PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 PRESS RELEASE  NPF CLARIFIES TRENDING TERRORISTS VIDEO, WARNS AGAINST DISINFORMATION, ATTEMPT TO GENERATE PANIC AMONGST CITIZENS, RESIDENTS OF NIGERIA The Nigeria Police Force hereby addresses a trending video depicting a group of persons suspected to be armed terrorists carrying assault rifles and other dangerous weapons with a commentary in Hausa language claiming they were migrating from Benin Republic to Nigeria, which has recently gained significant attention in the news and caused widespread concern. After thorough and detailed video graphic analysis conducted by the NPF Cybercrime Centre, it has been confirmed that the video in question was originally created and circulated on 28th May, 2018. Our findings reveal that the video was recently reposted with a misleading narrative and deliberate intention to cause unnecessary panic and disruption within the country. While urging the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, the Nigeria Police Force i...

Real housewives of Atlanta star Kenya confirmed on X after re-posted what  one of good friend Anthony Dominic shared on his X.   "Very proud of Kenya for stepping away from #RHOA. As a fan, it’s tough to see her go, but as a friend, I completely understand. To truly know Kenya is to truly love Kenya, and I hope more people get to see how amazing she is in her future endeavors. 🍑⚔️" ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE: As it turns out, Kenya Moore has been officially fired from RHOA,  Insiders told the outlet that production is trying to pull the scenes she has already taped, and there are no plans for her to return to the show or be involved in any other projects. Now, Porsha Williams is slated to be the marquee star of the series ahead of Season 16, while other former stars like Phaedra Parks and Shereé Whitfield could return with their own peaches yet again. Cynthia Bailey is already confirmed to return as a friend of the show, but she c...

 Copa América referee collapses on field during Canada vs Peru match amid soaring temps in Kansas City A terrifying scene unfolded during Tuesday’s Copa América match between Canada and Peru when an assistant referee suddenly collapsed on the field amid scorching temperatures.  Humberto Panjoj suffered a medical emergency during stoppage time in the first half of Canada’s 1-0 win over Peru.  Panjoj, who had been running on the non-shaded part of the stadium in Kansas City, collapsed on the field and appeared to remain motionless. Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau immediately ran over and motioned for medical attention.  Panjoj managed to stand briefly before being taken off the field on a stretcher.  According to The Kansas City Star, Crepeau said after the match that he had seen the official fall, and he quickly turned his attention away from the game to focus on Panjoj’s health.  "At that point, football does not matter," he said.  "I was happy that h...

 Canada's Trudeau to remain in office despite loss of key seat in special election Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made clear on Tuesday he would stay in office amid fresh questions about his future after the ruling Liberal Party lost a safe seat in a special election. The official opposition Conservatives won the race in the Toronto-St Paul's constituency for first time since 1988. The election was called after the previous legislator quit. The victory marked the first time since 2015 that the Conservatives had broken the Liberals' control of vote-rich Toronto, which is home to dozens of seats and key to Trudeau's hold on power. "I hear people's concerns and frustrations. These are not easy times and it is clear I and my entire Liberal team have much more hard work to do," Trudeau told reporters in Vancouver. "My focus is on your success and that's where it's going to stay," he added. The next federal election must be held by end-...

 Anti-Israel protester turns himself in after threatening subway passengers An anti-Israel protester sought by law enforcement in New York City has turned himself in to face charges. Anas Saleh turned himself in on Wednesday morning at the New York Police Department's Transit District 2, Fox News Digital has learned.  Saleh is being charged via a criminal complaint with coercion after harassing strangers on a city subway. NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said Saleh and other protesters entered a subway car and shouted at other passengers, "Raise your hands if you’re a Zionist. Repeat after me, this is your chance to get out!" The incident occurred on June 10 just after 6 p.m. on the 5 train in Union Square. A group of masked protesters held the train doors while chanting, police said. No arrests were made that night. Saleh was given a desk appearance ticket, which means he now has a specific date and time to return to court to face the criminal charge against him. Tha...

  Governor Kefas Approves Bursary for 63 Taraba State Law Students. Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas has graciously approved the disbursement of bursaries worth 400,000 naira each to 63 Law students from Taraba State, studying at the Nigerian Law School across the country. This decision is part of his commitment to free education, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder educational opportunities for our youths. Governor Kefas remains dedicated to supporting the academic aspirations of Taraba State’s students.

 Fire guts section of Dangote refinery Fire guts section of Dangote refinery A section of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has been gutted by fire.  The incident occurred on Wednesday. Speaking to TheCable, Anthony Chiejina, a spokesperson at Dangote Industries Limited, said the incident occurred at the effluent treatment plant (ETP).  An ETP is a type of wastewater treatment method which is specifically designed to purify industrial wastewater for its reuse — to release safe water to the environment from the harmful effects caused by the effluent. He said the fire had been contained, adding that it was a minor incident. “We have swiftly contained a minor fire incident at our effluent treatment plant (ETP), today Wednesday 26th of June,” Chiejina said. “There is no cause for alarm as the refinery is operating and there is no recorded injury or body harm to all our staff on duty.” Dangote refinery, on January 12, commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel. The 650,000 ...

 Kenyan president declines assent to controversial finance bill amid protests Kenyan President William Ruto has declined to assent to the controversial finance bill that has caused protests in the East African country. The Kenyan president said on Wednesday that he decided not to sign the finance bill after reflecting on the continuing conversation around its content. Ruto’s decision came after Tuesday‘s violent protests that left over 23 people dead as demonstrators breached the national assembly for the first time in Kenya’s history. The president condemned the act, describing it as treasonable, and vowed that the state would respond fully. In the early days of the protest, an unfazed Ruto urged parliament to sign the bill, noting that the law was part of his efforts to ensure that Kenya’s economy improves. Ruto, who had offered to talk to protesters, later said the conversation around the bill had been “hijacked by dangerous people.” The president’s turnaround to send the bill b...

 Edo: Speaker orders Deputy Majority Leader out of plenary over improper dressing There was a mild drama at plenary session at the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday as the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Natasha Osawaru, was ordered to leave the plenary for improper dressing and wearing of a dark shade. The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, ordered the lawmaker who is representing Egor Constituency to leave the session following a point of order raised by Nicholas Asonsere, representing Ikpoba Okha Constituency. In his point of order, Asonsere said the Deputy Majority Leader’s mode of dressing was against the rules of the House. “This hallowed chamber is a sacred home. We will not continue to accept or allow anybody to bring it to disrepute. “We have tolerated enough of the attitude and behaviour of some honourable members so to speak, and if we did not correct this now, it would become a precedent for others to emulate, if not now, in the near future. “Please, M...

  ASUU issues 2 weeks ultimatum to Nigerian Govt over 2009 agreement The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, University of Uyo branch, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to honour the 2009 renegotiated agreement it had with the union or risk industrial action. In a public sensitization protest on Wednesday at the University of Uyo town campus, the Chairperson of ASUU, Prof Opeyemi Olajide, recalled that in 2022, public universities embarked on eight months strike over the outstanding issues and had to come back to classrooms in obedience to the rule of law. He expressed regrets that two years after, the Federal Government is not willing to honour the agreement and attend to their demands. The chairperson explained that the union reached out to relevant authorities to intervene and make government do the needful to avert any disruption to academic activities, but, there was no positive result stressing that if after two weeks nothing was done, the unio...

  Tinubu not discriminating against North — Shettima Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said that President Bola Tinubu is not working against the interests of Northern Nigeria. Shettima made this statement on Wednesday in Kano while receiving a Federal Government’s delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Bajabiamila, on a condolence visit over the death of his mother-in-law. Hajiya Maryam Abubakar. The vice-president cited the appointment of the two Ministers of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chairman of Police Service Commission, among others, all from the North, as evidence of the president’s commitment to the region’s growth. He, therefore, called on Nigerians to support Tinubu’s efforts to make Nigeria great, stressing that governance transcends political party affiliations. Shettima emphasized that the country’s unity and progress were more important than party differences. He cited the support he received from the Kano State Government, led ...

 Kenyan protesters vow to continue demonstrations after violent clashes leave 23 dead Kenyan protesters vowed on Wednesday to keep up their demonstrations against new tax hikes, a day after violent clashes outside parliament and across the country left at least 23 people dead and scores wounded. As heavily armed police patrolled the streets of the capital Nairobi on Wednesday, supporters of the week-old protest movement took to X, using the hashtag #tutanethursday, or "see you on Thursday" in a mix of Swahili and English. An online outpouring of anger over tax increases has swelled into a nationwide protest movement calling for a political overhaul, in the most serious crisis of President William Ruto's two-year-old presidency. Police opened fire on crowds who massed around parliament on Tuesday and later broke into the assembly's compound, minutes after lawmakers had voted through the contentious tax measures. The Nation newspaper documented protests in at least 35 o...

 New Jersey man killed by lightning strike trying to warn beachgoing kids of impending storm A New Jersey man died in Seaside Park over the weekend when he was struck by lightning while trying to warn a group of kids about a dangerous thunderstorm.  Patrick Dispoto, 59, made sure his girlfriend, Ruth Fussel, was safe in their car before returning to J Street Beach on Sunday evening, the woman told News 12 New Jersey.  He went back up the dune and onto the sand to warn a group of kids about the incoming storm. No lifeguards were on duty, Fussel told the outlet.  Seaside Park Police told the Asbury Park Press that Dispoto was found unconscious on the beach around 7:38 p.m. CPR was performed on the scene, they said, before he was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead around 9 p.m.  An autopsy confirmed on Tuesday that Dispoto died an accidental death caused by lightning, News 12 reported.  The beach was closed at the time, Seaside Park Police told the ...

 Ukraine's Zelenskyy visits troops on front lines under pressure from Russia's onslaught Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on Wednesday visited troops in the eastern Donetsk region who have weathered fierce Russian ground and air assaults in recent months. The Kremlin's army has escalated its efforts to dislodge exhausted and outgunned Ukrainian forces holding eastern and northeastern areas. It aims to capture more land during spring and summer as muddy fields have dried out, allowing heavy military equipment to roll into key positions across the countryside. Russia illegally annexed parts of Donetsk and three other regions in 2022 shortly after it invaded Ukraine, and the Kremlin regards taking control of all of Donetsk as a priority. Moscow is looking to exploit its advantages in troops and weaponry before Ukraine can get promised additional Western supplies to the front.  Civilians have also felt the force of Russia'...

 Pope Francis calls liberalization of drug laws a ‘fantasy’ and brands traffickers as ‘murderers’ Pope Francis has spoken out against the liberalization of drug laws, calling such policies a "fantasy" and branding drug traffickers as "murderers." Francis used his weekly catechism lesson to discuss substance abuse as he marked the United Nation's International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, according to The Daily Mail. "A reduction in drug addiction is not achieved by liberalizing drug use, as has been proposed, or already implemented, in some countries," he said. "This is a fantasy. You liberalize, they just consume more." Francis said he was convinced it is a "moral duty" to end the trafficking and production of "dangerous substances." He called those behind such crimes "murderers" and "traffickers of death." Francis said they must repent and relinquish their yearning for power and mon...

 Ph.D. student specializing in depression charged with killing friend’s infant while babysitting twins Two parents put their twin babies' lives in the hands of a "trusted family friend," who allegedly killed one of the boys and abused the other, according to prosecutors. Nicole Virzi, a fifth-year Ph.D. student specializing in research about depression's effect on human behavior, babysat 6-week-old twin boys, Leon and Ari Katz, on June 16.  That's the day Leon died. Virzi said he fell from his bouncer chair after she woke up from a nap and walked away to get a bottle. But doctors who examined the baby's injuries found a skull fracture on the left side of his head and several brain bleeds "consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse," WTAE reported.  Virzi, 29, was arrested by police near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she was babysitting the kids, and charged with homicide, three counts of aggravated assault and two counts of ch...

 Any amount above ₦62k as minimum wage will create job losses - NECA The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) says any amount above ₦62,000 approved as a minimum will create job losses. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA said this while speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja. He spoke on the sidelines of the third edition of the Nigeria Employers Summit with the theme, “Economic Renaissance: Harnessing Government Reforms and Private Sector Agility,” Oyerinde said that the organised private sector cannot afford above ₦62,000 as agreed during the tripartite committee negotiation meetings. According to him, any figure above ₦62,000 will create two different dynamics – setting the tone for non-compliance and attendant litigations -. He stressed that setting a national minimum wage that will take away the ability to pay will set the stage for litigation and crisis. On the allegation of delay in the process, Oyerinde said that there was no delay as the p...

 We’ll pay salary arrears in tranches — Abia govt The Abia government has said it would pay salary arrears owed workers in the state civil service in tranches. The Commissioner for Finance, Mr Mike Akpara, made this known on Tuesday during a press conference in Umuahia. Akpara expressed the determination of the present administration to completely change the narrative of owing workers salaries because “a worker deserves his wages.” According to him, the present administration inherited a debt of N16.5 billion in salary arrears owed workers in state-owned institutions of learning. He said that the government had resolved to clear the arrears and ensured that the advancement it recorded in other sectors of the economy would be sustained. “We need to jumpstart the economy of the state, and for the velocity of money to improve in Abia, we need to stop going to bed by 7 pm. “For salary arrears, the governor has set up machinery in motion to ensure that salary arrears would become a thin...

 P/H failed bomb: Prime suspect found, hospitalized The prime suspect in the failed detonation of an explosive device outside the perimeter fence of Hotel Presidential along Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway during a protest on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has been nabbed, revived and is now receiving intensive care at the State University Teaching Hospital. According to the state government’s press statement on Wednesday, the suspect is alleged to be part of a group of protesters loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and supporters of former elected local government chairmen whose tenure elapsed at midnight on June 17, 2024. Already, tight security has been mounted by officers and men of the Rivers State Police Command in and around the facility as part of the police mandate to secure law-abiding citizens, particularly patients and staff of the facility. Addressing newsmen at the facility Tuesday night, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, sa...

 REMARKS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS, fnipr, AT A BOOK PRESENTATION OF “WRITING FOR MEDIA AND MONETISING IT” BY AZU ISHIEKWENE, HELD IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY, 26TH JUNE, 2024   Protocol: Distinguished Guests,   Let me specially welcome you all to this event to mark the launch of the book, ‘Writing for Media and Monetizing It’, written by Azu Ishiekwene, writer, editor, administrator, publisher, a mentor and role model to many, and the current Senior Vice Chairman and Editor-In-Chief of the very respected LEADERSHIP Media Group.   It is my pleasure to be here today as Chairman of this occasion, and I would like to thank Azu and his publishers, Premium Times Books, for the honour. I will start by highlighting two significant things Azu has accomplished, with regards to this book.   First is the very act of writing the book; of taking the time to pen something that is destined to become an industry classic. A very...

 Press Release  RMAFC Chairman commends outgoing Federal Commissioners .... Members call for financial autonomy. The Honourable Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission,  RMAFC, Honourable Muhammed Bello Shehu, OFR, has commended the outgoing Honourable members for their patriotism and commitment to nation-building through their effort to ensure that the commission is brought to a world class standard.  Honourable Shehu stated this during the valedictory plenary organised in honour of the twenty outgoing members of the commission whose tenure expires today 26th June, 2024 . He said, *"It has been our wish to reposition this Commission to become a worldclass Revenue Mobilisation Commission since we came here, we are still working in progress,  we have tried, we are trying and we will continue to try"*. The Chairman recalled the extraordinary support that they rendered to the Commission through their contribution to the various Committees ...

 POST ANSEC BRIEFING OF THE 18TH ANAMBRA STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 25TH OF JUNE, 2024 AT ANSEC CHAMBER, AWKA Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) received two (2) strategic presentations today from external sources. First was a presentation on the framework for the establishment of the Anambra Development and Investment Corporation (ADIC). This was done by CardinalStone and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). The presentation focused on a comprehensive framework for the transformation of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA)  from just an investment agency to one that can begin and grow businesses; raise, manage and invest funds for Anambra State.  The second presentation was on the blueprint for the development of the Anambra Mixed-use City (AMIC) prepared and presented by representatives from ARTELIA Consulting Engineering Ltd. The proposed location for this project is Orumba North LGA and the aim is to bring the Anamb...

 *Soludo Invites Illustrious Sons and Daughters of Anambra State To Embrace Public Community Private Partnership* By Paul Nwosu It is crystal clear to all that we are living in an era where the value of the scarce financial resources available to governments around the country has drastically dropped, comparative to what it used to be. This has compelled States, including our own dear Anambra, to become more resourceful by looking inward. And the only way to go is of course Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), but that is for only those who have the fat cows to produce the milk. Anambra State happens to belong to this very privileged club, after Lagos and the three major oil-producing States. With an estimated N20-trillion size economy in terms of GDP, it is expected that Anambra State Government revenue from taxes alone should go a long way to significantly buoy up the State’s treasury. When the now devalued receivables from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Abuja, a...

 GOV. SANWO-OLU MARKS 59TH BIRTHDAY WITH CHILDREN LIVING WITH DISABILITIESl    •Holds Thanksgiving service with family, cabinet members     Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, celebrated his 59th birthday on Tuesday with children living with disabilities at Lagos House, Ikeja.   The birthday event organised by the Lagos State Executive Council was attended by about 250 special needs students and their teachers, who sang various Thanksgiving songs and displayed their talents to celebrate Governor Sanwo-Olu.   The Governor, accompanied by his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, cut his birthday cake surrounded by the children with special needs from different schools in Lagos State.   He pledged to continue to prioritise the welfare and access of children, particularly those with special needs, to qualitative and free education in the State.   Governor Sanwo-Olu, who clocked 59 on Jun...

 Dubai Police Celebrates Senior Citizens on Father's Day   The Child and Woman Protection Department of Dubai Police marked International Father's Day with a visit to the Thukher Social Club in Al Safa Park.   This initiative, which was attended by Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Ali Muhammad Al Matrooshi, Director of the Child and Women Protection Department, and Khalid Husain Abdullah, Director of Thukher Club , honoured fathers' vital role in their families and society.   Dubai Police team presented gifts to the senior citizens, creating a joyful atmosphere. One more photo below. 

 ICC convicts Mali Islamist for Timbuktu atrocities Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) convicted a Malian Islamist on Wednesday of war crimes and crimes against humanity for being a central figure in the Islamic police that flogged residents of Timbuktu during a 2012 rebel takeover. In a summary of their verdict, judges said Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz played an important role in the Ansar Dine Islamist group which took the city on the fringe of the Sahara desert in 2012 and tried to impose sharia Islamic law, according to Reuters. Local inhabitants testified that he was considered a key player within the Islamic police force who could issue orders and police officers would carry them out. "Al Hassan has been found guilty by majority decision of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including torture, cruel treatment and outrages upon personal dignity, for the public flogging of 13 members of the population" of Timbuktu, Presiding judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua s...