PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY BOLA AHMED TINUBU, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE NATIONWIDE PROTEST   DATE: SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2024 My fellow Nigerians,   1. I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some of our states.   2. Notably among the protesters were young Nigerians who desired a better and more progressive country where their dreams, hopes, and personal aspirations would be fulfilled.   3. I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country. The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be again used to restore them.   4. I commiserate with the families and rel

 Lagos intervenes as woman battles monarch for demolishing property, selling land In the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, a fierce land battle is unfolding, pitting a 64-year-old woman against a monarch in a dispute that has turned the spotlight on longstanding issues of land ownership in the state. BABATUNDE TITILOLA reports When Mrs Olaitan Ogunseye purchased a parcel of land from the royal family of Mushade Odugate of the Majolagbe Family in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in 2000, neither she nor her husband thought the purchase would be marred by heartbreaking controversies. According to documents seen by this reporter, the 64-year-old woman bought the land located on Chris Aghanenu Street, Eyita, in the Ikorodu Local Government Area of the state from one of the monarch’s relatives in 2000, with complete documentation and a receipt. Dated May 5, 2000, the joint signatures on the receipt were Haruna Saka, Sita Saka, Lasisi Saka, and Kehinde Saka. Sadly, Ogunseye’s hopes of building her family’s

 SIERRA LEONE RANGERS FACE A TOUGH FIGHT AGAINST DEFORESTATION.... As the rainclouds descend on Sierra Leone’s tropical Kambui forest, a handful of khaki-clad rangers assemble for their daily patrol in the fight to preserve the West African country’s dwindling wilderness. The team are from the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) and are tasked with guarding the rainforest from encroaching illegal mining and logging. But with just 62 wardens to cover some 14,000 hectares (35,000 acres), it’s an arduous game of cat and mouse. “The devastation is getting worse every day,” said Sheku Jusu, 36, the regional NPAA conservation officer. “When we are patrolling in the forest, every day we come across new sites that they have just started operating.” Jusu’s words became a reality no more than 30 minutes into the rangers’ ascent, when a pile of fresh sand on the riverbank indicated that mining had just taken place. “This is very recent, this was an hour or two ago,” said Bockarie Kowa, 48, t

 IDRIS ELBA'S STUDIO PLAN SPARKS DREAMS OF "ZOLLYWOOD" Hollywood star Idris Elba has been allocated land in Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago, to launch a film studio. The British actor, who has roots in Sierra Leone and Ghana, has previously voiced his ambitions to develop Africa's expanding film industry. Roughly a year-and-a-half after discussing his plans with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the authorities in the East African nation have given Elba the green light. The studio would be similar to any in “Hollywood, Nollywood or Bollywood" - and may give rise to “Zollywood”, Zanzibar's investment minister is quoted by local media as saying.

 A Vermont judge on Friday denied a request to replace the public defenders for the man charged with shooting and wounding three college students of Palestinian descent in Burlington in November, saying it's premature. Judge Kevin Griffin also denied Jason Eaton's request to hold a private hearing on the matter with just his attorneys and the judge, excluding the prosecution and media. “Mr. Eaton is certainly entitled to counsel at state expense but he's not entitled to counsel of his choosing,” Griffin said. Eaton then told the judge that he would like to represent himself but Griffin said he was not prepared to grant that request. He told Eaton that he can file motions and the court can consider whether he's competent to represent himself. “Right now you have two great lawyers and a great office to represent you. This is about as serious as it gets so I'm not going to make such a decision on the fly," he said Eaton has pleaded not guilty to three counts of at

 13-year-old Pennsylvania boy being charged as an adult after taking the life of a 10-year-old at a "best friend" sleepover. 13-year-old James Campbell is in custody and is going to be tried as an adult in connection to the death of 10-year-old Hunter Meyers. According to reports the 2 were having a sleep over at Campbell's home Wednesday night. The next morning 911 operators received an alarming call. As officers arrived at the home in Donegal Township, Pennsylvania, they were stunned by the scene they were met with. Little Hunter Meyers was found deceased in an upstairs bedroom having suffered multiple puncture wounds in the head. The weapon (a knife) used in the attack was found next to him. As police began to investigate the death, they found James Campbell with evidence on his shoes and pants as well as cuts on his hands. Hunter's mother, Dorothy, says the boys were "cousins and best friends" and that she was completely blindsided by the senseless homic

 Again, another 53 Yobe indigenes returned to Nigeria after graduating from Indian Universities.  The young 53 graduates from  Goenka University, India, who studied Radiology, Civil Engineering, Medical Lab Science and Computer Engineering are among the 233 Yobe indigenes sponsored by Governor Mai Mala Buni to study across various universities in India in 2020. More photos below. 

 TROOPS INTERCEPT ILLEGAL ARMS SUPPLY SYNDICATE,  RECOVER CACHE OF SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS, RESCUE KIDNAP VICTIMS Troops of the Nigerian Army have continued to intensify ongoing operations against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and sundry crimes, clamping down on various criminal syndicates across the country. In recently conducted operations, troops arrested a notorious gun runner on transit to deliver high caliber weapons to terrorists and nabbed a truck conveying illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO). The troops also successfully  rescued kidnapped victims while on transit. In Kaduna State, the vigilant troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, intercepted a notorious gun runner, Mallam Hashimu Ahmad at Saminaka in Lere Local Government Area. The suspect, who has been on the wanted list of the security agencies for supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists was captured while on transit to deliver sophisticated weapons, including one General Purpose Machine Gun, a

 Over 50 Protesters Were Arrested In Abuja – Amnesty International Leading Human Rights group, Amnesty International Nigeria, has said over 50 protesters were arrested in Abuja on the third day of the demonstration against hardship in the land. Some individuals had scheduled protests for August 1 and August 10, 2024. Conveners of the protest  in Abuja had demanded to use Eagle Square for convergence but they were denied access. A court later restricted  them to Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where the exercise held peacefully on the first two days of the exercise. However, the atmosphere was charged after police fired teargas at protesters on the third day. Although the police had forcefully dispersed protesters across Nigeria’s capital city on the first two days of the exercise, there was no use of force at the approved venue. But the formerly friendly officers became aggressive when protesters began regrouping on Saturday. Masked operatives of the Department of State Service

Militants take Russian citizens hostage in Niger A security source in Niger, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the pair were taken about a week ago while visiting gold mines..   An Al Qaeda affiliate in West Africa's Sahel region has taken two Russian citizens hostage in Niger, according to a video released by the group on Friday.. The video from the media foundation of Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) includes what appears to be on-camera statements by the two captives, who say they were working for a Russian company in southwest Niger when they were taken prisoner.. Speaking in Russian-accented English, both identified themselves as Russians and said they were taken hostage in Mbanga, an area about 60 km (40 miles) west of the capital Niamey. They did not say when this happened..

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU TO ADDRESS THE NATION President Bola Tinubu will address the nation in a broadcast on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 7:00 am. Television, radio, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to plug into the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast. The broadcast will be repeated on the network services of the NTA and the FRCN at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the same day.   Chief Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) August 3, 2024

 PRESS RELEASE  Power sector target is to bridge the poverty gap- Power Minister  The Honorable Minister of Power,  Chief Adebayo Adekola Adelabu in his interaction with the Women in Energy, Oil and Gas, (WEOG), who came on a courtesy visit to the Ministry headquarters recently in Abuja usaid that the Power sector has a singular target of expanding energy access for economic growth and national development This target which is quite loaded  is unlocked through the use of both grid and off-grid solutions, encompassing those connected to Industrial grid and those that are in rural areas, the unserved areas that are using mini grids, solar and other forms of renewable energy. Adelabu revealed that one of the Power sectors target is to bridge the poverty gap and completely eliminating it for prosperity amongst Nigerians, noting that women is a force to reckon with when it comes to bringing positivity and productivity in any atmosphere. "When we talk about this energy access, the main

 PRESS RELEASE  EDUN CHAMPIONS AFRICAN ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AT AFRICAN CAUCUS 2024 At the opening ceremony of the African Caucus Meeting 2024 held in Abuja, Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun delivered an address emphasizing the resilience of African economies and their commitment to achieving consistent growth to alleviate poverty across the continent.   In his capacity as Chairman of the event, the Honourable Minister highlighted the critical need to identify strategic opportunities and align with investor interests to effectively deploy resources for economic advancement.   "African growth must be embedded in human capital," HM Edun asserted, emphasizing the necessity of investing in people as Africa progresses toward a brighter future.   The theme of the event, "Facilitating Intra-African Trade: Catalyst for Sustainable Development in Africa," was recognized as pivotal for accelerating the transforma

 PRESS RELEASE FG TO PARTNER WITH NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IN COMBATING INSECURITY  ...Listed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's positive initiatives to turn the economy around  The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON, mni, has commended the National Council for Civil Society of Nigeria for not participating in the ongoing protests and highlighted to them the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR's numerous initiatives to turn the economy around for the benefit of all Nigerians. During a meeting with the National Council's delegation yesterday in his office at Ship House, led by Comrade Johnny Emmanuel, the Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration with civil society organizations in addressing insecurity. He cited their strong connections to local communities and ability to provide valuable intelligence, mediation, and humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas. Minister Badaru assured the delegation that President

 A Nigerian woman, Lola Akinlade and her family are facing deportation from Canada after it was discovered that she used a fake university acceptance letter to secure a study and work permit.    Lola, who graduated from the Nova Scotia Community College in 2019, told CBS News she was unaware the letter provided by an agent in Lagos for the University of Regina in 2016 was fraudulent.  A few weeks before graduation, the international student from Nigeria received a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).   It said one of the documents she had used to enter Canada in 2016 was a fake, and asked her to explain herself.    It's a charge Akinlade said she knew nothing about before IRCC told her. She said the issue has left her and her family in Canada with no immigration status and little to fall back on if they return to Nigeria.    Akinlade said the realization that she had relied on a fake document to get her study permit left her devastated.   "That was

 Jnr Pope: AGN lifts suspension on Adanma Luke, approves riverine filming The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has lifted the suspension on Adanma Luke, the producer of the ill-fated movie ‘The Other Side of Life’, in which Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, and four others died while working on the movie. In a statement released today August 3, the AGN National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu, said the decisions were taken during the guild’s National Executive Council meeting. The statement reads in part “The National President of the Guild, Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas, MON, use this opportunity to announce the lifting of the suspension placed on Adanma Luke, producer of the movie ‘Another Side of Life,’ where star actor Junior Pope and four other crew members lost their lives in Anam river. The President also lifted the ban on filming in riverine areas but cautioned members to apply all safety standard measures recommended in the AGN Bylaws.” The

 The enemy will always keep tabs on your life; it’s an obsession” – Newly married Sharon Ooja shares deep lesson after studying the book of Nehemiah Nollywood actress and newly married Sharon Ooja has shared a message with her thousands of fans and followers from the Book of Nehemiah Taking to her Instagram page, the movie star, who is alleged to have married a three-time divorcee, stated that after studying the Bible, she noticed that one thing is evident, which is that the enemy will always keep tabs on one’s life, and it’s an obsession. She noted how Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem and co were obsessed with Nehemiah and the building of the wall. Studying the book of Nehemiah, one thing is evident. The enemy will keep tabs on your life; it’s an obsession, and they need it. Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem and co were soo obsessed with Nehemiah and the building of the wall”.

 I was besotted with her” – Chude Jideonwo speaks on his love for late Onyeka Onwenu in touching tribute Media personality Chude Jideonwo has paid respect to the late singer, songwriter and actress Onyeka Onwenu. In a post on his Instagram page, he revealed that he had spent the whole day crying like a baby as he was still shocked, stunned, and speechless. He said he couldn’t remember the last time his heart broke this hard. “Aunty… I have spent the whole of the day crying like a baby. I am still shocked. I am still stunned. I am speechless. I cannot remember the last time my heart broke this hard”.

PRESS RELEASE PROTEST: POLICE RELEASES RECORD OF INCIDENCES Cautions Amnesty International on Releasing Unconfirmed Figures, Reports The Nigeria Police Force finds it necessary to refute a recent report publicized by Amnesty International, which claims that thirteen (13) individuals have lost their lives due to the protests in Nigeria that began on 1st August 2024. Amnesty International further alleges that security personnel deliberately employed tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings and used firearms as a tactical tool for protest management.  The Nigeria Police Force wishes to provide an accurate account of incidents from the first two (2) days of the nationwide protests. In Borno State, four (4) individuals lost their lives and thirty-four (34) were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).  Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unre

 Governor Hope Uzodimma Thanks Igbos For Shunning Protest In The South East  “I commend our people of the South Eastern region for heeding our appeal not to join the nationwide protest. Your wisdom in recognizing the potential danger of hijackers targeting peaceful demonstrators is truly commendable. While peaceful protest is undoubtedly a right of the people, your decision to prioritize safety and stability showcases great prudence”

 Shun Violence, Obi Pleads With #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria Protesters A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on the #Endbadgovernance protesters, to shun violence and give peace a chance in the country. While addressing the tragic loss of lives during the nationwide hunger and hardship protest which commenced on Thursday, Obi in a statement late Friday via X, emphasised the importance of peaceful demonstrations. Obi stated, “I wish to most sincerely pass my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests. I deeply mourn these brothers and sisters of ours, who have lost their lives in their struggle for a better nation.” Acknowledging the protesters’ demands, Obi expressed hope that their voices would be heard, saying, “I do hope that their legitimate demands, within the law, will not go unanswered.” He urged protesters to maintain a peaceful approach, stating, “I will continue to urge the protes

 Building collapse: Anambra govt create new rules for developers After a series of collapsed building in Anambra State, which involved those of private developers, church and government projects, the state government has come up with measures to forestall further occurrences. Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) in a statement signed by Town Planner Charles Ekwunife on behalf of the managing director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mr Ossy Onuko said high rise buildings must undergo soil test, as it was part of the reason for the collapse of projects. The agency in the release said: “ACTDA now directs that henceforth people should not live in or be allowed to sleep in buildings under construction and no construction work/activity should exceed 7pm, irrespective of the environmental lighting. “All buildings (residential and commercial) exceeding two floors in Awka Capital Territory (ACT) must be backed up by a ‘soil, material and structural integrity test repo

  Governor Dapo Abiodun never called Nigerian protesters sore losers—Ogun govt The Ogun State Government, on Saturday, described as a total fabrication the claim that Governor Dapo Abiodun called Nigerians sore losers over the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest. Rather, it said, the governor was talking about certain losers of the 2023 elections who were cashing in on the dissent of Nigerian youths to destabilize the country, adding that the chaos that greeted the protest in several parts of the country had vindicated his position. It stated that nowhere in the referenced interview with Channels TV did the governor suggest, even remotely, that ordinary Nigerians ventilating their grievances over the economic situation in the country are sore losers, adding that the governor is well known for his deep appreciation of Nigerian youths, students, and workers, whom he has always held in the highest esteem and spoken about in glowing terms. This was made known by the Special Adviser to the Go

 Veteran Actor Kunle Coker breaks silence about his relationship with Genevieve Nnaji Kunle Coker, a Nollywood legend, has finally revealed the truth about his much-rumored affair with the stunning Genevieve Nnaji during a compelling interview on Oyinmomo TV. When confronted with the scorching question of the reality behind their supposed affair, Coker’s ambiguous statement – “it’s true and it’s not true” – left both the interviewer and the audience hanging on his every word, anxious for explanation. As the tension grew, Coker dug further into their past, discovering a story of intense connection and strategic romance. He depicted himself as Genevieve’s guardian angel, explaining how he took on a romantic role not for love, but as a protective barrier, fending off possible suitors who may have distracted her from her stratospheric climb in Nollywood. According to him, his presence was a deliberate attempt to keep Genevieve Nnaji focused and on track, sheltering her from distractions th