PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

President Muhammadu Buhari has received accolades on the infrastructural development in the South-East, particularly the second Niger Bridge, which has attained about 70% completion and slated for commissioning before the end of 2022.  Oil tycoon, Prince Arthur Eze, gave the plaudits during a private visit to the President Tuesday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.  The businessman urged Nigerians to always preach peace as against hate, and draw lessons from countries suffering the effect of war.  He pledged loyalty and commitment to the unity, peace and indivisibility of Nigeria, urging President Buhari to stay focused and not be distracted by agitations for separatism rocking some parts of the country.  “There are countless Igbos scattered around the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, who live happily in peace, and do their legitimate businesses without complaint of marginalization. No matter what, let’s tolerate one another and always embrace the spirit of peace, forgiveness and re

 President Buhari Swears-In National Commissioners of INEC and presides over Federal Executive Council in State House on 15th Sep 2021. More photos below.

The President and founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has described the church as a 'dreadful place' warning worshippers to desist from committing atrocities in the church. Speaking at the ongoing International Youth Alive Convention 2021 in Canaanland Ota in Ogun State, the clergyman said the incident was sequel to his warning against such attitudes. “In one of the Shilohs, I warned people and somebody was found trying to pick something that was not his and he ran mad immediately,” he said. Oyedepo, who stated that it is a risk to steal in the “house of God”, warned youths participating in the programme to deviate from such character.

The leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, has been killed in Borno State. According to Daily Trust, the terror leader was killed in the last week of August, this year. Al-Barnawi was the son of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, who was also killed by security forces in 2009 when he launched a war against the Nigerian state. Al-Barnawi was said to have been trained by ISIS for years ahead of his ascension to power. Al-Barnawi sustained vicious attacks especially on military facilities and troops in the Lake Chad region while at the same time strategising on how to subdue Shekau. He controlled large swathes of territory in Northern Borno, imposed taxes on the local population and earned serious income from fishing asides from the financial and material support he got from ISIS. Al-Barnawi’s fighters had also destroyed many military super camps in Dikwa, Monguno, Abadam and Marte in Borno; and other military facilities around Geidam in Yobe Stat

The Secretary-General/Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr Faruk Abubakar has said that over 7,000 professional nurses leave the country for greener pastures. According to him, this was a clear testimony that Nigeria has competent, efficient and hardworking professional nurses which he said, are among the best in the world. Dr Faruk Abubakar stated this when he led members of the council to the Delta State Commissioner for health, Dr Mordi Ononye, in Asaba shortly before a five-day workshop for examiners engaged in nursing and professional examinations held in the state recently.   The secretary-general/registrar quipped: “In that respect, the council felt it is necessary that we maintain that standard and this is why in every two years we organise this workshop and make sure that the examiners that we assign and appoint to conduct professional examinations have updated knowledge in line with global practices.”   It would be recalled that Nigeria has witnessed

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has today arrested some job applicants for presenting forged certificates and academic records during the on-going recruitment interview exercise by the Commission.  Some of the false documents presented included Declarations of Age, School certificates, and other documentation that showed evidence of tampering. This is contrary to and punishable under Section 25 (1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.  The suspects have been detained and are being investigated by the Commission.

Following intelligence reports indicating that bandits currently being dislodged by the military in Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna and other parts of the North West, are likely to take refuge in the North Central, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), has beefed up security in Nasarawa and Kogi states. Commandant General of the corps, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, disclosed this when he received Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, at the headquarters of the corps, in Abuja, on Wednesday. According to the NSCDC Commandant General, the corps has deployed additional logistics to the two states, in order the adequately tackle the security threat posed by the anticipated influx of bandits into the two states. Audi noted that, with the current insecurity situation bedeviling the country, the only option remaining to nib the emerging trend, is to work on intelligence, stressing that the corps will always take action if in possession of credible intelligence. He assured the gover

 COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE SOUTH EAST CAUCUS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HELD AT THE APO LEGISLATIVE QUARTERS, ABUJA, RESIDENCE OF THE FORMER DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU, ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 The South East Caucus of the National Assembly held an extraordinary session on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, to review developments in the South East, particularly (a) The security situation in the region vis-à-vis the sit-at-home orders and (b) The detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Rising from the meeting, the Caucus:       1.   Expressed solidarity with our people of the South East over the marginalisation of the region in the scheme of things within the Nigerian commonwealth. The Caucus feels the pains of our people and their quest for equity, justice, and protection of their lives and property in every part of the country. The Caucus, therefore, resolved to continue to fight for a level-playing ground and an enabling fede

Elders under the auspices of Anambra Elders Council have applauded Governor Willie Obiano for the vision of putting up the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport Project, Umueri and Anambra International Conference Center, Awka. The elders gave the commendation when they joined the governor on his usual weekly inspection visit to the projects. Governor Obiano personally led the elders, painstakingly explaining and showcasing all aspects of the airport and the Conference Center. Speaking on the viability of the airport, former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku described it as magnificent, applauded the Governor for not borrowing to finance the project. While enphasizing that it portrays the Governor  as an efficient manager of resources, unlike some of his counterparts, Chief Anayaoku congratulated ndi Anambra saying that the project which is pride to the Governor, the State and Nigeria, will sufficiently serve the interests of not only Anambra and South Eas

 PICTURES: GOV. BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU, FIFA PRESIDENT INFANTINO AT OPENING OF THE AISHA BUHARI CUP AT MOBOLAJI JOHNSON ARENA STADIUM, ONIKAN, LAGOS, ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 PIX 1 L-R: Minister of Youth & Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, FIFA President Giovanni Infantino and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the opening of the Aisha Buhari Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena Stadium, Onikan, Lagos, on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.   PIX 2-4 L-R: FIFA President, Giovanni Infantino, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Dr. Ibijoke during the opening of the Aisha Buhari Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena Stadium, Onikan, Lagos, on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. More photos below.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa has reiterated his commitment to sanitize the banking sector saying that any bank which allows itself to be used for fraud or money laundering shall be held liable. Bawa stated this in a paper entitled, `Security, Trust and Leadership Effectiveness’, presented at the 14th annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on 14th September, 2021 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja. The EFCC boss who was represented by Abiodun Adebanjo, Head of Research Unit, Department of Policy, Research and Statistics restated the Commission's determination to ensure that bank officials comply with regulations regarding assets declaration. He urged financial institutions to embrace transformational leadership and technology which are imperatives for customer security and satisfaction. ``I want to conclude by saying that we must be partners in progress because combating cybe

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Ejike Chinedu Euneoha before Justice Hannatu A.L Balogun on one count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.    Ejike's trouble started when one Utazi Romanus Ejiofor petitioned the Command, alleging that sometime in 2014, he informed the defendant of his intention to start importing goods and requested if he could link him up with a contact in China. Ejike offered to link him with an in-law residing in China and even called the said in-law who spoke with the petitioner on phone.    After the conversation, the petitioner paid the so-called China-based contact N4, 278,500.00 (Four Million Two Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) through Ejike for the supply of tiles and other building materials.. The petitioner further alleged that the defendant also collected 10 bundles of zinc valued at N105, 000, 00 in lieu of money and a further N350, 000 to buy a G

The Ogun State Government says the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in collaboration with its ministry of Works and Infrastructure has finalised plans to embark on palliative work on critical sections on Sango-Ota-Idiroko Road, starting from Sango Under bridge to Ojuore. The Chief Press Secretary to the state government, Kunle Somorin, said this in a statement on Tuesday. Somorin said the Federal Controler of Works, Ogun State, Engr. Umar Bakare made this known while addressing newsmen shortly after inspection of critical sections on Sango-Ota-Idiroko Road and Lagos-Abeokuta road, on Monday. Bakare said the 64km Sango-Ota-Idiroko has been put under consideration for reconstruction by the Federal Government under the FG’s Credit Scheme similar to the just awarded Sagamu-Papalanto-Obele road. According to the statement, Bakare said that there is a synergy between the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to carry out the pallia

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state has sought the speedy approval of the N83.5 billion loan requested from the 1.68 percent Development of Natural Resources Fund (DNRF) from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, (RAMFAC). The loan, if approved according to the governor, will be used by the state to boost agriculture, tourism and other sectors of the state's economy.  Abiodun stated this while playing host to members of Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee of RMFAC led by its chairman, Alhaji Adamu Dibal, in his office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta. The governor told members of the committee who were on evaluation tour of Ogun, that the release of the fund would help diversify the state's economy as well as complete the ongoing construction of the Agro Cargo Airport. He emphasised that the fund would also be used to develop the agriculture, solid mineral, cultural  and tourism sectors towards the enhancement of Adire production and its chain values. Abiodun note