PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Enugu Govt Targets N509bn IGR for 2025, Reaffirms Commitment The Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) has reiterated its determination to achieve the proposed N509 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for 2025.   Speaking at a Holy Mass to mark the start of the new work year at the ESIRS headquarters on Thursday, the agency’s Executive Chairman, Emmanuel Nnamani, commended residents for their exemplary tax compliance in 2024. He described the 2025 target as ambitious but achievable.   “This may seem daunting, but we have proven our ability to exceed expectations,” Nnamani said. He outlined strategies to boost revenue, including improved collection of land use charges, stamp duties, taxes on rental income, and recovery of outstanding local government taxes.   Nnamani emphasized the government’s commitment to efficient project execution, describing the revenue target as a catalyst for transformative initiatives that would benefit al...

 COMMISSIONER TASKS DISTRICT VI PRINCIPALS ON ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE  … Seeks For Ways To Improve Students' Wassce Performance  The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, has tasked teachers and educational stakeholders in Education District VI with embodying a culture of excellence that students and teachers in their district can emulate.   The Commissioner made this known during a recent review meeting with junior and senior secondary school principals in Education District VI. The meeting aimed to assess student performance in the last West African School Certificate Examination and identify strategies for improvement. Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District VI, Mrs. Mojisola Christiana Yusuff, in her opening remarks, stated that the meeting is basically to review the performance of students in the last West African School Certificate Examination in the education district and look for a way of improving the p...

 SECURITY: LAGOS EQUIPS LNSA OFFICERS WITH MORE OPERATIONAL EQUIPMENT  The General Manager of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), Prince Dr. Ifalade Oyekan has warned officers of the Corps to treat Government equipment in their possession with care.  Oyekan said this while speaking with the Commanding Officers of the various Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas during the distribution of additional equipment to them.  "Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, has been very gracious to this Agency and its Corps, and we owe the people of Lagos State to be diligent at our work while also protecting the equipment put at our disposal", he said.  All the 57 LG and LCDA Commands of the Corps arm of the Agency received tools and a host of other equipment, which includes Flashlights, Intelligence Pen Recorders, Binoculars with Night Vision capacity, and Megaphones to enhance their Community engagement programmes and ca...

 RE: VIRAL VIDEO CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA  The attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media regarding an incident at the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. It is imperative to set the records straight and clarify the events that led to the said video. The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka has the statutory responsibility of oversight over all facilities under the Ministry’s purview. In line with this mandate, she embarked on an inspection visit to the J.K. Randle Centre. During the inspection, it was discovered that the Director of the Centre, Qudus Onikeku, was illegally operating a canteen within the premises without the knowledge and approval of the Ministry. This prompted Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka questioned the presence of the establishment and initiated an eviction which the Centre’s Director violently resisted and had his team ...

 PRESS RELEASE BORNO ATTACK: IGP ORDERS CLAMPDOWN ON ATTACKERS OF POLICE STATION, OFFICERS IN BORNO, COMMISERATES WITH FAMILIES OF DECEASED OFFICERS. As IGP Orders Zonal AIG To Deploy Resources for Swift Action. In a resolute response to the recent explosion attack at Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters, Borno State, on 9th January, 2025, at about 12.10am, which led to the death of two police officers; Inspector Bartholomew Kalawa and Corporal Mustapha Huzaifat, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has condemned the attack and ordered an immediate and thorough clampdown on the perpetrators as no cop-killer will go unpunished. The IGP expresses deep condolences to the families of the deceased officers, affirming that their sacrifice in the line of duty will not be forgotten, as their benefits and entitlements will be immediately paid to their families.  The IGP has therefore directed the Zone 15 Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG...

 ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT WAS NEVER HACKED – POLICE CONFIRMS Theft of N1.09BN False. The Nigeria Police Force hereby categorically dismiss the false narrative and rumour circulating online about an alleged hack of the Enugu State Government’s official account, resulting in the theft of N1.09 billion. This assertion is completely unfounded. There has been no hacking of the Enugu State Government's account, and the allegations of a theft amounting to N1.09 billion are entirely baseless. The case, which was investigated by the NPF-National Cyber Crime Centre (NCCC), was a case of procurement fraud, not a cyber-breach. The suspect has been arrested in connection with this fraud, and the funds have already been recovered. The Enugu State Government and other ministries, departments, and agencies of government and corporate firms are in partnership with the NCCC and have  established comprehensive and fortified security protocols to safeguard their financial systems. Citizens ...

 Ouattara wants 'to continue' as Côte d'Ivoire's President Côte d'Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara said on Thursday he would like to continue serving his country as president but emphasised that his party had not yet made a formal decision on its candidate for this year's election, TRT Afrika reported. Ouattara, 83, was re-elected for a third term in 2020 following a 2016 constitutional referendum allowing him to extend his rule. During the last election, Ouattara had argued that the approval of the new constitution allowed him to restart his mandate. He has previously said he would like to step down, but also suggested he would need old rivals to commit to withdrawing from politics too. "I am in good health and eager to continue serving my country," he said in an address to the diplomatic corps in Abidjan, the strongest signal yet that he plans to stand again. Gbagbos comeback Former First Lady Simone Gbagbo, the ex-wife of former Côte d'Ivoire...

 SANWO-OLU SIGNS 2025 APPROPRIATION BILL •Says N3.366trn budget will build on past gains, scale up impact for future •Lagos Internal Revenue Service has crossed N1 trillion in IGR — Assembly   Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday signed the 2025 Appropriation Bill tagged "Budget of Sustainability." Governor Sanwo-Olu signed the budget, which is N3.366 trillion, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, during a ceremony attended by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hazmat; Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Barr (Mrs.) Bimbola Salu-Hudeyin; members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh; and members of the State Executive Council, among others. Speaking after signing of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the budget was structured around five key pillars, which are Infrastructure Sustainability; Economic Diversification; Social Inclusion and Human Capital Develop...

 Gabon announces presidential election on March 22 Gabon's transitional leader Brice Oligui Nguema said on Thursday that the central African country would hold a presidential election on March 22, Reuters reported. Nguema was sworn in as interim leader in September 2023, after his junta ousted President Ali Bongo in the eighth coup in West and Central Africa since 2020. The Gabonese largely welcomed the military's ousting of Bongo, whose family's poor management of the country's oil wealth had led to a stagnant economy and stranded a third of the population in poverty. Nguema's announcement of the election date follows a referendum on a new constitution in November that was portrayed as a key step towards re-establishing democratic rule after Bongo was ousted. Some observers have been concerned that the process could favour interim authorities. While transitional leaders are barred from running for the presidency, an exception has been made for Nguema.

 POLICE ARRAIGN STELLA NWADIGBO FOR INDECENT TREATMENT OF CHILD The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Stella Nwadigbo, aged 45, for indecent treatment and assault of a child. The suspect, who was arraigned in Magistrate Court 1, Ogba today, January 9, 2025, had been captured in a viral video indecently treating and assaulting a three-year-old pupil of a primary school in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.  Following receipt of the video, the Family Support Unit (FSU) of Ikorodu Police Division promptly arrested the suspect on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 and transferred her to the Gender Unit of the Command Headquarters same day after preliminary investigations. The victim was taken to a medical facility for adequate medical attention.  The suspect has since been remanded to Kirikiri Correctional facility till February 18, 2025 when the case comes up for continuation of hearing.  The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, psc(+), mnips, whi...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR INCREASE IN CURRENCY SWAP BETWEEN CHINA AND NIGERIA AT MEETING WITH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER   President Bola Tinubu, Thursday in Abuja, urged the Government of the People's Republic of China to increase the $2 billion currency swap between Nigeria and China to enhance trade between the two countries.   He also called for an upward review of the $50 billion aid package for Africa, which China's President Xi Jinping announced last year.   China and Nigeria recently renewed their currency swap agreement, valued at 15 billion yuan (approximately $2 billion), to enhance trade and investment.   Receiving the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, at the State House, the President said increasing the level of currency swaps will speed up the infrastructural development in Nigeria and deepen the strategic bilateral relations.   "We still demand more in the area of currency swap. The level you have appro...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE   PRESIDENT TINUBU TO HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP: I SEE YOU GOING PLACES IN YOUR MILITARY CAREER   President Bola Tinubu, Thursday in Abuja, congratulated his Aide-de-Camp, Col. Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, for his promotion. He described him as a reliable officer, deserving of elevation in rank.   Lt. Col. Yusuf was promoted to Colonel by Nigerian Army Promulgation AHQ MS/G1/300/252/2 on 19 December 2024. The rank's seniority took effect on 22 September 2023.   "You all know Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf. He carries a lot of responsibilities. I am joyous that the military authorities have promoted my ADC.   "He is worthy of the promotion, and I am very happy for him. Nurudeen is a diligent and reliable officer with the right temperament. I believe he will go farther and farther in his profession.   "We are with you. We love and really care about you. We will continue to do so. Character defines man, and it has defined you. With your promotion, ...

 'I had the best time' - Chloe Bailey speaks on dating rumours with Burna Boy American singer Chloe Bailey has spoken about her recent visit to Nigeria and her public outing with Burna Boy, which sparked relationship speculations. Recall that Burna Boy and Chloe fuelled relationship rumours after they were recently spotted holding hands while leaving a club in Lagos last December. Reflecting on her visit to Nigeria in a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, Bailey said she had “the best time” in the West African country. “Nigeria was so beautiful. I had the best time. Yes, I was in the club with Burna Boy. The nightlife was so many colours, so many lights, so many cameras,” she said. Reflecting on her visit to Nigeria in a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, Bailey said she had “the best time” in Lagos , Nigeria. “Nigeria was so beautiful. I had the best time. Yes, I was in the club with Burna Boy. The nightlife was so many colours, so many lights, so many cameras,” s...

 ShopRite across Lagos ends nylon bag use, adopts reusable bags under single-use plastic ban Shoppers visiting ShopRite supermarkets across Lagos State this January 2025 have noticed a significant change; the retail chain no longer provides nylon bags for groceries. Instead, customers are offered the option of purchasing reusable shopping bags for N500 each or using shopping bags they bring from home. A Lagos shopper, @Bisolaa, highlighted the development on X on January 3, 2025, stating, “ShopRite no longer offers nylon bags for your groceries based on Lagos State ban on single-use plastics.”   A comment under her post confirmed the update, with another user sharing a similar experience at a different ShopRite location. A representative, they stated it was in compliance with the ban from the Lagos State Government. Other supermarkets in Lagos, like Ebeano and Spar, were still providing nylon bags This development follows the Lagos State Government’s October 2024 announce...

  Actor and dancer Nora Fatehi shared her frightening experience as wildfires ravage Los Angeles. On Instagram, she revealed that she and her team were forced to evacuate after receiving an emergency order. Nora described the chaos, saying, “I’ve never seen anything like this. We got an evacuation order five minutes ago. I quickly packed my stuff and am heading near the airport as I have a flight today. I hope it doesn’t get cancelled.” Nora expressed concern for the safety of those affected by the fires and called the situation “scary.” Her experience adds to growing accounts of devastation in the area. Other celebrities, including Priyanka Chopra, also took to social media to express their support for victims. Priyanka wrote, “My thoughts are with everyone affected. Stay safe,” alongside a video showing the fires’ severity. The Pacific Palisades wildfires have destroyed over 1,500 buildings and displaced more than 100,000 residents, including several celebrities like Jamie Lee Cu...

 An 80-year-old woman loses her life after becoming fully engulfed by flames while on her mobility scooter. Marjorie Hible of Ely, Minnesota, tragically lost her life in a heartbreaking accident on January 6th. The initial call came into first responders at 4:38 p.m. from the Boundary Waters Care Center.  The 911 call indicated a victim  had been outside on her mobility scooter when staff members saw her engulfed in flames. According to reports, Marjorie Hible was fully engulfed in flames before staff were able to reach her. They were able to get Marjorie off of the scooter and extinguish the flames, causing one staff member to suffer non-life threatening burns. Marjorie Hible was rushed to a nearby hospital where she passed away as a result of her injuries.  The fire is under investigation but preliminary findings indicate the fire was the result of smoking a cigarette.  Presumably open flame may have come into contact with oxygen, however that is purely specul...

 Gov. Abiodun to Increase Ogun Teach Interns from 4,000 to 6,000, Pay Beneficiaries N80,000 Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that his administration will raise the bar of teacher recruitment in the state by increasing the number of teachers in the Ogun Teach initiative, currently pegged at 4,000 interns, to 6,000. The move, he said, is to ensure that the gap in the student-to-teacher ratio in the state is closed. Governor Abiodun stated this in his Oke-Mosan office when he received the management team of Teach For All and the Teach For Nigeria program, who are in the state for their retreat. Prince Abiodun noted that his administration, in line with current realities, has increased the wages of the Ogun Teach interns in the state to N80,000. "And I think we borrowed from the Teach For All and Teach For Nigeria schemes. Seeing the gap in the teacher-to-student ratio and how underserved our students were, we tried to plan how we can fast-track the employment or recr...

 Fire Destroys Section of Yola Temporary Market A fire outbreak has destroyed part of the temporary market in Yola, which was established for traders displaced from the old market complex. The old market, which was demolished after a fire incident last year, is currently under reconstruction. The fire reportedly began around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, spreading rapidly due to flammable materials and causing significant damage to shops and goods. Firefighters, aided by local volunteers, managed to prevent the blaze from consuming the entire market. Although no casualties were reported, affected traders have suffered considerable losses and are in distress. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri extended his sympathies to the traders and pledged support to help them recover from the incident.

 NAPTIP Rescued 285 Victims, Arrested 22 Traffickers in 2024 – Kano Commander The Kano Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) rescued 285 victims and apprehended 22 suspected human traffickers in 2024, according to the Zonal Commander, Abdullahi Babale. Babale shared this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Thursday. He explained that the rescued individuals included 78 males, 97 females, and 110 children—64 boys and 46 girls—ranging in age from seven to 42 years. “Among the rescued victims, 53 were trafficked persons, while 232 were survivors of sexual abuse, gender-based violence, and related crimes. The victims underwent counseling and rehabilitation before being reunited with their families, and 52 of them were provided with empowerment kits,” Babale said. The commander disclosed that the 22 arrested suspects included eight men and 14 women. During the year, the command handled 211 cases...

 Kingmakers Challenge Makinde's Action Over Alaafin Stool Selection Five prominent kingmakers in Oyo have criticized Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to initiate a new selection process for the vacant Alaafin stool, describing the move as illegal and dismissive of judicial proceedings. The kingmakers—High Chief Yusuf Akinade (Bashorun of Oyo), High Chief Wakeel Akindele (Lagunna of Oyo), High Chief Hamzat Yusuf (Akinniku of Oyo), Chief Wahab Oyetunji (acting for Asipa of Oyo), and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau (acting for Alapinni of Oyo)—expressed their concerns in a letter to the governor, signed by their lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju, SAN. They accused the governor, through the Oyo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, of appointing new warrant kingmakers—Chief Odurinde Olusegun Alajagba and Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye—in an alleged attempt to override the existing selection process. The kingmakers argued that this action undermines the majority's selection of Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbad...

 Mozambique opposition leader returns after fleeing on post-election safety fears Mozambique opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned home on Thursday, after fleeing in the days following a hotly contested October election that sparked demonstrations in which scores of protesters have been killed, Reuters reported. Mondlane says the Oct. 9 poll was rigged and has called on his supporters to take to the streets across the southern African nation of 35 million. A heavy riot police presence was felt in the areas surrounding capital Maputo's international airport where thousands gathered to welcome Mondlane. A Reuters witness said tear gas was fired on crowds in the area and snipers were positioned on buildings around the air base. Protests have continued, sporadically, for more than two months, and Mondlane's return could add fuel to the fire. Civil society monitoring group Plataforma Decide said at least 278 people had died in the protests since mid-October, when the electora...

 CAF increases CHAN prize money to $10.4 m The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has increased the prize money of the winner of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda 2024 by 75%, with the winner now receiving USD 3.5 million, a CAF statement said, TRT Afrika reported. CAF announced that the total prize money for the tournament has also been increased by 32% (USD 10.4 million). CAF President Patrice Motsepe said in the statement the competition is “part of our strategy of investing in African football and making it appealing and attractive to football fans, TV viewers, sponsors, partners, and other stakeholders in Africa and worldwide.” The CHAN Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda 2024 is scheduled to hold between Saturday, February 1- 28, 2025. Qualified nations 17 countries have already qualified for the tournament, namely Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democrati...

  Paris Hilton, Tom Hanks,Maria Shriver,Ben Affleck,Mark Hamill, Adam Brody, and Anna Faris,Miley Cyrus , Anthony Hopkins' ….. Others’ homes burn down in Pacific Palisades wildfires: 'Unimaginable devastation' The Los Angeles wildfires have killed five people and destroyed over 2000 structures in less than 24 hours including the family homes of the likes of Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, Anna Faris, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. The Palisades Fire began on Tuesday January 7 and forced evacuation of at least 30,000 residents in the affluent community where many Hollywood A-listers live. Many Hollywood celebs are among the hundreds of LA residents whose homes have burnt down in the raging Pacific Palisades wildfires. Cary Elwes, the star of The Princess Bride and numerous other films, wrote on Instagram Wednesday that his family was safe, but their home had burned in the coastal Palisades fire. “Sadly, we did lose our home, but we are grateful to have survived this truly devast...

 Wisconsin man breaks through ice in van while delivering food to an ice fisherman, then gets arrested. The incident occurred at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning when Shawano County Deputies received a call about a van going through the ice on Shawno Lake. Upon arriving on scene, the unidentified driver had escaped the vehicle in freezing waters on his own. The driver informed deputies he had been delivering food to an ice fisherman when the ice he was driving on gave way, plunging both vehicle and driver into the icy waters. The driver was taken to the hospital for evaluation and then arrested by deputies on unrelated charges, making this the worst day at work ever.

 A community is devastated after an 11-year-old boy is found deceased in his mother's RV on January 5th.  When residents at Lovely's Landing RV Park in Meridian, California realized they hadn't seen Meagan Dixon's 11-year-old old son for several days, they decided to confront the 44-year-old mother. After confronting Dixon, a verbal altercation erupted between Dixon and a neighbor prompting the property manager to dial 911. According to all reports, the neighbors just wanted to know if Dixon's 11-year-old son was okay or not.  Sutter County deputies reported upon arrival, "Dixon appeared to be intoxicated and in a manic state".  While deputies sorted the confrontation outside, the Sutter County Fire Department entered the RV to check on the 11-year-old child's well being.  Once inside the RV, first responders discovered the deceased 11-year-old boy.  Deputies reported there was evidence to suggest suffocation, however an official cause of death has not...

 NAFDAC Halts Sachet Alcohol Registration to Curb Accessibility The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ceased the registration of sachet alcohol since February 2024, aiming to reduce its accessibility, particularly among youths. At a Lagos press briefing, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, outlined the agency’s 2025 strategic plan, focusing on workforce expansion, maternal and child health, product safety, and regulatory efficiency. She emphasized the need to tackle substandard products, enhance supply chain traceability, and promote local manufacturing. Adeyeye also highlighted efforts to address Nigeria's overreliance on imports, improve border surveillance, and combat counterfeit products, stressing the importance of safeguarding public health.