PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

                 The Minister of Power Raji Fashola ,gave the advice while inaugurating the Mass Meter Deployment programme in Kano yesterday monday.The minister said such patronage was necessary to encourage the production of meters by the local manufacturing companies in the country and save foreign exchange.''Patronising the local meter manufacturing companies is the way to diversify and save foreign exchange''.Fashola noted that the inauguration of the scheme in Kano was a clear indication that the Kano Electricity Distribution Company {KEDCO} was committed to ensuring effective service delivery.He commended KEDCO for the initiative and urged other DISCOs to develop their own strategies for mass deployment of meters for the benefit of their customers.In his remarks,the Managing Director of KEDCO,Alhaji Jamilu Gwamna,said the company had purchased more than 63,000 meters to be distributed to its customers.Gwamma said that the inauguration of the scheme would go a lon

                 The trial of a former governor of Plateau State,Joshua Dariye,continued on June 14,2016 before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of a Federal Capital Territory,FCT,High Court,Gudu,Abuja,with the defence counsel,G.S Pwul,SAN,telling the court that he has decided to shelve his intention to seek a ''no case'' submission and so would want to open his defence.Dariye is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly siphoning the state's ecological fund to the tune of N1.16 billion.One more photo below.                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                              Justice E.A Obile of the Federal High Court,Calabar,Cross River State today tuesday,June 14,2016 convicted and sentenced Paul Etim and Okon Edet Okon to 6 years imprisonment each without an option of fine,on a 2 count charge of illegal dealing in petroleum products preferred against them by the EFCC.                                                                                              

                                               The trial of former Chief of Defense StaffAir Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh {rtd},by the EFCC continued today,June 14,2016,before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama,Abuja,with further cross examination of PW4,Mustapha Yerima,Managing Director of Ryte Builders Nigeria Limited,who had assisted him in procuring and constructing several choice properties within the Abuja Metropolis.While being cross examined by counsel to the first defendant,Akin Olujimi,SAN,Yerima told the court that he had been invited severally to the EFCC to answer questions regarding his knowledge of monies allegedly spent at tthe instance of Badeh,Yerima,who had made five separate statements to the EFCC,on January 6,2016;January 12,2016; January 18,2016'February 5,2016 and February 10,2016,respectively,maintained that the contents of his statements were accurate,except in instance of minor corrections and/or omissions.One more photo below.

                      The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to regulate the operations of all driving schools in the State for effective service delivery,the General Manager,Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency,Mr. Lateef Lawal disclosed this at the Agency's Headquarter,Ikeja.He also said that a State Standing Committee on accreditation of driving schools operating in the State has been constituted to look into ways of accrediting,regulating and re-registering all existing driving schools.Lawal further opined that part of the Committee's core mandate is to advise the state government in all matters relating to the driving schools operations,monitoring of their activities with a view to ensuring strict adherence to laid down rules and regulations,as well as,ensuring driver's proficiency and safety on the road.He stated that ''The Committee would also liaise with the Association of Driving Schools Owners of Nigeria,which represents driving schools

                     According to sources,Lil Wayne suffered a pair of seizures yesterday that forced two emergency landings in Omaha while the rapper travelled from Milwaukee to California on a private jet.According to TMZ,Wayne refused medical treatment after the first and was transported to the hospital after the second.The details surrounding Wayne's latest health scare a bit hazy.Last night,a rep confirmed to the press that Wayne is ''in stable condition''.A rep of Lil Wayne wrote ''As Wayne's reps,we can confirm that he did experience a minor seizure earlier this afternoon.Under the guidance of his own doctors,he is now in stable condition and good spirits.He thanks his fans for their everlasting support,prayers and well wishes''.The statement implies that Wayne suffered only one seizure.One more photo below.                                                                                                                        

                According to the Senate President of Nigeria Bukola Saraki who took to his social media to announce that ''I am pleased to announce that today the senate received the Final Report of the Senate Committee on Special Duties on the Bill to Establish the North East Development Commission {NEDC}.The reports contains the observations of a wide group of stakeholders on the modalities that should be considered in the set of the commission.Additionally,the Senate also passed a Motion paying homage to Nigeria's former National team coaches:Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu.Both men were legends in their own rights,and they contributed immensely to the development of sports in Nigeria.In this regard,the Senate has nominated a delegation to condole with the families of the deceased.One more photo below.                                                                                                                  

                 United Nations has given $40 million to 13 African countries to fund against illegal trafficking of widelife.Botswana,Cameroon,Ethiopia,Gabon,Mozambique,Republic of Congo,Tanzania,Zambia,Kenya,Malawi,Mali,South Africa and Zimbabwe stand to benefit from the funds to finance wildlife conservation,wildlife crime prevention,and sustainable development in order to reduce adverse impacts of poaching and illegal trade.UN Environment Programme {UNEP} Executive Director Achim Steiner said that ''Ending the illegal trade in wildlife requires a concerted and cooperative effort between all sectors.These new projects will further these efforts and help bring us closer to ending wildlife crime one and for all. One more photo below.                                                                                                 

                           Folowing the unfortunate death of a Police officer,ASP Mathew Akpos,allgedly killed by operatives of the State Command Special Anti-Robbry Squard {SARS},earlier this month,and ensuring protests by aggrieved citizens,the Inspector General of Police,IGP Solomon E. Arase,fdc,NPM,has called for calm as the Police authorities has waded into the matter to ensure that justice is served.Upon the receipt of the information,the IGP immediately directed that the matter be investigated to ensure justice is served.Meanwhile,all the Policemen linked with the killing of the officer have been arrested,detained and are presently undergoing investigation,for subsequent prosecution.The IGP called on the family and friends of the deceases officer to remain calm and patient as the Police authority will not relent in their efforts to ensure professionalism is carrying out their constitutional assignment.-ACP Olabisi Kolawole,Force Public Relations Officer,Force Headquarters,Abuja.

                     With deep sadness,i am announcing that musician and music producer OJB Jezreel ,whose real name is Babatunde Okungbowa,died today the 14th of June 2016 in a hospital just one month to his 50th birthday and three years after his successful kidney transplant surgery in India in 2013 October 21.A family source claimed that his kidney transplant failed completely since last week.His wife Mama J was the one that donated her kidney to him which she did voluntary.He died at the age of 49,may his gentle and musical soul rest in peace,Amen.More photos below.