PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 A 13-year-old girl with the mental capacity of a 3-year-old, who was "kept caged", died as a result of abuse. Her grandmother and mother were both arrested.  Police in Tempe, Arizona were called to a home around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21st after a 13-year-old girl was found not breathing. Her grandmother, 55-year-old Virginia Lujan told first responders the child had fallen down the stairs on Sunday evening. She contended the girl had seemed fine so she had not sought medical help. The young girl was rushed to a nearby hospital where sadly she passed away Wednesday morning. However, while being treated, officials noticed the girl was covered in bruises and sores at various stages of healing. The young girl suffered from cognitive delay and was mentally developed similarly to a 3-year-old.  While searching the home of Virginia Lujan, officers say they found a makeshift cage they believe the 13-year-old was kept in. According to reports they had modified a bunk bed so ...

 Woman arrested after 27 deceased horses were found on her properties. Authorities were able to rescue 16 horses. Officials in San Joaquin County, California were shocked and appalled at the sickening scene that awaited them when investigating a report of ongoing neglect on January 22nd. They had executed a search warrant on the extensive properties owned by Jan Johnson of Clements, CA. Once on scene the full scale of the suffering these animals had endured became evident. The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department began their search with animal control officers and veterinarians in tow so they could render aid to the unfortunate animals they found on scene. As they searched the properties, they discovered multiple extremely malnourished horses with limited access to food and water. Even more disturbingly, authorities would uncover 27 deceased horses on the properties.  16 horses were able to be rescued and placed in the care of Oakdale Equine Rescue where they will be proper...

 PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMENDS FINLAND FOR INTERVENING IN SIMON EKPA'S CASE, SAYS FG WILL NOT TOLERATE DIVISIVENESS   President Bola Tinubu Friday in Abuja welcomed the intervention of the Finnish government, with the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, saying the government will not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens.   President Tinubu spoke at the State House when he received the Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin. He commended the Finnish authorities for the timely intervention that safeguarded the nation's integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful coexistence.   President Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued.   "I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is...

  Lagos-Washington Flight Declares Emergency, Returns To Lagos A United Airlines flight UA613, en route from Lagos to Washington, declared an emergency mid-flight and returned to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on January 24, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft carried 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots. Several passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries during the incident, which occurred over Ivory Coast airspace. One passenger, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted the ordeal to Vanguard: “We had already been served our meals when the plane lost pressure and dropped. We noticed a sharp descent. I hit my head on the ceiling because of the impact. “I became unconscious, but one person from the medical team came to attend to me in the middle of the turmoil. The sharp descent happened three times, causing some people to sustain injuries. We spent four hours in the air. “In the midst of the turmoil, the pilot said we were ...

  Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court  Abuja has proscribed the Lakurawa sect, classifying it as a terrorist organisation. The prescription order followed an ex-parte application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). In a ruling, Justice Omotosho, equally proscribed similar groups operating in Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central regions of the country. FG had in the ex-parte application, prayed the court for four orders. An Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, mister David Kaswe, moved the motion that was initially filed on January 14 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Mohammed Abubakar. The FG maintained that it had reasonable grounds to believe that the Lakurawa sect met the criteria to be proscribed as a terrorist group under the Terrorism (Prevent and Prohibition) Act. It told the court that it would be in the overall interest of just...

  The Federal Government, through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has reiterated its commitment to launch the upgraded national identity card, the General multipurpose card (GMPC), sooner in the year. a statement by the Agency described the new National ID Card as a single, convenient, and General multipurpose card (GMPC), that eliminates the need for multiple cards. It wrote “The innovative card made in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), is to be powered by AfriGO, a National domestic card scheme licensed by the CBN to provide cost-effective and transparent card payments.” Currently, the 26 commercial and microfinance banks are issuing the AfriGo cards in the country. According to NIMC, the innovation will address the demand for physical identification enabling cardholders to prove their identity, and access government and private social services. On the voters’ card, the commission says se...

  Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023, Mr Peter Obi on Friday said he plans to retire to his hometown of Onitsha, where he'll take on a new role as a secondary school teacher, aiming to inspire and make a positive impact on the younger generation. Obi said this while teaching final year students at Dennis Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha, to mark the International Day of Education.

 Nigeria Pushes for UN Security Council Seat and G20 Membership at Davos Summit At the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, advocated for Africa's inclusion in the UN Security Council, highlighting Nigeria’s qualifications to represent the continent. Tuggar criticized Africa's exclusion, noting that 60% of the Council's resolutions impact Africa. He also emphasized Nigeria’s strategic role in global governance, citing its history of supporting African liberation, soft power through technical aid, and peaceful relations with neighbors. Tuggar made a case for Nigeria’s G20 membership, stressing its capacity to champion Africa's interests, including economic reforms and technology transfer commitments. The panel discussion, which included other African leaders, underscored Africa’s growing role in global decision-making. Tuggar called on South Africa to support Nigeria’s aspirations for greater representation.

 Kenya Approves Visa-Free Entry for Africans, Exempts Two Nations Kenya has announced a visa-free policy for citizens of all African countries, except Somalia and Libya, due to security concerns. The new directive, approved by the cabinet, abolishes the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement, allowing citizens of most African nations to visit Kenya visa-free for up to two months. East African Community (EAC) members, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, can stay for up to six months in line with EAC regulations. While no specific timeline for implementation has been set, Kenya plans to introduce an improved system for instant travel approval, with a processing time of up to 72 hours.

 TCN Completes Tower Relocation, Restores Power Supply to Apo Substation The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced the completion of the relocation of eight 132kV and 33kV transmission towers along the Kukwaba/Apo 132kV line, restoring full power supply to the 132/33kV Apo Transmission Substation in Abuja. This development, delayed by three days, ensures the resumption of normal electricity distribution to affected areas within the Federal Capital Territory. In a statement signed by Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, the company explained that the relocation was necessitated by the Federal Capital Development Authority’s Road dualization project along the Apo axis. The two-week project, which began on January 6, 2025, involved dismantling and reconstructing the towers and restringing power cables. During this period, a planned daily power outage was implemented from 9 am to 4 pm to facilitate the work. With the completion of the project on January 23...

 Scores of dolphins found dead on Somali beach Scores of dead and dying dolphins have washed ashore on a beach in Somalia, local officials said Friday, with horrified residents saying they had never witnessed anything like it, AFP reported. Locals said at least 100 were stranded on Thursday afternoon on a stretch between the Bossaso port and Mareero beach in the northern Puntland region. "The ministry of environment and the fisheries ministry are collaborating to urgently investigate this extraordinary incident," the region's government said, promising a formal report into what may have caused the rare event. The exact number of stranded mammals could not be confirmed, Puntland's environment ministry said, but added that "residents in the area estimated around 100 dolphins washed ashore." Dozens rescued The ministry also commended residents who managed to rescue 30 dolphins by getting them back into the water alive. Witness Abullahi Muse said 140 dolphins ha...

 Minister orders deployment of passport printers to US Consulates Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to deploy new printers to the passport offices in the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta and New York, United States of America. This is coming a few days after a petition by a group of Nigerians in the Diaspora. The petitioners had appealed to the minister to act after detailing challenges being faced by Nigerians in dire need of consular services in the two cities. In response, Tunji-Ojo in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, acknowledged receipt of the petition while announcing his directive to the NIS. The statement read: “The Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo, has acknowledged the receipt of a petition bothering on appeal for passport printers in Atlanta and New York Consulates in the United States of America. “To address this issue, the minister has since approved and directed the NIS to ...

 40 Professors Vie for UNN Vice-Chancellor Position A total of 40 professors are in the race to become the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Among the contenders are Professor Malachy Okwueze, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university and ex-Deputy Chief of Staff to a former Enugu State governor. Other prominent candidates include current Deputy Vice-Chancellors of UNN, Professor Romanus Ezeokonkwo (a former Supervising Vice-Chancellor) and Professor Daniel Nwachukwu (Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UNN's Enugu Campus, UNEC). Additionally, Prof. Paulinus Ugwuoke, Chairman of the Nsukka Professors Association; Prof. Jerry Ugwuanyi; and Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe are also in contention, among others. A university insider revealed on Friday that the Governing Council has reduced the number of candidates to 26. This follows the expiration of Professor Charles Igwe's tenure as Vice-Chancellor, with Professor Polycarp Chigbu currently serving in an acting...

 NSC DG Bukola Olopade arrives in Malaysia to Support Nigeria U19 Cricket Team at ICC T20 World Cup The Nigeria U19 Cricket team received a significant morale boost with the arrival of the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, at the ICC T20 U19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia. Hon. Olopade’s presence underscores the NSC’s steadfast commitment to fostering the growth of all sports in Nigeria, including cricket, often referred to as a "lesser sport" in the country. The Nigerian team has been making history at the tournament, marking their debut on the global cricket stage. They stunned the cricket world with a landmark victory over powerhouse New Zealand, an upset that has garnered attention across the cricketing community. Speaking on the team’s achievements, Hon. Olopade emphasized the importance of providing adequate support for the development of sports in Nigeria. "At the Sports Commission, we want to ensure that every sport rec...

  Trump orders release of last files on assassinations of JFK, RFK and MLK United States President Donald Trump has ordered the declassification and release of all remaining files related to the assassination of former US President John F Kennedy, the focus of popular conspiracy theories for six decades. Trump’s executive order signed on Thursday also calls for the release of the last remaining records on the assassinations of Robert F Kennedy, JFK’s younger brother, and the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. “This is a big one. A lot of people have been waiting for this for years, for decades,” Trump said as he signed the order at the White House. “And everything will be revealed.” Under Trump’s order, the Director of National Intelligence must present a plan within 15 days for the “full and complete release” of files related to JFK’s assassination and a plan within 45 days for the release of documents on the other two assassinations. The circumstances of JFK’s assassination...

 South Sudan Issues 30-Day Social Media Ban over violence in neighboring Sudan The government of South Sudan recently issued a social media ban of up to 30 days, following the release of videos showing the purported murders of South Sudanese citizens in the state of El Gezira Sudan. These videos are said to have been responsible for the rioting and violent retaliatory assaults, around the area. Last week’s rioting in the country’s capital, Juba, and a few other places led to the murder of roughly 16 Sudanese people. According to authorities, youths in several cities set fire to various homes. They looted and damaged stores owned by Sudanese citizens in revenge for what they perceived to be the participation of Sudan’s military and affiliated organizations in the murders in El Gezira. As a result, on Wednesday, Napoleon Adok, the country’s director general of the National Communications Authority, via a letter to internet service providers, instructed that they implement the ban on ...

 In India, rail passengers die after jumping from train, being hit by another A rumor of a fire on a train crossing Maharashtra state's Jalgaon in India led to a panic, causing several passengers to jump from the coaches and into the path of another train on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Fifteen people were killed in the incident. Jalgaon Police Superintendent Mahaswar Reddy said some of the panicked passengerswere hit by another train as they escaped the first train, which they believed was on fire.  The incident happened on the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express, about 250 miles from Mumbai, between the Majeji and Pardhade train stations near Pachora. "Our preliminary information is that there were sparks inside one of the coaches of Pushpak Express due to either 'hot axle' or [jamming] and some passengers panicked," a railway official said, according to NDTV. "They pulled the [emergency brake] chain, and some of them jumped down on the tracks. At the sa...

 Andy Ogles Proposes Constitutional Amendment To Allow Trump Run For 3rd Term Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow President Trump to serve a third term in the White House so that the country “can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs.”  Ogles proposed an amendment on Thursday that says, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive terms, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Like other U.S. presidents, Trump is barred from running for a third White House term by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. “President Trump’s decisive leadership stands in stark contrast to the chaos, suffering, and economic declin...

 Keeping Markets Clean is Non-Negotiable – ACTDA MD Tells Umuokpu Market Executive By Ukpa Ewa  The Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) Mr. Ossy Onuko, has reaffirmed the importance of maintaining cleanliness and proper organization in markets as a fundamental requirement for their operation. He made this assertion during a courtesy visit by the newly elected executive of Umuokpu Building Materials Market, Awka South Local Government Area, to his office. Speaking during the visit, Mr. Onuko emphasized the need for market leaders to uphold high sanitation standards and adhere strictly to government regulations. He warned against uncleanliness and unauthorized constructions in market spaces, highlighting that government would not tolerate such practices. He further charged the executive to take responsibility for ensuring a clean and orderly market environment. Congratulating the new executive on their election, Mr. Onuko reassured the delegat...

 Nigeria Customs Zone 'A' Celebrates Newly Promoted Officers, Urges Excellence, Integrity The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone 'A', has decorated newly promoted officers in a ceremony highlighting the Service's commitment to excellence and professional development. Speaking at the event held on Thursday, 23 January 2025, at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos, the Zonal Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Charles Orbih, congratulated the officers and commended their dedication, integrity, and contributions to Nigeria’s economic security. In his address, ACG Orbih remarked, “Your elevation is a testament to your exceptional dedication, unwavering integrity, and outstanding contributions to our nation's economic security.” He underscored the fairness and thoroughness of the promotion process, stating, “The Service has ensured that merit and performance remain the foundation of career advancement by selecting the very best among its officers ...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE  APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRPERSONS AND CEOS President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services. The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI). President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive. All the appointments take immediate effect.     1. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORP, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT    S/NO.  NAME  POSITION  QUALIFICATION  STATE   1  Hon. Hillard Eta  Chairman    Cross River    2. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS  S/NO.  NAME  POSITION  QUALIFICATION   STATE...

 PRESS RELEASE POLICE ARREST 2 MORE SUSPECTS CONNECTED TO MRS ODUMOSU’S KIDNAP. As Operatives Recover N2.25m, 2 Locally Fabricated Rifles, 11 Live Cartridges. In response to the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., to go after the fleeing suspects in connection to the kidnap of the wife of Retired Assistant-Inspector General, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, Mrs Odumosu, the operatives of the Lagos State CP Special Squad have apprehended 2 suspects identified as Agbojule Smart ‘m’, 27 years and Keleke Michael ‘m’, 30 years. The suspects were arrested in the early hours of today, Friday the 24th of January 2025 while on their way out of Lagos State. Upon interrogation, they confessed to their crime; belonging to a gang of 4, 2 of whom have been neutralized previously. Recovered from the suspects upon their arrest were the sum of Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,250,000), which was part of the requested ransom, 2 locally fabr...

 AES confederation passport to circulate next week Assimi Goita, president of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), announced in a statement on Thursday the launch of the AES confederation passport, set to be issued in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger starting Jan. 29, Xinhua reported. While old passports will remain valid until their expiration dates, citizens of the AES confederation who hold the old passports featuring the logo of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) may exchange them for new AES passports, according to the statement. Goita reassured citizens within the confederation that all necessary measures will be implemented to ensure the effective free movement of individuals and goods. On Nov. 22, 2024, the ministers responsible for security in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger convened in Bamako to finalize the technical specifications for the production of travel and identity documents for AES confederation nationals. The announcement followed the prior declar...

 'Panic spreads' as battle rages near Goma, DRC Panic is spreading in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's main city of Goma as M23 fighters steadily inch closer to Goma and seize a nearby town as they battle the Congolese army, the UN says. Bombs were heard by locals going off in the city's distant outskirts, and hundreds of wounded civilians were brought into the main hospital from the area of the fighting. Late on Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the bombardments suffered by civilians, AP reported. “This offensive has a devastating toll on the civilian population and heightened the risk of a broader regional war,” UN Secretary General António Guterres said in a statement urging “all parties to uphold human rights and international humanitarian law.” The rebel group has advanced significantly in recent weeks, closing in on Goma, which has around 2 million people and is a regional hub for security and humanitarian efforts. On Thursday, the ...

 Former FCT Minister Jeremiah Useni Is Dead A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), retired Lt Gen. Jeremiah Useni, is dead. He passed away on Thursday at the age of 82 after a protracted illness. The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who announced the passing of Useni, described him as a distinguished elder statesman, who died at the age of 82, following a protracted illness. In a statement in Jos, Governor Mutfwang described the passing of General Useni as a tremendous loss not only to his immediate family but also to the Nigerian Armed Forces, Plateau State, and the entire nation. The Governor highlighted General Useni’s exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to service, which left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s security and political landscape. He noted that General Useni’s tireless efforts to promote peace and security, especially in Northern Nigeria and Plateau State, will forever be remembered. Governor Mutfwang reco...

 Hardened criminal sentenced to 32 years imprisonment A 37-year-old man, Lucky Thokozane Nkosi, has been sentenced to 32 years imprisonment for kidnapping a girl and killing her in Middelburg. The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court sitting in the Middelburg has sentenced a 37 year old, Lucky Thokozane Nkosi to 32 years imprisonment.This follows his connection on 22 January 2025 for rape, kidnapping,murder and defeating the ends of justice. According to information,on the 01 October 2023 at around 01:00 AM,a 15 years m old victim was at a tarven in Leslie when the accused ambushed her in the restroom and forcefully raped her.He then kidnapped her,taking her to his residence in Leslie, where he further raped her repeatedly throughout the nation night.The following morning at around 09:00 am,the victim was released. The victim reported the matter to the Leslie SAPY, and a case with a count of rape and kidnapping was registered.The victim was able to identify the accused.On the 26 D...

 A Zimbabwean Man Shot and Killed His Wife, Dumped Her Body in the Eastern Cape’s Forest and Then Fled to Zimbabwe On 20 January 2025, Musina police received a tip from a tracking company about a white Ford Ranger with Limpopo registration parked at a residence in Campbell. The vehicle’s owner, along with his wife, had been reported missing since 17 January 2025, under Moroka SAPS in Gauteng. Upon investigation, police found the vehicle and learned that the owner had lent it to the missing man, who had borrowed a large sum of cash and planned to cross the border into Zimbabwe for spiritual guidance due to workplace issues. Further investigation revealed that the missing man was accompanied by another individual when dropping off the vehicle on 17 January 2025, around 10 pm. Police discovered bloodstains, empty cartridges, and firearms-related evidence inside the vehicle. A 24-year-old suspect was arrested on 22 January 2025, in connection with the incident, and was found in possess...

 In a shocking incident, a retired Army jawan in Hyderabad allegedly murdered his wife and attempted to destroy evidence in a gruesome manner.  Gurumurthy, a security guard, reportedly killed his wife, 35-year-old Puttavenkata Madhavi, after a heated argument at their home in Venkateswara Colony under Meerpet Police Station limits. Madhavi was reported missing on January 18 after her mother, Subamma, lodged a complaint. According to police, Madhavi left home on January 16 following an argument with Gurumurthy. During questioning, Gurumurthy allegedly confessed to killing his wife in a fit of rage. He reportedly chopped her body in the bathroom and boiled the parts in a pressure cooker to dispose of them. A Times of India report revealed that he boiled the flesh and bones for three days, crushed the bones with a pestle, and then dumped the remains in a nearby lake. Despite extensive searches by police teams and a dog squad, the victim’s body parts have not yet been recovered. L...

  US President Donald Trump said Thursday his administration would appeal a federal judge’s ruling that temporarily blocks his attempt to restrict birthright citizenship. “Obviously we will appeal it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the ruling by Washington state District Judge John Coughenour, who said the president’s order was “blatantly unconstitutional.” A federal judge on Thursday put a temporary block on Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship. The ruling imposes a 14-day stay on the enforcement of one of the most controversial executive orders Trump signed in the hours after he was sworn into office for a second term.

Lawmakers have condemned the envelope system of funding the annual budget, describing it as anti-democratic and calling for its discontinuation by the federal government. This criticism was voiced by the Senate as the Appropriations Committee began receiving reports from various Senate committees on Thursday. The committee emphasised that the envelope system undermined effective budget planning and development, urging the government to adopt a more efficient and needs-based approach. Similarly, the Senate Committee on Capital Market rejected the 2025 budget proposal of the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) owing to discrepancies and errors in the figures and items presented. The decision was made on Thursday during the tribunal’s budget defense session, chaired by Senator Osita Izunaso. Following a motion by Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa), seconded by Senator Aliyu Wadada (SDP-Nasarawa), the committee directed IST Chairman Amos Azi to return on Friday at noon to re-prese...