PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

                              The boats capsized in the waters south of Italy on wednesday,thursday and friday as migrants were making a perilous attempt to reach Europe in sea unworthy vessels.Almost 100 migrants are missing from a smugglers boat which capsized on wednesday.About 550 migrants are missing from a boat which overturned on thursday morning after leaving the Libyan port of Sabratha on wednesday.Survivors said the boat had no engine and was being towed by a second smuggling vessel.In a third shipwreck on friday,135 people were rescued,45 bodies pulled from the water and an unspecified number of others are missing.One more photo below.                                                                       

                                                  Vice President of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo will represent the President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari at the 8th Summit of Head of States of African,Caribbean and Pacific Group of States holding in Papua New Guinea from May 30-June 1.Prof.Osinbajo will join leaders from 78 other countries to address the summit in Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea.The summit will discuss the future of the ACP Group as a ''revitalised cohesive force advocating the interests of its member states in the international arena''.A statement from the Secretariat of the organization added that discussions at the summit will also review recent key international developments,including Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals,issues of migration,climate change and the fight against terrorism.One of the main objectives of the ACP group is the ''Sustainable development of its Member-States and their gradual integration into the global economy,w

                    At about 8:15am today a tricycle known as ''Keke NAPEP'' unknowingly stepped on an Improvise Explosive Device {IED} planted by the side of Biu-Damboa road close to a military checkpoint at the outskirts of Biu town,Borno state.Unfortunately,the IED exploded instantly killing 4 persons comprising of a woman with her baby and 2 other male adults.Three other persons were injured including a soldier and they were immediately evacuated to Biu General Hospital.We regret to state that the injured soldier also died at the hospital.The general area has been cordoned off and Explosive Ordinance Device {EOD} team from Froward Operation Base {FOB}Nin Buratai have been mobilized to carry out further search of the area.Preliminary investigations shows that the IED was buried long time ago undetected.It exploded when the tricycle erroneously stepped on it.We commiserate with the families of the victims of this sad incident.This unfortunate development has brought t

                 Today,29th May 2016 in the early hours of morning,troops of 343 Artillery Regiment of 2 Brigade,82 Division of the Nigerian Army,carried out patrol within the general area of Gulobokri and Eweleso,around Brass area in Bayelsa state.During the exercise,the patrol team had an encounter with some armed militants in 2 Speed noats with intents to blow up Nigerian Agip Oil Company {NAOC} pipeline at Gulobokri.The suspected vandals opened fire on the patrol team.The troops responded with overwhelming superior fire-power and as a result,the suspected criminals sped off from the area with many of them sustaining gnshot wounds.No casualty on the patrol team.Unfortunately,a personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps {NSCDC} attached to the team sustained gunshot wound.He has since been evacuated and he is in a stable condition.In a related development,another patrol team of the same unit of 82 Division Nigerian Army,on patrol to Perigbene House Boat {HB} also encounte

                Lagos State Governor,Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on friday officially launched the one year long activities to mark the 50 years anniversary of the State which will climax on May 28,2017,just as he said the activities lined up would showcase to the world the unique achievements,culture,heritage and the tourism potentials of the state.Governor Ambode,who spoke at a special children programme tagged ''Vision of the Child'' to officially kick start the one year long activities for the Golden Jubilee of the State,said the celebration was put together to provide historical opportunity to propel the State into unimaginable greatness as well as put it on highest pedestal in the league of the world megacity states.The Governor,who assured that the events would be the biggest celebration in the 50 years history of the state,added that Lagosians should expect nothing short of world class events.He said ''This golden jubilee celebration will show Lagos for what it