PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

Veteran Christian actor, Doyin Hassan, wife welcome baby after 24 years of waiting Veteran actor and producer, Doyin Hassan, has announced that he and his wife, have been blessed with a baby after what he calls “24 years of toils and struggles.” Hassan who is who known to have featured in Mount Zion movies, posted on his Facebook page: “God is faithful!!!! After 24 years of toils and struggles. He came forth at last!!!! Our beautiful baby girl is a great testimony of God’s faithfulness”. The veteran producer and director had lost his first wife, Doyin in 2020.  

Kwankwaso goes spiritual, holds special prayer in Kano ahead of Supreme Court judgment The leader of the Kwankwasiyya political camp and the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Monday, December 25, held a special prayer session at his Kano residence. The Nation had reported that the Supreme Court led by a five-member panel of justices presided by Justice Inyang Okoro on Thursday, December 21, reserved judgment after listening to lawyers in the matter. The prayer which was organised by an Islamic group, Mu’assatul Kwankwasiyya, was aimed at seeking God’s intervention ahead of the anticipated Kano governorship dispute verdict by the Supreme Court. The prayer was led by Mallam Yahaya Sufi, Mallam Ashiru Nata’ala, Mallam Bazallahi Nasiru Kabara, and Mallam Sadiq Isiyaku Rabiu. While observing the prayers, the clerics prayed for the success of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Supreme Court and the sustenance of peace and tranquillity in t

2 notorious robbers caught while stealing from church in Rivers Two men were arrested early Sunday morning while attempting to vandalise the iron on the fence of Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo by Rumuokoro Roundabout in Obio-Akpor local government area of Rivers State. The suspects were apprehended around 2 am by the guards in the church. However, there was a mild drama at the church premises during the interrogation of the robbery suspects before they were eventually handed over to the police at about 9 am as witnessed by our correspondent. One of the suspects who gave his name simply as Henry, 19 years old, and from Oguta in Imo State but residing in Awalama community (the host community of the Church) said he has been a regular inmate at Degema prison in Rivers State. “I have been in prison at the Degema Correctional Centre, where I was jailed for stealing cartons of noodles from a shop in Awalama community. For that offence, it was because of hunger. But for this one, (stea

Basketmouth, AY were living in my boys’ quarters – Alibaba Veteran Nigerian comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba, has revealed that he once accommodated rival comedians, Basketmouth and AY Makun. He said the duo were living in his Boy’s Quarters years ago when they were still scratching the surface of their careers. The ‘King of comedy’ disclosed this in the latest episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast co-hosted by actor Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, aka Nedu. He said, “Basketmouth and AY… When you think about it, these are people who were living in BQ [boys’ quarters] with me back in the days.” Basketmouth and AY were engaged in a 17-year-old rift until recently when the former publicly apologised to the latter. Basketmouth also sent an invite to his former rival, AY, to attend his recent comedy show at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos.  

Emeka Ike's Ex-Wife Started Fight, Slapped Him Twice - Former Personal Assistant Adebola Adeyemo, former Personal Assistant to veteran actor, Emeka Ike, has shed light on the frosty relationship between Ike and his ex-wife, Suzanne Emma, alleging that she was the first to hit the actor.  Adeyemo spoke during a live interview with media personality, Daddy Freeze, on Sunday.  "Before, I didn't want to say anything because it has been a long time. In fact, when it started, people were calling me to say something, but I refused. Not until when bros (Emeka Ike) really wanted to talk about it," he said.  Having close ties with both Ike and his ex-wife, Adeyemo elaborated on the intricacies of their relationship.  He said, "I am very close to that family. In fact, I am close to both of them because me and mama started as models even before she started dating Emeka Ike. I am close to Emeka because of a job that we did together at Maryland."  When Daddy Freeze asked

Enugu State Govt postpones reopening of collapsed bridge The Enugu State Government said it has deferred the reopening of one lane of the collapsed Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Bridge following expert advice. The government said that it received advice from the project manager, Mr Mohammed Fadi, not to reopen the bridge “for safety purposes” until it had been fully completed. Commissioner for Information and Communication Aka-Eze Aka made this disclosure in a statement issued in Enugu and made available to newsmen on Monday. The Commissioner for Works, Gerald Otiji, had said at a post-State Executive Council meeting news briefing on December 25 that one lane of the bridge would be reopened for motorists to ease traffic during the Yuletide celebrations. However, Aka explained that the bridge would no longer be reopened as announced. He said, based on the expert advice, it should, on completion, be subjected to a series of integrity tests to certify it fit for public use.  

 Mayhem in Ebonyi as unknown gunmen attack Catholic Church, kill 3 worshippers No fewer than three worshippers have reportedly been killed by unknown gunmen who invaded Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkweagu, in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The gunmen attacked the church at about 11:30 pm on Sunday. They had earlier called one of the victims, a popular POS operator at Nkwuagu market, on the phone to come out from the church. As soon as he stepped out, they shot and killed him. It was gathered that the killings of the three victims threw the whole community into mourning and paralyzed economic activities, especially on Christmas Day, at the popular Nkwuagu market located along the Abakaliki/Afikpo express road. Recall that one person, a student, was recently killed at Nkwuagu community as a result of cult clashes, and now, three more people were killed again, making it four. Investigation revealed that the killings of these three worshippers at Immaculate Con

I almost believed Emeka Ike’s wife until I remembered my experience – Daddy Freeze Popular media personality, Ifedayo Olarinde, better known as Daddy Freeze, has stated the reason he could not believe actor Emeka Ike’s estranged wife, Suzanne Emma’s account of their failed marriage.  Emma, in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, alleged that Ike had subjected her to abuse throughout their 17-year marriage. Emeka Ike also said she made him lose his properties and access to his kids. Reacting, Daddy Freeze said Suzanne was trying to come off as the gentle one and making Emeka Ike look bad.   The media personality stated that his ex-wife did same to him and alleged that he forced her to sleep with other men in court documents, adding that he beats her if she fails to do what he wants.   Daddy Freeze further revealed that before he divorced his ex-wife, she was hanging out with a woman whose husband found a charm with his name, in her bag.   The media personality also recall

Christmas: Despite hardship, food waste at festive period alarming in Nigeria – Environmentalist, David  Michael David, a climate and environmental advocate and Team Lead for the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, warned that despite economic hardship in Nigeria, food waste is alarming during Christmas and other festive periods. According to NAN, David said this in an interview in Abuja on Monday, noting that the amount of food wasted during Christmas contributes significantly to global warming apart from the money being wasted. He explained that food waste ends up in landfills and produces much methane, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, CO2. David urged Nigerians to consider the energy and natural resources expended in processing, transporting, storing, and cooking food. “Many of us don’t think about the quantity of food we waste daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly, with an increase in tonnes of food waste during festivities, including Chris

I’m under no pressure from my predecessor- Gov. Eno  Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has expressed gratitude to his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, for not putting him under any form of pressure since leaving office in May 29, 2023.  Eno who described his relationship with ex-governor Emmanuel as cordial, explained that unlike what obtains elsewhere, it was his administration which was always seeking for counsel from him.  He said, “On the contrary, we are the ones chasing him to ask him to always come around to advise us,” Gov. Eno said. Governor Eno said this while addressing citizens and residents of the state during the Christmas worship service at United Evangelical Church (QIC), Awa Iman, Onna LGA, home church of the immediate past Governor.  He further said, “I tell people that even when you are not in government, you are still working for this State.  “In eight years, you (Udom Emmanuel) taught us leadership, and you developed all of us. We have learnt from you, especially the

Same-sex Couples: Pope Was Misquoted By Enemies Of D Church - Archbishop Kaigama The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, says media reports that Pope Francis approved blessings for same gender couples were untrue. Kaigama made the clarification in his homily during the Christmas Mass he conducted at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Pro-Cathedral in Abuja on Monday. He described the report as mischievous disinformation and part of a deliberately orchestrated falsehood by the enemies of the Catholic Church in order to cause confusion among its members. Kaigama stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Pope did not, and will never approve blessings for any intending same gender couples because the position of the Church on this is very clear and has not changed. “I am the representative of the Pope here, so if there is any such approval or directive, I will be the first to know and relay the message to the brethren. “The media reports on this issue is the handiwork of the ene

‘I once performed for a bottle of beer’ – Odumodublvck Popular Nigerian rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, aka Odumodublvck, has recalled how he was once given a bottle of beer as a performance fee. He said the incident happened years ago when he was still scratching the surface of his career. The ‘Declan Rice’ crooner disclosed this in the latest episode of the Zero Conditions podcast co-hosted by Motolani and Melody. He said, “I once was performed for a bottle of Hero beer. Me and Reeplay went to the show. We went in his black Amera car. He sold the car for N120,000. The car knocked on the road. When he came back, the car was bashed so we sold it for scrap. “The bottles of beer that were given to us weren’t even the planned payment. The owner gave it to us out of his generosity and also because he said our performance was great. This happened in 2017.” The rapper also said he used to wear “Okrika” clothes to perform at shows even in 2018.  Odumodublvck rose to prominence after his hit song, ‘D

" I DEDICATE THIS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION TO MY DARLING DAUGHTER QUEEN MAY EDOCHIE FOR HER MATURITY, SILENT TEACHINGS, COMPOSED IMPARTATION, HUMILITY AND RESILIENCE. THEY SAY MOST WOMEN ADMIRE HER A LOT, AND I AM ALSO PROUD TO SAY THAT I ADMIRE HER AS WELL. MAY, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I WILL NEVER STOP STANDING AND SPEAKING UP FOR YOU.  SO LONG AS THE EDOCHIE FAMILY IS CONCERNED, I REMAIN YOUR BACKBONE. I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ME.  I DON'T CARE IF I AM CRYING MORE THAN THE BEREAVED LIKE SOME ALWAYS SAY.  SO LONG AS GOD KNOWS I AM DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, I WILL NEVER STOP SPEAKING UP. KEEP LIVING, SOARING, AND SHINING. WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR IN 2023 WILL BE LESSER THAN WHAT GOD IS PLANNING FOR YOU COME 2024.  YOU MUST BE HAPPY BY FIRE 🔥 BY FORCE. I MUST NOT FAIL TO THANK THE PIONEERS OF ALL THE ENDORSEMENTS THANKING YOU FOR MORE THAT WILL COME IN 2024. MAY GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS YOUR POCKETS RICHLY AMEN.  MERRY CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR IN ADVAN

🇵🇰 🎅 Hundreds of people in Pakistan took part in a #Santa-themed “rally of peace” Sunday to mark the beginning of the #Christmas holidays in Karachi.  The Christian community in Karachi marked the beginning of the upcoming holiday with relish, participating in a huge rally filled with sinning, dancing and drumming. More photos below. 

 EXPERTS LAUD LASG ON ECONOMY, BUDGET PERFORMANCE Lagos State government has been commended for its efforts on the economy and the 78 percent performance of the year 2023 Budget as of September. Business experts and economists gave the commendation recently at a Round Table organised by the Economic Intelligence Department (EID) of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget to review the State Economy in the year 2023 and the outlook for the year 2024, held at the Protea Hotel Select, Central Business District, Ikeja, They expressed the hope that the year 2024 appropriation bill, when passed, would meet expectations.  Speaking at the Round Table, Dr. Ayo Teriba, the Chief Executive of Economic Associates, said by September 2023, which signifies the end of the third quarter, Lagos had achieved a 78 percent performance of its 2023 Budget contrary to the 75 percent performance expected by stakeholders. According to him, “As of September this year (2023), they have achieved 78 percent pe

Black Christmas In Plateau As Assailants Kill Over 70 No fewer than seventy six persons were reportedly killed by assailants in fresh attacks on several communities of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State. Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Monday Kasa, told pressmen that the coordinated attacks occurred on Saturday and lasted into the Christmas Eve when residents were already in the festive mood. The local government boss explained further that the casualty figures is increasing as more dead bodies are been recovered by the team of security personnel, local vigilantes and hunters who are still going through the bushes combing the communities in search of missing persons who were ambushed during the attacks. He added that several houses were set ablaze by the attackers who also looted farm produce and destroyed properties in the process. The unprovoked attacks attracted the attention of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who co

My boyfriend broke up with me after I contracted COVID-19 – Julie Adenuga British-Nigerian media personality, Julie Adenuga has recounted how her boyfriend broke up with her for contracting COVID-19. She said she informed her partner after testing positive for the virus and he called her that same evening to break up with her while she was lying sick. The North London-born radio host spoke in a recent episode of the Madame Joyce podcast. She said, “I was in a relationship for a long time where I knew it wasn’t the right one but I thought it might be the best I am going to get. So, I decided to keep it going for as long as possible. “I got COVID-19 and the day that I found out I had COVID-19, my boyfriend broke up with me. I was mad that day. I sent him a picture of my test result. And that evening, he called me that he was breaking up with me.”  

Kogi Varsity Lecturer returns N5.8 million mistakenly deposited in his bank account: A story of ethical conduct and responsibility. In an unforeseen and thought-provoking occurrence, Dr. Ugbedeojo Nelson Peter, a highly regarded senior lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University in Anyigba, Kogi State has returned the sum of ₦5,850,000 mistakenly deposited into his UBA bank account by an unfamiliar sender identified as Hassan Abdullahi. Dr. Ugbedeojo encountered an extraordinary situation when he discovered the erroneous transaction. Navigating through the confusion and a sense of unfamiliarity with the transaction, Mr. Peter swiftly sought counsel from banking professionals online. His urgent inquiry, "How do I refund the sum of ₦5.85 million mistakenly sent to my account by one Hassan Abdullahi?" underscored his prolonged disuse of the UBA account, adding complexity to the unexpected scenario. This windfall has presented Mr. Peter with an ethical conundrum, prompting contem

"NIGERIA STANDS WITH YOU IN EVERY STEP TO DEFEAT THE NATION'S ADVERSARIES" - GENERAL LAGBAJA ASSURES TROOPS  ... Fetes Troops in Sokoto The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has assured troops of the Nigerian Army that the entire nation stands with them in the fight to defeat the nation's adversaries to restore peace and stability in the country. Gen Lagbaja gave the assurance, while addressing frontline troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation Hadarin Daji, during a Christmas Luncheon with the troops in Giginya Barracks, Sokoto.  Commending the troops, Gen Lagbaja lauded their unwavering dedication and sacrifice in confronting security challenges in the country, adding, that they will be empowered with requisite combat enablers and logistics to effectively enhance their operational capacity. Also speaking at the Christmas Luncheon, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Maj Gen Godwin Mutkut appreciated the COAS for the

Gunmen kill 16 in Plateau   No fewer than 16 people were gruesomely murdered and scores injured on Saturday by gunmen in the Lisham Kwahasnat community of Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State. A witness said the gunmen, suspected to be killer herdsmen, stormed the community in large numbers, at about 10:45pm, when the inhabitants were preparing to go to bed. The eyewitness said the killers, on entering the community, randomly shot at the residents randomly, in an operation that lasted for about an hour. It was gathered that the injured were taken to the Mangu General Hospital for treatment. The eyewitness further stated that the 16 people killed were given a mass burial yesterday, amid tension in the entire local government area. National President, Mangu Development Association (MDA), Sir Joseph Gwankat, who confirmed the incident, said the latest attack on the community came to them as a rude shock to all the peace-loving people of the council and the entire state. He said,

No Christmas in Bethlehem as Israel-Hamas war rages on Bethlehem, a city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in Palestine, and the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ, sits eerily quiet this Christmas. The usual festive throngs that rock the major Christian pilgrimage destination are absent this year owing to the raging war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. Christmas day in the occupied West Bank began with an attack on the Jenin refugee camp where at least 52 Palestinians have been killed following Israel’s retaliatory attacks. Bethlehem was among the towns struck in a series of raids across the territory on Monday morning, where dozens were arrested and a 17-year-old boy was shot in the neck. “Tonight, our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once more rejected by the futile logic of war, by the clash of arms that even today prevents him from finding room in the world,” Pope Francis tweeted. The West Bank has seen surging violence and arrests pa

You have no excuses, God won’t forgive you if you fail, Kukah tells Tinubu Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, says President Bola Tinubu has no excuses if his government fails to address the pressing issues facing Nigeria. Kukah stated this while delivering his Christmas homily in Sokoto on Monday. The cleric noted that neither history nor God would forgive Tinubu if he failed. Kukah’s homily tagged, ‘Time to Reclaim Nigeria’s Greatness,’ touched on unity, nation-building, insecurity, politics, among others. He urged the President to use his wealth of experience to end the ugly “instrumentalisation of religious, ethnic or regional identities”. But the cleric argued that palliatives would not resolve Nigeria’s problems, describing the problems as deep and structural. He also urged Nigerians to continue to have faith in the country and be hopeful. Bishop Kukah said, “Now, the government must devise strategies for achieving reconciliation, which has eluded us. Our injuries a