PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 LAGOS OFFERS FREE TESTING, COUNSELING SERVICES DURING VALENTINE  In a proactive move to promote healthy relationships and encourage responsible sexual behaviour among residents, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) organised Free Testing and Counseling Services within the Premises of the Lagos State University, Ojo Campus. Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun explained the that initiative is aimed at providing personalised testing and counselling sessions for members of the university community to receive the support and information they need to make informed decisions regarding their health. Dr. Animashaun explained that the testing and counselling service during Valentine's celebration reflects the commitment of the state government to ensuring that love is not just celebrated but safe as healthy relationships must be built on trust and responsibility. She added that knowing one's status is an essential step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. ...

  Barack and Michelle Obama shut down divorce rumors again with loved-up Valentine’s Day  Selfie Barack and Michelle Obama look more in love than ever this Valentine’s Day. The couple shut down divorce rumors again by sharing the same smiling selfie on social media Friday. “Thirty-two years together and you still take my breath away,” the former president, 63, gushed via X. “Happy Valentine’s Day, @MichelleObama!” In her own Instagram post, Michelle, 61, wrote, “If there’s one person I can always count on, it’s you, @BarackObama.” She continued, “You’re my rock. Always have been. Always will be. Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!” The matching uploads come one month after Barack honored his partner’s 61st birthday with a flirty social media message. “Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama,” the politician captioned a shotof them holding hands across a table in January. “You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it,” he conclu...

 League Of Yorubaland Imams Declares March 1 To Commence Ramadan, Abandons Sultan The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has announced that Ramadan 1446 AH (2025) will begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, departing from the traditional practice of waiting for the official declaration by the Sultan of Sokoto, who is regarded as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims. In a communiqué issued by the Office of the Grand Mufti of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, the body stated that its decision was based on precise astronomical calculations and international Islamic conferences on lunar sighting. The statement cited multiple resolutions from Islamic jurisprudential councils, astronomical experts, and international conferences held in Istanbul, Paris, and within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). According to these, the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan will be visible after sunset on Friday, February 28, 2025, making March 1, 2025, the first day ...

  The moment influencer Enioluwa caught the bouquet at Priscilla Ojo's wedding in Tanzania Influencer Enioluwa expresses excitement after catching the bouquet during his bestie, Priscilla Ojo’s wedding celebration in Tanzania. The celebratory moment filmed the bridesmaids behind the bride in an attempt to catch the bouquet, which ended up with the bride’s male bestie discreetly standing amid the bridesmaids. As Priscilla tossed the bouquet to the eager bridesmaids, Enioluwas successfully caught the flower bouquet, marking a special moment at the wedding ceremony. Enioluwa was so ecstatic that he ran with the bouquet, raised it in the air, and then hopped on Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham to show his excitement.  Watch video below. 

 Two-Term Former Southern Kaduna Senator, Danjuma La’ah Resigns From PDP Senator (Chief) Dr. Danjuma Tella La’ah (Shettima Kagoro), who represented Kaduna South Senatorial Zone for two terms, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a letter dated February 4, 2025, and submitted to the Ward Chairman of PDP Mallagum Ward, Kaura Local Government Area, Senator La’ah announced his resignation from the party.  The letter, which was acknowledged today, February 14, 2025, emphasized that his decision was personal and does not affect his relationship with the people. Expressing gratitude for the support he received during his eight-year tenure at the National Assembly, he wished his former party members success in their future endeavors. As of the time of filing this report, the party he is moving to remains unknown, fueling speculation about his next political move and potential alignments ahead of future elections.

 Olukoyede Charges Newly-Commissioned Cadets on Integrity, Discipline   The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has charged the newly-commissioned Detective Assistant Cadets, Course 5 of the Commission to imbibe the culture of integrity and discipline in the discharge of their duties. He gave the charge on Friday, February 14, 2025 at the the Passing out Parade ceremony of the cadets, numbering 169 (One Hundred and Sixty-nine) at Nigeria Police Mobile Training College, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State. Olukoyede who noted that the cadets were not only groomed in law enforcement,  but in ethics, discipline and leadership charged them to uphold EFCC’s core values of integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration.  "You have been trained not just in law enforcement but also in ethics, discipline, leadership and the need to uphold the Commission's core values of integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration. Th...

 PRESS RELEASE CRIME PREVENTION: IGP RECEIVES Ag. CG NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, ASSURES COLLABORATION FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. As IGP Enjoins Police Officers towards Integrity, Transparency.  The Inspector-General of Police IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, today February 14 2025, received the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS), Sylvester Nwakuche Ndidi, and other senior officers of the NCS, at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting centered around enhancing cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and the NCS, with a focus on efficient crime prevention and strengthening the entire Nigerian Criminal Justice System. The Acting CG also elaborated on the NCS's ongoing rehabilitation and reformation processes, which aims to transform correctional facilities into centers of rehabilitation rather than mere confinement. Additionally, he mentioned the NCS's initiative to develop an updated criminal database to ensur...

 Shocking Valentine’s Day Tragedy: Wife Arrested in Connection to Husband’s Murder In a shocking twist on Valentine’s Day, the wife of a late EMPD officer, Banele Sikhosana, was arrested while preparing for his funeral, which is set to take place tomorrow. Sikhosana, a dedicated officer, was tragically shot and killed last week while opening his tuck-shop in the Rest in Peace section of kwa-Thema. Earlier this week, police arrested a hitman who has confessed to working in collaboration with Sikhosana's wife to orchestrate the killing. Authorities revealed that this wasn’t the first attempt on Sikhosana’s life. Before the fatal shooting, the wife had reportedly tried to poison him, but Sikhosana survived that attempt. Acting EMPD Chief of Police, Julius Mkhwanazi, confirmed that the hitman was paid by the wife to carry out the murder, with the remaining balance paid after Sikhosana was killed. One more suspect is still on the run, but police are confident that they are on track to m...

  Enoch Ndou Breaks Down in Court as Judgment Is Delivered in Multiple Murder Case Enoch Ndou, the man accused of murdering seven of his relatives, including a pregnant woman and her unborn child, broke down in tears in the Thohoyandou High Court on Friday as the judgment in his case was read aloud. Ndou stands accused of carrying out the horrific killings on Christmas Day in 2021 at Jimmy Jones village, located near Malamulele in Limpopo. The victims included his family members, some of whom were reportedly involved in a bitter dispute over inheritance matters. The killings shocked the community and left the nation reeling with disbelief. The tragic events unfolded on 25 December 2021, when Ndou allegedly opened fire on his relatives, killing them in cold blood. Among the victims were his pregnant cousin and her unborn child, adding to the gruesome nature of the crime. The motive for the killings is believed to stem from an ongoing family conflict over inheritance, though the full...

 LAWMA WARNS PROPERTY OWNERS TO DESIST FROM ILLEGAL RECYCLING, SCAVENGING ACTIVITIES OR FACE PROSECUTION  The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has issued a stern warning to property owners, agents, and private occupiers in the state to henceforth desist from illegal recycling and scavenging in unlicensed facilities. It also advised them to halt indiscriminate dumping, storing, sorting, and trading of recyclable waste in their facilities and public spaces around them. Commenting on a public notice issued by LAWMA to this effect, the Managing Director/CEO of the Agency, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin noted that such activities not only degrade the city’s aesthetic appeal but also disrupt the rights of other property owners, contributing to serious environmental and health hazards. The final public notice states that "These activities violate the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017 and will not be tolerated. Any individual or entity engaging in illegal re...

 Why I did nose surgery, Comedian zicsaloma details his rhinoplasty journey Nigerian comedian and skit maker Isaac Aloma, better known as Zicsaloma, has opened up about the reasons behind his recent decision to undergo rhinoplasty surgery, offering his fans insight into the process and his recovery journey. He also said , “It was not paid, it was a collaboration between me and the hospital. The only thing I did was book my flight to Turkey." - Comedian Zicsaloma shares his three-week post-surgery journey and discloses the cost of the procedure. In a video shared on YouTube on Friday, the content creator opened up about his insecurities and the judgments he’s faced throughout his life due to the appearance of his nose. Personal Insecurities Behind the Decision Zicasloma said he has always felt self-conscious about his facial features, and explained that his decision was driven by a long-standing desire to alter what had bothered him since childhood.  He said, “I’ve always ...

 GOV. SANWO-OLU OFFICIALLY COMMISSIONS ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE – ABUDU SMITH STREET AND ALTERNATIVE ROUTE (ONIRU ROAD) TO ADMIRALTY CIRCLE, TOLL PLAZA LEKKI IN ETI-OSA LGA, ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH, 2025   l-r: Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and SSG, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin during the formal commissioning of road infrastructure – Abudu Smith Street and an alternative route (Oniru Road) to Admiralty Circle, Toll Plaza Lekki in Eti-Osa LG on Friday, 14 February 2025. Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu unveiling the plaque at the formal commissioning of road infrastructure – Abudu Smith Street and an alternative route (Oniru Road) to Admiralty Circle, Toll Plaza Lekki in Eti-Osa. With him are Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (right) and member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (left) on Friday, 14 February 2025. Newly commissio...

 CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS: LAGOS ORGANISES MAIDEN SPORTS FESTIVAL FOR STUDENTS As part of its commitment to providing a holistic educational experience for students, the Lagos State Government organises the maiden edition of the Schools' Sports Festival, a momentous occasion that marks the inception of a new era in Schools' across the State. Speaking at the grand finale of the event, held at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Centre, Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, stated that education is not just about academics, but about developing the whole child, intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially and as such, pitched sports and physical education at playing a vital role in this process.  In his words, "The importance of Sports in Schools' cannot be overstated. Through sports, students develop essential life skills like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. They learn valuable lessons about h...

 Despite being in jail, alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar continues to express his affection for Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez through letters.  On Valentine’s Day, he took things a step further by not only sending Jacqueline a romantic letter but also gifting her a personalised private jet. In his letter, Sukesh mentioned that the jet has her initials on it, and its registration number is her date of birth. “Baby, you are always flying around the world for work shoots. Now with this jet, your travel will be extremely easy at your choice and convenience,” Sukesh wrote. He also turned poetic, expressing his deep love for Jacqueline, whom he affectionately calls “Bomma.” He wrote, “If there is a rebirth, I want to be born as your heart, so that I can keep beating inside you.” Calling himself the “luckiest man on the planet,” he praised Jacqueline as the “most beautiful and amazing” person in his life. Sukesh Chandrashekhar is currently lodged in Delhi’s Mandoli Jail ...

 ASHIA Warns Desk Officers Against Overcharging Enrollees By Chisom Okafor The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) has issued a strong warning to desk officers at its accredited health facilities, cautioning them against overcharging enrollees and engaging in unethical financial practices. Speaking during a meeting with the officers at the ASHIA headquarters in Awka, the agency’s Managing Director, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, reaffirmed that the ASHIA premium remains fixed at ₦12,500, warning that any officer caught extorting enrollees would face strict penalties, as the agency is committed to ensuring affordable healthcare access for all beneficiaries. Expressing concern over some hospitals offering services beyond their ASHIA accreditation, the MD warned that such violations would not be tolerated. He instructed facilities to strictly adhere to the services for which they were accredited and avoid misleading enrollees into paying for non-covered treatments. Institutions foun...