PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

       Lagos State Government has commenced statewide disinfection and decontamination of 17 major live bird markets across the State. The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal explained that the exercise is aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly swine disease particularly at this festive period when the demand for live bird increases. Lawal listed the markets where the disinfection and decontamination would take place as Olaleye live bird Market, Somolu; Awolowo live bird Market, Mushin; Mushin Main live bird Market; Bolade (Arena) live bird Market, Oshodi; Mile 12 live bird Market; Ketu live bird Market, Kosofe; Ejina live bird Market, Ikorodu and Agege Isale Oja live bird Market, Agege. Others are Agege Oja Oba live bird Market; Abattoir live bird Market, Agege; Idera New Garage live bird market, Agege; Alayabiagba live bird Market, Ajegunle; Jankara live bird market, Lagos Island; Oyingbo Main live bird market; Alaba Rago live bi...

       Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed plans by the State Government to upgrade Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education to a University of Education. The Governor disclosed this on Monday when he received the newly elected Zonal Coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D, led by Comrade Kappo Olawale at the Lagos House, Alausa. Sanwo-Olu, in a close chat with the group assured them of the continuous commitment of his administration to the reforms of Education Sector stating that the sector has the "Lion's share" in the year 2020 budget. He said: “We want to elevate Adesanya Ogunsanya College of Education to a University of Education. This is one of our plans as a government.” “We are training all Primary School teachers and also recruiting new ones. We will ensure that the quality in our classrooms are the same. And this is based on development of teachers first. Once we are able to push that, we ...

      South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019 on Sunday night. The 26-year-old beauty queen beat 89 other contestants to be crowned the new Miss Universe during the pageant held at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Miss Puerto Rico Madison Anderson was the first runner up and Miss Mexico Sofia Aragon was the second runner-up. The final three were asked on-stage: “What is the most important thing you should be teaching young girls today?” Clad in a striking gold and silver gown, Tunzi answered: “leadership.” She continued... “It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time … because of what society has labeled women to be,” she said. “I think we are the most powerful beings in the world, and that we should be given every opportunity, and that is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space,” Tunzi continued. “Nothing is as important as taking up space in the society and c...

     Hollywood star Michael Douglas celebrates his father Kirk Douglas {who was also a movie star } on social media and who turned 103 today. He shared the above photo today with the caption ''  Happy birthday Dad! You are a living legend and your entire family sends you all the love in their hearts!   #KirkDouglas   #103  ''.More photos below.

      Actress Funke Akindele lost her father to the cold hands of death,few weeks before the New Year.Funke Akindele made the announcement on her Instagram today,when she shared this photo above with the caption ''  Dad!!! May your soul Rest In Peace!! I tried Dad! I did!! We love you but God knows best!!!   #iwishicanturnbackthehandsoftime  ''.One more photo below.

       The Lagos State Government has given a seven-day removal notice to owners of shops on walkways and roads within the Lagos Island Business Districts to remove them or risk prosecution. The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, Prince Olarenwaju Elegushi, who issued the notice over the weekend, said the State Government is determined to enforce the state  environmental laws in all the nooks and crannies of the Lagos Island Business District by checking the illegal activities of car dealers, shops and plaza owners who violate the physical planning laws of the State. He said no amount of resistance and intimidation by miscreants parading as shop owners can make the State Government go back on its resolve to clean up the entire Lagos Island Business District. He decried the nuisance of shop owners who are in the habit of displaying their wares and goods on walkways and roads thereby obstructing the smooth flow of ve...

      The EFCC, on Monday, December 9, 2019, secured the conviction and sentencing of two top officials of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank), Anayo Nwosu and Olajide Oshodi as well as Ashok Israni, an Indian businessman, to five years imprisonment each for N855m fraud before Justice Kudirat Jose of the State High Court, Igbosere, Lagos State. Also jailed are NULEC Industries Limited belonging to Israni and Keystone Bank Limited. The convicts alongside one Sunny Obazee were re-arraigned on October 4, 2016 on an amended 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N855m.More photos below.

     Nollywood actress, Chizzy Alichi is officially off the single ladies market. The Enugu State born movie star has been snatched by a man who loves her so dearly. On saturday, December 7, Chizzy Alichi had her Traditional marriage at the hometown in Enugu State and her celebrity colleagues turned up in their numbers to show her support. Judy Austin, Eve Esin, Iheoma Nancy, Patience Ozokwor and lots others were part of those spotted at the grand ceremony. It would be recalled that few days ago, Chizzy released her pre-wedding photos and they look so romantic, and as well got some of her unmarried colleagues so envious. The leggy movie star had announced that she’s in love and can’t wait to be addressed as a Mrs, before the end of 2019. Congratulations to her..More photos below.

       President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of a new board for the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, subject to Senate confirmation. The President nominated a renowned tax consultant, Muhammad M. Nami as the new chairman. The board is composed of a member representing each of the six geographical zones and statutory representatives from a select number of ministries and government agencies. Mr Muhammad, a well-trained Tax, Accounting and Management professional with highly rated qualifications and professional practice and licenses from relevant professional bodies, has almost three decades of practical working experience in Auditing, Tax Management and Advisory and Management services to clients in the banking, manufacturing, services and public sectors as well as non- profit organizations. He is an expert in rendering advisory support services to investors in respect of new business start-ups and management of existing businesses. He has a...

       Governor Bello Muhammad (Matawallen Maradun)sends a strong warning to Senator Rochas Okorocha to desist from insulting the North, especially on the floor of the exalted Chamber. Governor Matawalle equally demanded the Senator to apologise to the people of the North over his unguarded utterances on the educational status of the North which has gone viral in the social media. The Governor noted that the North may be educationally behind other parts of the country, but it was insulting to portray the zone in the manner Senator Okorocha did. Governor Matawalle further said the Northern Governors are especially concerned on the improvement of educational sector. In Zamfara State. For instance, the Governor has budgeted 19% of the total budget for the 2020 fiscal year for the educational sector. Since his assumption of office, Governor Bello Muhammad has settled SSCE fees to the tune of over 700 million and is sending 200 boys and girls to study medical sci...