PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

Today, the tribunal's affirmation of our electoral success fills me with immense gratitude to the Almighty. I congratulate everyone who contributed to this achievement. Our tireless campaign efforts across Ogun State have been recognized as a testament to our determination. I deeply appreciate the judiciary, led by Justice Kunaza, for their transparent and diligent dispensation of justice. My sincere thanks to our legal team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN and Prof Osipitan, Dr. Muiz Banire, our dear father, Chief Olusegun Osoba, the All Progressives Congress - APC, Ogun State under Chief Yemi Sanusi, and my dedicated cabinet members, as well as my family and friends, for their unwavering support. I promise to govern with fairness, justice, and inclusivity, fulfilling our electoral promises in the remaining three years and eight months of our term. Thank you for your support and prayers. Let us work together for Ogun State's holistic development. More photos below. 

Osun Government Cancels Independence Day Celebrations Governor Ademola Adeleke has cancelled celebration of independence day earlier slated for Sunday October 1st. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor urged Osun people to pray for the continious peace and prosperity of Nigeria. "Let us use the Independence Day to meditate and pray on the state of our nation. Our people are passing through tough times. It is time to take stock and seek divine intervention and guidance in the affairs of our nation. "I greet Osun people and Nigerians in general as the Independence day knocks at our doors. Here in Osun, we will celebrate with meditation and prayers", the Governor was quoted as saying.  

Wike Soft-Pedals Ban On Herders, Okada, Opts For Dialogue, Alternative Transport The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, has promised to dialogue with cattle breeders before going ahead to enforce the ban on cattle rearing in Abuja’s city centre. Wike also revealed plans to provide alternative means of transportation before enforcing the ban on commercial motorcycle operators in the city centre. The minister made the disclosure while addressing journalists on Saturday after inspecting some ongoing road projects in parts of the nation’s capital. He promised that his administration was committed to building a capital city that Nigerians could be proud of.  

Independence Day: ‘Nigeria Will Be Great Again,’ Akpabio, Abbas, Makinde, Sanwo-Olu Tell Nigerians The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde; and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have assured Nigerians that the country would be great again. In separate statements on Saturday to commemorate the country’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary, they noted that Nigeria had recorded many landmarks and urged compatriots at home and in the diaspora to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Akpabio, while acknowledging present challenges in the polity, said the nation’s achievements over the past 63 years gave a sense of optimism for a better tomorrow. The Senate President noted the particular struggles that Nigeria has passed through as a country in that time, adding that each country has its unique path with unique challenges it must pass through. Affirming that the fab...

Otti performs ground-breaking ceremony of Abia Industrial, Innovation Park Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has performed the ground-breaking ceremony of Abia Industrial and Innovation Park, AIIP, in Owaza community, Ukwa West council area of the state. Vanguard gathered that the Industrial, Residential and Free Trade Zone, FTZ, which sits on over 1,000 hectares of land, would host multiple layers of businesses including modular refineries, petrochemical and fertiliser plants and several other chains of enterprises. Otti said that AIIP is conceived to serve as a launch pad for Abia’s economic rejuvenation, leveraging the many advantages of this location, including the oil and gas deposits, nearness to Aba and Port Harcourt cities, abundance of skilled labour and a secure environment for uninterrupted production and other industrial activities He commended the communities for offering their land to give his vision of an economic city a foothold and assured that the community would ben...

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES HOUSE SPEAKER, RT. HON. TAJUDEEN ABBAS, AT 60 President Bola Tinubu warmly felicitates with the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, as the reputable public servant attains his new age of 60 on Nigeria's Independence Day. The President shares in the joy of Nigerians and well-wishers from around the world as they celebrate the humble Prince of Zazzau Emirate on his special day, particularly in view of his landmark contributions to the nation's House of Representatives as the legislator who sponsored the highest number of bills in the 8th Assembly between 2015 and 2019, before sponsoring a record-breaking 74 bills, out of which 21 were signed into law, in the 9th Assembly between 2019 and 2023.  The President notes that the Iyan Zazzau had equally served in numerous Committees in the House, such as Commerce, Finance, Special Duties, Defence, Public Procurement, amongst...

Calabar Court Sends Four Internet Fraudsters to Jail   Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State , on Thursday, September 28, 2023 convicted and sentenced four internet fraudsters to one year imprisonment each, without an option of fine. The all-male convicts with ages ranging between 20 and 28 years, are: Abdullahi Saidu Momoh, Godwin Boman Emmanuel, Samuel Godfrey Orudu and Anunobi Kyrian. They were jailed after pleading guilty to separate charges, all bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining by false pretences. One of the separate charges reads: “That you, Abdullahi Saidu Momoh “M”, sometime in 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did fraudulently present yourself variously as Andrew Smith, Theo Hutchraft, Jjchang Wook on the Social media platforms; Instagram/Facebook to Sondry Rissell, Peggy Grabner with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence to wit: Identity thef...

EFCC Arraigns Two for N12.9 Million, $108, 762 Fraud The Uyo Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the duo of Joseph Akadu Asukwo and Emmanuel Ekenedilichukwu Armstrong before Justice Maureen Adaobi Onyetenu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Uyo Akwa Ibom State.  While Asukwo was arraigned on a three- count charge bordering on criminal conversion and stealing to the tune of N12, 993, 600.00 (Twelve Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Six Hundred Naira), Armstrong was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation, forgery and criminal diversion to the tune of $108, 762.5 (One Hundred and Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Two United States of American Dollars and Five Cents). The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them separately, and in view of their pleas, Counsel to the EFCC, Farida Bukar, prayed the court to fix a date for trial and for the defendants to be remanded ...

Ministry of Education takes delivery of a block of classrooms, school Hall at Oko  By Obiageli Nwankwo The Anambra State Ministry has taken delivery of a newly refurbished classroom block and school hall at College Primary School, Oko.  The block of classrooms and school hall were refurbished by Mr. Godon Obidigbo, Founder of the Oku Chukwumunyelu Foundation.  Speaking at the official handover ceremony held at the school premises, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, represented by Mr. Nnaemeka Egwuonwu, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Education, commended Mr. Obidigbo for the projects, adding that it is in line with the present administration's goal to upgrade community schools.  Prof. Chuma-Udeh said that it is Mr. Governor's mission to debunk the trading mindset that public schools are for the children of the poor, a place of low-class teaching, adding that solution-led administration is coming up with policies that will address this abnorm...

 Flooding: Assembly calls on State Government to enforce construction of covered catchment pits By Anastasia Agunwa/Chizoba Okeke/ Gloria Abugu  The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Gov. Charles Soludo to direct the Commissioner for Environment and other relevant agencies to enforce the construction of covered catchment pits by all landlords, developers and industries to control the effect of flooding in the state. The House resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme representing Ekwusigo constituency and seconded by Mr. Golden Iloh representing Ihiala II constituency during plenary on September 28. The Speaker of the House, Mr. Somtochukwu Udeze who presided over the plenary session had moved for the resolution of the House while the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes. Speaking on the motion, Mr. Ofodeme was optimistic that the construction of covered catchment pits by all landlords in the state would help to checkmate the ef...

Anambra Vehicle Inspection Service Tasks Drivers to Promote Safe Driving During Ember Months By Chidimma Ajemba/ Ngozika Omenankiti  The Vehicle Inspection Service Department, Ministry of Transport Anambra State has charged drivers to be responsible and competent during this ember period. The Head of Accident Investigation Unit, Vehicle Inspection Service Department in the Anambra State Ministry of Transport, Engr. Eze Daniel Onyeka, said this during a two day intensive safety driving training organised for Star Sunny Motors, Awka at the Vehicle Inspection Computerized Centre over the weekend. He reinstated that the reason for such training was to sensitise the commercial drivers on safety driving ethics to reduce drastically the number of accidents occurence in the ember period. Mr Eze pointed out that not all drivers are competent and responsible . In his words "a competent driver is one who possesses a combination of knowledge, skills, and behaviours that demonstrate a high le...

 “ People hate it when you are doing it on your own “ Seyi Vibez  “Mohbad was just like me , after he left Malian , he did everything on his own and was succeeding .  If he failed no one could have his time or even fight him .  In life if you are useless, you are free but if you are winning you become a target .  I hope everyone is seeing it and I hope we fix this industry.  I’ll keep working and pushing .  I had to dedicate Deja Vu to my mum and Mohbad “  Truth  Be told people don’t really have your time when you are losing . They hate it when you are winning on your own .

Tribunal Affirms Governor Agbu Kefas’s Victory Taraba State 2023 Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the NNPP Governorship candidate, Prof Sani Yahaya. Governor Agbu Kefas has also been affirmed by the tribunal as the duly elected Governor. The Presiding judge, Justice G.A Sunmonu who delivered the judgment said the petition filed by the NNPP lacked merit.  

I Was Approached To Push Drugs In Nigeria, Overseas, Comedian Okey Bakassi Reveals Nigerian comedian, Okechukwu Onyegbule, popularly known as Okey Bakassi, has revealed how he was approached by different people, home and abroad, to peddle drugs. He disclosed this in an interview on Channels TV on Saturday whlie sharing his experience in his line of entertainment. Bakassi said "When I came into Lagos as a young man, I was tempted in so many different ways, by so many different people. I am talking about fraudsters, to drug dealers. I was approached. "When you are in entertainment, you are approached to peddle drugs. I have been approached overseas, I have been approached in Nigeria by drug dealers.  "They first shower you with gifts, then they show up in your hotel and they talk business. They tell you other people who are doing it and making money." "But for me, I want to be able to sleep well. I'm not afraid of the police or any law enforcement," the ...

14 Escape Dëäth As Bus Bursts Into Flames On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway A Toyota Hiace with number plate AFN117YL burst into flames while in motion on the long bridge of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Saturday morning. Fourteen passengers escaped the fire unhurt.  The bus headed to Ilorin, Kwara State, reportedly caught fire while in motion. Speaking with PUNCH, the bus driver, Razak Ajiboro, said one of the tyres exploded while the bus was in motion. "The front tyre at the driver's side of the bus burst while it was in motion. The impact on the median was what caused the fire.  "It was just the grace of God that helped us; if not, the bus would have fallen off the bridge.  "God controlled the bus and not me, the driver. If not, we'd all be dead by now. "There were 14 passengers in the bus, besides a few scratches, none of them sustained serious injuries, neither was there loss of any life," the driver said. Credit: Rotimi Agbana  

 How Mohbad met wife at Naira Marley record – Dad Joseph Aloba, the father of Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, has disclosed how the late singer met his wife, Wunmi, at Naira Marley’s Marlian Music label. Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, in Lagos State. While describing Mohbad as a simple and modest individual, he added that the duo had known each other at a very tender age at Oke-Iletu, Ikorodu, Lagos, before they were able to reconnect at Naira Marley’s label. However, before they reconnected, there was no string attached between them. Wunmi is said to have given birth to Liam, son of the deceased. Clarifying this through the song “Komajensun” which Mohbad sang in 2020, Aloba spoke of a lyric, “Naira lo gbe omo fun mi, I’m not a womaniser”, in the song referencing how Mohbad reconnected with Wunmi at Marlian record. “He (Mohbad) met the lady (Wunmi) there (at Marlian Music) but they had known each other from Oke-Iletu, even though the lady was a student then,” Aloba disclosed to t...

EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged Sextortion in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, September 29, 2023, arraigned one Olukeye Adedayo Olalekan on 18-count charges bordering on child pornography, money laundering and retention of proceeds of unlawful activities before Justice Tijani Ringim of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. One of the counts reads: “That you, Olukeye Adedayo Olalekan (a.k.a hrm877, charlotte 708 and harlilott_716) on or about the 13th February, 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court intentionally used the Instagram virtual network to create a group " Expose Janjuarobin Nudes" to distribute child pornography and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 23(1) (c) and punishable under Section 23(1)(e) of the of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.” He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him. In view of his plea, prosecutio...

Three Benin Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin-city has convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters to different jail terms.   The fraudsters: Edo Othuke, Hurock Miracle and Blessing Gbekena were jailed  by Justices M. Itsueli and Efe Ikpownonba.  While Othuke was convicted on Friday, September 29, 2023, Miracle was jailed on Thursday, September 28, 2023 and Gbekena jailed on Tuesday,  September 26, 2023.  Othuke bagged two years imprisonment,  Gbekena three years imprisonment and Miracle sentenced to community service within the court’s premises.  Othuke was arraigned on one- count charge of unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The Charge reads: “That you Edo Othuke on or about 6th day of September 2023 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did have in your possession on your phones...

Oyo Court Sends 20 Internet Fraudsters to Jail. Justices Ladiran Akintola and Kamorudeen Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, have convicted and sentenced 20 (twenty) internet fraudsters to different jail terms.   They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The convicts are:  Olanipekun Damilare Gbolahan, Shedrack Paul Victor,  Victor Ogheneremu Kadri, idris Abdulazeez Gbolahan, Olaiya Nifemi Samuel, Aparimo Ogunfunminiyi Ojoola, Kasimawo Emmanuel Ayomide, Akintaro Isaac Oluwabamise, Oladokun Toheeb Adekola, Hamed Rafiu Olanrewaju and Rofeek Mayowa Ayoade. Others are Olayiwola Toheeb Olanrewaju, Olusegun-Ola Oreoluwa Casmir, Samson Rotimi, Enoch Fiyinfoluwa Omotoso, Omodele Peter Idowu, Ayinde Azeez Olamide, John Pascal Daniel, Akinkuade Fisayo Folarin and Olanese Bolaji Michael. They were investigated and prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and F...

Suspend planned strike, Senate leader begs labour unions As Nigeria marks her 63rd anniversary of independence on Sunday, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to suspend their plan to embark on an indefinite strike in the national interest. Bamidele noted that the federal government and all its relevant agencies are working underground to come up with viable options in response to the demands of organised labour. In a statement on Saturday, Bamidele congratulated Nigerians across all socio-economic and political strata on the 63rd anniversary since Nigeria became an independent nation. Bamidele observed that Nigeria, from October 1, 1960 to date, despite her internal challenges, remained “a strong, united and indivisible nation that still provides strong leadership not only for West Africa but also the entire Africa.” With the new government at the helm of affairs, Bamidele assured Nigerians at home and in the diaspor...