PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Court Jails Currency Racketeer in Enugu   The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentence of one Onuigbo Chibuzor before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu  on a one-count charge bordering on currency racketeering.   The lone count charge reads: “That you, Onuigbo Chibuzor on the 8th of June, 2024 at Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, hawked the total sum of Forty Thousand Naira (N40, 000. 00) mints in Two Hundred Naira (200) denominations, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act”.   He pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, EFCC Counsel, Ajobiewe Rotimi Enitan, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered the confessional statements of the defenda...

 Kevin Costner 'selfishly' gave 'Horizon' role to 15-year-old son: 'It was a smaller part' Kevin Costner shared a special moment with his 15-year-old son after giving him a "smaller part" in his film "Horizon." Hayes Costner was cast as Nathaniel Kittredge in the opening of Costner's four-part Civil War-era Western. His father admitted he "selfishly" gave his son a role and opened up about the time they spent together filming in a new interview. "He's a beautiful boy, and he's quiet," Costner said during an appearance on "Today." "And I have not shoved my children into the business. I realize there are so many young actors out there that would just kill to be in this movie. And I don't want to take those parts away from them just cause I can place my own children in." Hayes' role only required around two weeks of filming, according to Costner. "But, in a sense, it was a smaller ...

 NASA gets Voyager 1 back online from 15 billion miles away after technical problem NASA's Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, is sending science data again. Voyager 1's four instruments are back in business after a computer problem in November, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory said this week. The team first received meaningful information again from Voyager 1 in April, and recently commanded it to start studying its environment again. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 is drifting through interstellar space, or the space between star systems. Before reaching this region, the spacecraft discovered a thin ring around Jupiter and several of Saturn’s moons. Its instruments are designed to collect information about plasma waves, magnetic fields and particles. Voyager 1 is over 15 billion miles from Earth. Its twin Voyager 2 — also in interstellar space — is more than 12 billion miles away.

 EU leaders convene in Brussels, will discuss placements for top jobs in bloc European Union leaders will debate policy goals for the next five years from defense to the economy, and who to place in top EU jobs, when they convene in Brussels on Monday. The informal meeting will be the first leaders gathering since the European Parliament election, which proved good for the center-right and right-wing nationalists, but humiliating for French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The leaders are to discuss who should be the next presidents of the European Commission and European Council, and the foreign policy chief, but their minds seem already made up. Germany's Ursula von der Leyen is in prime position to secure a second term as head of the EU executive, buoyed by gains for her center-right European People's Party. Thirteen of the 27 EU leaders are from parties belonging to the EPP. With French and German support too, she would have the qualified majorit...

 Angelina Jolie wins Tony Award with daughter Vivienne after she and siblings drop Brad Pitt's last name Like mother, like daughter. Angelina Jolie walked the red carpet of the Tony Awards with daughter Vivienne, 15, in matching teal ensembles. The two of them worked together behind the scenes on the Broadway show "The Outsiders," which earned four awards, including best musical. Jolie wore a floor-length Versace gown made of velvet that was artfully draped over her body, along with a matching velvet shawl. Vivienne opted for a loose-fitting suit in a darker shade of teal, with wide-legged trousers, an unbuttoned vest over a white shirt and a bow tie. She also wore black Converse sneakers. Jolie also had a notable accessory – a new tattoo of a bird taking flight. The small piece could be seen on her chest. The actress worked as a producer on "The Outsiders," while Vivienne was billed as a producer's assistant. Jolie's role in the musical meant that she w...

 Putin to visit Kim Jong Un as military cooperation between Russia and North Korea increases Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea for a two-day visit starting Tuesday, both countries announced, amid international concerns about their military cooperation. Putin is expected to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for talks as they deepen their alignment in the face of separate, intensifying confrontations with Washington. It will be Putin's first trip to North Korea in 24 years. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said Putin will pay a state visit on Tuesday and Wednesday at Kim's invitation. North Korean state media didn’t immediately provide details. Russia confirmed the visit in a simultaneous announcement. There are growing concerns about an arms arrangement in which Pyongyang provides Moscow with badly needed munitions to fuel Putin’s war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that would enhance the threat po...

 Israel, Hezbollah on 'brink' of all-out war, officials warn Israeli officials warned that the country is on the "brink" of a full-scale war with Hezbollah if the terrorist group continues to increase its aggression in northern Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) made the warning on Sunday, just a day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to meet with Amos Hochstein, a top aide to President Biden. Biden's administration is pushing Israel to avoid a war in Lebanon, but IDF officials continue to highlight the outsized threat posed by Hezbollah compared to Hamas. "Hezbollah's increasing aggression is bringing us to the brink of what could be a wider escalation," an IDF spokesman warned Sunday. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant echoed the statement in his own talks with Hochstein on Monday. "We are committed to the diplomatic process, however Hezbollah’s aggression is bringing us closer to a critical point in the decision...

 ‘Slapping DJ affected my career’ – Terry G Nigerian singer, Gabriel Oche Amanyi, popularly known as Terry G, has revealed that a physical assault on a DJ years ago affected his career.  Terry G stirred controversy after slapping DJ Jimmy Jatt’s protege, DJ Phreez, at an event in Lagos on June 5, 2016, for playing another artiste’s song in a bid to get him off stage. His action led to the DJs Association of Nigeria, DJAN, blacklisting him back then. Speaking in the latest episode of the Afrobeats Podcast, the ‘Akpako Master’ admitted that the incident affected his growth as an artiste. He, however, added that he later apologised to the DJ Phreez and his boss, DJ Jimmy Jatt.

 Police arrest notorious criminal terrorizing Yobe residents A 40-year-old notorious criminal has been arrested by operatives of the Yobe State Police Command. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday which also indicated that, the suspect, Haruna Mohammed, specialised in demanding money and other valuables from victims through menacing phone calls, threatening death or harm. “Haruna Mohammed, a 40-year-old resident of Lantewa village, Tarmuwa LGA, has been apprehended by the State Intelligent Department (SID). “The Command had been tracking Mohammed for his involvement in terrorizing towns, villages and neighbouring states. “A victim from Siminti village, Lantewa, Tarmuwa LGA, reported that Mohammed demanded N3,000,000.00 or threatened to kill him and his family,” the statement said. The statement further disclosed that the suspect confessed to the crime and implicated other syndicate members, who are c...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU TO ATTEND THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA OF SOUTH AFRICA  President Bola Tinubu will, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, depart Lagos for Pretoria, South Africa, to attend the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The inauguration of President Ramaphosa follows his re-election as President for a second term. President Tinubu will return to Nigeria after the ceremony. Chief Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) June 17, 2024

 Anti-graft War: Olukoyede Urges Students  To Be Change Agents The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyode, has urged students across the country to be change agents by being the ears and eyes of the Commission wherever they observe any fraudulent activity. He gave the charge  in Lagos on Thursday, June 13, 2024 during the Second Edition of All Public Primary Schools in Lagos Debate Competition organized by the LG News Academy. The EFCC’s boss, who spoke through Babatunde Sulaiman  of the Public Affairs Department, PAD, Lagos Zonal  Command, commended the initiative and praised the pupils for reaching the finals among the 1021 participating schools. In his goodwill message at the occasion, Olukoyode lamented the growing involvement of youths, who are potential leaders of the country, in cybercrimes. He also expressed grave concern that the Commission, almost on a daily basis, receives credible intelligence linking ...

 Alleged $5m Fraud: Court Dismisses Defendant’s Application Challenging Jurisdiction Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, June 13, 2024, dismissed the application filed by Capt. Everest Nnaji , a second defendant in a $5m fraud trial, challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the court to hear the case filed against him and one Victor Uadiale. The defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $5 million. One of the counts reads: "That you, Victor  Uadiale (aka Victor Emeka/Amaka Emeka), Captain Everest Nnaji and Ismail Lawal (now at large), between 22nd April and 12th day of October 1998, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of $1,292,000.00 (One Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-two Thousand United States Dollar) fr...

 Fake EFCC Staff Docked for Alleged N1.1million Fraud in Enugu The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Nweke Izuchukwu Jude before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State for allegedly impersonating officers of the EFCC. Jude was arraigned on two-count charges  bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N1, 100, 000. 00 (One Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira). One of the Counts reads: “That you, Nweke Izuchukwu Jude, sometime in April 2024, at Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1, 100, 000. 00 from one Justin Chidozie Chukwukere when you fraudulently presented yourself as an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related...

 Ayra Starr reminds me of myself, says Tems Grammy-winning singer Tems has expressed admiration for colleague, Ayra Starr, praising her hard work and dedication to the craft.  In a recent interview with NPR, Tems revealed that Ayra Starr reminds her of herself, noting their similar work ethic and passion for music. “I would like to give flowers to this young girl called Ayra Starr, we met years ago, and she reminds me so much of myself. She’s such a hardworking girl, and she deserves some flowers.” Tems also hinted at a possible collaboration between them. This praise comes after Rihanna expressed her desire to work with both Tems and Ayra Starr during her meeting with Ayra Starr at the Authentic Woman event in the UK.

 DNA Report: Olanrewaju Kayode threatens media houses, influencers with legal action In the unfolding legal and personal dispute involving Nigerian footballer Kayode Olanrewaju and his estranged wife, Dora Ezinne, Kayode’s legal team, Alexime Law Associates, has taken decisive steps to address the rumour about the paternity of his children. Recently, accusations circulating on social media suggested that Kayode is not the biological father of the three children he shares with Dora. The allegation which was widely circulated, according to the legal team, “is capable of causing significant emotional distress and damage to Kayode’s reputation and the integrity of his family.” This is contained in a statement made available to the press by the law firm on Monday, in Lagos. In an earlier letter dated May 26, 2024, and made public, Kayode’s attorneys had initiated a comprehensive response to the claim, demanding that the media platforms responsible for spreading the rumour disclose their...

 " As someone who worked closely with former President Jonathan while he was in office and out of power, and maintain an enduring friendship and bond with him, it is incumbent on me to correct the false narrative that Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, fought then President Jonathan, or that he had a loud voice against our administration.  If the truth must be told, Pastor Adeboye was supportive of former President Jonathan, publicly and privately, perhaps more than any other President before or after him. He publicly prayed for then President Jonathan before the 2011 and 2015 elections. And this was especially more important in 2015 because General Buhari's running mate was an RCCG Pastor. I cannot even say in the public domain other good things he did for our government. Maybe he will say so himself in due course.  Pastor Adeboye also gave a right hand of fellowship to the then President, to the extent that President Jona...

Abuja's Murtala Muhammed Way NOT Renamed after Soyinka – FG  We have noted the rumours being circulated that the Murtala Muhammed Expressed Way in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way.  The renaming of the Murtala Muhammed Expressway Way has never been contemplated by this administration.  For the record, on June 4, 2024, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the FCT codenamed Arterial Road N20 (from Katampe to Jahi), which links the existing Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Mohammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (also called Ahmadu Bello Way).  During the inauguration of the N20 (which is a new road), FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, proposed to the President that the road be named after Prof Wole Soyinka, and the President agreed.  Therefore, it is the Arterial Road N20 that is named after Prof Soyinka. The Murtala Muhammed Expressway remains unchanged and continues to bear the name of o...

 How Troops Arrested Two ‘kidnappers’ At Ransom Collection Point In Kaduna The troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested two “notorious kidnappers” in Kaduna state. The suspects identified as Yahuza Abubakar and Musa Ishyaka were said to have been arrested at Jagindi community, Jema’a LGA of Kaduna. Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the suspects abducted a resident and demanded a ransom of N500,000 from her parents. Makama quoted military sources as saying the troops arrested the culprits on June 14, adding they were lured by the intelligence team and picked up at the point of ransom collection. The suspects have been handed over to the military intelligence unit for further investigation. Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Punch have killed six bandits terrorising residents of Birnin-Gwari LGA. Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna commissioner for internal security, said the troops conducted the operation in response to intelligence reports on terro...

  Paul Pressler, Disgraced Christian Conservative Leader, Dies at 94 A former judge, he helped steer the Southern Baptist Convention to the right. But at least seven men accused him of sexual abuse. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE:  Speaker Mike Johnson-Linked Ex-Southern Baptist Convention Leader Who Settled Molestation Lawsuit Dies At Age 92 The Texas Tribune reports: Paul Pressler, the monumental Southern Baptist leader and Republican activist at the center of a massive sex abuse scandal, died on June 7. He was 94. Pressler was one of the most influential, if lesser-known, evangelical figures of the last half-century, having co-led a movement in the Southern Baptist Convention that pushed the nation’s second-largest faith group to adopt literal interpretations of the Bible, strongly condemn homosexuality and more closely align with the Republican Party. His death came barely six months after he confidentially settled a high-profile lawsuit with a former member of his youth grou...

 A Lot Of People Attacked And Abused Me’ – Adekunle Gold Speaks On Living With Sickle Cell Disease  Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold, has recounted being attacked and abused online for publicly speaking about his struggle with sickle cell disease. We reports that the ‘Orente’ crooner, in a recent interview with CNN, said he decided to create awareness about sickle cell disease after summoning the courage to speak up The singer said he is on a mission to make people living with sickle cell feel safe and feel they have support. Adekunle Gold said he has always been aware of his ailment since he was a child, and notwithstanding, he constantly put himself in situations that made him sick.

 Youths storm Rivers LG secretariats, protest chairmen’s tenure extension Following the expiration of the tenure of the local government chairmen in Rivers State, some youths in the Degema Local Government Area of the state on Monday took over the council headquarters. This came as LG chairmen in the state under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria have vowed to remain in office, citing the Local Government Amendment Law by the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 House of Assembly members empowering them to extend their tenure by six months. The state ALGON Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, who is the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, insisted that the law by the House of Assembly empowers them to remain in office. Recall that the law by the lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, empowers the council chairmen to remain in office over the alleged failure of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to conduct local government election...

 Chief Imam’s Sallah ram stolen in Jos Drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir. Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir. An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers. Yaqub who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”. He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God. The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely bought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night. We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing. “It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.” Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of crimin...

 PRESS RELEASE 2024 WEAAD: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL POLICY ON AGEING WILL ADDRESS ABUSE OF ELDER PEOPLE- ENITAN The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Abel Enitan has stated that the implementation of the National Policy on Ageing will serve as a framework in order to drive the process of mainstreaming emerging issues concerning Older Persons, most especially the issue of Elder Abuse in the Country. The Permanent Secretary stated this during the commemoration of the 2024 World Elders Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), with the theme: "Prioritising Dignity, Safety, and Wellbeing for Older Survivors of all Identities" organized by the ministry in Abuja.  Mr Abel Enitan, represented by the Director Legal Services, Barr Garba Haganawega said that International Days are occasions to mobilise, educate and create awareness to the public on issues of concern in order to address global problems. "The existence of International Days predates the establish...

 PRESS RELEASE  ED-EL-KIBR: GWARZO URGES PILGRIMS TO PRAY FOR NIGERIA, PRESIDENT TINUBU  The Honourable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, has called on Nigerians' pilgrims in Saudi Arabia to pray for the Country and success of  President Bola Ahmad Tinubu's led administration. The Minister made the appeal in his Ed-el-kibr sallah message to Nigerians. He congratulated all Muslim ummah on the occasion of this year's Ed-el-kibr celebration while expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu will do his best to deliver the promises made to Nigerians. Gwarzo explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on the right track to take the country out of the current socio-economic hurdles in the country, adding that so many positive policies were initiated to better the lives of the citizens. He disclosed that the administration has initiated programmes which have direct impact on the society such as Social Housing Fund Sche...

 Sudanese army rejects talks with RSF, vows to fight on Yasir al-Atta, Sudanese Army’s Assistant Commander-in-Chief stated that peace will only be achieved through the defeat of the Rapid Support Forces,  Al-Atta who leads the military operations in  Khartoum told his troops on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha to pay no heed to the media reports and rumours about the resumption of negations stressing that and proposition to return to the negotiating table is met with absolute rejection, according to Sudan Tribune.  “True peace will be achieved through the defeat and surrender of the Janjaweed, the return of foreign Arabs to their countries of origin, and the prosecution of all those who have committed crimes,” he emphasized pointing to the unity of the army leader on this position. Al-Atta underscored in his speech the need to distinguish between the Darfur Arab tribes and the militia the army is fighting. “We are not fighting a tribe. And I hope the Sudanese army will ne...

 ANAMBRA POLICE COMMAND RECORDS YET ANOTHER BREAKTHROUGH INTERCEPTS A GUN RUNNER AND RECOVERS THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE LIVE CARTRIDGES On 15/6/2024 by 1:30 pm, Police Operatives attached to Fegge division while on patrol along Niger Street, Onitsha arrested one Felix Owaya ‘M’ aged 48yrs of Ika south LGA of Delta State and recover three hundred and Seventy-Five live cartridges.  During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was sent by one Mr Charles Ogboma to a man he is yet to mention to collect the ammunition. Meanwhile, the investigation is still ongoing.  The Commissioner of Police, *CP Nnaghe Obono Itam*, while commending Police Officers who made the recovery for their vigilance and tenacity of purpose directs all personnel in the Command to sustain the tempo of crime prevention and detection in service of the people of the State. *SP Tochukwu Ikenga* Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command. Awka. 17th June, 2024. More photos below. 

 Plane Crash: Malawi’s VP funeral convoy kills four, injures 12 mourners A vehicle in the convoy of the late Malawian Vice President, Saulos Chilima’s funeral procession has killed at least four mourners and injured no fewer than 12 persons. The vehicle, which was part of a motorcade conveying the remains of the late VP, rammed into mourners on Sunday night in the Ntcheu community, a village in central Malawi. It was gathered that thousands of mourners had lined up in the streets to catch a glimpse of the vice president’s coffin when the incident happened. The spokesman of the Malawian police, Peter Kalaya confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday morning. “Due to the impact, two female and two male pedestrians sustained severe head injuries and multiple fractures and died whilst receiving treatment,” said a police statement. Recall that a military aircraft conveying Malawi’s Vice President and other top government officials went missing last week after it failed to land. Aft...

 Cori Bush claimed her faith healing helped a sick toddler walk, healed woman's tumors Stories about Missouri Democratic Rep. Cori Bush miraculously healing a woman with tumors and causing a sick toddler to walk have resurfaced.  In her 2022 autobiography "The Forerunner: A Story of Pain and Perseverance in America," Bush wrote about her time working as a faith healer. During that time, the New York Post first reported she claimed that she had an almost supernatural ability within her to heal others. One instance included helping a disabled toddler to walk. "The child had had a bleed in her brain, shortly after she was born, and so couldn’t walk. She had never taken a step in her life," Bush wrote. "I carried the child from the prayer room in the back of the church out into the sanctuary . . . ‘Walk,’ I said gently to the three-year-old girl, ‘you will walk.’ And this girl took her first step. Then another, and another. She walked." "Her grandmoth...

 Florida police officers indicted for manslaughter in 2019 shootout that killed UPS driver, passerby Four Florida police officers have been indicted for manslaughter in the deaths of a UPS driver and a passerby during a 2019 shootout with suspects who hijacked the UPS driver. A grand jury indicted Miami-Dade County officer Rodolfo Mirabal, 39, on two counts of manslaughter with a firearm in connection with the Dec. 5, 2019, deaths of UPS driver Frank Ordonez, 27, and Richard Cutshaw, 70, who was driving nearby, Broward County prosecutors said on Saturday. Officers Jose Mateo, 32, Richard Santiesteban, 33, and Leslie Lee, 57, were indicted for manslaughter with a firearm for Ordonez's death, but they are not facing charges in Cutshaw's death. Mirabal and Mateo still work for Miami-Dade police, while Lee retired three years ago and Santiesteban was terminated, according to the Miami Herald. None of the officers were charged in the deaths of hijackers – and cousins – Lamar Alexand...