PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Lagos clears 54 illegal shanties, dismantles criminal hideouts in Eko Bridge   …84 occupants dislodged as authorities intensify cleanup of major urban hotspots The Lagos State Government, in a robust move to tackle environmental and security challenges, has successfully cleared 54 illegal shanties and dislodged 84 occupants beneath the Eko Bridge in the Ebute-Ero area. The operation, executed by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), underscores the government’s resolve to restore order and curb environmental degradation in the metropolis. The enforcement action, which took place on Monday, also saw the demolition of eight makeshift toilets that had been contributing to rampant open defecation and unhygienic conditions in the area. According to Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, the move followed the expiration of a seven-day abatement notice, which had been ignored by the residents of the shanties. “In consolidation of existing eff...

 Delta: Family on the run for rejecting female circumcision   Efeturi Ukpenotha Ofou, a native of Okpe-Isoko in Isoko North of Delta State, along with his wife and two young children, has been forced into hiding after standing against a longstanding tradition in their Okpe-Isoko community. Their only “crime”? Refusing to have their daughter undergo female circumcision—a rite their people believe is compulsory for every girl by the age of seven. Ukpenotha and his wife, both devout Christians, see the practice as harmful and against their faith, believing it endangers their daughter’s health and infringes on her rights. Since the birth of their daughter in 2017, they have refused to yield to pressure from their community and even moved to Lagos hoping distance would calm the demands. However, as their daughter’s seventh birthday approached, the warnings grew more intense. In early September, the couple received a direct letter from Okpe-Isoko’s community leaders instructing them...

 Joshua’s career earnings hit $200m 12th November 2024 Anthony Joshua has surpassed the $200m mark in career earnings, making him one of boxing’s highest earners, surpassing heavyweight rival Tyson Fury and rising star Gervonta Davis, The PUNCH reports. The former two-time heavyweight champion earned $75m from fights in 2024 alone, placing him second only to Canelo Alvarez in yearly earnings. The Mexican champion matched Joshua’s fight purse but edged him in off-field earnings by $2m. Fury, 36, collected $50m in 2024, taking his career earnings to $150m, significantly behind Joshua’s impressive haul. Meanwhile, Davis, 30, has accumulated $50m since his professional debut, with his recent bouts against Ryan Garcia and Frank Martin contributing nearly $20m to his wealth. Garcia himself has emerged as a pay-per-view star, amassing over $40m in career earnings. Joshua’s financial ascent began notably with his Saudi Arabia rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr., where he pocketed $65m. His subse...

 Lakurawa terror group came from Niger to Nigeria six years ago – Security expert A security expert, Bulama Bukarti, has claimed that the Lakurawa terror group currently causing havoc in Sokoto and Kebbi states is not new. Bukarti said the group has been in the country since about six years ago, alleging that they usually enter the country from Niger Republic. The Defence Headquarters recently raised an alarm about the emergence of a new terrorist group called Lakurawa in the northwestern part of Nigeria. According to reports, the group has launched deadly attacks in some parts of the region, killing unsuspecting citizens. Speaking on the development, Bukarti, who was featured on a Channels TV programme on Monday, said the group has been “sporadically living or camping in the northwestern part of Nigeria for over six years now. “They first started illegally entering Nigeria around 2016, 2017 but they did not stay permanently. “What they do—and that’s what they do still today—is tha...

 ‘Go back to your state’ | ‘I’ll give you job abroad’ — reactions as nurse claims Lagos smells   An X user simply identified as Nurse Ugbede has sparked mixed reactions on the microblogging platform after allegedly calling Lagos and its residents “smelly”. “This Lagos is a smelly city. People smell, the streets smell, and the gutters smells, the water smells, everything is smelly. I’m tired,” the tweet allegedly reads. The post generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some users defended her right to express her opinion, others criticised her for being “disrespectful to the city and its residents”. One user identified as Bayo slammed Ugbede over her comments, calling them “public ridicule”. The user also drew the attention of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos governor, to the remark. “Dear Lagos government, you’re leaving the lives and economy of Lagos in the hands of people that hate their employers,” the user wrote. “If @jidesanwoolu and @mudashiru_obasa will not start de...

 Alleged Naira Abuse at Senator Goje’s Daughter Wedding: Setting the Records Straight The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a viral video where the nation’s currency, Naira, was freely sprayed at a wedding ceremony in Kano, Kano State on Friday, October 24, 2024. Allegations of the abuse of the Naira were imputed to Mrs Fauziya Danjuma Goje, daughter of SenatorDanjuma Goje, by Nigerians from all walks of life, including an Editorial by a leading and respected National Newspaper.   As a responsible and accountable anti-corruption agency campaigning against currency mutilation and dollarization of the economy, the EFCC swung into action by analysing the video and findings showed that the alleged naira abuse actually happened but not at the wedding of Goje’s daughter but at the wedding dinner of Amina Babagana Zannah held on the afore-mentioned date. Zannah is the daughter of Hajara Seidu Haruna (a.ka. Hafsat Gold Nigeria) who...

 The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced that an agreement with Dangote Refinery has been secured to lift petroleum products directly. Briefing newsmen in Abuja, IPMAN president, Abubakar Garima, noted the latest agreement is poised to strengthen partnerships between parties, which will result in the regular and affordable supply of petroleum products across the country. According to Garima, the partnership would ensure a steady, affordable supply of PMS products nationwide. At the meeting the Dangote Refinery, pledged to commence supply of products to over 30,000 IPMAN members and 150,000 retail outlets nationwide. This move is expected to eliminate middlemen, reduce costs, and ensure steady supply.

 Senegal's ex-President Macky Sall to run for MP Senegal's former  Senegal's former President Macky Sall will run for Member of Parliament in the country's November 17 parliamentary elections.  Sall's political party, the Alliance for the Republic (APR), is in a coalition arrangement with other opposition parties, including the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) of former President Abdoulaye Wade. Sall's coalition is called Takku Wallu Senegal, to mean "Let's Unite to Save Senegal" in the local Wolof language. The coalition, formed in September, hopes to secure a majority in the 165-member parliament. Parliament dissolved President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved parliament in September and called for legislative elections on November 17. He said at the time that the opposition-controlled parliament had made it difficult for him to implement his government's agenda. In Senegal, political parties share their lists of candidates with the electoral...

 Headteacher Demoted Over Persistent Absence in Awka North  By Obiageli Nwankwo The headteacher of Unity Primary School in Awba Ofemili, Awka North LGA, Mrs. Bertha Chidebe has been demoted and directed to hand over her duties to the next senior officer, Mrs. Helen Okafor, due to consistent absence from her post. This action was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, during the distribution of writing materials donated by Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Dr. Nonye Soludo to state-run primary schools in Anambra State. The commissioner expressed disappointment with the poor condition of the school and, upon further investigation, found that the headteacher had been largely absent from her responsibilities. During the visit, Prof. Chuma-Udeh observed that the school was in a state of neglect, with overgrown fields and classrooms in disrepair, some even missing roofs. The commissioner urged community leaders and the town union to help renovate the school to...

 Empowering Education: Soludo's wife, Nonye Soludo Donate Writing Materials to Anambra Schools  By Obiageli Nwankwo The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and  Dr Nonye Soludo, wife of Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo have supported education in Anambra hinterlands with the provision of writing materials This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Education, Anambra State, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh during the distribution exercise to state government schools in Awka North Local Government Area. In this initial phase, four primary schools in Awka North were among the beneficiaries: Obuno Primary School, Ebenebe; Unity Primary School, Awba Ofemili; Agueke Primary School, Ugbenu; and Community Primary School, Ugbenu, 205. Addressing the pupils during the event, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, explained that the materials were donated by the wife of the president,  Senator Oluremi Tinubu through her Renewed Hope Initiative a...

 DPO Ekuase Assumes Command of Fegge Police Station, Warns Criminals  By Juliana Nwachukwu  A new Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Ekuase Monday, (SP), has taken over the Fegge Police station in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Southeast, urged residents to come up with useful information that will lead to arrest of criminals.  Reading the  riot act to criminals, he stated that they better vacate the area in their own interest or be ready to meet their waterloo, assuring the informants that their identity would not be disclosed. Mr. Monday who is transferred from Makurdi, Benue State capital, and hails from Edo State, reiterated that the area cannot be save haven for criminals, expressed satisfaction with the hospitality of the residents. The new DPO who succeeded Mr. Uche Noah, (CSP), the immediate past DPO of the station, expressed satisfaction with the hospitality of the residents, pledged their support to ensure that the area is free of crime and criminali...

 PRESS RELEASE RULE OF LAW: IGP, EXPERTS LECTURE HEADS OF POLICE INVESTIGATION UNITS ON PROFESSIONALISM  As IGP Reiterates Force’s Commitment to implementing child-friendly policing practices. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., on Monday 11th of November 2024, held a conference and workshop program with the heads of all Police Investigation units, at the Nigeria Police Resource Center, Jabi, Abuja. The workshop aimed to enhance professionalism and standardization of criminal investigations and refine the investigative practice of every investigative detective in the Nigeria Police Force, ensuring thorough and unbiased procedures and the commitment to safeguarding the foundations of justice. In attendance was a Professor of Law, Professor Ayodele Atseluwa from the University of Lagos, who delivered a lecture on “The Child justice System in Nigeria: An Overview.”  The IGP reiterated the unwavering commitment of the force to safeguardi...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT   PRESIDENT TINUBU HONORS OGONI MARTYRS   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and healing among all ethnic nationalities that make up our great nation.   In a special message commemorating the 2024 Ogoni Martyrs Remembrance Day, President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) and all Ogoni citizens to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the Ogoni nation’s interests.   This year’s commemoration, themed “After Price, Comes Prise,” reflects our collective commitment to acknowledging the pain and the lessons of the past as we aspire for a brighter future.   "We honour their memory by recognising the sacrifices made and pledging to strive for a future characterised by peace, justice, and sustainable development for all communities, particularly those in the Niger Delta," said President Tin...

 Blue Ivy Turned Heads at the 'Wicked' Premiere  Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, looked glamorous as she attended the 'Wicked'premiere in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, November 10.  The star-studded premiere of Wicked, which is set to hit theaters on November 22, 2024, was already an anticipated event. After all, celebrities like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are leading the film’s cast. However, Blue Ivy Carter’s appearance added another layer of fascination for those following the glamorous evening The youngster, who will turn 13 in January 2025, had fans saying that she is the spitting image of her mother. The 12-year-old, who has already made her stage debut with Beyonce, attended the 'Wicked' premiere wearing a pink satin column gown. The 12-year-old, who has already made her stage debut with Beyonce, attended the 'Wicked' premiere wearing a pink satin column gown. The Grammy-winner welcomed Blue Ivy with husband, Jay-Z, on January 7, 20...

 Drake Allegedly Gave Young Thug One Million After Prison Release, Says Akademiks Drake allegedly gave Young Thug one million after he was released from prison. DJ Akademiks , who’s made it clear how “close” he is with Drizzy, claims that he heard through the grapevine about the rapper’s generous move. "Y'all want to hear this play I heard?" began Akademiks, talking about the situation on a livestream. "Watch, he gon' hit me up, like, 'Yo, how you heard?' 'Cause he ain't tell me. That's my mans. When Thug gets let out of jail, the talk is this. They say two hours afterwards, Drake flew to Thug and allegedly gave him a mil'. Drake didn't tell me this. Drake gon' hit me up and be, like, 'Who told you this?'” Akademiks continued on, claiming that Drake flew to wherever Thug was at and gave him the money. Drake apparently showing up for Thug like this underscores how strong their relationship is. Back in October, Thug, while in...

 Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu admits Israel behind pager attack in Lebanon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time admitted that Israel was behind the pager and walkie-talkie attacks on Hezbollah in September that left at least 39 people dead and more than 3,000 injured, local media reports have said. “The pager operation and the elimination of (Hezbollah leader Hassan) Nasrallah were carried out despite the opposition of senior officials in the defence establishment and those responsible for them in the political echelon,” The Times of Israel newspaper quoted Netanyahu as saying. Netanyahu’s remarks came during Sunday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, according to Hebrew media reports. Israel had so far not taken responsibility publicly for the attacks, but it was widely speculated that it was behind the complex successfully orchestrated attacks that took the world by surprise. Thousands of pagers containing explosives exploded on their Hezbollah owners across Lebanon and pa...

 IPMAN, Dangote Reach Agreement For Direct Lifting Of Petrol, Diesel The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has secured an agreement with Dangote Refinery to lift products directly. IPMAN National President, Abubakar Garima, announced this in Abuja on Monday after a meeting of the National Working Committee of the Association. He said the partnership will ensure steady, and affordable supply of PMS products nationwide. Girima said After meeting with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, “we’re pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has agreed to supply IPMAN with PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets.” Garima urged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, citing backward integration benefits and positive impacts on Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange market. Regarding pricing, Garima expressed confidence that negotiations with Dangote would yield lower rates. On Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), The IPMAN Presiden...

 NSCDC Seals Illegal Petroleum Refining Site In Ebonyi, Arrests Four Suspects The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sealed an illegal petroleum refining site, following the arrest of four suspects in Ebonyi State. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Ebonyi State Command’s spokesperson, ASC Emmanuel Uneke, and obtained by Channels Television on Monday. Uneke stated that the discovery was made on Saturday, November 9, 2024, through intelligence-led operation by the command’s Anti-vandal squad, who successfully disrupted an illegal oil refining activities at Ugwuachara in Abakaliki, the state capital. According to the statement, the suspects arrested are Patrick Peter, Monday David, Aliyu Muhammed, and Oke Jeremiah, adding that a tanker truck with 45,000 litres of unrefined petroleum was also discovered at the site. It added that preliminary investigation revealed use of fraudulent documentation to disguise the true purpose of the transportation of petro...

 Parliamentary System Best For A Nation Like Nigeria – Aregbesola A former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has emphatically backed calls for Nigeria to ditch the presidential system of government and return to the parliamentary system. He said this at a National Dialogue on Home-Grown Parliamentary System in Abuja on Monday. The immediate past Minister of Interior, who said he is opposed to the executive system of government currently practiced in Nigeria, insisted that the arrangement in the parliamentary system is best suited for a country like Nigeria. “If you go on believing that an individual, no matter how beautiful, no matter how good, could have the capacity to govern 120 million people all alone without checks, we are joking. So, by that consideration alone, I am opposed to executive system of government. “I believe the collective arrangement which the parliamentary system guarantees is best for a nation like Nigeria if indeed we are committed to advancing the int...

 URGENT: Missouri woman and her two young daughters were abducted from their O'Fallon home. Authorities say the suspects separated them a short time later. 22-year-old Yajayra Molina and her daughters 6-year-old Irma Mo-Morales and 7-year-old Rosona Mo-Morales were taken from their home by 2 unknown men at approximately 6 p.m Sunday evening.  Then in a disturbing turn of events they were seen in Phillipsburg, Missouri being forcibly separated. The mother was forced into a red pickup truck and the kids remained in a black SUV.  There is no report on license plates or make and model. Officials report the mother's cellphone was pinged around Tulsa, Oklahoma at 1:30 a.m. If you have any information concerning their abduction or believe you have seen the mother or children please call 1-636-542-3727 or 911 immediately. More photos below. 

 Patients protest lack of power, water in UCH Ibadan Patients of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, the Oyo state capital and family members have protested the unavailability of power and water in the health facility. The patients, in a video seen online, were visibly angry demanding the provision of water and power. The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) allegedly disconnected UCH's power for 17 days, which affected important operations like test results and surgeries. The management of the facility however claimed that the hospital falls under the “Band A” electricity tariff structure, which requires them to pay between N88m to N99m monthly.

 “Nigerians please come and help me I just did a DNA test and found out that i am not the biological father of my only son my wife of 8years has been sleeping with my best friend who was my best man on my wedding day and my 8 years old son is his own”  -- Says a heartbroken Nigerian man. Watch video below

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES PASTOR TUNDE BAKARE ON HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY President Bola Tinubu congratulates Pastor Tunde Bakare as he celebrates his 70th birthday on November 11, 2024.  Pastor Bakare, a distinguished lawyer, pastor, leader, author, advocate for good governance, and politician, has significantly contributed to Nigerian society. He founded The Latter Rain Assembly, now known as The Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC).  On this occasion, the President joins Pastor Bakare’s family, friends, and the Christian community to celebrate his profound impact as a religious leader and gadfly.  President Tinubu reflects on Pastor Bakare’s bold and patriotic efforts to advocate for a better Nigeria. As a co-convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), he was pivotal in leading civil demonstrations during critical periods in our nation’s history.  The President recognises Bakare's unwavering faith and relentless dedication to advancing v...

 LAGOS WOMEN RUN: JOY EBIYE EMERGES THIRD-TIME WINNER  Veteran long-distance runner, Joy Ebiye, has emerged as the third-time winner of the Lagos Women Run on Saturday ahead of 10,000 participants. The 9th edition, which saw several athletes across Nigeria and Africa, commenced at 7 am from the Tafawa Balewa Square and finished at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan. Ebiye clocked the time of 39:35:21 to win the 10km race, having won the event in 2021 and 2023.  Lizine Nguetsa from Cameroon came second with a time of 40:02:54, while Charity Agofure emerged in third place after she returned a time of 40:09:23. Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu, said Lagos Women's Run is a competition that seeks to promote unity, peace and the spirit of feminism and a community of people of strong will who are ready to impact society positively. He emphasised that the 10 km race has become an attraction to a lot of people from different societies in ...

 SANWO-OLU COMMENDS LSACA AS 1,323 BENEFIT FROM FREE HIV/AIDS SCREENING, COUNSELING SERVICE  The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu has  commended the dedication of the State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state Sanwo-Olu made this known while inspecting the LSACA booths as part of his activities during the closing ceremony of the Y2024 Trade Fair recently held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos The Governor, who emphasised the commitment of the state government to the provisions of sustainable healthcare delivery for its residents, added that the state recognized the significance of maintaining good health for greater productivity. Sanwo-Olu commended the high turnout of participants for the free HIV screening and counselling exercise, stressing that early detection is a crucial step for accessing quality care. He also noted that the initiative was aimed at increasing awareness and providing accessible healthcare s...

 Economist says Port Harcourt refinery totally obsolete Despite the huge sums of money said to have been spent on the Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) of the moribund Port Harcourt refinery, a Nigerian Economist and Energy expert, Kelvin Emmanuel has pointedly posited that the facility and others in Kaduna, Eleme and Warri will not be operational anytime soon. Emmanuel said this in an interview with Channels Television breakfast programme Morning Brief on Monday.  He insists that the Port Harcourt refinery will not come back on stream, stating that the best it can offer Nigeria is to operate as a petrol blending plant According to the Energy expert and co-founder of Dairy Hills, the huge sums of money spent in the so-called rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery running into billions of dollars have gone down the drains as the refinery will not become operational again because it could not be fixed. He insists that the claims by the federal government through its agencies t...

 Police Arrests 3 Kidnapping Syndicate In Kaduna, Recovers Weapons The Kaduna state Police Command has announced the arrest of three members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate that has been operating along the Kaduna-Abuja highway and other neighboring states. In a statement by ASP Mansir Hassan, the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Kaduna State Police Command, he said the breakthrough operation was conducted by the Operation Fushin Kada Tracking and Response Team on November 5, 2024, at approximately 6:35 p.m., following credible technical intelligence. According to Hassan, the suspects, identified as Muhammad Lawal Abubakar (40), Abubakar Isah (40), and Samaila Saidu (65), were captured during an intelligence-driven operation. He added that the police recovered an AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine from them. The PPRO in his statement said, “During initial interrogations, the suspects admitted to being active members of the syndicate responsible for a series of kidnapping...

 The prime minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth has accepted his defeat following Sunday's parliamentary election. The population has decided to choose another team, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth told journalists on Monday. Jugnauth was seeking a second five-year term, but his main rival, Navin Ramgoolam, leader of the Alliance of Change coalition, was set to become the next leader of the Indian Ocean archipelago. Mauritius is known as one of Africa's most stable democracies.

 Government Day Secondary School Dutse has emerged victorious at the Dancing Competition of 12th China-Nigeria Cultural Fiesta 2024 The event held in Abuja amongst secondary schools was to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of China The Cultural Counselor, Embassy of China and Director, China Cultural Center, Mr. Yang Jianxing said young people are the hope of the nation and enjoined the students to work hard to become good representatives of their country.  The Representative of the Secretary FCT Secondary Education Board, Fatima Babba Gambo thanked the China Cultural Center for their unwavering support for schools in the FCT. More photos below.