PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Man accused of stealing cement jumps into Lagoon, drowns while trying to evade arrest Tragedy struck on Friday at the Lekki/Ikoyi Link Bridge in Lagos when a man identified as Azeez jumped into the lagoon and drowned while trying to escape arrest after being accused of stealing some bags of cement. According to the Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Sunday, the incident was reported at the Ikoyi Police Division by the director of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) at around 12:20 pm. Hundeyin stated that the director received a distress call at around 10:45 am about an incident at the Lekki/Ikoyi Link Bridge, where a large crowd had gathered by the waterside, watching the lifeless body of a man who had drowned. The deceased, identified as Azeez, was confirmed dead by paramedics from Pre Hospital Care, Lagos. Investigations revealed that Azeez was being pursued by one Elijah Amos, a cement seller, who accused him of stealing some b...

 Petrol scarcity spreads to Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Edo, others petrol scarcity Motorists and others waited for hours in queues at the few filling stations dispensing the product. Other states that experienced acute scarcity are Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Jigawa. The scarcity first hit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) last week. But an improvement was noticed by The Nation across Abuja yesterday.   Most Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) franchise stations, especially in Lagos, had their gates closed to motorists due to a lack of stock. However, some marketers that opened for business in the nation’s commercial capital had queues.  Scores of jerry can–carrying residents were also seen struggling for access. Unlike independent marketers who cashed in on the situation to slightly hike their pump prices, the majors did not. But, as vehicle owners and other petrol users lamented the situation...

 We’ve initiated the evacuation of structures affected by the recent gas explosion in Ita-Oshin, Abeokuta North Local Government area, to facilitate integrity tests. During our assessment, we assured affected individuals of compensation for property damage and medical expenses incurred. Expressing concerns about the safety of nationwide compressed natural gas (CNG) transportation, we underscored the importance of regulatory oversight and adherence to industry standards to ensure safe transportation. To address safety issues related to petroleum product transportation, we’ve tasked relevant agencies with ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles. Additionally, a meeting with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association has been arranged to devise effective safety solutions. In Ogun State, our commitment to enacting legislation and regulatory measures remains steadfast, preventing future incidents and safeguarding residents.  - GOV. @dapoabiodunmfr  More photos below. 

 Petrol scarcity: Fuel crisis worsens as depots divert PMS to Abuja •NNPC rations supply to depots, orders operators to prioritise loading to Abuja •Queues spread in Lagos, Ogun, others, stations raise pump prices as black market thrives Despite claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited that the logistic issues causing fuel scarcity had been addressed, Nigerians in Lagos and other parts of the country were still struggling to get Premium  Motor Spirit as many filling stations remained under lock and key throughout the weekend. The PUNCH independently gathered that the situation might worsen in Lagos and other parts of the South-West like Ogun, Oyo, Osun and others because there was a directive by the NNPCL that fuel trucks must first service the Federal Capital Territory before any other place. As a result, the majority of trucks leaving the depots in Lagos since Friday were heading for Abuja. Officials of the NNPCL and marketers told our correspondents that th...

 Naira rebounds to 1,275/$ at parallel market The naira has demonstrated signs of strengthening against the United States dollar, appreciating by N125 to reach N1,275/$1 over the weekend. The new rate represents a 9.8 per cent increase when compared to N1,400 to a dollar it traded at the close of trading activity on Friday. This came as the Senate through its Committee on Finance called for concerted efforts by all relevant stakeholders to rescue and sustain its stability. The senate said there was an urgent need for concerted efforts to tackle the instability and continuous depreciation of the Naira. Currency traders at the popular Wuse Zone 4 market, who spoke with one of our correspondents on Sunday, blamed trading uncertainty of the market as reason for the fluctuations in the exchange rate. They added that the government must either to choose to increase the currency value or devalue for market stability. The operators did not provide a selling rate for Sunday, citing the abse...

 2 Kentucky teens mysteriously disappeared last night after crash notification sent out from cell phone.  17-year-old Abigail Crain and Kollier Yarbrough were last seen around 1 a.m.,  April 28th, at the Calvert City drive-in.  The two were in a 2005 black Chevy Silverado with Kentucky plates # J1S390. Soon after leaving the drive-in, a crash alert was sent from one of their phones to officials via E911. The parents were also notified by Life 360. However once the anxious parents and first responders went to the site from which the notification was sent things became confusing.  Both teen's cellphones were found along the side of the roadway, but there was no sign of either teen or the "crashed" vehicle. Abigail was last seen wearing a Carlisle County hoodie and black jeans and Kollier was last seen wearing a gray shirt and gray sweatpants. If you see these teens or have any information of their whereabouts please call  the Carlisle County Sheriff's departm...

 Remarkable 90-year-old Pennsylvania woman still a very active substitute teacher. Nancy Yaude has been involved in the Jersey Shore School district since 1975. She began her career as a school guidance counselor before shifting to substitute teaching in 1995. She said that since she added her name to the substitute teacher list in '95 she has almost constantly been filling in for teachers. This special 90-year-old has already worked the entire month of February, March, and April this year.  She added she is already scheduled for 17 days in May and has no plans on stopping. This wonderful woman recently celebrated her 90th birthday at school with the students she is so dedicated to. The school and student body celebrated her birthday with flowers and cards. Keep on going, Nancy! You are such an inspiration to so many in a time when people need to be inspired by bygone generations. More photos below. 

 Auto accident claims 19 lives on Okene-Lokoja highway No fewer than 19 persons lost their lives in a road accident on the Okene-Lokoja highway, involving two vehicles and a truck. Federal Road Safety Corps spokesperson, Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu, disclosed this in an official statement on X.com on Sunday. He said the accident, which occurred on Sunday was caused by the collision between a Dangote Truck with registration number NSH680YJ and a Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number KMC455ZE. According to him, the truck wrongly overtook another vehicle, collided head-on with the bus and exploded in a fiery inferno that claimed the lives of 19 out of the 22 individuals involved. Agwu said, “ The TYT bus loaded from Kano was on its lane on the highway when the Dangote Truck driver who drove from Portharcourt wrongfully overtook a vehicle & collided head-on with the bus. The impact of the collision resulted in a fire inferno that burnt the victims to death. “According to...

 COMPLETION OF NEW MASSEY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, OJO, SOMOLU GHs, OTHERS PROMISE IMPROVED HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY - LASG … As Officials from Ministries of Health, Works Conduct Comprehensive Project Inspections Lagos State Government is on a mission to overhaul healthcare services with ambitious infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening the capacity and quality of medical facilities across the state. During a recent project inspection tour, top officials including the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engr. Adekunle Olayinka and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, expressed satisfaction on the progress of various medical infrastructure initiatives.  They emphasised that the projects, which include the 150-bed Massey Street Specialist Children's Hospital, the Multi-Level Car Park, Somolu General Hospital, LASUTH Resident Quarters, and Ojo General Hospital, will mark ...

 Anambra Police Commissioner, Adeoye Bows Out After 35 Years Meritorious Service To Nigeria  By Chidinma Ikeanyionwu  The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Adeoye, has bowed out of Nigeria Police Force after thirty-five years of service. The ceremony attracted Governor Chukwuma Soludo represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, former Chairman Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke, service commanders, traditional rulers, members of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) and other stakeholders. Speaking at the Pull-out Ceremony, the Women and Social Welfare Commissioner, Hon Ify Obinabo extolled CP Adeoye for his love towards fighting for the vulnerable women and children in the state and prayed God to continue to protect his family for the work he has done.  The Women Affairs boss who teased the CP to approve pending cases from her ministry before finally bowing out of office noted that she's confident that he will uphold the legacy and...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  NIGERIA IS THE BEST DESTINATION IN TERMS OF VALUE FOR MONEY; YOUR TECHNOLOGY WITH NIGERIAN INGENUITY WILL CREATE LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES - PRESIDENT TINUBU TO SAMSUNG CEO President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s investment environment operates on the principle of 'a willing-buyer and willing-seller', which ensures seamless access to capital for investors both within and outside the country.  The President gave the assurance on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during a meeting with the President and Chief Executive Officer of Samsung, Hong Namkoong, and the Chairman of Samsung Investment Global, Jungwook Kim. The meeting took place on the margins of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development. ''Nigeria is a very huge country with a huge and able population. We have vibrant youths ready to learn and progress. In fact, our young do not wait for us. They go ahead of us in their determination to ...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU TO BILL GATES: TECHNOLOGY IS THE ENEMY OF CORRUPTION; WE ARE INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCELERATE PERFORMANCE President Bola Tinubu says his administration is investing in technology that is tailored towards ensuring transparency and accountability in government and accelerating public-sector performance and service delivery to the Nigerian people. Speaking during a meeting with Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist, Mr. Bill Gates, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, President Tinubu said technology is a potent weapon against corruption and financial impropriety in public service. Emphasizing his unwavering commitment to deliver reliable technology that will support a national consumer credit system and many other critical new government interventions for all Nigerians, the President said resistance is often expected when efforts are made to streng...