PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENCY  The President has received the memo from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President as well as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, informing of his decision to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence for personal and health reasons. The President accepts his reasons for the leave, fully understands them and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision. While extending his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Chief Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment, the President hopes for a speedy recovery and full restoration to health. The President notes his tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation, and thanks him for the remarkable contributions hemade in his various capacities, especially in advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action and other key initiatives. The Preside...

 LASG URGES SOLID MINERALS STAKEHOLDERS TO AVOID ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION  The Lagos State Government has called on solid minerals stakeholders in the sector to avoid practices that can lead to environmental pollution, urging the stakeholders to focus on minimising the environmental hazards caused by sand spillage on roads.   Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources held in Alausa, Ikeja, recently, the Chairman of the Lagos State House Assembly Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Sabur Oluwa cited relevant laws governing the solid minerals sector and urged the stakeholders to comply.  He stressed the importance of stakeholders supporting government initiatives aimed at safeguarding the state’s critical assets for the benefit of the entire residents.  The Lawmaker called on stakeholders in the energy and mineral resources sector to comply with all guidelines and collaborate with the regulators in ...

 2 People Swept Away By Flood While Sleeping In Anambra Found Dead  A Mother of three and one other person have been killed in a flood disaster that occurred at Ugwu Mkpume Layout, Achalla Agu community in Nkpor Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The victims were said to be asleep when the flood suddenly broke into their various apartments, swept them away and they were found dead in another location. Our correspondent who visited the area on Saturday, gathered that the flooding was caused by the over 11-hour rains that fell on Thursday till in the early hours of Friday. Many buildings in the area were submerged while properties estimated to be worth millions of naira were destroyed as well as farmlands washed away by the flood. Our correspondent also observed that the flood covered the whole area while some families living on the first floors of some storey-buildings were trapped as the flood submerged their houses. Some of the residents and victims who spo...

 Parents demand justice after their baby gets attacked on the first day resuming at a day care.  harrison_gwamnishu 8m #Intervention  RECEIVED THIS SHOCKING COMPLAINT FROM INSTAGRAM DM "This is what happened to my baby in a school that has day-care here in Lagos state "Ago palace okota" where I and my wife dropped him for the first day. The owner of the school said his fellow kid did this to him but doctors said is from an animal. The woman doesn't want to tell us the truth of what happened to my baby'. Sir Harrison, we have gone to the Police but the woman is using money to cover up because she is a wealthy woman. Please help us sir". One more photo below. 

 Jennifer Lopez Wows in Eye-Popping Gown at Unstoppable's TIFF Red Carpet While Ben Affleck Skips Premiere On Sept. 6, the global superstar attended the premiere of her new film, Unstoppable, an event that marks her first major public appearance since her split on Aug. 20 from husband Ben Affleck after two years of marriage. Lopez, 55, lit up the carpet with her eye-catching ensemble. She donned a sexy floor-length silver Tamara Ralph dress with high splits up both sides, tied together with oversized black velvet bows and revealing her daring and sultry side boob. Lopez gave fans an even closer look at her gasp-worthy look on Instagram, serving sexy poses as she showed off the number, her bare hips and side boob on full display. "📍Toronto #TIFF2024 Unstoppable movie she captioned the post, which also featured her giving a fierce face on the red carpet. Unstoppable follows the real-life story of wrestler Anthony Robbles ,who was born with one leg and won a NCAA national champi...

 Nigerian Nurses In UK, US Forced Back Home Over Issues Of Certificate Verification Some Nigerian nurses and midwives working in the United Kingdom and the United States have been forced back to Nigeria and left in distress by the abrupt shutdown of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria's (NMCN) verification portal in February by the Nigerian government. The healthcare professionals are now struggling to renew their licenses and fulfill international regulatory requirements. Many nurses, unable to secure necessary verification from the NMCN, find themselves in breach of visa conditions and employment laws, leading to legal challenges. The PUNCH reports that several nurses, particularly in the UK and the US, have been forced to return to Nigeria due to the situation. One nurse, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his experience. Having relocated to the UK in September 2023 to join a prestigious healthcare organization, he had passed various exams and completed documentatio...

 How Bandits Abducted Nursing Mother, 22 Others In Kaduna Communities Bandits stormed Mani village in Rido Ward and Danhonu II Millennium City, both in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Wednesday and Thursday, reportedly abducting 23 people. It was reported that the bandits stormed Mani community in large numbers while the residents were still asleep. They began shooting and then moved from house to house, abducting about 19 people. The victims reportedly included a nursing mother and an infant. In another incident, bandits attacked Dan Honu II, New Millennium City also in Chikun Local Government Area where they abducted a nurse and her three sons. The bandits attacked the home of Mr Mutiu Adeleke, abducting his wife and three sons while leaving him behind. "The incident took place around 10 p.m. when the gunmen invaded the community, firing shots indiscriminately and without resistance before taking the victims,” a source told Vanguard. The source noted that Mr...

 A daughter wrote a very descriptive and colorful obituary for her mother. The daughter is photographed to the left.  When her daughter was asked why she wrote such a sarcastic obituary, the daughter recounted a time her mother held her over a bridge by her feet. She said her mother had been awful to her for her entire life.  Maybe Florence got the obituary she deserved.

Nigerians may end up buying petrol at ₦5000 per litre — NLC  The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that Nigerians may end up buying petrol at N5000 per litre.    NLC’s spokesperson, Benson Upah disclosed this in an interview with Daily Trust on Saturday, September 7.  Accto him, “We are planning to have a meeting with the appropriate organs of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). Those organs will take the decisions. We will take decisions that we believe would be in the best interest of our members and possibly, this country.   “Nonetheless, the mood, I can tell you, is that of anger and I want to say that it is not only within the Nigerian Labour Congress that you have anger. Virtually every Nigerian is angry, except that first one per cent that is maintained by the state. You know, that one per cent has everything; we give them everything, those are the only ones who are not complaining. Every other Nigerian is complaining. So, our mood is reflective of...

 Edo suspends school resumption until further notice due to the hike in fuel price Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has announced an indefinite postponement of the resumption of all schools in the state due to the recent increase in fuel prices. This was disclosed in a memo issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Ojo Akin-Longe, on Saturday, September 7.    “The Edo State Government hereby announces that the resumption of all public and private schools in Edo State, initially scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024, has been postponed until further notice This decision has been made in response to the rising tension and challenges resulting from the recent fuel price increase,” the memo reads.

  EDO STATE GOV SUSPENDED THE RESUMPTION OF SCHOOL TILL FURTHER NOTICE. ‘It’s political,’ APC faults Edo’s suspension of school resumption over fuel price hike The All Progressives Congress, Edo State chapter, has described as “expensive political gimmickry” the decision of the state government to suspend indefinitely the resumption date for schools in the state over the hike in the price of fuel. The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Ojo Akin-Longe via a memo, announced the postponement of September 9, the earlier scheduled date until further notice. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Peter Uwadiae-Enosorogbe, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the action of the state government was a political gimmick less expected by the public. Uwadiae-Enosorogbe said he was surprised that the state government could be sacrificing the educational pursuit of the children for politics.

 Uganda defense minister Sarah Mateke dies after illness Uganda Defense Minister Sarak Mateke has died after a short illness, the government says. The minister was pronounced dead at a hospital in the capital, Kampala, where she was rushed on Saturday morning, Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi announced, according to TRT Afrika. "I am sad to announce the death of the state minister of defense and also Kisoro Woman MP. May the good Lord comfort the family and rest her soul," he is quoted as saying. Mateke was appointed defense minister in April after President Yoweri Museveni reshuffled his cabinet and moved her from the gender ministry. She was also the Woman Member of Parliament for Kisoro district. Vice President Jessica Alupo said she learnt of the death with "profound shock and deep sorrow", according to a post on X social media. The spokesperson of the defense ministry said the minister was scheduled to travel to South Korea on Saturday afternoon, the New V...

  FULL-TIME: Nigeria 3-0 Benin Republic  AN IMPRESSIVE VICTORY FOR THE SUPER EAGLES OVER BENIN REPUBLIC IN THE AFCON QUALIFIERS! 🇳🇬 ⚽️Lookman Brace and Victor Osimhen goal secured Nigeria the win. Africa Best and Upcoming African Best 🫡🔥🔥 🧤Clean Sheet for 🇳🇬

 Mama Yar’adua Technically Made Me President- GoodLuck Jonathan Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday, remarked that Hajiya Dada Yar’Adua, mother of former president Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua technically made him President in 2011 after the demise of her son. He stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the Yar’adua family in Katsina on Saturday over the demise of the matriarch. The former President stated that the demise of Hajiya Dada Yar’Adua was a personal loss to him, saying “this woman technically made me who I am”, adding that her death really touched him. He stated that It was her son late Yar’ Adua who brought him as his running mate, alluding  that without her input, nobody would have known his name.  “So she was like my mother and this is like the death of my mother. “I was on my way to Kigali, Rwanda, when I heard about the demise and as I returned to the country on Friday, I consider it  imperative to be in Katsina for the condolence. “It is a ...

 Hospital admissions may rise over fuel price hike, NMA warns The Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State chapter, has said that the hike in fuel price in the country could drive more Nigerians into depression, leading to a rise in the rate of hospital admission. The association called on the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to address the petrol price hike and end fuel importation in Nigeria. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited hiked the petrol price to N855 and above across its retail outlets nationwide on Tuesday. Some independent marketers also now sell the product for as much as N1,200 and N1,300/litre in some states following the upward review of prices by the NNPCL. The Lagos NMA, in a Thursday statement by its Chairman, Dr. Babajide Saheed, lamented that the decision had imposed further unbearable hardship on Nigerians, including medical doctors and dentists. Saheed said many members of the NMA were being forced to leave the country in droves d...

  Damagum Must Go for PDP to Heal-Ologbondiyan Kola Ologbondiyan, former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called for the resignation of the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, as a solution to the ongoing crisis within the party. In an interview with *Saturday PUNCH*, Ologbondiyan argued that Damagum stepping down would enable much-needed reforms and stabilize the party. He emphasized that for genuine reconciliation to occur, a new chairman from the North-Central zone, which was sidelined after Iyorchia Ayu’s suspension, should take over. Ologbondiyan also echoed concerns from several PDP members, including 60 party members from the House of Representatives, who accused Damagum of being too close to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and called for his resignation. He stressed that Damagum’s return to his original role as Deputy National Chairman (North) would resolve many of the party’s internal conflicts and ensure the pa...

 PRESS RELEASE NNPC Ltd Not the Sole Offtaker; Market Open to Lower Prices from Any Domestic Refinery The attention of the NNPC Ltd has been drawn to a press release by the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, which claims that the Dangote Refinery Limited (DRL) is being undermined by actions of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd). Specifically, MURIC asserts that recent changes to the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) will prevent the Dangote Refinery from offering lower prices and that NNPC Ltd. has become the sole offtaker of all products from the refinery. To set the records straight, NNPC Ltd. wishes to further state as follows: 1. The pricing of petroleum products from any refinery, including the Dangote Refinery Ltd. (DRL), is determined by global market forces. The recent changes in PMS prices have no impact on the DRL or any other domestic refinery's access to the Nigerian market. In fact, if current prices are perceived as high, it presents an ideal...

 A 65-year-old North West man who allegedly allowed a group of “illegal miners” to use a bedroom in his house as an entrance to the nearby Khuseleka mine shaft has been arrested along with his 31-year-old accomplice.  The homeowner and his accomplice are expected to appear in the Rustenburg magistrate's court on Monday facing charges of illegal mining and tampering with and/or damaging essential infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen goods. More photos below. 

 An alleged rape and kidnapping suspect from Ramotsinyadi village to appear in court  A 18-year-old male suspect will appear before Bolobedu Magistrate's Court on Monday 09 September 2024 facing charges of rape and kidnapping.  He was arrested following alleged rape and kidnapping of a 14-year-old girl at Wally village, Mokwakwaila policing area, in Mopani District on Sunday, 01 September 2024 at about 20:00. According to reports, the victim's father returned home from work on the specified date. He discover that her daughter was not home. He thought she was playing at the neighbors.  The father went to bed, when he woke up the next day he was unable to find her in her bedroom. He became anxious. Every location she frequently visited, was searched but she was not there.  He then reported the incident to the police. The victim was traced and found with the suspect at Ramotsinyadi village. When asked why he held her there, he provide an unsatisfactory response, he...

  Selena Gomez Joins Billionaire Club with Beauty Brand Success Selena Gomez has officially become one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the U.S., as reported by Bloomberg.  At just 32 years old, her fortune is estimated to be $1.3 billion, largely due to the huge success of her beauty brand. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE: Guess who just joined the billionaire club? Selena Gomez! 😍  The 32-year-old actress and singer has amassed a fortune of $1.3bn, according to Bloomberg, which added the celebrity to its billionaire index on Friday 6th September, 2024. Her wealth comes mainly from her Rare Beauty make-up company, which she founded five years ago and retains a stake worth more than $1bn, the publication estimated. The brand's success has made her one of the "youngest female self-made" wealthy on the list, alongside the likes of Taylor Swift and Rihanna. Rare Beauty, known for liquid blush and lip tint that have had viral success on social media, reportedly did net ...

 Bridging Digital Divide: Governor Soludo Empowers Disability Rights Commission By Nwanodu Angela  In line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo's pioneering vision of "Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere," the Disability Rights Commission has been equipped with cutting-edge digital tools to revolutionize its advocacy and support for persons with disabilities.  These innovative tools will significantly enhance communication channels, streamline access to vital services, and promote inclusivity in decision-making processes,  With innovative software to boost accessibility, the Commission is now better equipped to fulfill its mandate and ensure that no one is left behind in the state’s digital transformation drive. This integration of technology is a game-changer, empowering 'those who need it most'. This significant advancement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Anambra State ICT Agency, which played a crucial role in facilitating the digit...

 SHE PROMISED TO END MY PAINS, SUFFERING WITH HER JOB - SLAIN BENUE VARSITY STUDENT'S MOTHER 7th September, 2024     Christiana Awuhe, the mother of a 32-year-old graduate of the Benue State University, Theresa Awuhe, who was shot dead by a gunman in Makurdi, Benue capital, recounts the excruciating moments with BIODUN BUSARI  What kind of person was your daughter? She was a well-behaved girl, loved by many people in her school, hostel, and anywhere she found herself. Even, the reports people had given about her since her death and at the police station attested to the fact that she had a good personality. If you wanted to know her, you could even ask people around her, and they would testify to her kind and generous behaviour. She was an honest person. She did not portray any bad character. My daughter was well-known in her community as a morally upright lady. I’m still devastated that it was my good daughter that this grievous death snatched away. How have you...

 Sina Rambo and wife, Heidi Korth, share beautiful maternity photos as they set to welcome their second child  Heidi Korth, the wife of Sina Rambo, the cousin of music star Davido and son of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has shared some beautiful maternity photos. Recall that Heidi and Sina tied the knot in 2021 and welcomed a daughter. Heidi has announced that she was expecting her second child with her husband. Though, this would be her third child as she has a daughter from a previous relationship.  Heidi shared a video of her, her two daughters, and Sina cutting a cake from her gender reveal party as she urged her fans to guess the gender of her new baby. Now taking to her Instagram page, Korth has shared some beautiful maternity photos as she noted how she would soon be a mother of three. This comes months after the couple made headlines over several issues including alleged infidelity in their marriage In 2022, Heidi hinted at a marital crisis as she dragged ...

 Prince Hisahito becomes the first royal male in Japan to reach adulthood in 4 decades. It is a major milestone for the family that has governed the country for over a millennium. In a big milestone for Japan's royal family, Prince Hisahito turned 18 on Friday, becoming the first male royal family member to reach adulthood in almost four decades. It is a significant development for a family that has ruled for more than a millennium but faces the same existential problems as the rest of the nation — a fast-aging, shrinking population. Hisahito, who is set to become the emperor one day, is the nephew of Japanese Emperor Naruhito. His father, Crown Prince Akishino, was the last male to reach adulthood in the family, in 1985. Hisahito is the youngest of the 17-member all-adult imperial family, which currently has only four men. His status as the last heir apparent poses a major problem for a system that doesn't allow empresses. The government is debating how to keep succession stab...

 Recovery of Illicit Assets:  Olukoyede Seeks Collaboration of Global Anti- Graft Agencies.   Bothered by the issues of illicit financial flows and assets,  the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called for greater collaboration among law enforcement agencies across the world,  not only to trace but also to recover and reintegrate illicit assets into the rightful financial systems.  He made the call on Friday,  September 6,  2024 while leading discussions at Session 16 in the ongoing International Symposium on Economic Crime at the University of Cambridge,  United Kingdom.   He pointed out that navigating the challenges in recovering illicit assets and blocking Illicit Financial Flows IFFs is indeed a multifaceted endeavour that demands collaboration and shared responsibility.  He particularly threw a responsibility at destination countries where stol...

 Plateau Governor Sacks 17 LG Chairmen, Prepares for Local Government Elections Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has announced the dissolution of the 17 Local Government Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen, effective 6th September 2024. This development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Governor on Friday night. The committees, which were constituted on 9th June 2023, had their tenures extended several times, but will now be replaced by Directors of Personnel Management in each local government area until elections are held on 9th October 2024 to fill the positions. The Governor's statement, signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Gyang Bere, praised the outgoing Transition Committee Chairmen for their leadership and contributions to local development. "Governor Mutfwang commended the Transition Committee Chairmen for their exemplary leadership and dedication to advancing developmental projects that have directly impacted...

 Dangote Refinery: No Guarantee Of Lower Prices – NNPCL The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) on Saturday said there is no guarantee of lower price as it is set to begin lifting petrol from the Dangote refinery. NNPCL would reportedly commence lifting petrol from the refinery on September 15. In a statement by its spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, the company said the pricing of petroleum products from any refinery, including the Dangote Refinery Ltd, is determined by global market forces. Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, said that there is no guarantee of lower prices associated with domestic refining of the products in the country. “The pricing of petroleum products from any refinery, including the Dangote Refinery Ltd. (DRL), is determined by global market forces,” he said. Soneye’s response comes amid rumours that the company is attempting to monopolise the offtake of all products from the Dangote Refinery Ltd. “The attention of the NNPC Ltd has bee...

 A California man purposefully crashed his truck into a plot of land used to house animals and went on an armed rampage taking the lives of 81 animals. Vicente Arroyo, 39-years-old, is facing charges after a disturbing Tuesday morning incident where he callously took the lives of 81 animals. According to reports, Arroyo used multiple firearms to take the lives of 14 goats, nine chickens, seven ducks, five rabbits, 33 cockatiels and parakeets, a pony, a horse and two miniature horses. The incident occurred around 3:25 a.m. Tuesday morning in Prunedale, CA. On that morning dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting shots being fired at a lot near a vineyard. When officers arrived on scene they could hear repeated gunfire and ordered a shelter in place for a 5 mile radius. They were eventually able to enter the lot in an armored vehicle, where they took Arroyo into custody without incident. Officers on scene discovered Arroyo's crashed pickup with 8 different firearms in...

 STATEMENT On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family. While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision -- entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen -- was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home. I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit. I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time. Chief Ajuri Ngelale September 7, 2024