PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

I’ve Turned You To A Reggae Artiste, Shehu Sani Mocks El-Rufai Comrade Shehu Sani, a former senator, has described the immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai as “a Rastafarian and Reggae artiste”. Sani said this while reacting to a post of El-Rufai on X social media platform, on Sunday. El-Rufai, who has not been active on social media since the failure of the senate to confirm his ministerial appointment, put up a post about late Reggae legend, Bob Marley’s song: ‘Who The Cap Fit and The Wailers.’ “VIDEO – Bob Marley of blessed memory is one of the most talented musicians of all time. My love for reggae music is connected with his songs and music. “Who The Cap Fit – Bob Marley & The Wailers is one of my favorites from the 1970s. Enjoy your Sunday with the song and lyrics that are timeless. – @elrufai.” He posted the full lyrics of the songs and the YouTube links. “Man to man is so unjust, children Ya don’t know who to trust Your worst enemy could be your best frie...

Hunter Shoots And K!lls 17-Year-Old Boy He Allegedly Mistook For An Animal In Cross River Community A 17-year-old boy identified as Ferdinand Afor, was shot dead by a hunter in the forests of Wula in Boki Local Government Area of central Cross River State.   According to the CrossRiverWatch, the incident happened on Wednesday evening, August 16, 2023, when Afor and his friends pitched a tent with some hunters to gather wild ukazi leaf (gnetum africanum) for sale to raise income in preparation for their New Yam festival. "They slept with the hunters and while he left to pick ukasi, the hunters went to hunt. And at about 7:00 PM, a hunter shot him and claimed he thought it was an animal,” Ofre John, a native abreast of the matter, told the publication on Saturday, August 19. The hunter, unnamed, a native of the neighboring Okwango community also in Boki, turned himself over to the Bateriko Division of the Nigerian Police Force where he is currently detained.  Ofre said this has...

Meet the 3 Ondo State-Born Sisters who are all Pilots The remarkable sisters who are known as Mopelola Makinde, Oluwaseun Makinde, and Oluwafunmilayo Makinde-Marcus were inspired by their father - Captain Wale Makinde, a veteran helicopter pilot who works with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Mopelola and Oluwaseun are Helicopter Pilots, while Oluwafunmilayo Makinde-Marcus is a corporate pilot, who specializes in flying private jets, The 3 sisters are actively flying and are happily married. Their father, Capt. Wale Makinde is a native of Ondo town, Ondo State. We celebrate them and wish them success in their chosen path.  

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 IVITE AGULERI YOUTH CHAIRMAN SHARES STORY OF HOW HE WAS KIDNAPPED BY FULANI HERDSMEN. By 𝐃𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐢 𝐎𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐰𝐨 The Youth Chairman of Ivite Aguleri Anambra State, Mr Odikpo Nwekwu (Wowo), has shared his experiences in the hands of suspected Fulani kidnappers who abducted him along the Ayamelum- Adani -Opanda way after stopping the commercial vehicle he boarded with his cousin, Mr Okemmili Ndigwe. Speaking in an interview with OMT, Mr Wowo who stays in Aguleri, Anambra State, noted that they were abducted by the assailants on Sunday, 13th August 2023 and were released on Thursday 17th August 2023 around 4: 30 pm. The victim said he was sure they were Fulani herdsmen because they spoke the language and were young boys.He added, "Everything happened very fast, I must say. They shot at the commercial vehicle and our driver stopped. They came straight to the back seat where only me and my cousin were o...

No fewer than three persons have escaped death in a multiple crash that occurred in the Anthony Obanikoro area of Lagos on Saturday. In a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, made available on its verified X handle @followlasma, the multiple accidents involved a 40-foot container, two Toyota Camry cars (KRD 432 JA and APP 43 HN), and a tipper loaded with sand (T 17001LA). The agency noted that one Lawal Babatunde of the Eagle Bravo of Zone 11 Anthony, along with the police in the Ilupeju area of the state, led the rescue mission.  Lagos residents lament poor drainage, flooding  Lagos shuts school over four-year-old’s defilement According to the LASMA investigation, due to brake failure, the 40-foot container truck, while travelling at top speed, collided with three other vehicles, including a fully loaded tipper with sand. The statement partly read, “The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, cautioned the motoring public to always ensure that thei...

Edo NMA suspends chairman, two others The Edo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association has suspended its Chairman, Dr Udoka Imoisili; Deputy Chairman, Dr Okwara Benson and Secretary, Dr Collins Otoikhila. In a communique made available to journalists on Sunday and signed by acting chairman, Dr Iluobe Inegbenosun, and Dr Emeka Okoh, the group said the decision was taken at the Business session of the 2023 Edo NMA Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held at the Doctors House in Benin,  Edo State on Thursday, August 17, 2023. The communique read in part, “The AGM voted to suspend the trio of chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, for refusing to carry out their constitutional duties as demanded by the AGM. “A secret ballot was held, and 120 members voted to suspend the chairman, Imoisili, deputy chairman, Dr Benson Okwara, and secretary, Dr Collins Otoikhila while three voted against and three abstained. The meeting continued with the adjusted and adopted agend...

ENUGWU-UKWU LANDLADY POURS HOT WATER MIXED WITH PEPPER ON TENANT OVER RENT INCREMENT By Chidinma Ikeanyionwu A woman identified as Amaka Okonkwo has allegedly poured hot water mixed with pepper on tenant over rent increment. The incident that happened at Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka local government area of the state was said to have taken place on Thursday. According to the victim, Imabong William, from Akwaibom who is currently receiving treatment at Zion hospital Nawfia, her landlady Amaka asked her to vacate the house over her inability to pay the new rent increment noting that her rent expired last month.  She explained that she demanded some time to enable her get a new place, but unfortunately while she was washing her clothes on Thursday, the said landlady poured her hot water mixed with pepper from behind. Although the alleged culprit, Amaka Okonkwo has been arrested and currently at the Nimo police station, sources said she's still boasting of walking scot free from the police ...

Pope Calls For Peace In Coup-Hit Niger Pope Francis on Sunday urged a diplomatic solution to a political crisis in Niger, sparked by a coup that threatens stability in the region. “I am following with concern what is happening in Niger, and join the bishops’ call in favour of peace in the country and stability in the Sahel,” said Pope Francis, addressing the faithful in St Peter’s Square after his Angelus prayer. “I join with prayer the efforts of the international community to find a peaceful solution as soon as possible for the good of everyone,” said the 86-year-old. Army officers ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, making Niger the fourth West African nation to suffer a coup since 2020. Meanwhile, Niger’s new military ruler said Saturday a transition of power would not go beyond three years, and warned that any attack on the country would not be easy for those involved. “Our ambition is not to confiscate power,” General Abdourahamane Tiani said in a televised address. Any t...

MNJTF INTENSIFIES OPERATIONS AS MASS SURRENDERS ROCK BOKO HARAM CAMPS  In the wake of escalated kinetic and non-kinetic operations by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), coupled with a dwindling logistic supply in Boko Haram hideouts, mass surrenders rattle Boko Haram insurgents.  Over a span of two days, from 14 to 15 August 2023, four key Boko Haram commanders, 13 main fighters, and a total of 45 family members, laid down their arms and surrendered to troops of Sector 3 MNJTF in Cross Kauwa and Baga of Kukawa Local Government, Nigeria. Surrendered items include seven AK-47 Rifles, one FN Rifle (SLR), nearly 440 rounds of assorted calibre ammunition and other essential tools of insurgency.  On the inaugural day of the recent mass surrender, 14 August 2023, two commanders, nine main fighters and 21 family members yielded to the relentless operations of troops stroked by the 19 Brigade in Cross Kauwa and 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga. They voluntarily surrendered ...

81 DIVISION NIGERIAN ARMY COMMENCES INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGED KILLING OF AN INNOCENT DRIVER  Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to inform the general public that it has commenced investigation into an alleged killing of one Mr Lawal who was said to have been killed by some persons in military uniform on 17 August 2023. In as much as information into the allegation is still scanty at the moment, being a responsible organisation, Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army considers it appropriate to bring the occurrence to public notice and the steps taken to identify the alleged persons in military uniform, believed to be soldiers, and bring them to justice, if truly they are serving soldiers. The Division is currently carrying out investigation in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Lagos State Command to unravel the identity of the alleged suspects and the circumstances surrounding the alleged unfortunate incident. At the end of the investigation, if the suspects...

Kwara: NEMA Distributes Relief Materials To Flood Victims  National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced the distribution of relief materials to the victims of 2022 flood in Kwara State. Speaking at the Flagged off of the distribution of the Items in Ilorin, the Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed who was represented by Mr Ephraim Tony, head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the agency, said federal government approved the intervention specifically for people affected by the 2022 flood disasters. He said those classified as the most vulnerable persons across the country would also benefit from the items. Ahmed explained that the 2022 flood disaster devastated many communities across the country, including Kwara State, where most of the people in the communities were displaced and their farmlands and crops completely washed away by water. He said based on the assessments which were jointly conducted by NEMA and State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), the feder...

President Tinubu Changes Portfolios Of Some Ministers-Designate  Ahead of the scheduled Monday, August 21, 2023 swearing-in of Ministers, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday approved minor swappings and changes of portfolios earlier assigned to Ministers-Designate.  In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale says Abubakar Momoh moves from the Ministry of Youth to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development. According to the statement, the Ministry of Youth is to be re-assigned to a Minister-Designate soon. Adegboyega Oyetola is redeployed as the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, while Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is now to head the Ministry of Interior, with Sa'idu Alkali moving to the Ministry of Transportation.  Ministers of State in the Oil & Gas sector are now domiciled in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources with Heineken Lokpobiri serving as Minister of State, Oil, while Ekperipe Ekpo serves as Minister of State, Gas....

My love for Reggae music inspired by Bob Marley’s songs – El-Rufai The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has shared that his love for Reggae music is due to the songs and music of the late Jamaican legend, Bob Marley. El-Rufai stated this on his handle on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday morning. He tweeted, “Bob Marley of the blessed memory is one of most talented musicians of all time. My love for reggae music is connected with his songs and music.” He also mentioned that one of Marley’s songs, ‘Who The Cap Fit,’ is one of his favourites. “Who The Cap Fit – Bob Marley & The Wailers is one of my favourites from the 1970s. Enjoy your Sunday with the song and lyrics that are timeless.” El-Rufai further shared some lyrics of the song which goes thus, “Man to man is so unjust, children. Ya don’t know who to trust. Your worst enemy could be your best friend. And your best friend, your worst enemy.”  

"Biblically A Woman Is Not Supposed To Be A Pastor" — Nigeria-based Ghanaian Pastor, John Nyamadi, says The General Overseer of Christian Ministry of Reconciliation (Grace and Truth) Pastor John Nyamadi, has said that a woman is not supposed to be a pastor.  Pastor Nyamadi, who moved to Nigeria in August 1978, stated this in an interview with Punch when asked about the doctrine of his church.  “Our doctrines come from the Bible. We believe that God is one, which is the Lord Jesus. In creation, He was the father; in redemption, He was the son, who came for the purpose of saving us, and after accomplishing salvation, He promised to be in us, which is the Holy Ghost. Even the apostles asked Him why He didn’t stay till the Holy Spirit came and He said if He didn’t go, the Holy Spirit wouldn’t come. So, He came back in the form of the Holy Ghost and that’s one of our beliefs,” he said.  “We also believe in baptising in the name of Jesus Christ. We also believe that a woman is ...

Falana asks fed govt to release ex-EFCC Chairman, Bawa Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called for the immediate release of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa. Falana, however, asked the federal government to bring charges against both Bawa and the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, the two individuals currently being detained, if there exists substantial evidence of their involvement in criminal activities. Abdulrasheed Bawa has been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for a duration of 67 days, without any formal charges or trial being presented against him. Falana made the request in a statement yesterday titled, “Release Abdulrasheed Bawa from custody as his remains order has expired”. In a statement titled “Release Abdulrasheed Bawa from custody as his remand order has Expired,” Falana emphasized that Bawa’s extended detention is in violatio...

Edo varsity dismisses five staff, 21 others undergoing investigation over criminal offences The management of Edo state government-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, has dismissed five staff, with 21 others undergoing investigation for various criminal offences. A member of the Special Intervention Team (SIT), Austin Osakue, while submitting the progress report of the SIT to Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House, Benin, disclosed that the staff were dismissed by the disciplinary committee of the institution. Osakue, who urged the Edo government to constitute a governing council for AAU, and begin the process of hiring principal officers for the higher institution, noted that the work done so far by the SIT would not be appreciated unless AAU reviewed its enabling laws. He stated that AAU had keyed into the directive of the Edo state government, as it had commenced the contributory pension scheme, which started on August 1, 2023. The SIT member said: “All staff of AA...

FG Appoints CMDs For Federal Medical Centres Federal Government has appointed 11 new Medical Directors for the Federal Government established Medical Facilities in the Country. This was made known in a statement by the Director of Press & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Patricia Deworitshe. The new CMDs are Prof Nyandanti Yakub Wilberforce – MD, FMC, Hong, Adamawa State, Prof Issa Baba Awoye – MD, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Buddo-Egba, Kwara State, Dr Umar Faruk Abdumajid – MD, FMC Daura, Katsina State, Dr Muhammad Shittu Adamu – MD, FMC, Wase, Plateau and Prof Shuaibu Jauro Yahya – MD, FMC, Mubi, Adamawa State. Others are Dr Mercy Anugwu – MD, FMC, Onitsha, Anambra State, Prof Auwalu Sani Salihu– FNPH Dawanau Kano State, Prof Rufai Ahmed – Registrar/ CEO, Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria, Prof Mangwa J. Kortar – MD, FMC, Makurdi, Benue State, Prof Robinson Chukwudi Onoh CMD, Alex Ekwueme, Federal University Teac...

Niger Junta To Transition To Civilian Power In 3 years Niger’s new military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has said the country will transition to civilian rule in no more than three years. In a 12-minute televised broadcast on Saturday, Tchiani claimed ECOWAS was “getting ready to attack.”‘. He warned against the planned military action by the ECOWAS , saying Niger’s military would resist external forces by fighting back. His warning came after a delegation from ECOWAS arrived the country for a final diplomatic push before deciding on military action against Niger’s new military rulers. “Our ambition is not to confiscate power, said General Tchiani. Any transition of power “would not go beyond three years”, he said. He added, “If an attack were to be undertaken against us, it would not be the walk in the park some people seem to think.” According to Tchiani, Niger is facing difficult times ahead, and the “hostile and radical” attitudes of those who oppose his rule provide no ad...

Canada-based Nigerian men release their pre-wedding photos as they set to walk down the aisle More photos below. 

Isese Day: Abiodun declares Monday Public Holiday  Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has declared Monday, 21st August 2023 as public holiday to commemorate the annual Isese Day. Isese Day is set aside by traditional religious worshippers to celebrate Yoruba culture and tradition. Governor Abiodun, on 7th, March, 2023 issued an executive order, declaring August 20 of every year as Isese Day in Ogun State. The state House of Assembly, on July 11, gave legal backing to the executive order. Governor Abiodun, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lekan Adeniran on Saturday, praised the existing harmony among the adherents of all religions in the Gateway State. He said the recognition granted Isese Day was to continue in the tradition of respecting the tradition of our people and ensure the continuation of the unity and harmony among the three major religions in the state. Prince Abiodun reaffirmed his commitment to supporting and respecting all religions in the ...