PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 GOV. FUBARA ON HIS WAY TO THE APC AFTER HE WAS STRIPPED OF THE PDP STRUCTURE IN RIVERS STATE. The dynamism in politics and indeed in other social events are associated with the behavioral patterns of human interaction as well as the ecology of a given circumstance.  The Chairman and members of the Caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Rivers State have stumbled into a desperate scheme by Gov. Fubara and his Cohorts to JOIN THE APC as a face-saving device, having suffered emotional trauma engendered by the outcome of the decisions reached at the the PDP NWC meeting, wherein the caretaker committee that emerged in Rivers State is tilted heavily against his interest.  You will recall that Gov. Fubara’s outburst knew no bounds as he took a swipe at the National Leadership of his party(PDP)during a flag-off/foundation ceremony in Port Harcourt yesterday.  We are inundated with a plethora of information that Gov. Fubara’s efforts through lobbying of s...

 Chidi Odinkalu’s Reckless Commentaries on EFCC   The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to some reckless commentaries made by a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu  on the arrest of Idris Okuneye(a.k.a Bobrisky) by the Commission, describing it as evidence of idleness or an abuse of power .   The Commission views such commentaries from Odinkalu as unbecoming of a former head of a major government agency.  Okuneye was arrested and arraigned by the Commission on the basis of clear cases of abuse of the Naira to which he has pleaded guilty.   Odinkalu has a right to free speech as a Nigerian but such a right should be exercised with decorum and responsibility.  The Commission would not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions against such uncouth commentaries against its lawful mandate by anyone.   Odinkalu is warned and advised to ventilate his rascally opinions more...

 EFCC Denies Stopping Service of Charges on Binance Chief The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to react to a news report in a leading national newspaper entitled: “EFCC Stopped Service of Charges on Binance Chief, FIRS Alleges”. The report is untrue, misleading and removed from the facts before the court. At no time did the court bailiff approach the EFCC to serve any of the Binance executives in its custody with a charge.  At the last sitting of the court, counsel to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Moses Ideh, did not lodge such a complaint before the court. He only told the court that the Service was yet to serve the defendants.   The Commission, therefore, finds the news item preposterous and embarrassing.  The public is enjoined to ignore it entirely.  

 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles New York City and Beyond... A magnitude-4.8 earthquake shook buildings across the New York City region shortly after 10:20 a.m. Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. The U.S.G.S. reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was in Lebanon, N.J., about 50 miles west of Manhattan. The shaking was reportedly felt in cities from Philadelphia to Boston. The largest known earthquake in this region occurred in 1884 and had a magnitude of approximately 5.0.

 Naira Abuse: Lagos Court Convicts Bobrisky, Defers Sentence till April 9   The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, April 5, 2024, secured the conviction of Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, before Justice Abimbola Awogboro sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos over mutilation of the Naira notes.   He was arraigned on Friday on a four-count charge bordering on mutilation of the Naira notes to the tune of N490, 000, 00 (Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira).   Count one reads: “That you, OKUNEYE IDRIS OLANREWAJU, on the 24th day of March, 2024, at Imax Circle Mal, Jakande, Lekki, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with the total sum of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007....

 EFCC’s Position on Malabu Oil Fraud Case and Associated Issues   The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commenced a review of developments around the Malabu OPL 245 fraud case, including the dismissal of the charges against a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke by a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja and the conduct of the prosecuting counsel, Offem Uket.  The review will entail exploration of the option of appeal and possible change of counsel in view of the Commission's dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by Uket.  Nevertheless, this intention has no nexus whatsoever to the spew of speculations imputing compromise by parties to the charge, currently making the rounds in some sections of the media.    EFCC is not obliged to embrace such narratives as it neither accused any of the parties of any unsavoury conduct nor made any conclusive statements about any investigation on the ...

 Panic As Police, Shiites Clash In Kaduna Kaduna, the capital of Kaduna State, is in disarray as law enforcement officers endeavor to disperse members of the banned Islamic Movement of Nigeria, commonly known as Shiites, who are conducting a procession in the city center. The Shiites congregated near the Katsina roundabout along Ahmadu Bello Way before police intervention was initiated to scatter the gathering. The situation has instilled panic and apprehension among residents, particularly those with businesses along Ahmadu Bello Way, prompting many to shut their shops to avoid getting caught up in the commotion. According to the Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, the IMN, whose activities have been prohibited by the Federal Government, defied the ban on unauthorized assemblies with today's gathering. Hassan stated that the IMN members, armed with dangerous weapons, allegedly launched attacks on innocent residents under the guise of a procession, and furt...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE MINING AND EDUCATION IN FOCUS AS PRESIDENT TINUBU RECEIVES LETTERS OF CREDENCE FROM NEWLY-APPOINTED AMBASSADORS President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, welcomed newly-appointed ambassadors to Nigeria, expressing his commitment to enhancing cooperation in the areas of education, mining, culture, and tourism. The President received Letters of Credence from the High Commissioner of Jamaica, Lincoln Downer; High Commissioner of Australia, Leilani Bin-Juda; and Ambassador of Romania, Florin Talapan at the State House, Abuja.  During separate meetings, President Tinubu assured them of Nigeria's support for a rewarding stay and reaffirmed his government's commitment to maintaining an open-door policy toward strengthening existing economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations.  Speaking when he received the High Commissioner of Jamaica, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of collaboration on trade, investment, and the Technical Aids Corps.  He reit...

 PRESS RELEASE NIGERIA, TURKEY  MULL COLLABORATION  ON BORDER SECURITY The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that Nigeria is ready to collaborate with Turkey in the area of Border security.    The Minister stated this when the Vice President, Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Ömer Çağlar Yilnaz paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.     Dr. Tunji-Ojo said that the Nigeria - Turkey relationship will be a mutually beneficial one for both countries as there will be an exchange of ideas, exchange of technology and data transfer which is key.   " It is a productive relationship. We will take it very seriously,  and hope we can set today as a foundation for greater things to come in future," the Minister said.   Earlier in his remarks, the Vice President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce and leader of the delegation, Dr. Ömer Çağlar Yilnaz  thanked the Honourable Minister for granting them audienc...

 Olubadan-designate Olakulehin returns to Ibadan, set for coronation The Olubadan-designate Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has returned to his Alalubosa Ibadan, residence. This allays fears his absence has generated among the Olubadan-in-council, Ibadan and environs. The Olubadan stool became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun at 81. Speaking with newsmen after visiting the incoming monarch, the Osi Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, who led other three high Chiefs to Olakulehin’s residence, said the Olubadan-designate is hale and hearty. According to him, it is impossible for the Olubadan-in-Council to nominate Olakulehin unless they are sure that he is in good condition He said: “It has been some time we have seen our Kabiyies Owolabi Olakulehin in our midst and we have been making arrangements for Olakulehin’s coronation ceremony, who is our new Olubadan of Ibadanland. “We thank God that he is hale and hearty, and very soon, he will asce...

 Nigeria records 1,580 human rights violations in March alone, NHRC reveals. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) revealed on Friday in Abuja that the country recorded 1,580 human rights violations in the six geopolitical zones in the March alone. The rights violations included killings , kidnapping, domestic violence , abductions, children's right among others. Making this public at the National Human Rights Commission headquarters, its senior human rights adviser, Mr Hilary Ogbona said that North Central topped the list of the complaints of human rights violations recorded with 468 cases  At the presentation of the findings attended by the Executive Secretary of the Human Rights Commission and Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, Ogbona explained that the police, military, and Department of State Service DSS  grouped as State Actors recorded 94 rights violations cases . The human rights adviser who explained that the killings of the military and polic...

 OPENING REMARKS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS, AT THE 4TH MINISTERIAL BRIEFING SESSION HELD ON FRIDAY, 5TH APRIL, 2024 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CENTRE, ABUJA.    Protocol:   Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the press, esteemed stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), and all Nigerians tuning in. Thank you for joining us today.    We are here to discuss the recently approved tariff review by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and hereby welcome our distinguished guests; Mr Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power; Mrs. Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy; Dr. Musiliu Oseni, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), other Commissioners of the NERC, and indeed other stakeholders.  First, I wish to commend the media for being steadfast in attending these briefings and reporting the issues to Nigerians, as they ...

 LAGOS HOSTS TOURISM MINISTER IN BADAGRY  ... As Minister Promises Increased Support  The Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John was, on Wednesday, received by top lawmakers, government functionaries, traditional rulers and tourism practitioners on a working visit to Badagry, aimed at invigorating tourism development in the historic town.  The Honourable Minister's visit to Badagry was facilitated by the Member of the House of Representatives, representing Badagry, Hon. Sesi Whingah as part of efforts to unlock Badagry’s full Tourism potential to empower local communities, preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism practices.  Mrs. Lola Ade-John and members of her entourage were received by the Chairman of Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu; Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Permanent Secretary, Oloruntoyin Atekoja, the Council Chairmen of Badag...

  LSTMB GRADUATES 90 NEW TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS                                                                              … ...Says Certificate Comes with Great Responsibility                                                                                                                                               In its unwavering efforts to bridge the gap between modern medicine and traditional healing practices i...

 People said I am gay but I am not – Charly Boy Maverick singer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has finally put the controversy about his sexuality to rest. He said although he could be gay he isn’t. The singer disclosed this while addressing the controversy in a recent interview with reality star, Uriel Oputa. The ‘Area Fada’ mentioned the three principles that guide him being consistency, tenacity and audacity. He mentioned that he shares his challenges and that’s what makes people want to make him a father figure. Charley boy also mentioned he doesn’t believe in love and doesn’t believe in religiousity and has nothing with spirituality. Charly Boy emphasized that if he were gay he would have been championing the fight for gay rights in Nigeria. He said, “I’ve a feminine side I called Linda. And I remember when I was doing the Charly Boy show, I had this character I always played called Miss Zigizigi. I picked that up when I was in the United States. “So I’ve my fe...

 APC rejects inauguration of nine Plateau lawmakers, insists on 16 The Plateau chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC) has rejected what it described as the forceful inauguration of nine out of the 16 elected members of the Assemby. Plateau APC.chairman Hon Rufus Bature dismissed inauguration of nine out of the 16 lawmakers as democratic abnormality that cannot stand the test of time.  Bature, who spoke with reporters after Friday’s  inauguration at Old Government House Jos said: “I received it as a shocking development for the Plateau Governor Barr Caleb Mutfwang to compel nine APC state lawmakers to succumb to the swearing in ceremony that only represented flagrant abuse of democratic tents and principles.” The nine members sworn in are: Hon Yusuf Dickson Chollom of Barkin Ladi constituency;  Hon Abdul Adamu of Mangu North; Daniel Nanbol Lipstick of Langtang North central; Hon Denti Laven Jacob of Pankshin South; Hon Abel Nansak of Langtang North; Hon Bendel Nanc...

 ACTDA Dislodges Illicit Drug Hub In Awka By Ukpa Ewa The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) enforcement team in collaboration with Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG) has on April 4, took a decisive action to dislodge illegal occupants from an uncompleted building at Amawbia Express intended for use as a hotel due to concerns over threats and nuisances to the surrounding environment.  Prompted by a surge in drugs peddling and other illicit enterprises within the environment, officials of the two combined teams acted swiftly to dislodge approximately 300 individuals hailing from Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa and various other states, who had unlawfully occupied the structure. Addressing Journalists in Amawbia, Anambra State, the Commander of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr. Ugochukwu Nwimo, said that there are urgent need for intervention, citing rampant illegal enterprises and public nuisance perpetrated by the occupants.  Nwimo, who said...