PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 28/07/2024 POLICE PRESS RELEASE PLANNED PROTEST: PLATEAU POLICE COMMAND NABS  SUSPECTS INCITING VIOLENCE IN VIRAL TIK TOK VIDEO Following the release of a TikTok video that occupied the social media space, stimulating violence in connection with the planned nationwide protest, the Plateau State Police Command has trailed and arrested the author of the inciting video.  On 27/07/2024, the attention of the Command was drawn to the video putatively emanating from a Tik Tok account, identified as "Dam-Mallam68". The suspect in the video was seen assertively inciting the public  to attack security operatives and burn down critical State and private infrastructures in Plateau State as part of the activities for the protest. Based on the strength of the information, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, *CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, psc* sets tactical assets of the Command on motion to trace and apprehend the source of the mischievous video. Consequently, on 28/07/20...

 Olympic camera operators urged to avoid ‘sexist’ filming of women athletes Women participating in the Paris Games are “elite athletes” whom camera operators should be framing in the same way as men, Olympics broadcasting chief Yiannis Exarchos said on Sunday. Exarchos cited “unconscious bias” leading to more close-up shots of women Olympians at the Games.. The official Olympics broadcaster has urged camera operators to film men and women athletes in the same way to avoid "stereotypes and sexism" creeping into the coverage, its CEO said Sunday.. The Paris Olympics are the first in the 128-year history of the modern Games to reach gender parity among athletes, with women's sport also given more prime-time broadcast spots to help raise its profile.. With the Games now into full swing, the head of Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) said his organisation had updated its guidelines for camera operators, most of whom are men..

  Mali rebels claim major victory over army, Russian mercenaries Tuareg separatists say they ‘obliterated’ enemy columns and seized a large amount of equipment and weapons.. A mainly Tuareg separatist coalition has claimed a major victory over Mali’s army and its Russian allies following three days of intense fighting in a district on the Algerian border.. “Our forces decisively obliterated these enemy columns on Saturday,” said a statement by Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD) alliance on Sunday..

Ifa worshippers debunk claims Yoruba race encouraged slavery.  The International Council for Ifa Religion, on Sunday, called for caution against false statements made on social media regarding slavery in old Yoruba history.. ICIR, in a statement by its President, Fayemi Fakayode, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, said that incorrect assertions about Yoruba culture and tradition must be corrected to prevent them from negatively influencing younger generations of the tribe.. He said, “We are issuing this statement to address the grossly misleading, false and harmful statements made by Erelu Lola Ayorinde on various social media platforms and in interviews.. “Her persistent assertions that the Yoruba race encouraged slavery are not only historically inaccurate and false but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes, damaging the reputation of the Yoruba people..

 In Monguno: Zulum distributes food, agric input to 35,000 families ... Shares N450m, wrappers to 45,000 widows, vulnerable women Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Sunday, supervised the distribution of food items and agricultural inputs to over 35,000 male heads of household in Monguno Local Government area in the northern part of the state. Each of the 35,000 beneficiaries received one bag of 25kg of rice and cowpeas to enable them cultivate their farmlands. Zulum noted that the rice package was part of the 20 trucks donated by the federal government to the state to alleviate the hardship faced by people due to high cost of food items. He said, “We are in Monguno town mainly for two functions, first to distribute food items provided to the government of Borno State by the federal government. 20 trucks of rice were given to us, and this morning, we distributed all of them to this community.  “In addition to this, we have also distributed seeds, as most of them do...

 EFCC Hosts 1st  INTERPORL/ JICA Workshop  in Abuja As a mark of its cooperation and collaboration with international law enforcement agencies,  the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  will, on Monday July 29, 2024 host the 1st International Criminal Police Organisation, INTERPOL/ Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA’s Workshop at its Academy in Karu, Abuja. The Workshop, jointly implemented by the INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre,  IFACC, and JICA, is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria  to combat financial crimes.  The inaugural Workshop will be held between Monday,  July 29, 2024 and Thursday,  August 1, 2024. The Workshop will draw participants from international and local law enforcement agencies.  Officers of the Nigeria Police Force,  EFCC,  Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit,   NFIU and other critical agencies are expe...

 Wow, what a night. Thanks to everyone at @paris2024, @olympics and @dior who helped make this dream come true. And now, it’s already time to go!  I will miss you Paris! - Celine xx… PC 📸: Dee Amore @designedbydeeamore. One more photo below. 

 ALIA: I'II SOON EXPOSE ABUJA POLITICIANS FUELING INSECURITY IN BENUE  28th July, 2024      Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has blamed the insecurity bedeviling Sankera region of the state on unnamed ‘Abuja Politicians’ whom he alleged are sponsoring the outlaws to kill their own people. Alia also called on unions, groups and individuals intending to join the planned August 1st, 2024 planned protest across the country to shelve the idea and instead bring forth their demands for government to look into them. He spoke to journalists on Sunday shortly after Mass at the Chapel of Grace in Government House, Makurdi. The governor said Benue residents would not be participating in the demonstration by unidentified groups across the country who are citing hardship and bad governance as the reason for their protest. He said it was imperative for the planned protest to be shelved in the state considering the fragile security in Sankera axis which consists of three l...

 Sinead O'Conner's official cause of death released 1 year after her untimely passing. Sinead O'Conner passed away back in July of 2023, and although there was much speculation at the time, many speculated or alluded to her ending her own life, the official cause of death has been finally released. On her death certificate that was obtained by the Irish Independent, the official cause of death is listed as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma. Sinead was a very popular and a one-of-a-kind icon from the 90's to present day. She is missed by many.

An enormous wildfire has grown by 8 sq miles an hour (20 sq km) as it spreads across parts of northern California. The Park fire, which started on Wednesday in a suspected arson attack, has burned more than 348,000 acres of land north-east of Chico, and was 0% contained on Saturday, the state's fire agency Cal Fire said. About 2,500 firefighters are battling the blaze, which has been fuelled by steep terrain and wind gusts. A 42-year-old man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of starting the fire by rolling a burning car into a gully near Alligator Hole in Butte County. It is now the largest fire in the state this year, and has consumed an area more than 1.5 times the size of New York City’s five boroughs. Cal Fire incident commander Billy See said the fire has been spreading at a rate of 5,000 acres an hour. Officials arrested Ronnie Dean Stout, 42, and accused him of "calmly leaving the area by blending in with the other citizens who were in the area and fleeing the rapid...

 They have Pay Them, They cannot Talk true Reactions as Jide Kosoko declares his love for Tinubu In a recent interview with former skit maker Bae-U, veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko was asked about his thoughts on the current government and voting rights. Jide Kosoko said that no one was forced to vote for President Tinubu, and that he himself voted for him willingly. The veteran actor went on to say that President Tinubu was working well, and that of only people understood what it meant to repair a country, they would appreciate him. Bae-U also asked Jide Kosoko whether he voted for Tinubu because he was a Yoruba man, and that he likes to wear ‘Agbada’, the actor responded by saying that he voted because he has known President Tinubu for a long time. Jide Kosoko also said that the democracy Nigerians are enjoying today is because President Tinubu was among the people that fought for it. The veteran actor’s declaration of love for Tinubu didn’t sit well with a lot of people, as ...

 It’s a red flag if he doesn’t pamper or dress you like this” – Anita Joseph tells ladies as her husband styles her for an outing Nollywood actress Anita Joseph is undoubtedly a pampered wife as she said a word of prayer for her younger husband, MC Fish. Taking to her Instagram page to share a loved-up photo, Anita prayed for God to bless her husband as he is an intentional man. Admonishing ladies, she stated that it is a big red flag if their partner doesn’t pamper or dress them as hers does. “God should help me. Bless my husband. If he does not pamper you or dress you up like this. “ Na red Flag oh Shallom kpichicom”. Taking to her comment section, many gushed over the couple.

 Egypt warns against opening new war front in Lebanon, calls for Gaza cease-fire Egypt warned Sunday of the risks of opening a new war front in Lebanon and called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reported.  The warning followed the death of 12 people in a missile attack in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in Israel-occupied Golan Heights. While Israel has blamed Hezbollah for Saturday’s attack, the Lebanese group denied any responsibility. In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said opening a new war front in Lebanon “could drag the region into an all-out regional war.” It underlined the importance of “supporting Lebanon, its people, and its institutions, and sparing the country the horrors of war.” The statement called on influential powers “to intervene immediately to spare the peoples of the region further disastrous consequences of the expansion of the conflict, which may pose a threat to international peace and security." It called for re...

.Nollywood Actor Turned Lawyer And Politician, Kenneth Okonkwo Cuts Ties With Peter Obi, Calls him Weak And  Indecisive Leader.  In his words: ”I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi. I am always 100% loyal to a leader wherever I am working or following the leader. At any time I have doubts and can no longer offer 100% loyalty to him, I will respectfully let him know. ”When I joined myself to his campaign, now that I can not guarantee my support for his future aspirations, I believe I owe it to everyone to let everyone know. ”With this declaration, I am free to embark on negotiation and consultation with every like-minded people to determine the next step in my political journey, which does not include joining APC or PDP for now, but includes, and not limited to the consolidation of Labour Party. ”We need a solid political party with a solid grassroots base to be able to wrestle power from these kakistocrats and k...

 Libya unified government opens nominations for the position of PM Libya’s House of Representatives on Sunday announced the opening of nominations for prime minister of a unified government, the Libyan News Agency reported.  Those wishing to run are invited to submit their nomination documents at HoR headquarters in Benghazi starting on Sunday, until Aug. 11. The statement called on members of parliament and the Tripoli-based High Council of State, which acts as a senate, to nominate qualified candidates for the post.

  Some are saying that they were not representing The Last Supper, that they were representing an ancient Greek Bacchanal, but the Olympics and press all over the world are saying something different.  The PARIS (AP) in France wrote, "Paris Olympics organizers say they meant no disrespect with 'Last Supper' tableau...Paris Olympics organizers apologized Sunday to anyone who was offended by a tableau that evoked Leonardo da Vinci's “The Last Supper” during the glamorous opening ceremony. The New York Post said, "US tech company pulls Olympics ads after opening ceremony ‘mockery of the Last Supper’. Other news said, "US and world leaders denounce Paris Olympics opening ceremony's mocking of Last Supper."  This disrespectful reenactment is unacceptable, and those of us that think this should not have been done need to let our voices be heard.

 TRADITIONAL HEALTHCARE: LSTMB GRADUATES 90 PRACTITIONERS ACROSS DIVERSE FIELDS In its continuous effort to sustain quality healthcare service delivery to Lagosians as well as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's  THEMES Plus Developmental Agenda under the Health and Environment pillar, the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSEMB) has graduated 90 new practitioners across diverse fields. The graduation ceremony was held on Thursday at the Board's premises after the completion of an intensive six-week compulsory orientation course by Traditional Birth Attendants, General Practice and Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine practitioners. The Registrar of the Board, Prince Babatunde Adele, in his address at the event, emphasised the significance of safeguarding their certificates and refraining from sharing them with third parties. He equally encouraged graduates to inspire others to partake in capacity-building initiatives to foster continuous professional growth with...

 LAGOS MAY INTRODUCE SMART BINS TO COMBAT INDISCRIMINATE WASTE DISPOSAL ...as Traditional chief, baba oja, more residents clamour for return of monthly sanitation exercise As Lagos State Government intensifies its monthly sanitation awareness programme, it has hinted of plans to introduce smart waste bins for every tenement in the state. This statement was made by the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu when he led other state officials during the ongoing weekly sanitation awareness and cleaning exercise held at Ajeromi Local Government adding that indiscriminate Waste disposal is a major contributor to prevalence of communicable diseases. Akodu who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr. Gaji Omobolaji and Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services Engr Mahamood Adegbite said the issue of a cleaner environment is a serious issue that requires the collective effort of Government and the Citizens. Akodu said the Sm...

 Canada women's soccer coach Bev Priestman has been suspended from coaching for one year and the Canadian team has been penalized six points during the Olympics, FIFA announced Saturday after investigating charges that Canada staff members used a drone to spy on an opponent's closed practice session last week. The penalties are significant. For the Canadian team, which is hoping to defend the gold medal it won at the Tokyo Olympics, a six-point penalty will make it very difficult to advance to the knockout rounds, while Priestman -- who coached as an assistant under Phil Neville with England's women's national team before taking over Canada in 2020 -- is prohibited from "taking part in any football-related activity" for 12 months. The sanctions, which also included a fine to the Canadian federation of about $226,000, were for violating "the applicable FIFA regulations in connection with its failure to ensure the compliance ... with the prohibition on flyi...

 GOV. OTTI AND MR. PETER OBI SPEAKS ON THE PLANNED HARDSHIP PROTEST IN NIGERIA.  The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, and the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election have expressed their views about the planned hardship prøtests by Nigerians beginning on August 1st.  The two Political Leaders who have given Nigerians so much hope and believe in a better Nigeria spoke to the Press in the Country Home of Governor Otti at Umuehim Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government area of Abia State after a Private Breakfast Meeting between both leaders.  Both Leaders agreed that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows for peace prøtests and equally agreed that prøtest must be done within the ambits of the law. Governor Otti expressed worry that the prøtests may be hijacked by unpatriotic elements thereby creating more problems than the reason for the protests.  According to Governor Otti, “Protests are allowed on...

 PLANNED NATIONWIDE PROTEST: GOV ALIA URGES UNIONS, GROUPS TO SHELVE IDEA IN BENUE  28th July, 2024       Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has called on unions, groups and individuals intending to join the planned August 1st, 2024 protest across the country, to shelve the idea, bring forth their demands and give the government a chance to look into them.  Governor Alia stated this on Sunday, July 28th, 2024, shortly after Mass at the Chapel of Grace, Government House Makurdi. Recall that August 1st, 2024 has been muted as the planned date for demonstration by unidentified groups across the country, who are citing hardship and bad governance as the reason for their protest.  Commenting on the issue, Governor Alia said it was imperative for the planned protest to be shelved in the state and country, especially as the present government is trying its best to put smiles on the faces of the people. He commended the State Commissioner of Po...

 PRESS RELEASE RE: POLICE IG ACCUSED OF TRYING TO REWRITE CONSTITUTION: NPF SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT Educates Adeyanju, Other Accusers on Police's Constitutional Responsibility in Public Order The Nigeria Police Force hereby addresses the recent accusations made by one activist, Deji Adeyanju, and others via various fora, alleging that the IGP is attempting to rewrite the Constitution by requesting the details of the organizers and leaders of the planned nationwide protests. It is vital to clarify that the IGP has never denied the constitutional right of every citizen to freedom of association and expression, but has rather, at every point, emphasized that the right is that to peaceful assembly and expression. Also, the Nigeria Police holds the responsibility to ensure that any activity, including protests, does not pose a threat to national security.  In this wise, requesting the details of protest organizers and their leaders and the schedules of their protests which include...

 Tinubu’s daughter to traders: There’s no protest in Lagos… don’t let your children get killed     Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, has asked traders in Lagos state to deter their children from joining the planned nationwide protest. Tinubu-Ojo, who is the Iyaloja-general of Lagos, urged the women to ensure that their children stay at home, adding that the state government has made significant progress in enriching the lives of the people. Citing the #EndSARS protest, Tinubu-Ojo said people are yet to recover from the losses incurred during the protest in 2020. “Let’s tell ourselves, family, and children that there is nothing like protest in Lagos. It is a gimmick to destroy the country,” she said on Saturday at Dosunmu market. “Look at what they did during the last protest (#EndSARS), look at how they burnt government properties. Can you see that they are fighting against us? “Don’t allow any political party to give money to some persons to fight. ...

 Lagos: “E no go work” – Joe Igbokwe reacts as Sowore unveils anti-govt protest venue, time A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe has vehemently rejected the plan by a group of Nigerians to extend the planned nationwide protests to Lagos State. DAILY POST reports that one of the key organizers of the protest, Omoyele Sowore on his verified Facebook page on Sunday revealed where the protesters would convene. According to him, in Lagos State, the venue for the protest scheduled for August 1 to 10 would be the state Secretariat in Alausa. He wrote, “#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, LAGOS is READY! Venue: Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa Time: 7am”. In another post, Sowore said, in Edo State, the meeting point for the protest would be “Museum Ground, King’s Square, Ring Road, Benin City”. Commenting on the last post, Igbokwe said the Lagos venue will not work, stressing that the 2020 EndSARS protest almost destroyed the state. He wrote, “To Alausa? Oga e no go work a...

 LASG ANNOUNCES TRAFFIC DIVERSION FROM OSBORNE/DOLPHIN TO SURA, ADENIJI-ADELE LINK BRIDGE FOR ROAD ASPHALT PAVEMENT The Lagos State Government has announced that traffic will be diverted from Osborne/Dolphin Estate to Sura enroute Adeniji-Adele Link Bridge from 12.00 am tonight, Saturday, 27th July to 5.00 am on Monday, 29th July, 2024 for asphalt pavement of the road. Consequently, Motorists are advised to use the following alternative routes: Scene 1                                                                                       Motorists from Osborne/Dolphin Estate are advised to connect Sura Link Bridge to Adeniji-Adele to access the Third Mainland Bridge to continue with their journeys Scene 2 Motorists from the State House at Marina are to connect Obalen...

 Boko Haram Fighters Raid Borno Police Station, Gun Down Officers, Loot Armoury Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked Jakana Police station in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, killing a policeman and a woman, while carting away arms and ammunition. According to security sources, the insurgents also set ablaze two patrol vehicles and a motorcycle. Our correspondent gathered that the attackers, who took the security operatives by surprise, arrived at the police station around 1:00am and engaged in a gun duel with the officers until 3:00 am “They overpowered them and gained access into the police station and looted arms and ammunition and destroyed 2 patrol vehicles.” “One of the vehicles belong to the police and the other for the members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)” a source said. Chairman of Konduga Local government, Hon Abbas Ali Abari, confirmed the attack to journalists, promising to provide details as soon as he gets them. Efforts to speak with the P...

 Ibara Regeneration Scheme: You Can't Resell Your Land, Ogun Govt Tells Allottees  Ogun State Government has warned allotees of the Ibara Regeneration Scheme not to sell their land once allocated as doing so would defeat the purpose of the scheme. Speaking at a Stakeholders' meeting in Abeokuta on Saturday, the Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Jamiu Omoniyi, said the state government intends to give the state a world-class new city that would be the pride of all. According to him, the plan of the state government is to recreate Banana Island or Parkview Estates in Ogun State with the Ibara scheme as the starting point. He said that the present administration's vision is to revolutionize housing in the state, adding that the caveat attached to the allocation mandate allottees to start construction immediately while any attempt to resell the land would be met with immediate revocation. He said: "This administration intends to create another estate that will be better...

 "Is it your turn to suffer us?" Online activist Verydarkman raises questions as he kicks off his protest. Photo credit: @verydarkblackman/Instagram. Watch video below.

 ‘It’ll be hijacked by criminals’ – Police Affairs Minister begs youths to shun planned protest The Minister of State, Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has pleaded with youths in the country to shun the planned nationwide protest. In a statement she signed on Sunday, the minister said she acknowledge the frustrations that drive the desire to protest but added that the narratives accompanying the planned protest, and its faceless nature, makes it look like those that often lead to destruction and chaos, which could set the nation back. She called on Nigerians to exercise some patience in what she described as ‘ a painful process’ that is poised to birth a prosperous Nigeria. The minister said, “Consider the power of peaceful engagement, dialogue, and collaboration over protest and confrontation. “We have engaged you and other members of local communities in multiple ongoing town halls, we feel the pulse, we have taken stock, and we have now developed a transformative roadmap ...

 Aremo Alao Gets Federal Appointment A former two- time Commissioner in Osun State, Aremo Adekunle Alao, has been appointed as a Federal Commissioner representing Osun State, in the Federal Public Complaints Commission. His name was among the 22 nominees sent for appointment as Chairman and Members of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) by President Bola Tinubu and as announced on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in compliance with Section 2(1) of the Public Complaints Commission Establishment Act. The new Federal Commissioner holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Jos. The appointment is for a five year term renewable for a second term subject to the confirmation of the National Assembly.