PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Legendary Felix Duke to be awarded , NFFG/NEGA  Awards in Frankfurt Germany  Reported by- *Kelvin Ubaka* Legendary Nigerian music act Amb. Felix Duke is set to join several other Entertainment industry stars in Frankfurt Germany for this year’s celebration of the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA). Felix Duke who is also the President of the Creative Industry Group of Nigeria (CIG) disclosed this during a recent chat with newsmen where he called on all his fans and well wishers to catch him live at the event. The “Johana” monster hit crooner who is also set to be awarded at the event expressed his appreciation to the organisers promising that attendees should be ready for a swell time. The multiple awards winner also added that having won several awards both home and abroad, it is a great feeling to be considered for another coveted award outside the shores of our land.  The organiser of the event Ehi Izoya had earlier s...

 Aftermath of Violent Protest: Governor Inuwa Inspects Damaged Infrastructure,  Facilities in Gombe … Directs SEMA to Assess Level of Destruction, Assures of Government's Support ...Urges Residents to go about their Lawful Businesses, as Normalcy Returns  Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has on Friday, toured some damaged facilities to assess the level of destruction caused by the violent protest in Gombe metropolis.  During the visit, Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed concern over the extensive damage inflicted on both public and private properties while assuring the people of the government's commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the state. “I have gone round to personally assess the extensive damage caused by the violent protest. From what I have seen, the destruction is enormous.  Not just public facilities, businesses were also affected”, the Governor lamented.  He emphasized the importance of preserving peace in Gombe, a sta...

 4 Georgia men save 104-year-old woman from a burning home. When a home in Weston, Georgia, caught fire, unfortunately a 104-year-old woman (whose identity is being protected by her family) was trapped inside.  Mason Newell and his father were driving by and noticed smoke coming from a home. As Mason and his father began scouring the outside of the home trying to determine if anyone was inside his mother called 911. While banging on windows they were able to here weak cries for help. The father-son duo switched to hero mode and when 2 other men, William Willoughby and Ben Hughes stopped to help, a concentrated rescue operation was in full swing. The rescuers were driven away from the front door due to smoke and flames and were forced to pivot.  They turned their attention to windows and found a viable entrance. However, it was covered by plywood. This didn't stop Hughes. He physically ripped the plywood away. At this point, Rick Newell (Mason's father) appeared with a sle...

  Nigerians Raise N1.8m For Protester Whose Son Dreams Of Becoming Programmer Nigerians have raised N1.8m for a protester whose son dreams of becoming a programmer. Ogwu Chijioke was one of the hundreds of protesters who trooped to the streets in Lagos State on Thursday to join the nationwide #EndBadGovernance demonstrations over the country’s harsh economic conditions. The protester who was interviewed at the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos, narrated his struggles in making his son’s dreams of becoming a programmer a reality. “I’m riding from Mile 2, Festac. My son at 13 is a programmer but I can’t even buy data for him to learn more. I can’t even pay for the tuition fees, millions of naira. At 13, he can programme games,” he told newsmen, clutching to his bicycle. “My name is Ogwu Benjamin Chijioke. I would rather die on the streets than die at home. I can’t sit down and watch the future of my son go to waste. I know I may not have a future again in Nigeria but my son’s future will...

 BENUE: GOV. ALIA SWEARS IN NEW BESIEC CHAIRMAN 2nd July, 2024       The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia PhD today swears in Barr. Richard Tombowua to replace Dr. John Chen, who was sacked earlier yesterday.  During the swearing in, the Governor charged the new Chairman to imbibe high level of integrity as the entire Benue people are highly expectant for justice, fairness and equity, noting that he was confident of his ability and capacity to drive the commission to the right path. Fr. Alia further thanked the Benue people for heeding to his voice by shunning the Nation wide protest, saying it was a clear indication of the love they have for him, his administration and that of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of the Federation, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR In his acceptance speech, Barr. Tombowua appreciates the Governor for finding him worthy to serve in the capacity of BESIEC Chairman, while also promising to justify ...

 "It has been 27 years since Fela left us.  Nothing much has changed.  Today marks the 27th anniversary of his passing.  I am hoping that his  struggle for a better life for his people was not in vain. Listen to the cries of the people of you are in a position of power.  The people are the most important part of Government.  Posted a couple of pictures here of the aftermath of his several beatings through the years.  Photo credit:". More photos below. 

 Sultan, CAN Seek End To Protests, Ask Govt To Meet Nigerians’ Yearnings The Sultan of Sokoto and President of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, have asked the #EndBadGovernance protesters to end their demonstrations. Angry youths have occupied Lagos, Abuja and major cities across the country, demanding a reversal of some economic policies of the government. The nationwide protest which entered its second day on Friday turned violent in some states with some lives lost and properties destroyed. Worried by the situation, the religious leaders urged the protesters and the conveners of the protests to sheath their swords and come to the dialogue table. “The protest that commenced in a peaceful manner on Thursday, August 1, 2024 despite pleas from all quarters, took a turn for the worse and became violent later in the day. In just a few hours ...

 Suspend #EndBadGovernance Protests Now, Adegboruwa Tells Youths As the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests enter the second day, human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has asked youths to immediately suspend the demonstrations. “Though the intention of the organisers was to achieve peaceful and well-coordinated protests, it would seem that fifth columnists and some angry persons infiltrated the ranks of the protesters to derail their laudable mission,” he said in a statement on Friday. “I appeal to the protesters to withdraw themselves from their various protest grounds and to suspend the protests immediately and indefinitely, in order to give room for meaningful dialogue and engagement with the government. “Given that the protests were said to have been hijacked by sponsored agents, it is necessary to avoid further losses and casualties. “The organisers of the protests and their representatives should embrace dialogue with the government,” he said. The lawyer to the Take It Ba...

  Kamala Harris Accidentally Calls Herself ‘US President’ In perhaps what could only be called a “Freudian slip,” United States Vice President Kamala Harris mistakenly referred to herself as the ‘President’ of the country.  Harris’ faux pas happened while talking about a bill presented by   late Democratic representative, Sheila Jackson Lee.  Harris was speaking at Lee’s eulogy when she made the slip-up and but it did not take her long to correct herself. Watch video and one more photo below. 

 Russian President Vladimir Putin personally welcomed freed prisoners in Moscow, in a historic development, as Russia and the United States completed their largest post-Soviet prisoner swap on Thursday, releasing 24 individuals. It included notable Russian dissidents and journalists. Putin embraced the returnees as they disembarked from their plane. In a video shared by the Associated Press, Putin is seen warmly greeting the group with hugs and handshakes, including a tearful woman. The exchange saw Russia release American journalist Evan Gershkovich, corporate security executive Paul Whelan, and Radio Free Europe journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, among others. In return, the US and its allies released Russians convicted or charged with serious crimes, including Vadim Krasikov, a notorious assassin who was serving a life sentence in Germany for a high-profile murder. Despite the strained relations between Moscow and Washington following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the swap was fin...

 REJOINDER The attention of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been drawn to a post by LagosPedia, a social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) that calls on the Igbo to vacate Lagos and Southwest of Nigeria and brace up for a massive hashtag   #IgboMustGo protest from 20th to 30th August, 2024. The Governor of Lagos State and indeed, Lagos State Government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive and dangerous rhetoric, saying Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality. Governor Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode. The Governor appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the State, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring th...

 Kaduna Internal Revenue Service Seals Kaduna Electric Over N600m Unpaid Tax The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service has sealed the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company over a N600m tax liability. Speaking to newsmen after the exercise in the early hours of Friday, the Executive Chairman of KADIRS, Jerry Adams, said the operation was an execution of a court order to restrain KAEDCO over the liability due to the state. Adams explained that the N600m tax liability was from 2015 to 2022, when they did all the reconciliations with KAEDCO agreeing to pay a substantial amount of the liability. The executive chairman, however, lamented, “Till this moment, since last year that the liability was established, KAEDCO has not met what it committed to do. “We are backed by the law to seal and take over their premises in order to ensure compliance, and that is what we executed this morning, “he said. Adams called on other businesses, individuals, corporate organisations and the public to al...

 3 Feared Killed As Protest Turns Violent In Kaduna The peaceful protest against bad governance has turned violent in Kaduna on Thursday, leaving no fewer than 3 youths dead and many other protesters injured. Eye witness said the number of protesters mostly youths and the unemployed, which had outnumbered the security operatives, marched from the Rigasa area and from the Abakwa end, towards the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the official residence and office of the state Governor. The surviving protester who craved anonymity, said ” we were matching peacefully and no one was carrying any offensive weapon. “ “I think the security operatives near the Government House were threatened by our large number. Suddenly, a vehicle, that they use in spraying hot water on protesters, came speeding towards us from the Government House axis and sprayed us with hot water, then another security vehicle came on speed from the 44 Reference Hospital end.” ” In the confusion that ensued and as we scampered...

 Both of the late Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu’s sons, Tijani and Abraham Ogunlende, are artists. Onyeka Onwenu’s sons, Tijani Ogunlende, and Abraham (formerly Ibrahim), aka Abe Ogunlende, are outstanding artists who showcase their exceptional skills and talent in their fields. Tijani Charles Ogunlende is an artist, designer, developer, and photographer specializing in visual arts, graphic design, and web development. He is also the sole proprietor of TijaniOgunlende, an independent graphic design and art photography company. Before his company, Tijani Charles was a web developer at KRT Marketing and a social media researcher at Clear Essence Cosmetics. He also has a Bachelor’s in Visual Arts degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a New Media degree from the Academy of Art Univeristy. Onyeka’s second son, Abraham, aka Abe Ogunlede, is a Nigerian contemporary artist who creates pastels and aesthetic, simple art that combines connections between society and pers...

 LASG VOWS TO REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT OF POST-NYSC GRADUATES  … To Ensure Skills Acquisition Through Its GIPP Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its intention to ensure skills acquisition for post-NYSC graduates through the Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP) as part of the strategies to address unemployment among the youth in Lagos State. Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, Commissioner, Wealth Creation and Employment, disclosed this at the Press Conference on the Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP) held at the Ministry in Alausa. Hon. Ajigbotafe stated that the programme is aimed at bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical work skills thus enhancing the employability of young talents.  Ajigbotafe explained that the Graduate Internship Placement Programme  (GIPP) is rebranded in the ‘EMPOWER LAGOS’ Initiative targeted at uplifting the lives of 10,000 Lagosians from poverty. He disclosed that, over three weeks, selected graduates w...

 LAGOS CMC RESOLVES LONG-STANDING FAMILY DISPUTE  … Secures MOU for Better Understanding Lagos State Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC) at Ijaiye Ojokoro on  Thursday successfully resolved a prolonged family dispute involving a 15-year-old girl, her guardian and her father.  The mediation process culminated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that commits both parties to fostering a more harmonious environment. The dispute arose when the complainant, acting as the guardian to the respondent's daughter, reported the girl's uncontrollable behaviour at home and school. Despite various efforts, the young girl remained unrepentant and continued her misconduct.  The situation was further strained by the respondent's lack of livelihood and his poor relationship with both his daughter and her guardian. The CMC held several mediation sessions, including three adjournments, to address the issues.  The key participants included the complainant, the respondent, the gir...

 Videos being twisted to blackmail me, Peter Obi cries out Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the circulation of false videos stating that they are aimed at blackmailing him. In a statement on X.com on Friday, Obi clarified that a video from his keynote speech in Anambra State was twisted to suggest he declared war on Northerners, when in fact, he spoke about tackling economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption. Obi also debunked another video showing him leading a protest in Abuja, revealing that it was taken during his visit to the Labour Party headquarters, where he mediated a clash between the party and the NLC. He said, “I have noticed some deliberate and well-orchestrated efforts by some persons to blackmail me into conforming to some of their nefarious agendas. “Their dubious moves have led to the false circulation of a video from my recent keynote speech at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State. T...