PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Family Seeks Justice For 23-Year-Old Usman Muhammad Killed In Kaduna Mosque  The family of a 23-year-old security official, Usman Muhammad, who was brutally murdered by thugs while attempting to provide security for his community in Kaduna State, has cried out for justice.  The tragic incident occurred on the night of March 21, 2025, when Muhammad was brutally murdered by the thugs at a mosque.   The family in a statement said Usman, a dedicated and vibrant young man, was part of a team that volunteered to secure the area, especially during nighttime prayers,  "On that fateful night, they encountered a group of thugs armed with cutlasses and knives," a family member, Malam Sir-meen told SaharaReporters. According to Sir-meen, as Usman and his colleagues tried to interrogate the gang, they were attacked, forcing them to flee for their safety.  "Usman sought refuge in a nearby mosque, hoping to find help, but the thugs followed him, inflicting severe in...

 Soliders Arrest Two Alleged Killers Of Kaduna Catholic Priest Troops of the special military task force, Operation Safe Haven, have arrested two suspected killers of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu. This is contained in a statement issued by the OPSH media officer, Maj. Samson Zhakom, on Wednesday in Jos. The News Agency of Nigeria repots that Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan, Kaduna State, was abducted on March 4, at about 9:15 p.m. Okechukwu, who was abducted at his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of the state, was later found dead on March 5. Zhakom said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a raid by troops in a settlement at the Warsa-Piti community of Lere LGA of the state. He stated, “The suspects were arrested following a raid on the prime suspect’s hideout located at a Ruga settlement in Warsa-Piti community, following a raid by troops in a settlement at the Lere LGA of Kaduna State. During preliminary investigation, th...

 Customs Makes Largest PMS Seizure in Kebbi, Reiterates Commitment to Tackling Smuggling. Under Operation Whirlwind, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made its largest single seizure of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Kebbi State since the operation commenced. Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR the Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) of Financial Administration and Special Duty, as well as the National Coordinator of Operation WhirWind, Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed this on Tuesday march 2025 during a press briefing in kebbi state. According to Ejibunu, the smuggling of PMS poses a serious threat to the Nigerian economy, leading to revenue losses, distortion of trade statistics, artificial scarcity, and threats to national security. He emphasised that the operation demonstrates the NCS's unwavering commitment to curbing illegal fuel smuggling. “This seizure marks a significant milestone in our efforts to protect Nigeria’s cr...

 PRESS RELEASE  NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE IMPLEMENTS PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER TO BOOST LOCAL PRODUCTION OF HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS 1. Drawing from Presidential directives aimed at enhancing local manufacturing of healthcare products, reducing the costs of medical equipment and consumables, as well as stimulating local investments, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pleased to announce that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, through the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, has approved the comprehensive guidelines to actualise these objectives. 2. Consequently, critical raw materials essential for the production of pharmaceutical products will be exempted from import duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) for a period of two years. This exemption covers Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), excipients, and other vital raw materials required for manufacturing essential medicines, Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs),...

 LAGOS STATE RESILIENCE OFFICE, CHSD ORGANISE FORUM FOR STAKEHOLDERS The Lagos State Resilience Office (LASRO), in collaboration with the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development (CHSD), on Tuesday, successfully hosted the Discovery Areas Working Group meeting at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja. The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors which include academia, government agencies, private organizations, and community representatives to examine the complexities and opportunities of Lagos as a thriving metropolis. The meeting focused on six critical discovery areas including Lagos as a Water City exploring innovative solutions for flood management, water transportation, and sustainable urban planning; Safe and Secured City discussing strategies to enhance public safety, security, and emergency response systems, Giga City, Envisioning Lagos as a hub for digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and smart city infrastructure. The fo...

 PRESS RELEASE ALAKÉ RESOLVES OSUN/SEGILOLA RIFT IN PARLEY WITH GOV. ADELEKE AND SEGILOLA MANAGEMENT  The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has stressed that a harmonious relationship between state governments and mining operators is crucial not only for attracting investment but also for advancing the nation's mining sector. Speaking during a mediation parley with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and representatives from Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL) at his office in Abuja , Alake emphasized that solid minerals play a central role in the federal government’s economic diversification agenda. He noted that efforts in this regard would be jeopardized in a sector riddled with conflicting policies and strained relations between operators and state governments. “In a business environment with multiplicity of regulatory authorities, foreign investors are discouraged,” said Alake. “Investors prefer countries where regulations are clear, streaml...

 PRESS RELEASE WALE EDUN LAUDS AfDB’s ROLE IN ACCELERATING NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun has commended the African Development Bank (AfDB) for its pivotal role in driving Nigeria's economic revitalisation. This praise follows a high-level meeting with an AfDB delegation led by Dr. Abdul Kamara, Director General, Nigeria Country Department, who came to deepen collaboration with Nigeria on economic growth and development priorities. Dr. Kamara announced the launch of a new Country Strategy Paper and reaffirmed the AfDB's commitment to transformative projects, including the second phase of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS) as well as the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ). The AfDB also emphasized support for youth entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Youth Enterprise Investment Fund. HM Edun lauded the AfDB's contributions, highlighting the Bank's ...

 PRESS STATEMENT  FG DECLARES  31ST MARCH, 1ST APRIL, 2025 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO MARK EID EL- FITR  The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Monday, 31st March and Tuesday, 1st April , 2025, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government  extended warm congratulations to the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast. Dr. Tunji-Ojo urged all Muslims to embrace the virtues of self-discipline, compassion, generosity and peace, emphasising the importance of love, forgiveness, and solidarity in building a harmonious society. Furthermore, the Minister called on Nigerians to use this festive period to pray for peace, stability, and prosperity of the nation. He expressed hope that the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr would inspire unity and cooperation across religious and ethnic lines. Dr. Tunji-Ojo also encouraged citizens to cel...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE Be Steadfast, Unwavering in Dispensing Justice, VP Shettima Tells Judiciary * *Says third arm of govt must never submit to blackmail The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has enjoined the nation's judiciary to remain steadfast in the face of blackmail, saying as custodians of the law, the third arm of government must shun the temptation of tinkering with justice to serve parochial interest. Specifically, he reminded the judiciary that it is an essential pillar of Nigeria's sovereign existence because "a nation is only as accountable, fair, and orderly as the people who make, enforce, and interpret its laws". The Vice President, who gave the charge in Abuja on Wednesday when he officially declared open the maiden Body of Benchers Annual Lecture and public presentation of the report of the directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, cautioned judges and other legal practitioners against yielding to the temptation of ti...

 PRESS RELEASE: CASE OF RITUAL KILLING AND ARREST OF SUSPECTS, INCLUDING A NATIVE DOCTOR The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the public of the arrest of suspects involved in a horrific case of ritual killing of two children, Chizaram Onuche and Chidinma Onuche, both 7-year-olds. This follows a report transferred from the Special Area Division, prompting operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to take swift action. On 23rd March 2025, at approximately 9 am, operatives arrested a native doctor and other individuals involved in the heinous crime. During the operation, law enforcement officers recovered key evidence, including a bottle containing the drained blood of the victims. Arrested suspects are; 1. Aniekan Sunday Uko (Male, 27 years): A native of Akwa Ibom, residing at 2nd Pipeline, Rukpokwu. He lured victims to his location, drugged them using a drink known as Black Bullet as a sedative, and subsequently slaughtered them, collecting their blood in a bottle. 2. Luis ...

 LATE CHIEF MAGISTRATE OGUNKANMI: LAGOS JUDICIARY HOLDS VALEDICTORY COURT SESSION  The Lagos State Judiciary recently held a solemn valedictory court session in honour of late Chief Magistrate Eniola Olusanmi Ogunkanmi at the Ikeja High Court. The session, presided over by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba, was attended by members of the judiciary, legal professionals, family, and well-wishers Justice Alogba described Magistrate Ogunkanmi as a courageous and principled judicial officer who made a lasting impact on the Lagos State Judiciary. He commended his integrity, diligence, and commitment to justice throughout his career. Born on December 19, 1966, in Lagos, Nigeria, Magistrate Ogunkanmi pursued a distinguished legal career, obtaining his LL.B from the Lagos State University in 1990 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991. He served at Lambo & Lambo and Mark & Company before he was appointed a Magistrate Grade II in 2001. Rising t...

 South Korea Wildfire: Pilot Killed as Firefighting Helicopter Crashes A firefighting helicopter battling deadly wildfires in South Korea crashed on Wednesday, killing the pilot, officials confirmed. The aircraft went down in a mountainous area of Uiseong County while attempting to contain the blaze. "The pilot was the sole occupant and was declared dead at the scene," a Gyeongbuk Fire Service official told AFP. The disaster is part of one of South Korea’s worst wildfire outbreaks, which has claimed at least 18 lives and caused "unprecedented damage," according to the acting president.

 UNN Appoints Prof. Olayiwola Usman as First Yoruba DVC (Academics) The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed Professor Kamoru Olayiwola Usman as its first Yoruba Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), marking a historic milestone. Usman, a Mathematics Education expert from Oyo State and former Provost of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, was appointed by Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oguejiofo T. Ujam. The appointment aligns with UNN’s commitment to merit-based leadership and inclusivity. In a related move, Dr. Mansur Adebowale Saddiq was named Acting Director of the Medical Centre. During a Senate meeting, Ujam reaffirmed UNN’s mission to restore academic excellence, eliminate sectionalism, and embrace innovation in emerging fields like artificial intelligence. He also commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah’s push for experiential learning. Ujam pledged fairness and transparency, urging collective efforts to advance research, academic collaboration,...

 PRESS RELEASE UPDATE ON THE RECALL OF THE SENATOR REPRESENTING KOGI CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT  Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025. As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission's Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address. The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission's website. The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency. This will be do...

 German authorities raid a group that allegedly aims to overthrow the Eritrean government Police were executing raids in six German states Wednesday against a group that authorities say “is part of an international network whose aim is to overthrow the government in Eritrea.” Germany’s federal prosecutor’s office is accusing 17 suspects of founding or being members of the German branch of Brigade N’Hamedu, which it defines as a terrorist organization, AP reported. Eritrea has long been described as one of the world’s most repressive countries by human rights groups, and some members of its divided diaspora have clashed violently at times. The prosecutors said the investigations “suggest that the suspects assumed senior positions” within the group. The German offshoot has been active since at least 2022 was involved in violence at events connected to the Eritrean government. The prosecutor’s office said the organization coordinated violent riots at Eritrea festivals in Giessen on Au...

 How Yar’adua told me to step down for MKO Abiola – Atiku Former Vice President Atiku Abubukar has recalled how he was ordered by his late political mentor, Shehu Musa Yar’adua, to step down for MKO Abiola. Speaking in an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie of Untold Stories, Atiku revealed that Yar’adua gave him the instruction during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries in the 1993 presidential election. According to Atiku, SDP governors threatened to withdraw their support if Abiola picked him instead of Babagana Kingibe. Atiku shared, “I think there have been some misinterpretation or misrepresentation of what actually happened, even though I had in the past addressed the circumstances surrounding that incident. “So I told him, ‘Look, if you don’t come to Jos, there is every likelihood that Kingibe is going to be elected, and I know you don’t want it. So you better come to Jos, no matter how late.’ “And he drove all the way from Kaduna to Jos. By the time he came to Jos, ...

 UK government releases the names of dead Nigerians with unclaimed estates, searches for relatives, go and claim your late relatives properties. The UK government has released a list of unclaimed estates belonging to individuals from different countries who died in the UK, including 58 Nigerians.  These estates have been listed as "Bona Vacantia," meaning they have been unclaimed for a certain period and are now the property of the Crown ¹. In the updated list released on Monday, march 24, the UK government released that a total of 5,806 people from different countries died with no one to claim their properties. The list includes the names, dates of birth and death, and places of death of the individuals.  Names of the dead individuals are: S/N Property Owner Place of Birth Date of Death day/month/year Place of Death Marital Status BV Reference 1 Arbel Aai’Lotta’Qua Abouarh Nigeria 5/2/1998 Chiswick London W4 Widower BV984930/1 2 Adenike Adebiyi Nigeria Unknown Hackney Lo...