PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

  AFCON: ‘Dying For The Homeland Surpasses All Money On Earth’, Eto'o Tackle Cameroonian Players Over Poor Display  *** “Dear brothers, I understand you. Many of you were not born in Cameroon and have never played for a club in Cameroon. The advice of a Cameroonian coach is beneficial to a footballer from the start of his career until the end. You who were born there(overseas), have too many rights over the leaders. Cameroon taught me that I am a soldier within the National team. I will die with this spirit. “Cameroon has just gone through humiliation just because love for the Fatherland is not 100% there. Excuse me for talking about myself. I could play two matches on the same day for the love of our beautiful country. I did it, Roger Milla did it and François Omam Biyick did it. Do you believe that Cameroon paid us more than our clubs? Not even 1/10 of what we received elsewhere. “You play with too many reserves, what are you afraid of? Dying for the homeland surpasses all t...

Nomad Vigilante Record First Success After Inauguration, Rescue Kidnapped Victim In Karu  ***  A quasi security outfit of the fulani community in Nasarawa State, Nomad Vigilante Group has recorded its first successful operation few days after inauguration.  The operatives of the group led by its state Commander, Alhaji Akajo A. Gyara, rescued a kidnapped victim, Bashir Mohammed, on Sunday morning.  Pro-democracy activist and National Publicity Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Mallam Suleiman Tasiu, disclosed this in a statement.  According to the statement, Bashir had been kidnapped on Saturday night by unknown men around Gitata, Karu Local Government Area of the State.  The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a fulani sociocultural group had on January 17, 2024, inaugurated a first batch of 1,144-man Nomad Vigilante Group as part of its effort to tackle the incessant rate of kidnapping and other criminal acts in the State.  Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bo...

Prof Anezi Okoro, author of ‘The Village Headmaster’ dies at 94 The renowned author of ‘One Week, One Trouble’ and ‘The Village Headmaster’, Prof Anezionwu Okoro is dead. He died aged 94. His first son, Chukwuma Aneziokoro, confirmed his death to newsmen on Saturday in Enugu. Chukwuma said his father died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Saturday in his Enugu house. ”He had been sick for some time. But he died peacefully around 4 a.m. He was a great man, caring father and husband. I will sorely miss him,” he said. Born May 17, 1929, Anezi Okoro is the author of many works of fiction, medicine/health, environmental sciences and ecology. Some of his works include ‘One Week One Trouble’, ‘The Village School’ and ‘The Village Headmaster’. Prof Anezi, as he is fondly called, has also written over 200 poems. His recent publication is the translation of 10 Lamb’s tales of Shakespeare to Igbo language entitled, `Akuko Ufodu Shakespeare Koro’. He did this in collaboration with anot...

Japa: You can wake up as minister, gov in Nigeria – Amaechi to youths Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has urged Nigerian youths seeking relocation from the country to consider opportunities they have in Nigeria and stay back. In an interview, the former Rivers State Governor claimed that there are juicy opportunities back in Nigeria that those seeking greener pastures in other countries may not have. According to him, there are possibilities of someone to suddenly emerge as a leader in the country. He said, “I’ve always discouraged the people who want to leave the country. I say, if you want a 9 to 5, yes you can always get that when you leave the country, but you can never get the opportunity we have in Nigeria. “You can just wake up one day, you become a minister and you can just wake up one day and you become a governor. It just happens. So, if you are looking for opportunities, please stay back in Nigeria but if you are looking for a 9 to 5, then you can g...

Real reason for high rate of divorce in entertainment industry – Actor Nedu Nollywood actor and media personality, Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, aka Nedu, has shared his opinion on the high rate of divorce in the Nigerian entertainment industry. The comedian revealed that the lack of peace in celebrity marriages is the main reason for the frequent breakdown of their unions. Nedu said he believes that mental well-being is a valid reason for divorce, emphasizing that if marriage compromises one’s happiness, divorce is a viable option. He faulted the notion that people should bear bad marriages as their “crosses,” saying that it is important to protect one’s sanity. Speaking in a recent interview with Hip TV, Nedu said: “My take on divorce is, if it doesn’t work, then take a walk. I’m all for peace of mind. Whatever is not giving me peace, I don’t want it. I can’t come and go and kill myself. “Some people tell you, it’s your cross, carry am. No, na only Jesus dey carry cross. If you’re not giving...

Monarch’s suspension, destruction of goods: LP group accuses Soludo of traumatizing Anambra people A group, Forum of Labour Party (LP) State House of Assembly Candidates, Anambra State, has accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of traumatizing the people. The group said this in a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr. OCN Okafor, while reacting to Soludo’s suspension of Igwe Damian Ezeani of Neni in the Anaocha Local Government Area of the state and the destruction of traders’ wares in Awka for trading by the roadside. It said the governor is playing God, forgetting that power is transient, while giving him 21 days to pay compensation to traders whose goods were destroyed. “On 8th January 2024; the Government of Anambra State, through the office of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs via a widely circulated letter on media, suspended the Traditional Ruler of Neni community, H.R.H Igwe Damian O. Ezeani, for conferring a Chieftaincy title on a Serving Senator...

Dakota Caige Branch of Salem, Illinois was shot and killed yesterday at approximately 7 p.m. at a residence near St. Peter, Illinois.  Dakota was only 14-years-old when he passed away. Dakota was a very kind and sweet young man. He would do anything for anyone. Dakota's family members are completely devastated. His sister set up a GoFundMe. They are all in shock right now and waiting to hear absolutely anything from the police. Please pray for Dakota's family. His older and younger siblings are completely distraught as well as his grandparents and mother and father. This is an absolute tragedy. Rest in peace, Dakota. You will not be forgotten.  One more photo below  

LASG WARNS AGAINST INDISCRIMINATE HANDLING, STORAGE OF COMBUSTIBLE ITEMS The Lagos State Government has warned the general public against indiscriminate handling and storage of combustible items. A joint statement issued by the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde and Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola at the weekend affirmed the commitment of Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration to the safety of lives and protection of its citizenry devoid of hazards. Oyerinde said it has become imperative to alert the public on the need to be more safety conscious; the risks inherent in transporting and handling combustible materials, fuels, chemicals and other dangerous goods are huge, leading to quantum loss of lives, property and litigations. The Director-General, Lagos Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola in his remarks, said the value for lives cannot be quantified. He disclosed that the Commission has...

Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has opined that Barbarians have taken over social media space in Nigeria.    While speaking at a function in Ogun state recently, the Nobel Laureate said that in other climes, social media is being used as a means of interaction because of the intellectual content and reasoned engagements being deployed by users but in Nigeria, the reverse is the case as those who ‘dragged it down have swapped the intellectual quotient aspect of it.'   He said the situation has degenerated to a level where even a mere disagreement in an election could lead to one being labelled on social media as having a phobia about others.   “In a situation where disagreement in an election can lead one being labelled something phobia or whatever. The social media is awash with accusations of one being a kind of ethnophobic. So strange to me but that is what we have been reduced to. And when that kind of accusation comes, there is no need or value in trying to sa...

One dies as vehicle rams into motorcycle in Lagos The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has said that a commercial motorcycle and a Volkswagen bus with registration number EKY 558 YG collided at the Bolade Intersection inward Oshodi along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, resulting in a serious injury to the rider and the death of a passenger.  

Victor Osimhen: I owe a lot of my success to Kanu, Okocha  Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen is more determined than ever to go all the way at the ongoing CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). After Thursday’s 1-0 win over the host country, the reigning Africa Player of the Year is optimistic that the Eagles will soar for the rest of the competition. Against the country of his idol Didier Drogba, Osimhen was outstanding and would have scored, but did enough to win a penalty, which, skipper William Troost-Ekong fired in for the lone goal of the match. The 25-year-old believes that Super Eagles have what it takes to win the fourth title since 2013.    “The Super Eagles have a history closely linked to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Since 2013, we’ve been looking for another title, and that’s over a decade, which is a long time for a football-mad country like Nigeria. We are the country of Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, our illustrious elders to whom we are heirs, and we owe i...

Fire guts Mandilas Building on Lagos Island A warehouse in Mandilas Building, Broad Street, Lagos Island is on fire. The cause of the fire was yet to be identified. The fire, according to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, started on the first floor and has now reached the fourth floor. Emergency responders are currently at the scene to curb further escalation and put the situation under control. More photos below.   

ARTMA WARNS BUS DRIVERS AGAINST LOADING AT ILLEGAL BUS STOPS. INSTALLS 'NO LOADING, USE THE PARKS' SIGNS By Chris Chikelue The Anambra State Road and Traffic Maintenance Agency, ARTMA, has visited the Onitsha-Owerri road by Upper Iweka to install road signs with the inscription, 'NO LOADING, USE THE PARKS'. This was contained in an official release tagged, ARTMA REPORT. The Agency through the report lamented the continuous turning of the sides of the roads into parks while there were designated points created by the State for the purpose. It states, "For a very long time, bus drivers have turned the stretch of the road into motor parks while assigned parks are left empty. This trend has to stop as the Agency is working round the clock to align with Mr. Governor's dream for a livable, smart, and prosperous homeland. "We took time to clearly inspect and properly mark the parks of transport companies that load in the axis". The report further stated that...

ENUGU STATE POLICE COMMAND  ENUGU POLICE OPERATIVES RAID CRIMINAL HIDEOUT, ARREST THREE MALE SUSPECTS, RECOVER 8 PUMP ACTION GUNS, AMMUNITION, AND OTHER EXHIBITS; ...as CP Kanayo vows to maintain 2024's proactive and forward-looking policing goals Acting on credible information made available by the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), Enugu State Police Command's Operatives serving in Enugu Area Command raided a criminal hideout in the Centenary City area of Obeagu-Awkunanaw community in Enugu South Local Government Area on Friday, January 19, 2024. The operational exercise led to the arrest of three male suspects, namely: Emmanuel Nwabundo aged 39, from Abia State, Emmanuel Eze aged 35, and Anthony Onoche George aged 30, both from Anambra State, while others escaped.  2. Eight (8) pump action guns with four (4) live and twenty-six (26) expended cartridges were recovered. Other exhibits recovered include one (1) machete, four (4) units of solar-powered...

FCT POLICE COMMAND POLICE RESCUE ANOTHER KIDNAPPED VICTIM IN FCT, ARREST ONE As CP Reiterates Commitment to Keeping FCT Safe for All and Sundry. In a continued effort to rid FCT of Criminality, Police Operatives attached to Iddo Divisional Headquarters on Sunday 21st January, 2023, at about 1130hrs rescued another kidnapped victim, one Suleiman Sabo 'm', from Kidnappers in Sauka, along Airport Road, Abuja. In the rescue operation, one Muhammad Abel 'm' aged 32 from Kogi state was equally apprehended and one (1) rifle with ten (10) rounds of life ammunition recovered from him. The victim who sustained some injuries from the kidnappers, is currently receiving medical attention, and would be reunited with his family once certified fit by the medical team. The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Haruna G. Garba, psc, wishes to reiterate the Command's commitment to rid FCT of Criminality in all its manifestations and maintenance of peace for all and sundry. He equally urges...

LAGOS ANNOUNCES BAN ON USAGE OF STYRO FOAMS AND OTHER SINGLE USE PLASTICS Lagos State Government on Sunday announced a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single use plastics in the State with immediate effect.  This was announced by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab in a statement he personally signed. According to Wahab, the decision was reached following the menace which the single use plastics, especially the non-biodegradable Styrofoam was causing on the environment. He added that most drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by Styrofoam through its indiscriminate distribution and usage despite the regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains with humongous amounts. He reiterated that the larger chunk of littering across major roads and markets which LAWMA contends with daily is made up of styrofoams. The Commissioner added that the State Government cannot fold its hands and watch the continued desecration...

 Singer Crayon acquires brand new Mercedes Benz worth millions of naira Sensational singer, Charles Chibueze Chukwu, popularly known as Crayon, has acquired a brand new Mercedes Benz GLE 53, reportedly worth N150 million. Crayon took to his Instagram page as he joyfully posted a video on his Instagram page, showcasing his sleek new car alongside a group of friends who joined in celebrating the momentous occasion. The video captures the artist’s excitement as he takes a spin in his luxury vehicle, exuding confidence and gratitude for his accomplishments. Crayon captioned the video with words of gratitude and determination. He wrote: “God is king 24. Starting the year with the right mentality and the right sort of hunger.  Always grateful, stay hungry, never satisfied.”

 Elections: Nigerians have lost hope in judiciary – Gani Adams   Aare Onakankanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has been in the forefront of other Nigerians clamouring for the restructuring of the country. For him, the country will stabilise and become a better nation if restructuring is carried out. Ad In this interview, he spoke about the state of the nation, political developments, culture and why he took a new wife. Excerpts: Looking at the state of the nation as regards 2024, what is the way forward? The President Bola Tinubu government is just six months old. That is not enough time to assess him for now, but we just know the government should do the needful in the case of restructuring Nigeria. If Nigeria is not restructured, I don’t see any magic any living human being can perform. Actually, before the government was installed, corruption had been institutionalized in Nigeria. But if you want to put an end to it or to turn things around, you have to allow the prevention u...

 Adesina: Buhari not a bigot, he mentioned Jesus when Osinbajo survived helicopter crash Femi Adesina, ex-media aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, says his principal called the name ‘Jesus’ when Yemi Osinbajo survived a helicopter crash. In  February 2019, a helicopter conveying the former vice-president from Abuja to Kabba in Kogi state crash-landed. In his book titled: ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023)’, Adesina said the former president, while congratulating Osinbajo for surviving the crash, said to him: “Jesus was not far away, he saved you”. The former presidential spokesperson said Buhari is far from the bigot most perceive him to be. “Bigot? I hear,” Adesina wrote in his book. “Our first Christmas in government. December 2015. I wanted to spend the season in Lagos. And I asked him for permission. “By all means, he answered. I know the Vice President, yourself, and some others are church people. Please go. Spe...

Turkish VP urges dialogue in resolving conflicts in Africa Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz has urged African countries mired in conflict to embrace dialogue. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz has urged conflict-hit African countries to embrace dialogue in efforts to resolve their differences. In an interview with TRT Afrika on Friday, Yilmaz voiced Türkiye's willingness to facilitate peace restoration in regions affected by conflict. Sudan has witnessed one of the deadliest conflicts in recent times after war broke out in mid-April 2023. At least 13,000 people have been killed in the war and more than seven million others displaced, documented estimates show. In the neighbouring Ethiopia, tensions soared recently after Ethiopia signed a sea access deal with Somaliland, a breakaway region in northern Somalia.  

PRESS RELEASE  FG CONGRATULATES ELIZABETH OSHOBA ON HISTORIC WORLD TITLE WIN The Federal Government has congratulated  Elizabeth Oshoba for becoming the first Nigerian female boxer to clinch a world title. The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, in his congratulatory message stated that the feat represents a motivation for women in sports Senator Owan Enoh explained  that Oshoba's victory is a testament to the resilience and talent that Nigerian athletes possess and the never-say-die spirit that they embody. *She has not only made history for herself but has also brought immense pride to our nation. This achievement is a shining example for aspiring athletes across the country*, he said.  While urging sports loving Nigerians to continue to support  and encourage our female athletes, the Minister informed that  Oshoba's success sends a powerful message about the strength and capabilities of our female athletes. *It is crucial t...