PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 PRESS RELEASE BADARU MEETS STAKEHOLDERS ON SECURITY CONCERNS IN PLATEAU, COMMENDS SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR EFFORTS IN FIGHTING INSECURITY  The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, held discussion with critical stakeholders, opinion leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies and the Chairmen of the affected Local Government Areas in Plateau State. The Minister expressed happiness over the already existing peace and called for it sustainance particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, Wase and Bassa Local Government Areas.He emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, urging both sides to desist from violence. The Minister identified negligence by some leaders, criminal exploitation and ethno-religious tensions as factors that perpetuates crisis. He called for community engagement, credible intelligence, and collective action to address security challenges. "The Federal Government is committed to deploying all ...

 The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tertiary Education, is set to commence the second phase of the Digital Capabilities Skills for students of the state tertiary institutions. This is in continuation of efforts to enhance digital skills and position the students of the state-owned tertiary institutions for jobs in the  ever-challenging and dynamic environment,  Speaking on the initiative on Monday, the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule said the programme is aimed at equipping over One million young people in the state with the requisite digital skills by 2030 to make them more employable, expanding the horizon of their opportunities and capabilities. According to him, the programme is tagged: “Maximising the Transforming Capabilities of Artificial Intelligence in the 21st Century Work Place” and will feature training in entrepreneurial skills development alongside core digital skills training using technology and tools in critica...

 As part of efforts to reduce plastic waste in the state and facilitate its conversion, the Lagos State Government over the week signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a British Company reputable for the conversion of plastic waste to energy. The LOI will grant access to the decommissioned Abule Egba landfill for the collection of flexible plastic waste for advanced chemical recycling. The project is a pilot one with GreenDeal Chemicals and Recycling and Greenback Recycling Technologies Ltd. This project will border around the collection of all flexible plastic waste arriving at the Abule Egba landfill site that will be recycled to generate energy.  Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) will make available waste deliveries which will serve as feedstock for the four modules of Chemical Recycling unit to be installed at the site for the duration of the concession. The four modules that will be deployed will require 32 metric tonnes of flexible plastic waste per day as feed stoc...

 Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the removal of application fees for scholarships and bursaries offered by the Lagos State Scholarship Board (LSSB). This decision aligns with the administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda initiative aimed at promoting youth empowerment and social inclusion. In response to this significant decision, the LSSB Secretary, Mr. AbdurRahman Lekki expressed gratitude for the Governor’s support, emphasising the long-term benefits of investing in the education of the state’s youth. According to him, the initiative aims to foster inclusivity and alleviate the financial burden on students seeking higher education. “Previously, applicants were required to pay application fees ranging from ₦2,500 for bursaries to ₦5,000 for PhD scholarships”, he recalled. Lekki noted that eliminating these fees addresses concerns raised by stakeholders regarding access to educational opportunities, particularly for economically disadvantaged students. He furth...

 Every avoidable loss of life in Anambra shatters my heart, especially when young lives are cut short. The mindless violence between rival cults in our communities is heartbreaking. Yesterday's tragic incident in Nibo, where young lives were lost, is unacceptable! We have an anti-cultism law in place and I have ordered immediate action against those involved. But laws alone aren't enough. Parents, community leaders, let's join forces to protect our youth! We can't sit back while our children destroy themselves. Let's take action at home and in our communities to end cultism. We will  continue to pray for the lost souls and work towards a safer Anambra where people will live right by the law and draw lessons from this avoidable tragedy.  May Anambra continue to win! C. C. Soludo CFR.  More photos below. 

 Dangote Refinery asks Court to void import licenses of NNPCL, Matrix, four others Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to void import licenses issued to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and four other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products that are already being produced by Dangote without shortfalls. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, Dangote Refinery is also seeking N100 billion in damages against the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for allegedly continuing to issue import licenses to NNPCL, Matrix, and other companies for importing petroleum products such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel (aviation turbine fuel) into Nigeria, “despite the production of AGO and Jet-A1 that exceeds the current daily consumption of petroleum products in Nigeria by the Dangote Refinery.”...

  Flavour and wife, Sandra Okagbue celebrate daughter’s birthday with lavish party::::: Singer Flavour and his wife, Sandra Okagbue, celebrated their daughter Munachi’s 10th birthday with a joyful party on October 20. Munachi, their first child, turned 10 the day before, on October 19. The celebration was a happy moment for the family, marking a big milestone in their lives. Flavour and Sandra made sure the day was special, hosting a fun event for their daughter. Photos and videos from the party show the family enjoying the occasion, surrounded by close family and friends in a lively and heartwarming atmosphere. More photos below. 

 Rihanna's boyfriend A$AP Rocky wants to buy EFL club for £15m after Wrexham success Superstar singer Rihanna's boyfriend A$AP Rocky is keen to buy League Two side Tranmere Rovers as he looks to emulate the success of Wrexham. The Dragons were bought by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in February 2021. The duo have since bankrolled their rise from the National League to League One, as well as producing a successful documentary about the club. That success has led to several other American celebrities become increasingly interested in English football. Former NFL star Tom Brady has invested in League One side Birmingham City. Now A$AP Rocky is looking to join them with Merseyside club Tranmere the team he has his eyes on. Rovers are currently 16th in the fourth tier and have never won a major honour or played in the top-flight. But according to The Sun, A$AP Rocky is part of an investment group who are set to buy them. Celebrity lawyer Joe Tacopina is fronting ...

  King Charles heckled by Indigenous Australian senator on visit to Canberra King Charles was accused of "genocide" by an Indigenous senator at Australia's Parliament House on Monday, moments after he delivered a speech in which he paid his "respects to the traditional owners of the lands". Charles, on his 16th official visit to Australia and his first major foreign trip since being diagnosed with cancer, had finished speaking when independent senator and Indigenous activist Lidia Thorpe shouted that she did not accept Charles' sovereignty over Australia. "You committed genocide against our people," she said. "Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us - our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want treaty." Thorpe, who has disrupted previous events protesting over the colonisation of Australia, was stopped from approaching the king, who spoke quietly to Prime Minister Anthony ...

 On Saturday, 19th October, 2024, the Lagos State Government arrested individuals, including the celebrant, event planner, musician, and others, for obstructing traffic and creating an environmental nuisance. The individuals arrested are: 1. Omolara Ajetumobi – Event Planner 2. Ogundare Olubunmi – Celebrant 3. Ayodele Busuyi – Musician 4. Owoeye Adedayo – Sound Engineer 5. Akinola Akinkunmi – Vendor The suspects were arrested for blocking Raymond Njoku Road in Southwest, Ikoyi during a birthday celebration. They will be tried in court in accordance with the relevant laws of the State. The Lagos State Government reiterates that no one is above the law and will not be permitted to disregard State regulations. More photos below. 

 Police intercept gunrunner with 350 rounds of ammunition in Yobe Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have arrested a 54-year-old woman from Jakana town, Konduga LGA, Borno State, for trafficking ammunition from Buni Yadi to Damaturu. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Damaturu. He said on October 20, 2024, at about 18:30 hours, ‘A’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Damaturu, received credible intelligence regarding a suspected gunrunner en route to Damaturu. “Swift action led to the interception of a Golf 3 saloon car, and a thorough search revealed 350 rounds of live 7.62×39 MM ammunition concealed in the suspect’s luggage. “The suspect is currently undergoing professional interrogation as investigators work to unravel the criminal network and motives behind the trafficking”, the statement added. In the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, reaffirmed the Command’s commit...

 Sit-at-home cripples business activities in Umuahia Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, was the shadow of itself from morning to afternoon on Monday as many residents of the city stayed indoors while several business outlets did not open. Businesses including banks, petrol stations and eateries did not open while motor parks were devoid of passengers. A few commercial motorists who came out complained of scarcity of passengers. Major roads like Azikiwe road, school road, Ikot Ekpene road, Aba road, Uzuakoli road, Bende road and Bank road all looked empty with few individuals and vehicles available. At government establishments, it was discovered that some civil servants did not come to work as those who come from far distances could not connect vehicles to their offices. The Office of the Head of Service located at Library Avenue was under lock even at 1:30 pm while many public and private schools in Umuahia recorded a drop in attendance. However, there was no report of violence o...

 Shock, horror as train crushes man in Lagos The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency says it has recovered the body of a man who was hit by a moving train at the Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos in early hours of Monday. The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, made this known in a statement. He said, “The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, in response to distress calls at 0828hrs activated its response Team. “On arrival at the incident scene at 0902hrs, LRT discovered the dead body of an adult male on the train tracks. “Further investigations revealed that the adult male was reportedly hit by a moving train in the early hours of the morning. “The Agency’s response team recovered the body from the railway tracks and handed it over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU. “SEHMU has transferred the commodity to the morgue for further processing. “Recovery operation concluded.”

 No appointment of acting Chief of Army Staff, says DHQ The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said it has not appointed any senior officer as acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS). It said such an appointment doesn’t exist within the Armed Forces. The clarification came after reports in some online platforms and social media about the alleged demise of the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. The Nigerian Army authority clarified on Saturday that Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja was on leave and receiving medical check-ups abroad.  It explained that before the COAS proceeded on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on his behalf, stating there was no leadership vacuum as speculated in some quarters. The DHQ in a statement by the Director Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Monday, explained that the Chief of Policy and Plans is only “providing routine briefs to the COAS in accordance with standard mil...

 Speak truth to leaders, don’t insult govt, Remi Tinubu tells cleric Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Monday admonished religious leaders to focus on praying and counselling governments at all levels instead of raining curses on them. The president’s wife gave the warning at the opening ceremony of a four-day International Conference of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative scheduled to be held in Abuja.   The ABLI initiative themed ‘Value-based leadership model for Africa’ attracted several African and European leaders as well as global Christian leaders. In her address, Tinubu, who was represented by the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Princess Gloria Akobundu, lamented there are numerous challenges plaguing today’s leadership, especially in Africa. The First Lady, therefore, urged religious leaders to preach peace and follow in the footsteps of Christ by fervently praying for leaders in power ...

 Kogi gov swears in new LG chairmen Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has sworn in newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 21 local government areas in the state with a charge to be dedicated to serving the people they represent. The Special adviser to the governor, media and publicity, Ismaila Isah, stated this in a statement on Monday in Lokoja. According to him, the swearing-in ceremony was held at the government house in Lokoja. The governor urged the new chairmen to sustain the tempo of development at the grassroots level by embarking on projects and programmes that will improve the lives of the people. He charged the new local government chairmen to ensure the security of lives and property and key into signature programmes of the administration in the areas of health, agriculture, social welfare and empowerment initiatives to transform the lives of the people in their respective local government areas. Ododo said, “There is a need for you to be transparent and accoun...

 EFCC Re-arraigns Former Kwara Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed for Alleged N5.78bn Fraud   The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, October 21, 2024 re-arraigned the immediate past governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed alongside his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu on a 14-count amended charge bordering on alleged stealing and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N5.78billion before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the  Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.   Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin to another division.   Governor Abdulfatah and Banu were first arraigned on a 12-count charge of mismanagement of public funds before Justice Anyadike on April 29, 2024, to which they pleaded not guilty. However, the presiding judge was transferred in the course of trial. Hence, the case has to start de-n...

  Bobrisky enjoyed some privileges in prison – FG panel An investigative panel set up by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that a Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, enjoyed special privileges while at the Medium and the Maximum Security Custodial Centres. A member of the panel and the Executive Director and founder of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, Uju Agomoh, stated this while reading the phase one report of the panel on Monday in Abuja. Recall that a controversial social critic, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, had shared a voice note allegedly belonging to Bobrisky, who claimed that a “godfather,” alongside staff members of the Nigerian Correctional Service, ensured he served the six-month sentence in a private apartment and not in prison. On September 30, the minister constituted an investigative panel chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalena Ajani, and ordered a pr...

 Immigration source recounts how Bobrisky was arrested, says he has been moved to NIS office in Lagos An Immigration source at the Nigerian-Benin Republic border has given an account of how crossdresser, Bobrisky, was arrested at the Seme border today October 21 during passport checks. Premiumtimes reports that the Immigration source told their publication that Bobrisky was arrested at midnight and detained until this morning, and has been moved to the Lagos zone of the NIS in Ikeja. ‘’He was arrested at midnight and detained until this morning, and he’s currently being moved to the Lagos zone of the NIS in Ikeja. He gave his passport to someone to stamp it for him, so, the officer saw the name immediately among others and requested that he should come down from the vehicle.”the source said  Bobrisky is embroiled in an ongoing investigation by a Committee of the House of Representatives, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Nigerian Correctional Service over a...

 Sit-at-home: Shops, schools, others shun Soludo’s directive, observe IPOB’s order Despite an order by the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, directing businesses to open on Monday, traders in Awka town largely have complied with the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Economic activities were crippled in the state capital, and schoolchildren were turned back from school. All students who attended on Monday were asked to return home due to the sit-at-home directive. Our reporter who visited Awka discovered that virtually all business offices and shops were locked. All banks, shops, and private establishments were closed for fear of being attacked. In Awka, most shops were shut, and vehicles were off the roads, leaving only a few individuals to trek or forgo their engagements. The reports from Onitsha and Nnewi and other major cities were the same. 54-year-old woman arrested with 350 rounds of ammunition in Yobe Oluwo chased me away like ...

 Flood: Anambra West Residents Appeal For  Immediate Govt  Assistance By Felix Igboanugo  Residents of Anambra West Local Government Area, Anambra State are currently facing a dire situation as the area has been severely submerged by the ravaging flood.  The rising waters have caused widespread damage to homes, farmlands, and infrastructure, leaving many residents displaced and in need of urgent assistance. In light of this crisis, the residents have made a passionate appeal to federal government, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Anambra State Government for immediate assistance.  Speaking to information officer, one of the resident, Mr. Okonkwo Odili stressed the urgent need for relief supplies such as food, shelter, and medical assistance. "Our people are facing extreme hardships, with no shelter, food, or clean water, and the health risks are escalating as waterborne diseases spread unchecked. This situation demands swift and decisive int...

 2024 Ofala Festival: Onitsha Monarch Bemoans Devastating Impact of Nigeria's Economy, Insecurity  By Juliana Nwachukwu/Ngozi Okoli/Anakor Nkiru The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe last Friday, expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of the nation's economy and insecurity. Achebe, in his 2024 Ofala message tagged: "Courage Perseverance, Self-reliance" which he translated into Igbo language as , "Onye kwe, Chi'e ekwe", said the combined effects of the duo of poor economy and insecurity are the spiraling ride in the cost of living, business closures, loss of employment, a general feeling of hopelessness and lack of trust in the government. According to the monarch, "At last year Ofala, I stated that the previous 12 months were marked by uncertainties occasioned by the aftermath of the general elections, further exacerbated by the continuing insecurity and the effects of the sudden removal of the fuel price subsidy. " Unfort...

 South Africa's Ramaphosa calls for massive BRICS investment in Africa South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the BRICS group of world's emerging economies to invest in the development of Africa, given the potential of the continent, TRT Afrika reported. President Ramaphosa made the call while addressing the BRICS Business Forum ahead of the bloc's summit due to start on Tuesday in Kazan, Russia. The South African leader pointed out that Africa's free trade arrangement is ''unlocking massive opportunities'' and called on the BRICS members to make ''substantial'' investment in Africa's infrastructure and skills for young people. ''We therefore call on fellow BRICS countries to partner with us to build the roads that are needed, the ports for exports and imports, the rail lines, the energy and the telecommunications networks, that will enable Africa to industrialise and to be able to trade with other countries in ...

 PTML Customs Command Records 29% Revenue Increase, Generates N239B in 9 Months ...Uncovers Concealed Weapons, Ammunition in Imported Vehicle The Nigeria Customs Service Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) has recorded a 29 percent increase in its revenue generation figure from January to September 2024, compared to last year. Speaking to pressmen on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, stated that the generated sum of N239,233,530,265.48 had its highest and most impressive monthly collection of N33bn in July 2024.  His words, "That record is the highest collected by the command this year so far, and we are optimistic about surpassing it before the end of the year, as positive signs indicate the result of constant review and evaluation of our revenue collection mechanism." Speaking further, Daniyan said the dispute resolution committee's strategic approach in handling trade disputes has helped sustain the two-ho...