PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Nigerian govt reopens Sahad Stores The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has reopened the head office of Sahad Supermarket, previously sealed for customer extortion and lack of transparency in price fixing. In a statement on Saturday in Abuja, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, said the reopening followed a mutual understanding and commitment from the store to implement transparent pricing practices. According to him, the commission was aware that similar practices might be happening at other Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, FMCG, outlets nationwide. He admonished supermarkets or outlets engaging in customer extortion to desist from such practices immediately to avoid consequences. “Businesses are expected to display transparent pricing information to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, especially during challenging economic times. “The FCCPC remains committed to combating all forms of exploitative or misle...

 Osun govt denies receiving 1,500 bags of rice for CAN Osun state government has described claims that it received 1,500 bags of rice from the Federal Government for distribution to the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as false. Osun Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi made the denial in a statement issued on Saturday. Describing the report as false without any foundation in truth, the Commissioner said the Federal Government has not sent any rice palliatives to the state since the batch sent last year which was shared to the public through a committee of public associations and groups. “The Committee that shared the last rice package had the CAN Chairman and others as members and there is no way any consignment will reach the state without the committee being informed and engaged in the distribution, the Commissioner noted. The Commissioner therefore challenged operatives of the All Progressive Congress (APC) which ...

 APC: Only Uzodinma-led committee can announce final result of Edo guber primary The All Progressives Congress (APC) says only the committee led by Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo state, can announce the results of the Edo governorship primary election. In a statement on Saturday, Felix Morka, APC spokesperson, said the public should disregard any results announced by “unauthorised persons”. This is coming a few hours after some suspected political thugs were said to have disrupted the collation of results of the primary election. “The attention of the National Working Committee of our great party has been drawn to a live broadcast on major national television stations and online news outlets of results of the ongoing Edo State APC governorship primary election by some unauthorized persons,” Morka said. “We wish to state categorically that only the Governor Hope Uzodinma-Led Edo State APC Governorship Primary Election Committee is duly authorized to undertake final collation and ann...

 Idahosa emerges Edo APC governorship candidate A member of the House Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, has been declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election, which took place in Edo State on Saturday. He polled a total vote of 40,483 to become the candidate of the APC in the September 21 governorship election in the state. Announcing the results, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is also the chairman of the APC primary election committee, said that having polled the highest number of votes among the nine aspirants, the Idahosa becomes the candidate for the party. He said there was a mix-up on where the secretariat of the committee was, noting that the Protea Hotel and not the Lushville Hotel, where results were announced earlier today, was the authentic secretariat.

 EFCC Arrests 26 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Abuja Zonal Command, on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, arrested 26 suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested at Kurudu, Jahi, Kubwa, and Gwarimpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja following credible information on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.  Items recovered from the suspects include a Toyota Tacoma, a CLS Mercedes 450 and three Lexus cars, in addition to 40 phones and seven laptops. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.  

 Gombe Court Sends Fraudster to Jail for Employment Scam Justice A. Abdussalam of the Gombe State High Court sitting in Gombe, on Thursday February 15, 2024 convicted and sentenced   Kelvin Tikus to three years imprisonment for employment scam.   Tikus, 36, employee of the Nigerian Correctional Service was  arraigned on one - count charge of fraudulent conversion  by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.   The charge reads: "That you Kelvin Tikus sometimes in August 2021 at Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did fraudulently deceive one Sa'ad Umar, a business man to deliver to you the sum of Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N650,000) through your Bank account No: 3818815016 domiciled at First City Monument Bank ( FCMB) under the deception of securing employment at the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and thereby committed.an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) of the Penal...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE   PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES NASIR EL-RUFAI ON BIRTHDAY   President Bola Tinubu extends warm felicitations to former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, on the occasion of his birthday on February 16, 2024.   President Tinubu commends the exemplary leadership and remarkable contributions of the accomplished administrator to the nation throughout his illustrious career in the public service as a two-term governor under the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).   President Tinubu expresses confidence that el-Rufai's commitment to national service will continue to serve as a beacon of inspiration for many, especially the younger generation aspiring to contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria.   He wishes the former governor continued success, good health, and fulfilment in all o...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU TO AU LEADERS: NIGERIA READY TO HOST AFRICAN CENTRAL BANK; PREPARE THE YOUTH FOR 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY  President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria is ready to host the African Central Bank in line with the vision of the Abuja Treaty.  Addressing leaders at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday, President Tinubu said his administration will engage the African Union Commission in collaboration with member states to ensure that the bank takes off as scheduled in 2028. The President affirmed that Africa's success in conclusively addressing its challenges hinges on the firmness of its resolution, built on a foundation of deep-rooted solidarity, if it is to avoid perpetuating existing problems and creating new ones. "As a continent and as individual nations, we face strong headwinds and difficult hurdles threatening to complicate our miss...

Nigeria's Highest Paid Footballers 1. Victor Osimhen | £167,000 weekly | Napoli 2. Samuel Chukwueze | £84,413 weekly | AC Milan 3. Alex Iwobi | £80,000 weekly | Fulham Kelechi Iheanacho | £80,000 weekly | Leicester 5. Wilfred Ndidi | £75,000 weekly | Leicester 6. Joe Aribo | £70,000 weekly | Southampton 7. Taiwo Awoniyi | £50,000 weekly | Nottingham Forest 8. Paul Onuachu | £47,511 weekly | Trabzonspor 9. Calvin Bassey | £47,000 weekly | Fulham 10. Ola Aina | £40,000 weekly | Nottingham Forest Frank Onyeka | £40,000 weekly | Brentford Emmanuel Dennis | £40,000 weekly | Nottingham Forest 13. Moses Simon | £39,492 weekly | Nantes 14. Ademola Lookman | £38,011 weekly | Atalanta 15. Victor Boniface | £32,819 weekly | Bayer Leverkusen  

 I Have Turned Down Movie Roles Because Of My Daughter – Bisola Reality TV star and Nollywood actress, Bisola Aiyeola, has opened up on how motherhood has influenced her decisions when picking movie roles. Aiyeola explained that she is careful of the roles she picks in the Nollywood movie industry because of her daughter. The mother of one notes that her daughter is growing and the movie roles she appears in might influence her negatively or positively. The actress said her trajectory has been one of patience and putting her daughter first, no matter what. She stated this while speaking during an interview with Pulse. According to her, “I have a growing child and sometimes some of the roles you take can affect her positively or negatively. Especially because she is growing… You have other children around her who have different thoughts on what their parents do and so I have to be careful with some stories because I have to think that, in the long run, would it be a good look for my...

 "People will think I am going to do something terrible" — Ned Nwoko reacts. Nollywood forever 16 Regina Daniels and her former love interest Somadina  have just launched a new movie titled "My First Love" which is available now on YouTube. In an interview, Ned Nwoko expressed that he is unconcerned about the movie's appearance or content. "What matters is that my wife loves me, and I love her just the same" 😳.  Ned doesn't care about what the two actors are doing in the movie because he knows his wife loves him and he loves her right back 💖.

 LASG COMMENCES FULL ENFORCEMENT OF BAN ON STYROFOAM MONDAY-ENV COMM  ...urges all market leaders to ensure that Styrofoam is not distributed or sold in markets ...As Tokunbo Wahab holds meeting on solid waste management with all market leaders.        The Lagos State Government on Friday announced the commencement of full enforcement of the ban on usage and distribution of Styrofoam food containers all over the state. Making the disclosure during a meeting with all market leaders in the state at the BlueRoof Alausa, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab said the enforcement will start across all markets on Monday. He added that enforcement officers from LAGESC/KAI, Environmental Health Officials and LAWMA Police and the Ministry will go after all those having the styrofoams in their shops, stores or outlets and confiscate them. Wahab emphasized that styrofoam usage had caused enough damage to the health of the residents and th...

 ‘I Did Not Allow Them Break Me,’ Sowore Reacts To Court Verdict A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has reacted to the recent court verdict that ordered the Federal Government to discontinue the treasonable felony charge levelled against him and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, (also known as Mandate). Sowore and Bakare were prosecuted by the immediate past regime for calling for a nationwide #RevolutionNow protest against former President Muhammadu Buhari. After a lengthy legal case, the court recently ordered the Federal Government to discontinue the case. Speaking as a guest on a television programme, Sowore said he didn’t allow the former administration to break him. He accused officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) of being reckless in their conduct after forcibly ‘abducting’ him in court before the judge. “They came to court in 2019, and DSS abducted me in front of a judge. If that is not punishment, then what i...

 ‘Don’t use inflammatory language against government’ – Matawalle warns Nigerians The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has issued a stern warning to Nigerians to desist from using inflammatory language against the government. In a statement by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Matawalle gave the warning in Abuja against the backdrop of some unguarded utterances coming from some quarters of the country due to the security challenges in the country. “Such comments are incitive and destructive and can exacerbate tensions and lead to violence in our beloved nation,” he said. According to him, President Tinubu had the capacity and political will and is working round the clock to make Nigeria a better and more secure nation. The minister also pointed out the various policies the government had put in place to reshape and modernise the nation’s economy as well as to secure the lives, liberty and property of the citizenry. He sa...

 EPL: They were not so good – Eden Hazard on snubbing Man Utd for Chelsea Former Belgium captain, Eden Hazard, has revealed why he joined Chelsea despite initially having no interest in the club. During his time at Stamford Bridge, Hazard scored 110 goals and laid on 92 assists in 352 games in seven seasons. He won two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues and the FA Cup. But Hazard could have easily been playing for Manchester United instead in the Premier League. “I had a chat with Sir Alex Ferguson [then Manchester United boss]. “I spoke with Harry Redknapp, at that time he was the manager of Tottenham. I went to Manchester to see the Man City training ground. “So I had a few options, but not Chelsea because the last year in Lille, Chelsea in the league was not that good. You know when you [John Obi Mikel] won the Champions League, in the league you were like sixth or seventh, I don’t remember. “I knew I was leaving France to go to the Premier League but not Chelsea, because...

 Police arraign two women who fought over man The police on Friday arraigned two women in a zonal Chief Magistrates’ Court, New Karu, Nasarawa State, for allegedly fighting and inflicting injury on themselves on February 14. Both defendants, Alice Odey, 27, and Blessing Onagbulum, 39, who reside in New Nyanya, Karu, Nasarawa State, were charged with breach of public peace, defamation of character and causing harm. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecutor, Inspector Shehu Ndam, informed the court that the defendants were arrested and brought to the New Nyanya Police Station on February 14 after they engaged in a fight and inflicted injuries on themselves. “Onagbulum accused Odey of snatching her former husband, while Odey accused Onagbulum of using ‘juju’ to shrink his private parts. A fight broke out between the two defendants and Odey used a broken bottle to stab Onagbulum in the head, jaw and neck. “Upon seeing Onagbulum on the ground, Onagbulum’s 16-year-o...

 Pray for my mother – Jonathan begs at elder sister’s burial Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to pray for his mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan and his family following the death of his elder sister, Madam Obebhatein. Jonathan said the death of Madam Obebhatein traumatised their mother. He spoke during the burial of Madam Obebhatein in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Friday. Jonathan noted that Madam Obebhatein, who died aged 70 on January 11, 2024, was his only surviving sibling from his aged mother. According to him: “Death, as they say, is something we all pass through. But the time it comes also matters. Yes, we will all die someday but the time matters. “My elder sister died at a time that we can gather these celebrities to celebrate her, but that our mother is to mourn her is the nasty aspect of the whole thing. “My mother has lost her first child that ought to mourn her when God calls her. I have to sincerely thank the Bayelsa S...

 Gov. Fubara of Rivers State confers State Honors on Nwabali, gifts him N20M Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday, said his administration will sustain purposeful governance and administrative efficiency because they are helping the people of the state to engage in ventures that bring honour. Fubara spoke when he hosted the Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who participated in the just concluded 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. The governor, who announced a N20million reward for Nwabali said he will also be bestowed with the honour of Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State. Fubara also gifted N30 million to the Super Eagles’ crew who were present. For emerging as champions in the Louis Edem National League competition, Fubara gifted N50 million to the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Team. This was contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the governor, Boniface Onyedi, and made available to newsmen. Fubara said in providing leadership, his...

 Senegal leader to organise presidential vote 'as soon as possible' It was thought that any resistance from the president's to comply with the Constitutional Council's ruling on the postponed election would risk more unrest. Senegal's President Macky Sall on Friday pledged to organise presidential elections "as soon as possible" after the Constitutional Council overruled his decision to delay this month's vote. "The President of the Republic intends to fully implement the decision of the Constitutional Council," the presidency said in a statement. "To this end, the Head of State will without delay carry out the consultations necessary to organise the presidential election as soon as possible." The announcement came moments after the West Africa's main regional bloc ECOWAS called on authorities in Senegal to set a new date for the presidential election in accordance with the ruling of the Constitutional Council. There are only 10...

 Rising cost of cement: Minister summons manufacturers The Minister of Works, David Umahi, says prominent cement manufacturers have been summoned to a meeting over the rising cost of cement. He expressed worry that the cost of the product was rising at an astronomical rate despite huge patronage by road and housing contractors to cement manufacturers. The Minister’s Special Adviser (Media), Orji Uchenna Orji, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, explained that the meeting would take place on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Ministry’s Conference Hall, Mabushi, Abuja. According to the statement, “The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has summoned an urgent meeting of all cement manufacturers in Nigeria.” It said that those invited are Dangote Plc, BUA Plc, Larfarge, and others. The minister said that it is common knowledge that the manufacturers have their challenges, saying that they shall look into, but from their findings, the disparity between ex-factory price and the market pric...

 This is a story I just witnessed today Saturday 17th of February,2024 , around Ikeja where I went to fix my car.  His name is Oloyo and his daughter based in Abuja, called the father in the morning that she sent someone to him, according to him the last time one of his daughter called him like that, it was her who actually came to visit him but this time around, as he was fixing my car, the surprise came.  You know as a Lagos born and brought up my eye and body language is very alert, so I actually saw two people behind my car so my eyes was just following them so that they will not open my car, I was still starring at them when one of them started playing the happy birthday song.  Be proud of your parents, their struggles and also be grateful by making them happy.  Happy birthday Oloyo, I happy you are reaping the fruit of your labour.  Watch the videos below. 

 PCRC Confers Award On AIG, Describes Him As Security Giant By  Juliana Nwachukwu The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), has bestowed some special awards on  the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in charge of Zone 13, Ukpo, Anambra State, Godwin Aghaulo for his gallant efforts so far in fighting crime to a standstill in the zone which controls Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States. The committee also conferred an honorary title of "Ugosimba' and Patroness on AIG's wife, Mrs. Aghaulo, just as they equally conferred an honorary title of Administrative Expert on the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), Josephine Ihuwo. Among the special awards conferred on AIG Aghaulo included, Agunechemba (The Lion that guides the zone),  Community Policing Ambassador, Grand Commander and Gallant Crime Fighter. Conferring the awards on the AIG, his wife and the ZPPRO, the Senior Special Assistant to the National Chairman, PCRC on Interstate Projects (Southeast),...

 MEDICAL DIRECTOR ADMONISHES WORKERS TO BE PROACTIVE BY Ginika Oguji The new Chief Medical Director, Comprehensive Medical Centre, Akwuzu, Dr. Adaobi Igwebuike has called on the staff of the hospital to always be proactive in the discharge of their duties. Dr. Igwebuike made the call during her maiden meeting with the staff of the hospital at the Comprehensive Medical Centre, Akwuzu, Oyi Local Government Area. Addressing the staff, she expressed disappointment at the nonchalant and negligence to duty displayed by workers, saying that her administration is out to met out displininary measures in line with the civil service rules . The  medical director urged all the staff to join hands with her to move the hospital to an enviable height in line with the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo led administration in the state, saying that her office will always be open to new ideas, criticisms and information. Dr. Igwebuike also advised the workers to always take good care of themselves and be min...

 ATANI, OSSOMALA/OKPANAM COMMUNITIES URGED TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF WATER SUPPLY PROJECT By Azuka Offor The Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka has charged the Atani and Ossomala/OKpanam Communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State to take full ownership of the water supply projects in their Communities. The commissioner while handing over of the finished water projects to the beneficiaries said that the contract was in line with the marching order by Gov. Soludo's administration in resuscitating the various water schemes across the state and were awarded to God's Favour Ideal Logistics and O. A Emma Enterprise Nigeria limited respectively on November, 2023. The commissioner who was represented by the staff of Water Department of the ministry, Mr Okechukwu Onyedibe gave the charge during the official handover of the water projects to the two Communities, explaining the (PPCP) model of Soludo's administration where bot...

 WOMEN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE ORGANISES ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS The Lagos State Women Development  Centre (WDC), Agege has organised an orientation programme for its newly admitted students in different training courses held recently at the Facility’s Hall.   In her welcome address, the Director of the Women Development Centre (WDC), Mrs. Olufunke Adeleye emphasised the importance of the training and the role it plays in driving innovation and excellence in Lagos State. The Centre, she said, was established in 1993 and began operation in 1999 to alleviate poverty and empower the youths to be self-dependent. According to her, "With over 500 students and seven training classes including Photography, Fashion Designing, and Hairdressing amongst others, the programme is aimed at inculcating in students the requisite knowledge and skills needed for success in their respective career paths. Participants would be engaged in a dynamic curriculum designed...

 PRINCE OYEKANMI ELEGUSHI ASSUMES OFFICE AS NEW GENERAL MANAGER, ĹASIMRA Prince Oyekanmi Elegushi, recently appointed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the new General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) has officially assumed office. Speaking during a brief reception organised to welcome him by the management and staff of LASIMRA, Prince Elegushi said he will run an open-door policy whereby every individual will be free to contribute effectively to the development of the Agency. He further stated that his concern is to build on the current structure set up by the past administration of Engr. (Mrs.) Bisoye Coker-Odusote and make amendments where necessary. He expressed his commitment to improving the welfare of the workforce, saying, “The staff's welfare and growth is important if we must move the agency to a greater height”. He then enjoined the staff to work as a family and respect the norms and values of the agency to achieve the...

 2023 election: Peter Obi received N596m donations, spent N744.5m on litigation – Yesufu The fundraising team for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation has disclosed that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, expended N744,500,000 on litigation following his loss in the 2023 presidential election. Obi polled 6,101,533 votes to emerge third in the February 25, 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress. Obi and the LP, however, rejected the election results as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission. He launched a legal battle and challenged the poll results up to the Supreme Court, which eventually on October 26, 2023 upheld Tinubu’s election. The campaign organisation also received donations totalling N596m from party supporters, Obidient movements and well-meaning Nigerians across the globe. This was disclosed by the Chairman of the fundraising team, Aisha Yesufu on her “X” handle. ...

 Blame Buhari not Tinubu for economic hardship, Afenifere tells Nigerians The Pan-Yoruba Socio-political group, Afenifere, has said that the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration should be blamed for the present economic hardship being faced by Nigerians and not President Bola Tinubu. A statement signed by the groups Publicity and Organising Secretaries, Jare Ajayi and Kole Omololu, said that the immediate past administration, dug political and economic holes for the administration of his successor, Bola Tinubu. Afenifere said that the Buhari’s administration “did not make provision for oil subsidies in last year’s budget which made Tinubu cancel the regime of oil subsidies in his inaugural speech. It added that the “economic downturn was caused by Buhari’s administration which was built on a platform of hope and a defective federalism saying promises made were not fulfilled. The group said that “Under Buhari’s watch, terrorists and banditry were operating effortlessly...

 Police arrest abductors of Ekiti school children, APC chair, kill one   Some of the suspects allegedly involved in the recent abduction of some school children in Emure- Ekiti, and the abduction of the Chairman of the All Progrressives Congress (APC) last year in Ekiti State have been arrested by the operatives of the police command in the state. One of the suspects was killed during a gun duel with the police officers. …Details later

 Wigwe: Our traditional means will unravel mystery of his death – Monarch ....We are not comfortable with all the stories – Youth leader ....Community insists on banker’s burial in hometown Gloom and despair defined the atmosphere in Isiokpo, a community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday as the indigenes continued to mourn the tragic death of their illustrious son, reputable banker and philanthropist, Dr. Herbert Wigwe. Their faces welled up in tears as the reality of an event they had received with disbelief finally dawned on them. Wigwe, his wife and son had died horribly last Saturday after the chopper they boarded in the US crashed and what started like a rumour in Isiokpo became a painful reality. Isiokpo chiefs wept. Their women cried. Their youths were lost in melancholy and their children felt some vacuum. Since the incident, Isiokpo has been quiet. In fact, the entire Ikwerre Local Government Area felt the far-reaching sound of the fall of an Iro...