PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

AIEC ANNUAL AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS CONFERENCE 23rd – 30th November 2021 3 November 2021 ISSUED BY: The African Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (AIEC) This is why you need to register for the conference in November 23-30, 2021 AIEC Annual African Entrepreneurs Conference will take place from 23 th to the 30th November 2021 in person and online/virtual. The ground-breaking landscape of Africa was announced by African Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre. It is set to revolutionize the business landscape of Africa. Focal points of the conference The leading African knowledge-sharing platform in the continent will arm business  leaders with the latest business insights, about African markets gap, investment opportunities, and collaboration among stakeholders and assist businesses with a set  of skills to stay above the business curve during this pandemic. This is an opportunity  for business leaders to exchange ideas, network and extend their contact base among  ...

The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to fake news trending on social media with the caption, “EFCC Crew poses for quick photograph with billionaire socialite and businessman Obi Cubana”. The caption is as fake as any fake news can ever be because, at no time during his ongoing investigation, period in custody or release did Obi Cubana pose for photographs with EFCC staff.

The trial of a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, Aminu Wada Abubakar, Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd for an alleged N1.35 billion fraud continued today November 5, 2021 before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja with the EFCC, presenting its sixteenth witness, a Certified Ethical Hacker, and forensics analyst of the Commission, Mercy Titus. Titus told the court that, as a professional digital forensics examiner, her schedule is to analyze contents of various digital devices such as flash drives, hard drives, mobile phones, tablets, and all sorts of storage devices using a software or other tools in order to recover information contained in those devices, and ensure the integrity of such devices are not compromised.

The Nigerian Army (NA) has noted again the desperation of conflict merchants to discredit its constitutional role of aiding civil authority to provide internal security when called upon to do so.  The mischief makers, using the social media, shared a video alleging that soldiers were escorting buses filled with fake voters into Anambra State. Even though such despicable propaganda images can easily be punctured by any keen  observer, however for the sake of posterity, we wish to state without any equivocation, that no soldier of the Nigerian Army indulged in escort of fake voters into Anambra State.  Contrary to the misleading information, the buses in question were conveying INEC permanent and adhoc staff for the election tasks in Anambra State. The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has corroborated this position. We therefore urge the general public to please disregard the  report, as it is clearly a misinformation.  Our duty in the state at this tim...

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu is currently defending the Commission’s 2022 budget before members of the Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, at the National Assembly complex, Abuja. He was accompanied by National Commissioners, Secretary to the Commission, members of Technical Team and some Directors. More photos below.

 Anambra Governorship Election: INEC cautions staff The Chairman,  Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  Professor Mahmood Yakubu,  has cautioned staff of the Commission to be guided by the extant laws, guidelines/regulations and good conscience and as well, remain vigilant, principled and committed to the vision and mission of the Commission. He said the Anambra State Governorship election is holding this weekend despite the challenging situation in the build-up to the election, including attacks on INEC facilities. According to the Chairman,  INEC's determination to ensure that the election holds as scheduled has remained unshaken hence they rebuilt fixed assets and replaced movable facilities as well as sought and obtained the support of the security agencies, political parties and candidates and all other stakehoiders for a successful exercise.  He reminded them that all eyes will be on them and Nigerians expect the Anambra Governorship elec...

USAID, Access Nigeria, Inclusive Friends and National Democratic Institute NDI, says over 200 trained Persons With Disabilities have been deployed to all polling units to ensure inclusiveness. The groups made this known during  a pre-election press conference in Awka titled polling Unit Accessibility Audit on November 6 Election.   Briefing Journalists on the importance of Persons with Disabilities in the electoral process,  the Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association,IFA ,Jerry Grace said that the organisations team up together to campaign for increase the participation of PWDs in Nigeria’s political and electoral processes by reducing the physical, attitudinal and institutional barriers that makes it difficult or impossible for them to participate.   She noted that the agencies promotes social and human rights approaches to disability and made it clear that persons with disabilities do not want pity but to enjoy the full participation in Nigeria's ...

U S ambassadors fund calls for proposals The U.S. Embassy has announced that it is currently accepting applications the 2022 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.  The Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, AFCP, Programme was established in two thousand and one by the U.S. Congress to preserve cultural heritage and demonstrate respect for other cultures. In Nigeria, the aim is to preserve major ancient archaeological sites, historic buildings and monuments, and major museum collections that have historical or cultural significance to the cultural heritage of the country.  Since inception of the AFCP, the U.S. has partnered with Nigerians on ten projects.  Some past AFCP projects include: the preservation of Islamic manuscripts at the National Archives; restoration of the Gobarau Minaret, Katsina; preservation of the Kansakali Gate, Kano; the conservation of pottery collections at the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan; and conservation of collections at the Nati...

KDSG Security Update: Friday 5th November 2021.  Lives lost, houses burnt in attack in Zangon Kataf LGA.  The military and police authorities have informed the Kaduna State Government of attacks in two locations, Yagbak and Ungwan Ruhugo, in Zangon Kataf LGA.  According to the reports, some people have been killed, and others injured, while some houses were burnt in both locations.  The Kaduna State Government appeals to residents to remain calm, as detailed reports are being awaited from the military, the police and the DSS at both locations. Further updates will be made available to the public once these are confirmed.  The Governor who condemned the attacks, prayed for the repose of the souls affected, and directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to carry out immediate assessment and provide relief materials to the communities.   Signed  Samuel Aruwan  Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State....

Extortion: Disguised Zulum finds health officials collecting N10,000 for free medical services Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Thursday disguised his convoy and visited some Government healthcare centres unannounced, during which he found some officials collecting between N8,000 to N10,000 from patients, whereas the services are meant to be provided free of charge.  Zulum summoned the State’s Commissioner of Health, Mrs. Juliana Bitrus, and asked her to join him in a 10-seater bus that is usually used for airport services. The Governor left the Government house around 1:30pm without any convoy and without siren, leaving everyone surprised and wondering. Not even the Health Commissioner knew the Governor’s plan. Zulum headed straight to the newly established and fully equipped primary healthcare centre at Gwange II ward in Maiduguri and found that some workers were collecting between N8,000 to N10,000 before diagnosing and treating patients of common ailments like ...

  Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has on Friday attended the funeral service in honour of late Priscilla Nnenda Chikere (Nee Wolugbom).   The funeral service that was conducted by the Grace Garden branch of Living Christ Mission, Port Harcourt held at the Rivers State Ecumenical Centre.   Late Mrs. Priscilla Nnenda Chikere, 96 years, was the mother of Hon. Ken Chikere, the federal lawmaker representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1 at the House of Representatives.   In his tribute, Governor Wike said, he and his wife grieved at the news of the demise of a beloved mother who offered the best to her children.    According to Governor Wike, late Priscilla Nnenda Chikere was a warm, caring, and devoted mother who nurtured  her children well, and  was kind to friends and members of the community.    "Certainly, Mama's death is a great loss, not only for you but also a personal loss for me and for all those whose lives she ...

It was an emotional re-union as loyalists of former presidential candidate and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, converged as he received a Merit Award from the Youth Assembly of Nigeria. The award was conferred on the humane and urbane politician on Monday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. The Award was given “in recognition of his pedigree as a successful entrepreneur, a student/youth activist, and a progressive politician” as part of the activities to mark this year’s edition of the National Youth Day and the inauguration of the third Assembly of YAN. The loyalists, who are mostly youths he had groomed and mentored in politics, used the occasion of the award to publicly acknowledge his impact on their social and political trajectory in the state and beyond. One of the mentees, Alhaja Mariam Wasiu from Moro, said she lost her marriage for attending Olawepo-Hashim’s campaign rally in 2007. Now, a Commissioner in the Sate’s Local Government Commission...

 PRESS STATEMENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES THE COMMENCEMENT OF N-KNOWLEDGE PROGRAMME IN THE SIX GEO-POLITCAL ZONES          The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq has announced the commencement of the N-Power, N-Knowledge programme in the six (6) geo-political including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.  She made the announcement through a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Bashir Nura Alkali. He said,” N-Knowledge is a component of the N-Power Programme focused on equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills and certification to become competent workers, innovators and entrepreneurs prepared for both the domestic and global digital job market. N-Power (N-Knowledge) programme will upskill 20,000 young Nigerians on the global radar as exporters of world- class services and content in the creative and information technology sectors”.   The Permanent Secretar...

THIS KUMUYI IS SIMPLY DIFFERENT By FEMI ADESINA He rarely speaks on things that do not have to do with the work of the Kingdom, which he is completely sold out to, and has been engrossed in for over 50 years. In fact, he exemplifies the words of the prophet that “he shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.” But someone stuck his fingers in the mouth of Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, recently, and the man had to speak. He didn’t cry or strive, and “a bruised reed he did not break,” smoking flax he did not quench. But the cleric gave some home truths on what the attitude of a true Christian should be to secular government, particularly of his own country. This was how it all happened. Professor Dapo Asaju, a cleric and academic, former Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, had called out Pastor Kumuyi, and Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian...

The Central Bank of Nigeria spent the sum of N58.618 billion to print 2.518 billion Naira notes, valued at 1. 063 trillion in, 2020. This was contained in the bank’s 2020 Currency Report posted on its website. It indicated a decrease in the bank’s expenditure on currency printing, which stood at N75. 523 billion, in 2019 and N64. 040 billion, in 2018. The current management of the CBN under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has been driving the cashless policy with a view to cutting the cost of printing bank notes and cash management, in the country. The new e-Naira was also initiated in line with the policy. According to the report, “The total cost incurred on printing of banknotes in 2020 amounted to N58,618.50 million, compared with N75,523.50 million in 2019, indicating a decrease of ₦16,905.00 million or 28.84 per cent.”

Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has shed light on why the state joined other states in the fray to collect the Value Added Tax (VAT). According to Abiodun, his administration decided to take advantage of the VAT controversy with the view to ensure Ogun gets a fair share from the money being generated from the system. The governor stated this when he played host to members of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He explained that despite the huge revenue being generated from VAT, the state's share does not reflect what it generates, insisting the state action on the issue was to ensure fairness. "We have joined the fray on the Value Added Tax because we believe that a state like us, which generates huge fund from it, is not getting fair share of the proceeds. Not only are we producing, we are also a consuming state. "We generate so much money, yet, we don't have a bigger chunk of that same fund that we worked ...

The Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) will on Monday, 8th November 2021 begin clampdown on unregistered health facilities in Lagos State. The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Abiola Idowu, speaking on Thursday on the planned exercise, tagged: “Operation Show Your License/Certificate of Registration”, disclosed that the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has directed the Agency to commence the verification of the licenses of public and private health facilities in the State. She explained that the Agency has slated Monday, 8th November 2021 for commencement date of the operation, warning that all health facilities in the State should be ready to present the licenses of all healthcare workers and their certificates of registration to the Agency's monitoring staff for verification or risk sanctions. Idowu informed that HEFAMAA will not accept a situation where health facilities operate without proof of registration or licenses for ...