PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

      As part of its continued support towards combating the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), today, 10 April 2020, airlifted medical equipment and supplies donated by the Turkish Government to Nigeria from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos to the Nnmadi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja. The donated medical items, which consist of several boxes of equipment, medications and other supplies, weighing about 4,000 Kg, were airlifted by a NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft (NAF 917) and handed over by the NAF Aircrew to a representative of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for delivery to the Central Storage Facility in Abuja. It may be recalled that the NAF, in furtherance of its constitutional role of providing Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA), had earlier detailed an aircraft to airlift a team of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) health officials from Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, where they had trave...

     People in Germany were asked to send photos of themselves to their church so they could be represented in the pews during coronavirus shutdown.

     Earlier today, President Muhammadu Buhari received briefing from the Presidential Task Force on   # COVID19   this afternoon at his official residence in the State House, Abuja..More details later and more photos below.

      April 10, 2020 Press Statement Caverton Pilots: PDP Calls for Dialogue The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for dialogue between the Federal Government and Rivers State Government over the impasse relating to the pilots of Caverton Helicopters. The party asks the Federal Government to restrain from acts that would portray it as politicizing the fight against COVID-19, just like the situation in Rivers State has shown. PDP is deeply concerned that issues of protocols, which could have been managed through dialogue, is being escalated to assume a political dimension by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika. Our party holds that the issue of public health safety should be of major concern to all actors in government irrespective of the offices they occupy. We find it strange that the Federal Government would be supporting a private business to disobey the extant order of a state. We hold that all decisions and actions of the Rivers S...

      On the occasion of his 63rd birthday anniversary, President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with foremost industrialist, investor and philanthropist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, wishing him and his loved ones a splendid day. The President salutes the large-heartedness of Africa’s wealthiest man, noting that it is one thing to be so blessed, and another to use the wealth to the glory of God and for the good of humanity. According to hi m, “Alhaji Dangote has always stood to be counted whenever it mattered, judging by his generous contributions to the fight against polio, Ebola disease, the current Coronavirus, and many other challenges which have faced Nigeria, and indeed, the African continent.” President Buhari prays God to grant the great son of Nigeria long life, good health, and further successes in all areas of endeavour. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) April 10, 2020.

     Nasarawa State Governor, His Excellency, Engr Abdullahi A Sule has pardoned no fewer than 125 inmates of the state Correctional Centres to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is coming after President Muhammad Badaru kicked-off the 2020 presidential pardon and clemency program to fast track the decongestion of prisons over the fear of COVID-19 spread in the country. Containing in a statement released personally on Thursday by the Governor. The Governor has directed the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy to map out modalities for the immediate release of the affected inmates across the State Correctional Centres. The statement read in part " "In furtherance of the concerted efforts of the present Administration towards the containment of the spread of COVID-19 and the need to urgently decongest the Correctional Centres across the country, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has approved the pardon of 2,600 inmates. "The inm...

     As the globe reels under the heavy weight of COVID-19 pandemic, a serious threat that has affected virtually every country of the world, blind to race, creed and social status, it is very worrisome that the hard-hit nations, struggling with the devastating health blows dealt by the scourge, with attendant economic implosions and social dislocations; the creation and dissemination of fake news has been added to the mix. Coming home, it has assumed a monstrous stature, therefore requiring well articulated advocacies to contain. If we cast our minds back to the year 2014 when we battled the highly deadly Ebola virus, a particular fake news was created and bandied about by some mischievous Nigerians which caused many people across the country to tread the dangerous path of drinking salted water, as well as bathing with same. The ungodly news resulted in so many deaths, especially among the hypertensive patients, whose blood pressures, triggered by the excessive c...

      The Office of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has dissociated itself from parody accounts being operated on Facebook by some fraudulent individuals. According to a statement issued on Thursday by Mrs. Olubukonla Nwonah, Asst. Director, Public Affairs, Office of the First Lady of Lagos State, some dubious minded individuals put up Facebook pages to impersonate Mrs. Sanwo-Olu with the aim of deceiving  unsuspecting members of the public. She affirmed that Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu does not operate or maintain any personal account on Facebook, stressing that the official Facebook account known as the Office of Lagos State First Lady is operated by her Media Unit. While noting that the Facebook Management and relevant security agencies have already been notified of the development, Nwonah warned members of the public to beware of the fraudulent activities of the faceless criminals behind the parody accounts.

      ... As Defendants Tender Letters of Apology to LASG Lagos State Government, on Thursday, withdrew the charges against a former governorship candidate, Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi and Azeez Fashola a.k.a Naira Marley, after the defendants fulfilled the letters of apology condition of the court for withdrawal of the cases against them. The Lagos State Ministry of Justice had, on the 8th of April 2020, filed charges at the Magistrate Court sitting at Ogba against the defendants for attending a birthday party organised by celebrity couple, Mrs. Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband, Mr. AbdulRashed Bello, at Amen Estate, Ibeju-Lekki on April 4, 2020. Speaking on the case, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Yhaqub Oshoala, said that in view of the remorse shown by the defendants, the State agreed to withdraw the charges on the condition that the accused fulfill certain conditions. “In accordance with the restorative justice procedure, the State agreed to with...

     On the occasion of this year's Easter, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom urges the people to pray for the state, Nigeria and the entire world for a speedy end to Coronavirus pandemic. Governor Ortom admonishes all Christians and Muslims to pray and seek the intervention of Almighty God in the fight against COVID-19 which is ravaging parts of the globe. He states that with God, nothing is impossible, as it is written in the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Governor Ortom says the death and resurrection of Jesus should draw his followers closer to God so they can appreciate the abundant grace and mercy of God upon their lives. He urges the people to eschew bitterness and differences, unite and show love to one another at this trying moment in human history. H...

      - As IGP felicitates with Nigerians - Enjoins citizens to Stay at Home, Stay Safe and emulate Christ’s Virtues The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has directed the Commissioners of Police in States where the social restriction orders have been emplaced to continue with the due enforcement of the orders. While felicitating with the Nigerian Christian Community, as Christendom commemorates the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the IGP calls on religious leaders in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as other States affected by the restriction orders, to continue to cooperate with relevant government agencies and use their leadership positions to encourage worshippers to observe Prayers and Worship Programs in the confines of their homes. He notes that the call has become necessary in order to curtail the community spread of the COVID-19 pandemic which has immensely challenged humanity across all s...

     *Suspect admitted his offence and attributes it to money ritual* On the 8/4/2020 at about 1:pm,following a tip off ,Police operatives attached to Nnewi Division arrested one Josephat Unachukwu 'm' aged 58years from Edoji Uruagu in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State. 2. Suspect allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge against the order of nature with 20 years old man to prepare for charm allegedly given to him by a Native doctor for money ritual.The case was reported to the police when the victim started exhibiting strange ailment. 3. Suspect has equally made a voluntary confessional statement to the police and blamed his act on demons. Meanwhile,victim was taken to the hospital for medical examination. 5. Consequently,the Commissioner of Police *CP John B. Abang,fdc* has ordered for immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal investigation Department(CID)for discreet investigation in order to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident. *SP...

        1. There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a variety of measures to stem its spread in our country. Some of these measures include restriction of movement, lockdown and stay at home directives which are being enforced by various government and security agencies. Some creative Nigerians found it expedient to provide comic relief through the production of funny jokes, graphics, drama   skits and video clips to entertain the public. The materials are circulated through social media. 2. Unfortunately, most of these clips circulating on social media bordered on the Nigerian soldier and projecting the military as lawless, brutal and being harsh on people flouting the stay at home order pursuant to the lockdown and stay at home directives imposed in some states in Nigeria. There is no doubt these drama skits and video clips denigrate and cast the military and the security forces in a bad light. 3. This development creates a wrong im...

      I rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters as well as all Nigerians on the occasion of the celebration of this year’s Easter. This year’s commemoration of Easter comes amid the grip with which Covid-19 has held the entire world. Unprecedented in living memory, majority of Christians have found themselves marking Easter in a subdued manner, away from the usual congregation in churches. This is unusual and very unfortunate. However, I wish to enjoin our Christian compatriots to rekindle their faith in Christ who overcame persecution, sufferings and displayed endurance, steadfastness and above all piety. Jesus Christ represented man’s ability to withstand temporary pains in the hope of everlasting glory. I urge you to imbibe and live the values of humility, discipline, perseverance, sacrifice and obedience which Jesus Christ demonstrated during His stay on earth. There is no better opportunity than now for all Christians in particular, and Nigerians...

    Attention of Lagos State Police Command is drawn to a video on social media in which a Lady alleged that her vehicles was impounded by the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO) Agbowa Division and a female sergeant.She equally accused the officers of extorting money from her.After analysing the video, the officers mentioned were identified by our operatives and arrested.They are Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adebayo Ojo and Sergeant Adeleke Mojisola.The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu psc has ordered an in depth investigation into the case.While appreciating the courage of the complainant and other well meaning citizens who forwarded the video to our social media page, the Command urged the complainant to take a further step by reporting at the Command Headquarters Ikeja to enable the Command conclude the investigation.The Commissioner of Police has reaffirmed his stance against corrupt practices and impunity. Members of the public will be...