PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 UNFORTUNATE DEATH OF A PROTESTER BY A SOLDIER IN ZARIA On 6 August 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call that some hoodlums gathered in Samaru in large numbers, burning tires on the road and pelting stones on security personnel. The troops immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and enforce the curfew imposed by the State Government. On arrival at the scene, the hoodlums brazenly attempted attacking the troops prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot to scare the hoodlums away, which unfortunately led to the death of a 16 year old boy Ismail Mohammed. The soldier involved has since been arrested and undergoing interrogation as at the time of this report.  Saddened by the unfortunate incident, the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has sent a high-powered delegation led by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Maj Gen Lander Saraso to visit and condole with the family of the deceased. The deceased was burie...

 TROOPS CAPTURE BOKO HARAM COMMANDERS, ARREST LOGISTIC SUPPLIERS, RESCUE KIDNAP VICTIMS   ... AS MORE TERRORISTS SURRENDER In a decisive move in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations, troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) have achieved significant successes, including the capture of suspected Boko Haram commanders, the arrest of terrorist logistic suppliers and collaborators, as well as the surrender of several terrorists and their families. Additionally, troops have successfully rescued kidnap victims from various locations and recovered looted items from hoodlums posing as protesters. On 4 August 2024 in Borno State, while acting on credible intelligence regarding terrorists' movements, troops apprehended two Boko Haram commanders who infiltrated the Damasak Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mobbar Local Government Area. The suspects, Bana Yamode and  Babagana Usman, who claimed to be visiting their families in the camp, had previously led attacks on troops ...

 Family of 4 from Texas missing after their boat capsizes while on vacation in Alaska. According to reports, the Maynard family were sailing in a 28 foot boat with 4 other people near Homer, Alaska, on Saturday, August 3rd. At around 7 p.m. the boat they were traveling in began to take on water. Unfortunately the boat eventually sank and although the 4 other people were rescued from a lifeboat, there was no sign of the Maynards.  The Maynard family consists of 42-year-old David Maynard, 37-year-old Mary Maynard, 11-year-old Colton Maynard and 7-year-old Brantley Maynard. The Coast Guard has been searching a 16 mile area of ocean near Homer spit. They report the water was 51 degrees with 2 foot waves and around 6 mph winds when the family entered the water. Sadly the Coast Guard has officially suspended their search after finding no sign of the four family members. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the Maynard's and we hope for a miracle for all of those waiting f...

 Skydiving instructor loses her life and student hospitalized after encountering dust devils. Beautiful 28-year-old Devrey Chase was conducting a routine instructional dive with a student in Perris, California on August 2. As the duo were mid-dive they came into contact with a dust devil which caused them to slam to the ground. According to Devrey's husband Freddy, she was conducting her last dive of the day. When they were approximately 40 feet from the ground Devrey noticed a pair of dust devils. She was able to avoid the first one, but got caught in the second one which slammed her and her student to the ground. Devrey was unconscious but breathing directly after the incident however she was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. Her student was also rushed to the hospital for treatment of injuries.  There is no report on the condition of the student at this time.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NEW HEADS OF AGENCIES AND PROGRAMMES UNDER THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT To facilitate the needed relief to Nigerians and ensure the effectiveness of humanitarian and social development programmes, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of seven qualified Nigerians to head strategic agencies and programmes under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. (1) Dr. Badamasi Lawal -- Chief Executive Officer, National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). Dr. Lawal holds a doctorate degree in education, and he previously served as a commissioner in Katsina State.  (2) Ms. Funmilola Olotu -- Programme Manager, National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office Ms. Olotu holds a master's degree in business administration, and she is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on state lotteries. (3...

 Central Bank of Nigeria www.cbn.gov.ng PRESS RELEASE CBN Approves Financial Accommodation For Unity Bank and Providus Bank Merger The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted approval for a pivotal financial accommodation to support the proposed merger between Unity Bank Plc and Providus Bank Limited. This strategic move is designed to bolster the stability of Nigeria's financial system and avert potential systemic risks. The merger is contingent upon the financial support from the CBN. The fund will be instrumental in addressing Unity Bank's total obligations to the Central Bank and other stakeholders. It is unequivocal to state that the CBN's action is in accordance with the provisions of Section 42 (2) of the CBN Act, 2007. This arrangement is crucial for the financial health and operational stability of the post- merger organisation. Furthermore, it is important to emphasise that no Nigerian bank currently faces a precarious situation comparable to that of Heritage Ba...

  Papuan Separatist Cruelty, Repeated Again A New Zealand helicopter pilot reportedly killed in Central Papua yesterday has been named as an experienced airman well-known in South Island aviation circles. Glen Malcolm Conning, a 50-year-old from Motueka, was killed by separatist rebels in Indonesia’s easternmost region of Papua after landing in an isolated area.  ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE: The killing of a New Zealand helicopter pilot in West Papua is an utter tragedy for his family and friends and our organisation is very concerned that any civilians are being killed anywhere in West Papua says Catherine Delahunty spokesperson … “The killing of a New Zealand helicopter pilot in West Papua is an utter  tragedy for his family and friends and our organisation is very concerned that any civilians are being killed anywhere in West Papua “says Catherine Delahunty spokesperson for West Papua Action Aotearoa. “We also acknowledge that the place where this happened is a conflic...

 Woman Reveals the True Story Behind Her Controversial Divorce and Pleads for Forgiveness from Ex-Husband A certain lady has taken to Facebook to address her ex-husband, recounting the complex circumstances that led to their controversial divorce. Despite being in love with her boyfriend, she revealed that her marriage was initially arranged to alleviate her family's financial struggles. After moving abroad and establishing herself with her husband's support, she rekindled her relationship with her boyfriend, which led to a pregnancy and the end of her marriage.  The woman expressed remorse and offered to repay her ex-husband for his financial assistance, hoping to move forward amicably despite the heartbreak and betrayal involved.  "I'm responding to my husband, the man who said; he married me, sponsored me into a nursing school, took me abroad & I betr@yed him by processing my boyfriend's papers to join me in the States & got pregnant for him…  Please, I ...

 *Soludo Inaugurates Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission* Paul Nwosu  Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, has on Tuesday, August 6, inaugurated the chairman and members of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC). The chairman of the Commission is Magistrate Chinelo Genevieve Osakwe while the members are as follows: Mrs. Bernadine Obande (FCA), Barrister Osita Cyril Igbokwe, Sir Chinedu Anthony Nnalue, Mrs. Helen Ifeyinwa Umeh, and Mr. John Emeka Okeke. The Commission is tasked with setting the date for local government elections and overseeing the organization and conduct of peaceful and transparent local government polls in Anambra State. While inaugurating the Commission, Governor Soludo stated that the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as well as the Anambra State Electoral Law has explicitly mandated ANSIEC to conduct the local government elections in a transparent and independent manner. Governor Soludo charged the members of ANSIEC to serve wit...

 Kaduna Protesters Brandishing Rusian Flags Demanding Return To Military Rule – Shehu Sani Shehu Sani, former Kaduna Central Senator, on Monday said protesters in the state are demanding that the civilian government be overthrown. Sani said protesters are demanding a return to civilian rule while looting banks and vandalizing vehicles. Posting on X, the sociopolitical activist lamented that protesters are brandishing Russian flags. According to Sani: “Banks looted, vehicles smashed, government offices looted and vandalised. “Russian flags raised with a laud call for the overthrow of the Civilian Government and return to military rule; this is the situation of our Kaduna ‘peaceful’ protest.” Nigerians have been protesting against the current hardship in the country under the aegis of EndBadGovernanceInNigeria. Despite calls for the protest to be peaceful, several casualties have been recorded across the country.

 I apologize to the APC, but I remain firm in my statements – Senator Ndume On Tuesday, August 6, the former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, expressed his apologies to the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing to consult the party prior to his public criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The representative from Bornu South in the National Assembly’s upper chamber reaffirmed his statements, asserting that“whatever I said or whatever I did was out of patriotism.” He said, “Yesterday I was invited by the party and here I am to discuss family matters. Actually, the national chairman is not just a national chairman to me but a father. “With what has happened which you are all aware, it is not surprising that I am invited to hear my own side and we had family discussions and I actually accepted the mistake of not talking to the party as a last point and I promised the party that all my observations as a senior member of the famil...

 PRESS RELEASE  FG STEPS UP EFFORTS TOWARDS  ACCELERATING  PRESIDENTIAL CNG INITIATIVE In a bold move to drive economic growth and energy security in the country, the Federal Government has conveyed a high-level meeting with key stakeholders on Monday at the Federal Ministry of Finance Headquarters, Abuja to discuss accelerating the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) with the aim of providing affordable and sustainable energy solutions to Nigerians. The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, stated that the  initiative aims to provide affordable and sustainable energy alternatives to Nigerians, mitigating the economic impact of recent policy changes. During the meeting,  HM Edun emphasized the importance of strategic approaches to expedite the implementation of the Pi-CNG. He stressed that effective planning and coordination are crucial to the initiative's success. Attendees at the meeting included: - Minist...

 Announcement to Adamawa State students studying across various tertiary institutions nationwide. The Adamawa State Scholarship Trust Fund Yola, wishes to inform Adamawa State Indigenous Students Studying at various tertiary institutions across Nigeria, that its Web portal would be opened for 2024/2025 Local Scholarship applications from 12th August 2024 to 8th September 2024 NB  Eligible applicants are advised to visit: www.asstfy.ad.gov.ng/apply to register and apply.  All categories of Students whether NCE, ND, HND, Undergraduate & Postgraduate are eligible irrespective of level  Blind spots/erratic network areas are advised to use offline mode of application. Thank you and best wishes for successful.                     Signed                Management

  Six persons said to be family members have d!ed after consuming cassava flour suspected to be contaminated in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi state.  It was gathered that eight victims were rushed to three different hospitals, where unfortunately, six of them succumbed to multiple organ failure. The unfortunate incident occurred in a household in Anyioke, Okunchi Ward last week.  Meanwhile, the Kogi State Ministry of Health has launched an investigation into the incident.  A statement issued by the Information officer of the Ministry, Dorothy Onoja, on Tuesday, August 6, said the family members consumed cassava flour that may have been contaminated. “After consuming the contaminated cassava flour, eight victims were rushed to three different hospitals, where unfortunately, six of them succumbed to multiple organ failure. The two surviving victims received necessary treatment and have since been discharged,” the statement read.  The statement added that the...

 UK opens application for Chevening scholarships. The United Kingdom, on Tuesday, announced the opening of the application for Chevening Scholarships.. The announcement, which was contained in a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja, noted that prospective scholars can apply from August 6 to November 5, 2024, through the online portal at chevening.org/apply.. This announcement follows the selection of 32 scholars from Nigeria for the current academic year.. The statement reads partly, “Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK open today – from August 6 to November 5, 2024. Applications are to be submitted via the online application form at chevening.org/apply..

 Pastor Jerry Eze’s becomes richest content creator in Nigeria as his YouTube earnings hits N7billion Eze, who started Streams of Joy International and leads the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration, has earned over N7 billion on YouTube. He is the highest-earning YouTube creator in Nigeria, mainly from his live prayer sessions. His daily income from YouTube exceeds N7 million, contributing to his total earnings of N7 billion. On July 16, 2023, he made over N21 million in just one day due to increased traffic. Eze has 2.1 million subscribers and is a well-known figure among Nigerians interested in digital prayer. Recently, he received close to 30 million views in a week, averaging 418,000 views per day, with a total of 274 million views. Eze has hosted about 1,677 live streams, which keep his audience engaged, including some overnight events. He graduated in International Relations from Abia State University and is popular among Nigerian Christians who closely follow his pr...

 Comedian Sabinus trends online after choosing best singer between Burna Boy and Davido The emphasis has switched to the ever-charismatic Nigerian comedian and skit maestro, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekiru, often known as Sabinus, who recently stormed the blogosphere with a compelling game of musical favorites. Sabinus was captured in a car with a fellow content creator and forced to choose his favorite and superior musicians from a vast and outstanding list. Sabinus initially breezed through the game, picking Kizz Daniel over a bevy of other stars including Ruger, Tems, Ayra Starr, Simi, Odumodu Black, Rema, Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi, Reekado Banks, Mayorkun and Peruzzi. The selections appeared simple enough until the stakes were raised. The tension rose as Sabinus faced a difficult decision: Kizz Daniel versus the Afrobeat juggernaut Burna Boy. The comedian’s expression revealed his astonishment at this unforeseen turn of events, as his typically composed demeanor exhibited signs of te...

 Paris Olympics: Brume, Usoro, Ochonogo Leap Into Women’s Long Jump Final Nigeria’s Ese Brume, Ruth Usoro and Prestina Ochonogor made history on Tuesday by reaching the women’s long jump final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. That is the first time three Nigerians have made the event’s final at the Olympics. Brume leapt 6.7m to seal an automatic qualification for the final of women’s long jump event at the Games. While she was in danger of not reaching the final after struggling initially – was 9th – the Nigerian came up big in her last jump to make the final. Her compatriots Usoro jumped (6.76m) while Ochonogor leapt 6.65m) to make the final. They will compete with 12 other finalists for podium finishes on Thursday!

 Heed Tinubu’s Dialogue Call, ECOWAS Urges #EndBadGovernance Protesters West African bloc ECOWAS has urged #EndBadGovernance protesters in Nigeria to heed President Bola Tinubu’s call for dialogue. In a statement on Monday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission “deeply regrets reports of violence in the course of the protests and the unfortunate death of some protesters as well as alleged looting and destruction of public and private properties”. “The Commission extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and sympathises with the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the losses.” The regional bloc recognised the right of citizens to peaceful protests, as guaranteed by the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. “The Commission welcomes the State of the Nation address of 4th August 2024 by H.E. President Bol...

 Protests: Tinubu’s Speech Annoying, Says Okonkwo A former spokesman for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council in 2023, Kenneth Okonkwo, has described as bland and uninspiring President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday broadcast to Nigerians on the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests. “The people are protesting for hunger and hardship, deprivation and degradation. And the president was compelled to speak,” the lawyer said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday. “I wish they did not compel him. If I were a media aide, I would have preferred there was no speech at all because a bad speech is worse than no speech at all. “In addition to the speech being empty and very annoying, it was even leaked before the day,” Okonkwo said, adding that the president should have fired some of his media aides. The actor-turned-lawyer said Tinubu did not address any of the demands of the protesters. He insisted that protest is necessary in a democracy but condemned violent actions by a few p...

 Bangladesh President Dissolves Parliament Bangladesh’s president dissolved parliament on Tuesday, a key demand of student protesters who led demonstrations that ousted longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina, a statement read. “The president has dissolved parliament,” Shiplu Zaman, press secretary of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, said in a statement. The statement also said that Hasina’s arch rival, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister, had been freed from house arrest. Student protesters had threatened more demonstrations if parliament was not dissolved. The decision was taken following meetings with the heads of defence forces, leaders of political parties, student leaders and some civil society representatives, the presidential statement said. Hasina’s flight on Monday ended her 15-year second stint in power. She had ruled the country for 20 of the last 30 years, having inherited the political movement of her father, state founder Muj...

  Kamala Harris picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as running mate Kamala Harris has picked Tim Walz as her running mate for the presidential election, US media has reported Walz, the Minnesota Governor and a former high school teacher, will become vice-president if Harris beats Donald Trump in November Harris interviewed several top contenders in Washington DC over the weekend and reportedly had not made up her mind until earlier today The announcement comes as Harris begins a tour of key battleground states, starting with a rally in Philadelphia later today where Harris will officially introduce Walz as her running mate.

 Nigerian Govt places EndBadGovernance protest sponsors on watchlist The Nigerian Government has placed sponsors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests on a watchlist. The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Services, NIS, Kemi Nandap, made this known at Defence Headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja, where she spoke at a strategic meeting convened by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa. She said the persons, who are in the Diaspora, would be arrested immediately they step into the country MAGIC FM reports that the Defence Chief and heads of intelligence and security agencies were in a closed-door meeting with a view to implementing the crackdown order given by President Bola Tinubu. Fielding questions from newsmen after the meeting, Nandap said, “We have Diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to the appropriate authority.” A...

 National grid didn’t collapse Monday – TCN clarifies The Transmission Company of Nigeria has clarified that the national grid did not collapse on Monday. Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager of Public Affairs, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. There were reports that the national grid collapsed on Monday around 2:47 p.m., resulting in a nationwide blackout. However, TCN explained that what happened was arcing on the Benin-Egbin 330kV isolator, which caused line tripping and a consequent loss of supply to some areas around 2:47 p.m. on Monday. The affected areas were the Lagos axis, parts of the South West Region, parts of the North Central, and Abuja. Meanwhile, other areas, including the South Eastern region, North East, and other parts of North Central and South West, had full power supply. As an update, TCN said bulk power had been restored in the affected areas around 6:10 p.m. on Monday. “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) hereby notes that at about 6:10 p.m. yester...

 Hardship: We never knew it would be like this – APC chieftain, Eze slams Tinubu Erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s broadcast on the nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance in Nigeria, describing it as shallow and grossly out of tune with the concerns that triggered the countrywide demonstration. In a statement made available to the media, the party chieftain said Nigerians would have loved to hear the President outline the policy inclination of his administration in addressing the very genuine concerns of Nigerians, including the flamboyant costs incurred in running public offices and the lavish lifestyle of government functionaries. “The president, in his broadcast, overlooked critical issues constituting a clog and stunting the growth of our country and her people such as high cost of governance, co...

 PRESS RELEASE PROTEST: POLICE SPEAKS TOUGH AGAINST DISPLAY OF FOREIGN FLAGS, CONDEMNS CLAMOUR FOR MILITARY TAKEOVER As Police Torchlights Individuals Sponsored to Trigger Crisis in Nigeria  The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning against the display of foreign flags during protests and calls for a military takeover, categorizing such actions as treasonable felonies under Nigerian law. This follows a wave of violent protests, particularly in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States, where protesters brandished foreign flags. Ongoing investigations reveal that protest organizers in the states mentioned above are luring innocent children into participating in these unpatriotic and criminal acts. Over ninety suspects have been arrested, including tailors who sewed the flags and their sponsors. Efforts are underway to apprehend others who sponsored the production of the flags and fuelled these treasonable acts. The display of foreign flags and calls for a military take...

 NDLEA’s diving capability will discourage large cocaine shipments to Nigeria – Marwa Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said that the recent training and certification of officers of the Marine Command of NDLEA in basic diving, advanced open water diving and full-face mask diving will discourage large shipments of cocaine to Nigeria. Marwa who stated this while receiving a report of the training from the Agency’s Director of Seaports Operations, DCGN Omolade Faboyede said the new capability will send a strong message to international drug cartels that they have no place to hide their illicit consignments on any ship or vessel coming to Nigeria. Eight officers were selected from four countries including two from Nigeria by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, to undergo the certification training in Bombinhas city, Brazil in two phases; first in November 2023 and then July 2024. Accordi...