message basis for all service messages,” the company said.

For Nigerian businesses, service and utility messages are expected to cost about 0.062. Meta warned that businesses without a payment method by September 30 could have their chargeable messages stopped.

Read More: https://punchng.com/whatsapp-to-charge-businesses-per-message-from-october-1/

2. Omokri challenges Atiku’s Tinubu 90-year-old claim with 1996 photo

1996 photo of President Bola Tinubu and Dele Momodu. Photo: Reno Omokri on X

Reno Omokri has challenged Atiku Abubakar’s claim that President Bola Tinubu is 90 years old, presenting a 1996 photograph of Tinubu with publisher Dele Momodu as part of his argument.

Omokri, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, urged Momodu to authenticate the photograph, which he said was taken in London. “If Asiwaju is indeed 90 years of age, then he would have been sixty when this photo was taken exactly thirty years ago,” he said.

His reaction followed Atiku’s BBC interview in which the ADC presidential candidate claimed Tinubu was 90 and said he had evidence to prove the allegation in court. Tinubu’s publicly stated date of birth puts his age at 74.

Read More: https://punchng.com/omokri-challenges-atikus-tinubu-90-year-old-claim-with-1996-photo/

3. World’s youngest reigning monarch King Oyo dies at 34

King Oyo ascended to the throne at the age of three but was crowned on reaching adulthood at 18 in 2010 | BBC/AFP via Getty Images

King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who became the world’s youngest reigning monarch after ascending the throne at three, has died in Uganda at 34. The Tooro Kingdom monarch died on Thursday, according to the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki.

The cause of death was not disclosed, although Ugandan media reported that he had been critically ill and receiving treatment in the United States. Announcing his death, Akiiki described it as an “immeasurable loss” to the royal family and people of Tooro.

Oyo became king in 1995 following his father’s death and was formally crowned at 18 in 2010. He reigned for 31 years and leaves behind a son who will serve as heir.

Read More: ⁠https://punchng.com/worlds-youngest-reigning-monarch-king-oyo-dies-at-34/

4. NPC chairman dies eight months after assuming office

The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Dr Aminu Yusuf Wushishi, has died, just eight months after assuming office. Wushishi reportedly died on Friday, with news of his death reaching Minna around the time of the Juma’at prayer.

His Special Adviser on Media, Stanley Nwosu, confirmed the death, saying the NPC chairman died after a brief illness. “Yes, it is true. The NPC chairman died after a brief illness,” Nwosu told Vanguard.

Wushishi, a former Secretary of the Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, officially assumed office as NPC chairman on December 2, 2025, succeeding Nasir Kwarra. Details of his funeral arrangements were still being awaited.

Read More: ⁠https://punchng.com/npc-chairman-dies-eight-months-after-assuming-office/

5. NBA president vows sanctions for lawyers over abusive social media posts

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN…Photo Credit: X/ Mrs Bbold

The newly inaugurated Nigerian Bar Association President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has vowed to sanction lawyers who use abusive or insulting language against colleagues on social media.

Badejo-Okusanya, the 33rd NBA president, said lawyers whose online conduct brings the profession into disrepute would face disciplinary action. “Such lawyers will be subjected to public proceedings for bringing us all into disrepute in the eyes of the public,” she said. “So, we’re coming after you.”

She also pledged to defend judicial independence while demanding action on delays in court proceedings, conflicting judgments, corruption and other issues that undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Read More: https://punchng.com/nba-president-vows-sanctions-for-lawyers-over-abusive-social-media-posts/

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