PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 How criminals hypnotise before robbing, sexually molesting victims By Victor Ayeni In this report, Victor Ayeni delves into the chilling world of criminal hypnosis—a sinister tool used by criminals to rob, harm, and sexually assault their victims. He uncovers how this mind-altering technique is weaponised to manipulate and control unsuspecting individuals, leaving behind haunting psychological scars On a fateful day in April 2013, Toyin Obadina’s world came crashing down like a house of cards, never to remain the same again. As the 31-year-old recounted the incident to Saturday PUNCH, her voice quivered like a fragile thread stretched too thin. At the time, she was a student in a nursing school in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and was trying to recover from her father’s death after a brief illness. On this bright Friday afternoon, as Obadina walked home from the market with a newly purchased fabric, a vehicle pulled up beside her. Recounting what happened Obadina said, “There were two occu...

 Davido receives royal welcome as he storms India Award-winning Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, better known as Davido, is currently in India The singer is buzzing the internet with clips of him arriving at the country in grand style. As expected, the Afrobeat King was given a royal welcome and treated like a King as he arrived in the country. In videos posted to his Instagram stories, Davido was captured arriving at a city in India, Udaipur, in a ship as he was treated to a royal welcome. A clip captioned the moment, flowers were thrown at him to welcome him, and Davido happily turned around, enjoying the moment.

 CDS DEPLOYS SPECIAL OPERATIONS BRIGADE TO COMBAT LAKURAWAS SECT IN SOKOTO AND KEBBI STATES As part of ongoing efforts to eradicate the Lakurawas sect in Sokoto and Kebbi States, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has deployed a Special Operations Brigade to the region. This deployment aims to build on the successes recorded during the precursor operations under Operation FOREST SANITY III (CHASE LAKURAWAS OUT). Today, December 13, 2024, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajose, addressed the troops on behalf of the Theatre Commander, Major General Oluyinka Soyele. He tasked the troops with ensuring the complete neutralization of the Lakurawas sect. Brigadier General Ajose emphasized adherence to rules of engagement and the importance of protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens. He expressed confidence in the troops, reminding them that their selection ...

  Indian Teen Becomes World’s Youngest Chess Champion Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju shocked the world of chess on Thursday when he became the youngest world champion at the age of just 18. The Chennai-born prodigy defeated defending champion, China’s Ding Liren, in a dramatic match staged in Singapore which he had entered as the challenger. The FIDE World Chess Championship carries a $2.5m (£1.96m) prize fund.�It marked the peak to date of his career, his greatest moment in a long string of achievements. Gukesh became a grandmaster aged 12 years and seven months and even then, he was upfront about the fact that he dreamt of being the world champion. In fact, he said he had harboured such ambitions since he was seven when he was a spectator at a World Title match between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen in 2013. As he confessed at the press conference following his dramatic win against Ding, he just didn’t think it would happen so soon. Gukesh is the 18th world champion since...

 Teacher and teacher's aide facing charges after taping a 9-year-old child's head to a desk for nearly an hour. 57-year-old Todd Lewis and 67-year-old Sallyman Scala are facing charges after a shocking incident that occurred back in October.   The incident took place at Lenox Elementary School in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey where Lewis serves as a teacher and Scala is a teacher's aide. According to Pompton Lakes PD they were notified of the situation on October 31st when parents of a 9-year-old student made a report regarding the incident. The parents alleged that Lewis had placed masking tape around their child's back and head in order to tape his head to his desk. The child was then left for 40 to 50 minutes with his head taped down to the desk.  They stated Scala, who is a teacher's aide, witnessed the entire episode and did nothing to intervene. Following a lengthy investigation Todd Lewis has been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child....

 I’m Yoruba, I’ve Nothing In Common With Northern Nigeria —Kemi Badenoch The head of UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has sparked fresh identity controversy after saying she identifies herself as Youruba and has nothing in common with Northern Nigeria. Speaking with British media recently, Badenoch detached herself from Northern Nigeria, which she referred to as a haven for Islamism and Boko Haram. “I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity [Yoruba],” she said, “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is. “Being Yoruba is my true identity, and I refuse to be lumped with northern people of Nigeria, who ‘were our ethnic enemies, ’ all in the name of being called a Nigerian. “Somebody once told me when I was very young that my surname was a name for people who were warriors. They protected the crown, and that’s what I see myself ...

 Courts in Benin and Asaba Send Seven Internet Fraudsters to Prison   Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City and Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba between December 10 and 12 convicted and sentenced seven internet fraudsters to various jail terms The convicts are Precious Okeleke, Austine Iwuner, Saint Felix, Ododo Mathias, Idahosa Kelvin, Bankole Adaranijo, Owie Osasenago Stephen They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission. The charge against Okeleke reads: "That you Precious Okeleke (m) on or about the 30th of October, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b...

 Court rules Namibia opposition parties can inspect election data Two Namibian opposition parties that are seeking to challenge the result of elections last month won a court order on Friday allowing them to inspect election materials they had requested to see, Reuters reported. Namibia's ruling party SWAPO won both the presidential and parliamentary elections on Nov. 27, extending its 34-year rule in the southern African state. Opposition parties alleged the election was flawed and potentially invalid due to an extension of voting for several days, among other issues. "There were clearly irregularities in the election. IPC seeks the information in order to ... determine the extent of the irregularities," the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), the largest opposition party, said in a court filing seen by Reuters. "It also enables IPC to consider whether to launch proceedings concerning the validity of the elections," it said. Another opposition party, the Lan...

 Former French Soldier Insults Senegal's President in Front of Gendarme & Faces Trial, Reports Say Retired French serviceman Ripert Patrice, aged 73 severely insulted Faye in front of a policeman during a heated discussion about the Senegalese president's decision to withdraw French military troops from the country, local media said, Sputnik reported. The incident took place in the Ouakam district of the capital Dakar at a money exchange point. The Frenchman went on trial Wednesday on charges of insulting the head of state at the court of serious crimes in Dakar. According to the witness, Patrice used foul language to say the president was an unstable man and mentally ill who has no counselor. The old man reportedly added that Senegal is a "cursed" country. "I was very upset by these insults. I asked him why he had insulted the President in my presence. I told him I was going to call the police, but he asked me not to. Nevertheless, I called the gendarmes, an...

 An Illinois woman is facing human trafficking charges after her conversations with a Kentucky inmate regarding cannibalism, witchcraft and minor children draw police scrutiny.  Elena Sparenberg of Onarga, Illinois recently drew the attention of the Kentucky Department of Corrections Internal Affairs.  Sparenberg was a youth counselor for troubled youth up until her recent arrest. She is also a mother to minor children.  According to officials, Sparenberg had been visiting and communicating often with an inmate of the Kentucky Prison system. During those interactions the two spoke about disturbing enough topics to raise the eyebrows amongst correctional officers. The Internal Affairs Department made law enforcement aware of all the interactions and a warrant was executed on Sparenberg's Illinois home. During the search of the home, they collected electronic devices. On those devices they found images, messages and videos she and the inmate had shared. They had spoken...

 Bill To Establish Anambra Electricity Scales Second Reading  By Chizoba Okeke  A bill for a law to establish Anambra State Electricity Market and Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission has passed second reading at the State House of Assembly. The bill, aims to regulate electricity generation, transmission, system operation, distribution, and supply across the state. Leading debate on the bill, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Assembly and Member representing Njikoka Constituency II, Dr. Jude Akpua, explained that it seeks to ensure equitable access to electricity across the state by integrating more areas into the national grid, noting that the commission’s primary objective would be to provide reliable and economically efficient electricity for the benefit of Anambra residents. Supporting the motion, the Chief Whip and Member representing Ihiala Constituency I, Barr. Jude Ngobili, pointed out that the bill would play a significant role in addressing long-stand...

 Kaduna Residents Demand Compensation Over Power Outages Electricity consumers in Kaduna have called for compensation due to the collapse of the national grid and recurring power outages. The demand was made during a three-day summit organized by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).  Business owners, including Sanjeev Kumar from R.H Plastics, reported significant financial losses, with one company losing N60 million in 10 days due to the outages. NERC clarified that compensation was not the responsibility of the distribution company, while local officials emphasized the need for improved power supply and protection of infrastructure.

 Shettima: Nigeria’s Economic Growth Depends on Resolving Power Sector Crisis Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has stressed that the country’s economic development cannot be achieved without addressing the ongoing crisis in the power sector. He urged the nation's leaders to set aside differences, tackle energy challenges, and focus on transforming Nigeria into an industrialized nation. Shettima made these statements during the inauguration of the National Economic Council (NEC) Ad-Hoc Committee on National Electrification and the NEC Ad-Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He highlighted that successful post-industrial revolution countries have resolved energy shortages, pointing out that Nigeria’s economic progress is unattainable without solving its power sector issues and ensuring reliable and affordable energy for all Nigerians. Acknowledging that 40-70 percent of Nigerians still lack formal electricity access, Shettima expressed conf...

 Armed Forces Day: Gov. Okpebholo Urges Legionnaires to Wear Emblem with Pride Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has officially launched the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem, urging legionnaires to wear it with pride. He also encouraged them to actively participate in all upcoming activities celebrating the program. The governor made this call during a speech to members of the Nigeria Legion, ex-servicemen, families of fallen heroes, security personnel, and government officials at the Government House on Friday. Okpebholo was represented by Musa Umar Ikhilor, the Secretary to the State Government. In his address, the governor reaffirmed his administration's commitment to fostering peace, security, and unity within the state. "The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave men and women who stood as a defensive wall for the unity of our country," he said. Okpebholo emphasized the importance of unity in building a s...

 'We are focusing on our own problems' – Amorim Ruben Amorim says Manchester United are focused on their "own problems" rather the struggles of rivals Manchester City before Sunday's derby at Etihad Stadium. Premier League champions City have won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, seven of those defeats, and dropped to fourth place and eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand. Amorim has won three of his six matches in charge in all competitions, but United have lost back-to-back Premier League games to sit 13th in the table. And despite City's poor form, the Portuguese said: "I never think about these things. We will face a great opponent and I'm more focused on our problems, so we have a lot of issues here. "I'm more focused on what we should do on Sunday to win the game, so I'm really focused on my team." Asked if he was facing a weaker City side - and one which his former Sporting si...

 Burna Boy Teases Upcoming Single 'Bundle By Bundle' Set for December 17 Release Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has generated excitement among fans by teasing his new single, Bundle By Bundle, set for release on December 17, 2024. In a recent social media post, the Higher hitmaker shared a video snippet featuring the lyrics: “When I come to class, I be teacher / Chop life make e no chop you my nigga / I be million dollars when I smile for the picture / That’s why I no put no eyes on my liquor.” The track is anticipated to be part of Burna Boy’s forthcoming album, following hints earlier this year about new music. Fans were initially excited when Burna Boy mentioned an album release in July, but he later clarified that no specific date had been set. Burna Boy, born Damini Ogulu, has gained global recognition since his breakthrough hit Like to Party from his debut album L.I.F.E in 2013. He has since released seven successful albums, including African Giant (2019) and Tw...

 Man City boss Guardiola 'fine' despite pressures Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he is "fine" despite admitting his sleep and diet are being affected by the worst run of results in his entire managerial career. In an interview with former Italy international Luca Toni for Amazon Prime Sport before Wednesday's Champions League defeat by Juventus, Guardiola touched on the personal impact City's sudden downturn in form has had. Guardiola said his state of mind was "ugly", that his sleep was "worse" and he was eating lighter as his digestion had suffered. City go into Sunday's derby against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium having won just one of their past 10 games. The Juventus loss means there is a chance they may not even secure a play-off spot in the Champions League. Asked to elaborate on his comments to Toni, Guardiola said: "I'm fine. "In our jobs we always want to do our best or the best as possible. When t...

 Lawmaker Advocates for Increased Women’s Participation in Governance Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, has called for greater women’s participation in governance across Nigeria. During a courtesy visit by the first female Chairman of the FCT Council, Grace Ike, Salam emphasized the need for more inclusivity, citing countries like Rwanda and Kenya, where women make up significant portions of parliament.  He stressed that leadership should not be based on gender but on merit and capability. Salam also pledged his support to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and emphasized collaboration in promoting transparency and accountability. Grace Ike reaffirmed the NUJ's commitment to supporting the Public Accounts Committee's efforts in good governance.

 Nigeria's First Female Navy Aircraft Pilot Makes History Lieutenant Changfe Maigari has made history as the first female pilot in the Nigerian Navy, a milestone since the Navy's establishment in 1964. Maigari, from Langtang North in Plateau State, began her journey in 2016 when she graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant.  She served aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship Unity before earning her 'Pilot Wing' award in 2024 during the NN Ceremonial Sunset in Rivers. Reflecting on her achievement, Maigari shared how her military upbringing and perseverance led to this breakthrough, encouraging young girls to pursue military careers. She expressed gratitude for the support from her family, colleagues, and faith. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, commended Maigari for her achievement during the event, which also highlighted the Nigerian Navy's significant progress in addressing maritime crimes.

  PANDEF Seeks Wike’s Intervention in Land Dispute Over Late Col. Paul Ogbebor’s Estate The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, to intervene in the ongoing land dispute concerning a property previously allocated to the late Colonel Paul Ogbebor, a respected Nigerian nationalist and military figure. The revocation of the land allocated to Ogbebor, who passed away recently, has sparked widespread media attention, raising concerns over the handling of the property. Ogbebor, the first Nigerian to enroll in the Nigerian Defence Academy’s Cadet Course 1, was known for his distinguished military service both in Nigeria and abroad. He was also a founding member of PANDEF, which credits his contributions to its successes in advocating for the Niger Delta region. In a statement signed by Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, PANDEF’s National Spokesman, the forum urged Minister Wike to take action to safeguard Ogbebor’s legac...

 Jigawa High Court to Begin Christmas and New Year Recess on Monday The High Court of Justice in Dutse, Jigawa State, has announced its Christmas and New Year recess, which will begin on Monday, December 16, 2024, and end on January 3, 2025, in accordance with Section 274 of the Constitution and Legal Notice No 4 of 2015. A statement released on Friday by Abbas Wangara, Director of Protocol and Publicity, Judiciary, Jigawa State, confirmed that the court will resume its regular sittings on January 6, 2025. During the recess, Justice Muhammed El-Usman has been assigned as the Christmas and New Year recess judge and will handle urgent matters at the High Court Complex in Dutse. Wangara explained that the annual recess is a standard procedure, providing court staff and judges with a break for the festive period, in line with legal provisions. He further noted that Justice El-Usman would be available to address any urgent cases that may arise. This break, according to Wangara, offers a...

 Shettima to Represent Tinubu at Launch of $315 Million Oil Facility in Dubai Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to travel from Abuja to Dubai on Friday, December 13, 2024, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the commissioning and naming ceremony of a $315 million oil production and storage facility. The facility, owned entirely by Nigerian company Oriental Energy Limited, will be officially launched on December 14, 2024. Following the ceremony, the Vice President will continue his trip to Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) in Madinah and Makkah from December 16 to 19, 2024. On December 20, Shettima will also hold a bilateral meeting with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Dr. Bandar Hajjar, in Jeddah. The discussions will focus on co-financing for Phase II of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) and strengthening IsDB’s agricultural and economic development projects in Nigeria. Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria by December 21, 2...

 NERC Adopts New Tariff Tool to Advance Mini-Grid Development The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has officially adopted the African Forum for Utility Regulators’ (AFUR) mini-grid Tariff Tool, as announced in a statement on Friday. This tool, developed in collaboration with AFUR and key stakeholders, is designed to facilitate the establishment of cost-reflective tariffs for mini-grid projects, ensuring fair pricing and efficiency. The tool introduces new features, such as Portfolio Applications, which allow developers to register multiple mini-grid sites under one application. This simplifies regulatory processes, improves oversight, and leverages economies of scale to lower tariffs for end users. NERC also highlighted that the tool will be expanded to 30 African countries, fostering regulatory consistency across jurisdictions. NERC has instructed all mini-grid developers to start using the AFUR mini-grid tariff tool for permit applications from December 16, 2024....

 EU Urges Nigerian Government to Strengthen Child Rights and Protection The European Union (EU) has urged the Nigerian government to prioritize the protection and rights of children, emphasizing the need to shield them from all forms of discrimination and harm. At the International Human Rights Day event, themed “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now – Advancing Rights and Protection for Children in Nigeria,” the EU highlighted the importance of safeguarding children’s welfare. The event was organized by the EU Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), marking the end of the 16 Days of Activism and the 2024 International Human Rights Day. EU Ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, urged Nigerian states to go beyond adopting the Child Rights Act and focus on its full implementation. Mignot emphasized the importance of funding and institutional support to address the n...

 Gov. Nwifuru Approves N150,000 Christmas Bonus for Ebonyi Workers Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved a N150,000 Christmas bonus for all state government workers as a gesture of appreciation for their dedication and understanding, particularly during the recent strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The announcement was made during a banquet held in honor of the visiting British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, at the Government House in Abakaliki. Governor Nwifuru praised the civil servants for their commitment and their willingness to respond positively to the government’s appeal during the strike. A statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, on Friday, revealed that the bonus is to be paid to all workers before the close of work on Tuesday next week. The governor expressed gratitude for the workers' patience and assured that the state government remains committed to engaging in dialogue to improve their welf...

 IBB Owes N152M, Tambuwal N18M for Abuja Plots – Wike’s Aide Reveals Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that 9,532 individuals owe money for land allocated to them in Abuja.  Among the defaulters, former Military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) owes N152 million for a plot in Asokoro, former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom owes N950,000 for a plot in Bazango, and Senator Aminu Tambuwal owes N18 million for land in Carraway Dallas. Olayinka shared the details on his Facebook, urging the defaulters to pay their outstanding bills, as the FCTA has given them two weeks to settle. Under Wike’s leadership, the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA) has been carrying out demolitions and land revocations in the FCT.

 Lamido of Adamawa Retains Council of Chiefs Chairmanship as Assembly Clarifies Rotation Reports The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Mustapha, will continue to serve as the permanent chairman of the Adamawa State Council of Chiefs, the State House of Assembly confirmed on Friday. This clarification comes after reports claimed that the Lamido had been stripped of the position and that a bill had been passed to introduce a rotational chairmanship among other emirs and chiefs. Musa Mahmud, Chairman of the Assembly's Standing Committee on Information, addressed the media at the state assembly complex in Yola, rejecting the claims as false. He emphasized that the Assembly had not passed any bill to remove the Lamido from his role. “The allegation that the House passed a bill removing the Lamido of Adamawa from his chairmanship position and instituting a rotational system is incorrect,” Mahmud stated. He further clarified that the bill specifies the Lamido of Adamawa as the chairman ...

 Labour Party Seeks Court Ruling on Defectors' Seats The Labour Party (LP) has asked the court to declare the seats of its lawmakers who defected to other parties as vacant. This follows recent defections, including that of Alfred Ajang Illiya from Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, who joined the APC, citing a leadership crisis within the LP.  Another defector, Daniel Chollom, also moved to the APC, expressing his desire to support the President's national development agenda. The LP condemned these defections, accusing the lawmakers of betraying their constituencies, and filed a lawsuit to compel the National Assembly leadership to declare their seats vacant and recover any emoluments received after their defection.

 EFCC Arrests  Suspected Fraudster for Allegedly Duping 139 Australians Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a suspected online fraudster,  Osang Usie Otukpa, for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of $AUD8,000,000 (Eight Million Australian Dollars). He was picked up in a stake out at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos upon arrival from the United States of America on Friday, December 6, 2024. Otukpa, who goes by five aliases, namely: Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson scammed the victims by luring them on the social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group, LAG. The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform. He would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.  

 Alleged ₦80.2bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Apologises as Court Grants ₦500 Million Bail A former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on December 13, 2024, apologized to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for failing to appear in court for his trial. Bello, through his counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN, expressed regret for any perceived disrespect toward the court. “My lord, I am apologizing on behalf of the defendant for any perceived disrespect toward the court in the past,” he said. Addressing the court, the defence counsel  clarified that the defendant’s earlier actions were not intended as contempt. “For the record, my lord, I wish to apologize for any impression that the defendant refused to appear before your Lordship. He directed his former counsel to challenge the court’s jurisdiction, which led the matter up to the Supreme Court. This was not an act of disrespect but a procedural move,” he said Continuing, he stressed that,  “The defendant, a...

 Rwanda bids for Formula One hosting rights President  President Paul Kagame announced on Friday Rwanda would bid to host a Formula One race in the capital, Kigali, AFP reported. The Great Lakes nation has been actively pursuing plans to host an F1 Grand Prix, aiming to return the sport to Africa for the first time since 1993. It is the latest step in the country's broader strategy to use sports to enhance economic growth, tourism, and global visibility. "I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa by hosting a Formula One Grand Prix," Kagame said at the opening of FIA General Assemblies in Kigali. The Rwandan leader welcomed the FIA General Assembly being held on the continent as an "important milestone." It signalled the "goal of the motorsport industry to connect directly with fans and aspiring drivers in Africa," he said. "It all comes down to respect and giving everyone the chance to con...

 OFFSHOOT WINS BEST SOUND AWARD AT BEST OF NOLLYWOOD AWARDS 2024 The critically acclaimed feature film "Offshoot" has taken home the prestigious Best Sound award at the 2024 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, held on November 24, 2024, in Ilorin, Kwara State. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the film, which has been garnering attention and accolades from viewers and critics alike. The Best Sound award is a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship, dedication, hard work, and creativity of the team. Offshoot tells the story of Modesire Mbakwe, the new Acting Head of Investigation at the NDA, who faces death threats from the cartel. Her determination strains her marriage with Dike, who must make a tough choice to protect their family. The film currently streaming on Prime Video has been praised for its thought-provoking storytelling, outstanding performances, and technical excellence. This award win further solidifies the film's position as a standout in the...

 Yobe Government Establishes Ministry of Livestock Development Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has approved the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development, effective immediately. A statement from the office of the Secretary to the State Government revealed that the Governor has directed the SSG, the Head of Service, and the Commissioner for Agriculture to define the new ministry's mandate, arrange office accommodations, and assign staff to ensure its swift commencement. This new ministry is part of the governor's broader plan to strengthen the agricultural sector. With this move, Yobe becomes the second state to create a Ministry of Livestock Development, following Borno State. In Borno, Governor Zulum appointed Deputy Governor Usman Umar Kadafur to oversee the newly established Ministry of Fishery and Livestock.