PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 WAEC introduces resit exams for candidates The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced a new initiative, which will allow students to resit their WASSCE papers as early as January and February 2025. This marks a significant shift from the previous system, where candidates had to wait for the next private exam cycle. The Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, disclosed this while speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show in Ghana on Tuesday, December 31st. He explained that the new programme, referred to as WASSCE PC1, provides a faster route for students to improve their grades. “Students who access their results now and realise they need to resit one or two papers have until 8th January to register online through our website or at WAEC-accredited internet cafés. The exams will take place from 24th January to 15th February 2025,” Mr Kapi stated. ad According to him, to aid candidates in their preparations, WAEC plans to expedite the release of chief examiners’ reports, sayin...

 BUA gives update on completion of $3.8bn refinery. BUA Refinery and Petrochemical has announced that it is on track to complete its $3.8 billion plant in Akwa Ibom. In a statement on Saturday, the firm dismissed reports that the refinery is 90 percent complete. The clarification comes amid reports that the 200,000-barrel-per-day refinery is 90 percent completed. However, the company described the report as misleading. “Contrary to a misleading report stating that our 200,000 barrels/day refinery is at 90% completion, BUA wishes to advise the public to disregard such misleading reports that did not emanate from us. “As we make remarkable strides on our Akwa lbom refinery project, we are proud to Share that construction is progressing steadily. Whilst the refinery is not at 90 percent completion, we are, however, on track to meet our delivery timelines in collaboration with our partners.”

 Enyimba trash Black Bulls 4-1 in Uyo. Enyimba Football Club of Aba beat the Black Bulls of Mozambique 4-1 on Sunday in a CAF Confederation Cup match held in the Akwa Ibom State capital. Enyimba, which had lost 3-0 to the Black Bulls in December 2024 in Maputo, recorded an emphatic result to the joy of its fans. The Elephants took the lead in the 6th minute, with Joseph Atule opening the scoring, but a poor defence allowed the visiting team to equalise in the 12th minute through E. Ifoni. However, Ifeanyi Ihemekwele restored Enyimba’s lead in the 45th minute, with the first half ending at 2-1. The second half saw Enyimba adopt a more attacking approach in search of additional goals and their efforts yielded results in the 67th minute, as former Super Eagles striker and new signing Brown Ideye increased Enyimba’s lead to 3-1. Victory was sealed for the Elephants in the 89th minute when Joseph Atule scored his second goal of the match, wrapping up the game at 4-1.

 Finnish govt releases two of Ekpa accomplices  Two of the suspects arrested alongside Simon Ekpa have been released by the Finnish government, The Nation has learned. Ekpa, arrested on November 21, 2024, along with four others, faced accusations of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism in Nigeria.  Following his arrest, he was remanded in prison by the Päijät-Häme district court for allegedly “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.” The five men have been incarcerated since November 2024.  However, sources have confirmed that two of Ekpa’s alleged accomplices have since been freed by Finnish authorities. The names of the released individuals or the specific reasons for their release remain undisclosed as of the time of this report.  Government sources, who declined to offer further details, confirmed Ekpa remains in custody. This development follows an announcement by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. ...

 30-year-old kills man for allegedly assaulting his mother in Delta One Christian Goodluck has been stabbed to death with broken bottle by thirty years old Daniel Onyejekwe. Onyejekwe claimed he met the victim quarelling and assaulting his mother, hence the reason he engaged him in a fight with broken bottle which eventually led to his death on Wednesday, January 1. This was disclosed in a post by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on  Sunday, January 5. He wrote: “In this year 2025, pls control your temper. The suspect Daniel Onyejekwe aged 30yrs in Sapele murdered one Christian  Goodluck on 1/1/2025. The suspect claimed that he met the suspect quarelling and assaulting his mother.  “He and the deceased fought with a broken bottle. He stabbed the deceased with the broken bottle which later led to the death of the deceased. What a way to start the new year.”

  Grammy award-winning singer Burna Boy has offered assistance to the alleged babymama of celebrity barman Cubana Chief Priest. Hours ago, his alleged baby mama, in a viral video, had cried out over her struggle with homelessness. She claimed that her parents to contact Cubana has been futile as she revealed that she has been homeless since last year. And further claimed that Chief Priest had blocked her on Instagram and WhatsApp after she contacted him about the situation. “Hello, everyone; my name is Hellen; I am the lady who has a child with Cubana Chief Priest. It has reached a point where I feel like things are not going the way it is supposed to go. They chased me out of the house since last year; I have been trying to send my baby daddy pictures, but he blocked me on Instagram. The WhatsApp that we used to chat on blocked me, so I don’t know what to do anymore. I just need this baby to have a better life like other kids, children are blessings. So, I was just requesting that...

 Illinois man finds present for himself dating back from the 70's inside of the walls of his family home. Tim King of Lombard, Illinois was recently doing some renovations in the home belonging to his family for 3 generations.  As he was getting ready to put new drywall up in a small bathroom in his parents' home, he decided to look in the walls.  That's when Tim was completely shocked to find an old Christmas present wrapped in vintage Disney paper! After closer inspection, Tim discovered he was holding one of his own presents from a Christmas many decades ago. The general consensus is that the present was from around 1978 and had fallen between the walls and was lost. After finding the present, Tim notified his Mom about the present and waited on her before opening the present. Upon opening the long lost present, Tim found himself to be the proud owner of a set of Matchbox Thunder Jets. He said they would have been an awesome gift for his 6-year-old self.  We belie...

 Saudi Arabia Releases 3 Nigerian Women Detained for Alleged Cocaine Possession The Saudi Arabian government has released three Nigerian women—Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah, and Fatima Gamboi—previously arrested for alleged possession of illicit drugs.   In a statement issued on Sunday, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed their release following 10 months in detention. The development came after extensive diplomatic efforts between the Nigerian government and Saudi authorities.   The women were apprehended on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah during a pilgrimage. They were suspected of being accomplices after two other Nigerians were found carrying capsules of cocaine.   After prolonged legal and diplomatic engagements, the women were acquitted and handed over to the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah. They are now undergoing immigration processes before returning ...

 Many feared dead as petrol tanker explodes in Delta Some people reportedly died in Agbor town in Delta State after a petrol-laden truck erupted in flames in a densely populated area of the metropolis. Agbor, the headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area in Delta State, was rocked by the explosion on Sunday afternoon.  The incident occurred when a 33,000-litre tanker, which had been near First Bank, exploded while the driver was making a turn on the busy Old Lagos/Asaba Road. The blast caused widespread damage, setting several houses and vehicles on fire. Eyewitnesses told The Nation that some residents and passersby attempted to extinguish the flames, but the fire continued to rage. Some houses and vehicles around the scene were severely damaged, with some still burning.  The body of a car owner who was reportedly burnt beyond recognition was found on the road.

 Baba Obasanjo and the NNPCL refineries  By Simbo Olorunfemi That Baba Obasanjo has an almost child-like emotional attachment to the public-owned refineries under the trust and care of the NNPCL is not in doubt. It is also not difficult to explain why that appears to be the case. He can indeed assert some claim/credit for constructing two of Nigeria's four publicly owned refineries.  While the decision to construct the second and third refineries in Warri and Kaduna, respectively, was taken in 1974, with construction on the 3rd set to only commence “whenever the projection of the consumption of petroleum products justifies it”, by early 1975, fuel shortages made it necessary to proceed with its construction soon after. The Warri Refinery, whose contract was awarded in 1975 before General Obasanjo became Head of State, was completed and commissioned in 1978 while he was in office. The contract for constructing the Kaduna refinery was awarded in 1977 and commissioned in 198...

 PRESIDENT TINUBU TO ATTEND THE INAUGURATION OF JOHN MAHAMA, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF GHANA   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos on Monday, January 6, for Accra, the capital of the Republic of Ghana, to attend the inauguration of President-elect John Dramani Mahama on January 7.   Mahama, who served as the 12th president of Ghana between 2011 and 2017, was reelected in December 2024. He will succeed President Nana Akuffo-Addo ( 2017-2025).   President Tinubu's trip to Accra is at the invitation of the president-elect, who had visited the Nigerian leader earlier in December.   Mahama and President Tinubu have a longstanding personal relationship, just like Nigeria and Ghana maintain a longstanding bilateral relationship.   President Tinubu, as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, will join other African leaders at the ceremony.   Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and other senior governm...

 France arrests two Algerian TikTokers French authorities were on Sunday holding two Algerians who have wide followings on social media platform TikTok on suspicion of inciting terror, after they allegedly published posts urging acts of violence in France. The arrests of the two men – in Brest in the west of France and Grenoble in the southeast – comes against the background of growing political tensions between Paris and its former colony, AFP reported. A video blogger known as "Imad Tintin" was arrested on Friday outside Grenoble after publishing a video that urged followers to "burn alive on French territory. " The post was taken down but hardline right-wing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau published a video grab on his social media accounts, condemning the publication as "vile." "Nothing will go unanswered," Retailleau warned. The blogger, 31, is due to appear before a judge later on Sunday with a view to being charged and remanded in custo...

 Egyptian, U.S. top diplomats discuss developments in Gaza, Syria Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, where they discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip and Syria, said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in a statement on Sunday, Xinhua reported. During the talks held Saturday night, Abdelatty stressed the importance of continuing regional and international efforts to achieve "an immediate ceasefire" in Gaza and ensure unhindered access of humanitarian aid to the enclave, according to the statement. The Egyptian foreign minister emphasized the need for Israel to stop its aggressive policies towards the Palestinian people, expressing Egypt's complete rejection of Israel's systematic targeting of health infrastructure and hospitals in Gaza. Israel has been launching an ongoing large-scale offensive in Gaza to retaliate a rampage by Hamas militants through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, duri...

 Prince William and Catherine Mourn Death of Tiggy Pettifer's Stepson Prince William and Catherine expressed their shock and sorrow over the tragic death of Edward Pettifer, the stepson of their former nanny, Tiggy Pettifer. Edward, 31, was among 14 victims killed in a horrific vehicle attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. The attack, carried out by a 42-year-old US Army veteran who drove a truck into crowds on Bourbon Street, left over 39 injured, several critically. Authorities identified the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, as the lone perpetrator, and ISIS-related materials were discovered in his vehicle. The Pettifer family, mourning their loss, remembered Edward as a cherished family member and friend. King Charles and Prince Harry have both expressed their condolences privately, with the royal family offering their thoughts and prayers to all affected by the devastating incident.

  Honoring a Legacy: The State Funeral of Jimmy Carter The funeral proceedings for Jimmy Carter, who passed away last month at the age of 100, have commenced with a week-long series of events. Starting on Saturday, a motorcade transported Carter’s body from Plains, Georgia, his hometown, to Atlanta, where he will lie in repose for a few days before being moved to Washington, D.C. for additional ceremonies. After the services conclude, Carter will be laid to rest in Plains beside his late wife, Rosalynn, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 96. This extended tribute marks the final chapter of a life dedicated to public service, and it reflects the profound respect and admiration Carter earned throughout his remarkable career.

  Filmmaker Jeff Baena, Husband of Aubrey Plaza, Dies at 47 Filmmaker Jeff Baena, 47, passed away at his Los Angeles home on Friday. Known for films like The Little Hours, Life After Beth, and Joshy, Baena was married to actress Aubrey Plaza in 2021. The cause of death remains unclear, and his family has requested privacy. Plaza, who starred in The White Lotus and Parks and Recreation, has not commented publicly. Baena, a New York University graduate, worked in production under Robert Zemeckis and David O'Russell before directing Life After Beth in 2014. He and Plaza collaborated on several projects during their careers.

  NFL and New Orleans Saints Pledge $1 Million for Victims of Bourbon Street Truck Attack The New Orleans Saints and the NFL have pledged a combined $1 million to support the victims of a deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street that occurred on New Year’s Day. The donation includes $1 million from the Saints and a matching amount from the NFL Foundation, the league’s charitable arm. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed solidarity with the New Orleans community, emphasizing the league’s commitment to providing aid during this tragic time. Thirteen of the 14 victims have been identified, with ages ranging from 18 to 63. Saints owner Gayle Benson expressed the collective heartbreak felt by the city, acknowledging the devastating impact of the attack. The tragedy has left the community reeling as it mourns the lives lost and supports those affected by the violence.

  Hostage Video and Renewed Ceasefire Talks Amid Intensified Israel-Gaza Conflict Hamas has released a video showing 19-year-old Israeli captive Liri Albag, urging her government to negotiate for her release. Albag, along with six other female soldiers, was captured during Hamas's October 2023 assault on Israel. Despite indirect talks between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release, Israel's military continues intensive airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in heavy casualties, including the deaths of 88 people in the past 24 hours. The conflict has led to widespread devastation, with civilians suffering from bombings and rocket attacks. Israel's President Isaac Herzog pledged to continue negotiating for the hostages’ return, while Albag’s parents appealed for immediate action from the Israeli government. Meanwhile, tensions escalated with the interception of a missile from Yemen, launched by the Houthi group, signaling broader regional involvement. The war, which beg...

 GOVERNOR UZODIMMA CELEBRATES DECADE OF MARITAL BLISS  In a heartwarming ceremony held at the Imo Government House Chapel, Governor Hope Uzodimma renewed his 10-year vow to his wife, Her Excellency, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, in the presence of family members, friends, distinguished dignitaries, and well-wishers. The occasion was marked with a grand reception as the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to the woman he described as "the bloom of spring in my heart, a rose without thorn." Governor Uzodimma, in an emotional remark to his wife, praised her for being his anchor through the demanding whirlwinds of public service and for embodying love and grace in raising their children. "For me, you’ve been an inspiration, the gentle push I need to dream bigger, to aim higher," he continued, expressing his deep appreciation for her unwavering support. "My heart is thine, as steadfast as the stars above, because I love you to the moon and back. Together, we’ve built a life...

  RECOVERY OF ABANDONED DAY-OLD BABY The FCT Police Command informs the public of the recovery of a day-old baby abandoned along a bush path near Crush Rock, behind an uncompleted Red Bricks Market, Mpape. On 03 January 2025, at about 10:00 AM, Police operatives from Mpape Division’s Juvenile and Women Care Section (JWC) responded to a distress call and found the baby wrapped in a cloth. The child was promptly rescued and taken to Mpape Primary Health Care Center, where medical evaluation confirmed the baby is in stable condition. Following a tip off from the community, the baby’s mother, Khadija Ali, was arrested. During interrogation, she confessed to abandoning the baby, citing her inability to care for the child following her husband’s abandonment. The FCT Police Command vehemently condemns this act of child abandonment and reassures the public of its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society. The rescued baby will be handed over to the Department of Socia...

 Italy’s prime minister, Meloni visits Trump. Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, on Sunday, paid an unofficial surprise visit to the incoming US president, Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Florida residence, Photos sent by the office of the prime minister early Sunday showed Meloni and Trump posing at the entrance to Mar-a-Lago and chatting in a reception room, a Christmas tree visible in the background. Meanwhile, the prime minister’s office has not provided any statement on the visit but photos of the two conservative leaders side by side were on the front pages of all Italy’s newspapers on Sunday. Meloni is one of several foreign leaders, including Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who have paid visits to Trump, who is due to be inaugurated for the second time on January 20. The visit by Meloni, who heads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, comes ahead of a four-day visit to Rome by US incumbent President Joe Biden, where he is expected to ...

 APC condemnes attack on its chieftain, Sani Shinkafi by youths in Zamfara. The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC has condemned Friday’s attack on one of its chieftains, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi during a marriage ceremony in Gusau, the State capital. According to a statement issued by the party’s publicity secretary in Zamfara, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party is horrified by the actions of irate youths. Recall that Shinkafi recently urged the federal government to intensify security along Shinkafi axis of the state, following renewed threat by Bello Turji in a video released by the terrorist. Gusau described the action as unusual of APC supporters who he described as “well behaved party members”. He said, “This is uncommon of our otherwise well-behaved party youngsters, who may have had some grievances against any member and forgot that the APC has well coordinated channels of addressing all forms of grievances which should have been taken by the APC youth”. A...

 EPL: He had clear chances ~ Maresca speaks on Jackson’s missed opportunities in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Palace. Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca, has admitted that his side had the chance to finish off Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday but for Nicolas Jackson’s missed chances. Maresca felt the striker was unlucky not to score despite having multiple chances with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Jackson had numerous opportunities to extend the Blues’ lead but could not be clinical in front of goal. Speaking to the press after the game, Maresca stated, via Football London, “For a striker, sometimes they score all their chances, sometimes they don’t score. “He had two or three clear chances today so that means he is there and ready. Hopefully next time he can be more lucky.” Jackson has scored nine goals and provided three assists in 20 appearances across competitions this season.

 Liverpool vs Man Utd: Amorim plots Liverpool downfall as Slot aims for EPL double. The stage is set for two old rivals, Manchester United and Liverpool, to battle in the Premier League Northwest Derby on Sunday evening at Anfield. Liverpool head to the game following a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham United in their last game. Liverpool manager, Arne Slot had confirmed that Joe Gomez will not take part against Man United due to injury. Slot also provided the latest update on Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate. Slot’s men currently top the Premier League table with 45 points from 18 games. Man United, on the other hand, have a new manager Ruben Amorim who took over from Erik ten Hag last year. Amorim has got off to a poor start to life at Old Trafford, losing six out of the eleven matches incharge of Man United so far. The Portuguese had confirmed that forward Marcus Rashford is ill and won’t take part in the game He also confirmed that Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof will miss...

 Media personality Shade Ladipo sends message to Burna Boy’s family amid his beef with Cubana Chief Priest Canada-based Nigerian media personality Shade Ladipo has sent a message to singer Burna Boy’s family amid his fight with celebrity barman and Davido’s best friend, Cubana Chief Priest Taking to her Instagram page, she urged the fans to help her beg the singer’s family members. Shade told them not to take the singer’s phone. “Pls help me beg Burna Boy’s family members. Please don’t take his phone from him. Abeg una pls. T for Thanks”.

 PRESS RELEASE FCT POLICE OPERATIVES RECOVER ABANDONED TOYOTA PRADO JEEP On December 31, 2024, at about 11:30 AM, FCT Police operatives from the Durumi Division, while on routine patrol, discovered an abandoned Toyota Prado Land Cruiser Jeep along David Ejoor Street, opposite Adisa Estate, Apo-Gudu. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found without a registration number. A thorough search of the vehicle was conducted, and the following items were recovered from inside: One silver-colored eagle insignia Some video/audio cables One car stereo remote Further investigations revealed that the sticker showing the engine and chassis numbers near the driver’s door had been removed, and the windscreen appeared to have been recently replaced. The vehicle has since been towed to the FCT Police Command Headquarters in Garki II. The Command calls on members of the public who may have cases of missing vehicles matching the description of the recovered Toyota Prado Jeep to visit the FCT Command for ...

 Nigerian gospel icon Nathaniel Bassey invited to Trump’s inaugural prayer breakfast Renowned Nigerian pastor and gospel minister, Nathaniel Bassey, has received a prestigious invitation to minister at the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. The event, set for January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C., will precede the swearing-in ceremony of Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. The gathering, which is a non-governmental and non-political affair, will be hosted by Reverend Merrie Turner. In 2024, he was honoured by the Mayor of Albany, New York, who declared October 6 as “Pastor Nathaniel Bassey Day” in recognition of his contributions to gospel music and his positive impact on communities worldwide. The Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast is a long-standing tradition that brings together leaders from various faith backgrounds to pray for the President and the nation. Pastor Bassey's participation in this event is a significant milesto...

  Burna Boy fulfils promise, gifts Cubana Chief Priest’s alleged brother $30,000 Grammy award-winning Afrobeats artiste, Damini Ogulu Ebunoluwa, popularly known as Burna Boy, has fulfilled his promise of sending $30,000 to the alleged brother of socialite Cubana Chief Priest. Burna Boy and Cubana Chief Priest trended on social media on Saturday following a clash online I between the two. Amid the social media face-off, Burna Boy posted a video of Bethel Okechukwu, an individual who claimed to be struggling as a phone repairer despite being the brother of Cubana Chief Priest. Captioning the video, Burna Boy requested that the alleged brother of Cubana Chief Priest be found, stating that he would like to give him $30,000. In a recent development, the ‘Last Last’ crooner has now fulfilled his promise of gifting the man the money, according to posts made by Bethel Okechukwu on Instagram on Sunday. In one of the posts, Okechukwu was seen in a club with Burna Boy, bending on his knees to...

 Madhav Chutia, an officer with the Dibrugarh Police Reserve, tragically lost his life in an accidental firing incident while cleaning his service rifle. The mishap occurred as Chutia, who held the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police, was preparing for duty at his home. The accidental discharge from his AK-74 rifle fatally injured him, with the bullet piercing his chest and striking a television in the house. Family members and colleagues immediately rushed him to the Assam Medical College Hospital (AMCH) for treatment, but doctors were unable to save him. The incident has left the police force and the local community in shock. Chutia was known for his dedication to his work and had served the Dibrugarh Police Reserve with distinction. His untimely death has raised concerns about safety precautions during weapon maintenance. Authorities are investigating the incident to understand how the accidental discharge occurred. Senior officials have urged all personnel to follow str...

 Delhi Police arrested a 23-year-old man, Tushar Singh Bisht, from East Delhi’s Shakarpur area on Friday for defrauding more than 700 women through fake profiles on dating platforms. Tushar, who worked as a recruiter for a private company in Noida during the day, posed as a US-based model at night. Using this fabricated persona, he manipulated and blackmailed women into giving him money by threatening to leak their private photos and videos. According to the police, Tushar used a virtual international mobile number to create fake accounts on platforms like Bumble and Snapchat, where he pretended to be a US-based freelance model on a visit to India. He stole photos and stories from a Brazilian model to build his fake identity. His targets were women aged 18-30, whom he befriended online and convinced to share personal content. Over time, what started as a ploy for amusement turned into a systematic scheme of blackmail and extortion. One of his victims, a second-year Delhi University...

 Liverpool v Manchester United to go ahead at Anfield Liverpool's Premier League match against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon will go ahead as planned despite overnight snow at Anfield. A final safety meeting was held at midday when it was decided the game could kick off as scheduled at 16:30 GMT.  Much of the north-west of England woke up to snow on the ground on Sunday morning and the weather and travel conditions had to be checked before it was ruled the game could be played. "Today's fixture against Manchester United will go ahead as planned," Liverpool said.  Manchester United confirmed it has "been deemed safe for fans to attend" the match. An amber weather warning for snow and ice is in place for much of northern England. The conditions forced airports in Manchester and Liverpool to temporarily close on Sunday morning, while sleet and rain showers are forecast for the area this afternoon.