PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Stakeholder Applauds Anambra State Govt for Conducting Local Govt Elections By David Okpala/Stella Okpala The All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) Chieftain, Chief Charles Obiekwe has applauded Anambra State Government for her doggedness to conducting local government elections, the first in about eleven years. He said this while interacting with information officers shortly after casting his vote, at Polling Unit 006, Umueze Village Hall, Akpo, in Aguata LGA, on Sept. 28. Obiekwe who is also an Awka based business Mogul said, "it is sweet seeing this election becoming a reality. "Thanks to legislative arm of government for making speedy enabling laws that led to today's election success. "We had clamoured for the election, to bring government closer to rural communities. "The election is smooth, peaceful in our polling boot here. Reports from other polling boots within my disposal are also suggesting smooth, peaceful conduct." He thanked Ndi Anambra who a...

 40% of Nigerians enjoying 20 hours of daily electricity supply — Minister   The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has said that more than 40 percent of Nigerians now enjoy 20 hours of power supply daily across the country. Adelabu, in a statement in Abuja, said the feat was achieved through revolutionary measures taken by the Ministry of Power, with the support of President Bola Tinubu, as part of his renewed hope agenda to galvanise the economy. He credited the achievements in the power sector to radical and bold steps taken by his administration, with President Tinubu’s consistent advocacy for stable and consistent power supply as a means to achieve breakthrough in industrialisation. Adelabu said the generation of more than 5,500 megawatts of power was one of the ministry’s significant achievements in the last year, with plans to improve further by the end of the year. “Most developed nations achieved reliable, functional, and affordable electricity as a fundamental st...

 High cost of transportation forces workers to resign from jobs The various changes in government policies have continued to tell on Nigerians especially the recent increase in fuel pump prices across the country. This year alone, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has adjusted petrol pump prices upwards twice from N617 to N855, N950 in Lagos state (depending on the fuel station) and above N1,000 in other states within two weeks in September. Despite these changes, which have tremendously affected market prices and the cost of transportation, Nigerians have devised various means of survival. But the recent increase has not gone down well with some Nigerian workers’ Economy& Lifestyle discovered. This has made them resort to resigning from their jobs or sleeping in their workplace to cut costs as they can no longer meet up with the increased cost of transportation which is digging deep into their salaries. Mr. Dotun Owoyemi, who works on the Island and receives a fi...

 Binance Founder  Changpeng Zhao Is Released From US Custody Binance founder Changpeng Zhao was released from a correctional facility in California on Friday, Bloomberg News reported, citing a spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons. Former CEO Zhao was sentenced to four months in prison earlier this year, after pleading guilty to violating U.S. laws against money laundering at the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. Prosecutors had said that Binance adopted a model that welcomed criminals and failed to report more than 100,000 suspicious transactions with designated terrorist groups including Hamas, al-Qaeda and Islamic State. They also said Zhao's exchange supported the sale of child sexual abuse materials and received a large portion of ransomware proceeds. Binance agreed to a $4.32 billion penalty, and Zhao paid a $50 million criminal fine plus $50 million to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. His first stop is likely to be Dubai or Paris where his children...

 JD Vance escorted out of Pittsburgh's iconic restaurant, despite Harris holding an event in the same venue Senator JD Vance faced an unexpected setback during his campaign in Pittsburgh when he was denied entry to the iconic Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar. While the venue recently hosted a gathering for the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign, Vance and his supporters were reportedly escorted out shortly after their arrival. Reportedly, the furious MAGA supporters “got mad, booing the workers as they were led out.” The ‘controversial’ running mate of Donald Trump faced a chilly welcome at the iconic restaurant chain, which, according to a source, was already informed about the Trump-Vance campaign’s planned visit. A campaign insider told Fox News Digital that when the vice presidential team arrived at Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, their hyped-up gathering with rally supporters and fans was abruptly cut short as employees showed th...

 AKWA NORD: 4-Year-Old Girl Severely Burned by Aunt in Douala As reported by Cameroon News Agency, a little girl named Abigael, only four years old, suffered severe burns at the hands of her aunt in Douala.  The aunt allegedly used a hot electric iron and a knife to cause the injuries, which were witnessed by both neighbors and former nannies who had worked with the family. Neighbors took action after a third nanny filmed the child’s injuries and shared the video with her parents. Although the aunt appeared kind, neighbors mentioned she had a history of mistreating the child, possibly due to the grief of losing her own two children. Abigael is now receiving care at a local hospital, and the aunt has been arrested by the police. 

 Over 10 Million Compete for Coldplay Concert Tickets Amidst Allegations of Rigged Sales The British rock band Coldplay is set to perform three shows in Mumbai as part of their Music of the Spheres world tour, but fans are facing significant challenges in securing tickets. After going on sale last Sunday, tickets priced between 2,500 and 12,000 rupees sold out within minutes, with over 10 million people vying for just 180,000 available tickets. Many fans reported hours-long digital queues and site crashes, leading to allegations that the ticket sales were rigged. Resellers quickly capitalized on the situation, offering tickets for inflated prices—some reaching as high as 900,000 rupees—before they were officially released. The controversy surrounding ticket scalping has sparked a broader discussion in India about the practices of resellers who use bots to bypass queues and purchase multiple tickets for resale. While ticket scalping is illegal in India, experts suggest that it still...

Over 120 Lives Lost In Nepal as Major Floods and Landslides Devastate Communities Major floods and landslides in Nepal have resulted in the deaths of over 120 people, with many more still missing following two days of intense rainfall. The capital, Kathmandu, has been particularly hard-hit, with residents describing harrowing escapes as they "jumped from one roof to another" to avoid rising waters that inundated thousands of homes. Rescue operations are ongoing, utilizing helicopters and inflatable rafts, although major roads remain blocked, complicating efforts. As of Sunday, more than 3,000 individuals have been rescued, but flash floods and landslides have caused significant casualties. Among the victims were five people, including a pregnant woman and a four-year-old girl, who died when a house collapsed in Bhaktapur. In another tragic incident, six football players lost their lives at a training center in Makwanpur due to a landslide. Eyewitness accounts highlight the de...

 COMMISSIONER CHARGES TOWN PLANNERS ON MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION  The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide has urged Town Planning Officers posted to various MDAs to play their role in ensuring adherence to Physical Development Plans in project implementation. He made this known in Alausa on Friday during an interactive meeting with Town Planning Officers serving in various MDAs. He said that physical planning was the bedrock of any meaningful development and should be so respected by all Ministries,  Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government drawing their projects from the provisions of the Master and Model City Plans. He added that posting of Town Planning Officers to strategic MDAs such as Ministries of Transportation,  Housing,  Agriculture and Waterfront Infrastructure Development as well as the Lands Bureau and Lagos Resilience Office among others was a deliberate policy to ensure that impactful projects were...

 LAGOS FIRST LADY INAUGURATES CUTTING-EDGE REMOTE HEALTHCARE MONITORING SYSTEM … As Health District I Pioneers Remote Healthcare Supervision The Lagos State Government has introduced a state-of-the-art Remote Control System for Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Health District I to bolster healthcare delivery in the district as part of efforts to enhance healthcare at the primary level. Commissioned by the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the system is expected to improve healthcare access for residents of Lagos Health District I, particularly in underserved areas. It enhances efficiency by providing real-time monitoring of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and facilitates remote consultations between patients and specialists. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Rauf Aregbesola Primary Health Centre in Mosan-Okunola LCDA on Friday, September 27, 2024, the First Lady, represented by the wife of the Chairman, Egbe-Idimu LCDA, Mrs. Omolola Sa...

 A 13-year-old Michigan girl takes her 7-year-old sister's life.  Police in Taylor, Michigan were called to a home near Telegraph and Chestnut on Saturday, September 28th, in response to a domestic dispute. No one  was ready for what they discovered while on scene. As police arrived at the home they were horrified to find a 7-year-old girl suffering from multiple stab wounds. The girl was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital where she perished from her injuries. As police investigated the incident they discovered the assailant was sadly the girl's 13-year-old sister. Apparently there was some sort of argument between the two girls that ended in this tragedy.  Neighbors were shocked and reported their disbelief saying the girls were extremely close and were always seen playing together. No names are being released at this time and it is not clear what exactly led to the argument and subsequent fatal attack.  We will update when more information becomes availa...

 Nigeria to Save N5.4trn From Subsidy Removal in 2024-Abiodun ...urges constructive engagement with govt The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that the subsidy on fuel, if not curbed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would have cost the country a whopping N5.4 trillion by the end of 2024. Governor Abiodun noted that it would have been disastrous for Nigeria to pay such huge amount on subsidy on fuel against the Federal Government's budget of N6.7 trillion for the same fiscal year. The Governor stated this during the Special Church Service commemorating the 64th National Day celebration held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta. He said the money is now available for the development of infrastructures across the country "The Federal Government, under the amiable leadership of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wasted no time in embarking on some very bold and audacious initiatives aimed at repositioning our economy and saving us from bankruptcy....

 Uganda's Bobi Wine declares he will run for president in 2026 Uganda's Bobi Wine has declared that he will run for president in the January 12, 2026 elections, he made this known in an interview with Uganda's Monitor newspaper published on Sunday. In the last election in 2021, President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement party (NRM) got over 58% of the vote, while Wine of the National Unity Platform party (NUP), got over 35% of the vote.

 Mercy Eke apologises to Onyeka over unauthorised social media post Reality TV star, Mercy Eke, has apologised to ‘No Loose Guard’ housemate, Onyeka, for provocative posts made from her account. She clarified that a handler’s actions did not reflect her views.  The controversy arose after the handler engaged in drama related to the show, specifically the clash between returning agents and current housemates. On her birthday, Mercy expressed frustration, stating she had left Big Brother Naija behind and was disappointed by the handler’s unprofessional behaviour.  She apologised to Onyeka’s supporters, calling the posts “embarrassing” and emphasising they did not represent her feelings. She tweeted: “Can’t believe I’m waking up to this on my birthday. A handler that was supposed to post my birthday contents and reply birthday wishes was involving herself in BBN drama and now I have to deal with this mess??? I have left everything BBN behind for Christ sake! And seeing such ...

 CBN governor pushes for global financial reforms The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has participated in a high-level forum organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), marking the 80th anniversary of the Bretton Woods Conference.  The prestigious event, held at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA, where the original post-World War II financial system was born, brought together a select group of global leaders to critically assess and shape the future of international financial systems. A statement from the CBN on Sunday said: “Cardoso’s presence at this historic forum highlighted Nigeria’s and Africa’s growing influence in international economic discussions. His participation underscored his pivotal role as a representative of African interests, advocating for the continent’s financial needs and priorities in the global economic space”.  With his vast experience as the former head of Citibank Nigeri...

 NRC to probe ‘ticket racketeering’ on Abuja-Kaduna train service The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will address allegations of ticket racketeering on the Abuja-Kaduna train service (AKTS). In a statement on Saturday, Yakub Mahmood, NRC’s deputy director of public relations, said some officials take advantage of the difficulties some passengers have with the online booking platform to engage in ticket racketeering. He also appealed to the public, especially the passengers, to bear with the NRC, saying that the situation would soon be brought under control. “Information has reached the management of the NRC on difficulties of passengers in obtaining tickets online resulting in ticket racketeering on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) in recent times,” NRC said.  “In order to arrest the ugly situation, the management has set up a team headed by the deputy director of  ICT to investigate. “In the meantime, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr Freeborn Okhiria, ha...

 Five injured in Lagos bridge accident Five people sustained injuries in a road accident on Ifako Bridge, Lagos, on Tuesday morning, involving an unpainted commercial Mazda bus (MUS 576 YJ) and a Korope mini-bus (FKJ 618).  The crash was attributed to driver negligence and brake failure. In a statement from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. as the Mazda bus headed toward Ogudu. Preliminary investigations suggest the driver of the Mazda bus lost control after becoming distracted while eating.  The situation escalated when the vehicle’s brakes suddenly failed, resulting in the collision. LASTMA officers arrived promptly at the scene, rescuing five passengers from the Mazda bus, one male and four females who sustained varying degrees of injury. The injured individuals were attended to by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and transported to the Accident and Emergency Centre near the Toll Gate along the La...

 Claim president wasn’t duly elected doesn’t hold water – Ex-INEC Director Jimoh Akanni Agboola (PhD), is a consultant, an expert in electoral matters, and a retired pioneer Director of the Electoral Institute, Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC), Abuja. Aside from writing many research papers on electoral matters, he has also written other books including, ‘Secrets of Winning Election,’ ‘Key to Business Success ‘Ataoja Osogbo: The Fabode Dynasty,’ among others. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, he talks about the metamorphosis of SEC to SIEC, elections in Nigeria, particularly the 2023 general polls in Nigeria. Excerpts I would like you to assess the performance of SIECs since its establishment. Let me bring you back a bit historically. Before SIEC, there was SEC in the 1979 Constitution, during the time of Obasanjo, but most of the state governments at that time did not allow it to operate, they preferred ‘caretakership’. Then the 1999 Constitution established ...

 How Wike influenced my appointment – Petroleum Minister Minister of state for petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, has said FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, played a pivotal role in his appointment to the federal cabinet. He spoke on Saturday at an event organised in honour of Wike by the Ijaw Peoples Congress (IPC) in Port Harcourt. Lokpobiri emphasised the importance of political alliances and support networks in achieving key governmental positions. He said: “It is important to tell you my brothers and sisters that me that is standing before you today as the minister of state for petroleum resources was also made possible by Nyesom Wike. “You also heard the account of the MD of the NDDC who said that the minister of the FCT played a direct role in his appointment. “My own case could have been a more direct role. Some of you may not know. It all started in Wike’s house in Port Harcourt and it all got concluded in his house in Abuja.” The minister continued: “My second journey of becoming a ...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS CZAR FOR CHINA-NIGERIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as director-general and global liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership reached by the two countries during the President’s visit in early September.    Tegbe, a 1988 first-class graduate in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, will report directly to the President.    He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.    He will immediately submit a strategic action plan to enable Nigeria to benefit from the agreements between the two countries in Beijing.    As the czar of the strategic partnership, he will lead day-to-day operations, engage continuously with the Chinese counterparts, and ensure that all deliverables are met and synchronised with national developme...

 A 9-month-old Missouri baby will never be the same if he survives after his mom's boyfriend bear hugs him until he stops screaming. 28-year-old Jordan Boggess is being charged with child abuse after a September 14th incident that left a 9-month-old boy clinging to life.  On that day, the mother of the child, referred to only as "Waylon" left him in a jumper so she could take a shower. While showering the child was left in the care of her boyfriend, Jordan Boggess.  Shortly after being alone with the baby, Waylon "became sick" and began to cry. Under his own admission, Jordan Boggess told investigators when Waylon began crying, he picked him up and threw him in the air and caught him.  However on the second toss, he claims his hands were sweaty and he dropped the baby. We should note here, doctors at Children's Mercy Hospital claim the child has suffered head trauma.  However, the ordeal this poor baby went through was not over after being tossed to the floo...