PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Thugs Break Into Mortuary in Nzhelele, allegedly stole equipment An elderly security guard was brutally attacked during a break-in at Luvhani Mortuary in Nzhelele, Limpopo, on Friday. According to reports, unknown suspects assaulted the guard with a pick handle and an axe. He sustained serious injuries to his head and legs and was rushed to the nearest hospital for medical treatment. The suspects allegedly stole equipment from the mortuary before fleeing the scene. Police have opened a case and are appealing to the public for any information that could help identify and arrest the suspects.

 Kidnap Victim Shoots Captors A man who was kidnapped while walking on the R550 in Gauteng managed to fight back, shooting and killing one of his kidnappers and injuring another. The victim was walking along the road when two men grabbed him and forced him into a vehicle. During the ordeal, the man got hold of a firearm and shot both suspects. One of them died on the scene, while the other was taken to hospital with injuries. Police are investigating the incident. One more photo below. 

 Tragic Loss: Akwa Ibom Polytechnic Student Dies During Karate Training A final-year student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, identified only as John, tragically slumped and died during a karate training session on Saturday in Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area. According to a source close to the polytechnic community, the Higher National Diploma student in the Department of Media Studies left his off-campus lodge for the routine training. Upon entering the training pitch, he collapsed. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Ikot Ekpene and subsequently referred to the General Hospital, where a doctor pronounced him dead on arrival. Mr. Nsoefen Mark Akpan, president of the Journalism and Media Studies Students Association and a witness to the incident, said shocked students refused to accept the doctor’s report. They took John’s body to a church for prayers, hoping for a miracle, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. A spiritualist reportedly claimed J...

 APC Chieftain Warns of Consequences Over South-East Marginalisation Joe Igbokwe, a prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has raised alarm over what he describes as the marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone in Nigeria’s national affairs. In a statement posted on his official Facebook account on Saturday, Igbokwe warned that neglecting the region could lead to severe consequences for the country. “If Nigeria continues to treat the South-East as if the zone does not exist or does not matter, the consequences will be huge,” Igbokwe declared. His remarks come amid heated debates over appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with critics accusing the government of favouring certain regions. Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, recently echoed similar concerns, cautioning that lopsided appointments could destabilise the nation. Defending its actions, the Presidency has maintained that appointments are merit-based. ...

 LAGOS DEPUTY GOVERNOR ADVOCATES REDESIGN OF SECONDARY EDUCATION CURRICULUM Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has stated that for Nigeria to prepare leaders who can navigate the future, the government must redesign the curriculum, the environment, and the expectations of secondary education. He said this on Saturday at the 80th Anniversary of Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, with the theme: “Inspiring the Future” held at the School hall. He added that Nigerians need to rethink, reimagine, and reinvest in basic education. His words, “To prepare leaders who can navigate this future, we must redesign the curriculum, the environment, and the expectations of secondary education. We must rethink, reimagine and reinvest”. He added that secondary education is not merely a transitional phase in the educational journey but rather the training ground of leadership, which is a vital stage where minds are moulded, characters are sculpted, and visions are birthed. Hamzat, the...

 Eedris Abdulkareem Clarifies New Song Not an Attack on Seyi Tinubu, Faces NBC Ban Nigerian singer and rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has clarified that his new song, Tell Your Papa, is not an attack on Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, but a response to Seyi’s claim that his father is Nigeria’s greatest president. Seyi made the statement in March 2025 during an event in Yola, Adamawa State. Speaking on Sunday, Abdulkareem emphasized that the song urges Seyi to encourage his father to address Nigeria’s pressing issues, including electricity, security, and job creation. “Nigerian youths are asking for basics, not palliatives,” he said, adding, “I was inspired by Seyi’s video. If he had stayed silent, I wouldn’t have recorded the song.” The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) swiftly banned "Tell Your Papa" from radio and television, labeling it inappropriate. The decision has drawn criticism, with Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka condemning it as a return to censorship...

 JAMB Releases 2025 Mock UTME Results, Over 115,000 Candidates’ Scores Available The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the release of the 2025 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, conducted on April 10. Candidates can access their scores by sending “MOCKRESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the phone number registered for the exam, according to JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin. The optional mock exam, designed to test JAMB’s annual innovations and familiarize candidates with the computer-based test (CBT) environment, saw 200,113 registered candidates. However, 73,844 were absent, and 88 failed biometric verification, leaving 126,181 participants. Results for 115,735 candidates are now available, with 10,446 still being processed. JAMB apologized for delays experienced by some candidates, attributing disruptions to new features aimed at enhancing the main UTME. The board emphasized that the mock exam remains crucial for r...

 LAGOS VIS URGES CITIZENS TO AVOID RICKETY VEHICLES FOR SAFETY REASONS In light of the growing number of rickety vehicles operating on Lagos roads posing serious risks to the safety of commuters and other road users the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) has advised the public to be vigilant and avoid boarding such vehicles. This warning follows the recent apprehension of several dilapidated vehicles across different parts of the metropolis by VIS operatives. Commenting on the development, the Director of the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service, Engr. Akin-George Fashola explained that the vehicles, including one he apprehended, were in extremely poor condition. He described them as poorly maintained, with outdated parts and lacking essential safety features, essentially ticking time bombs on Lagos roads. He emphasised that rickety vehicles have been linked to numerous accidents in the state, often resulting in loss of lives, injuries, and property damage. Further high...

 LAGOS SET TO TRANSFORM OTUMARA SLUM AS LASURA LAUNCHES REGENERATION PLAN  The Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA) has convened a crucial stakeholders' meeting with residents of the Otumara community, signalling a significant step towards the government's ambitious plan to regenerate the underserved area. The engagement underscored the state's commitment to inclusive urban development and ensuring the active participation of the community in the transformation process. Dr. Olajide Abiodun, Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, addressed the community, emphasising the pivotal nature of the dialogue in response to Otumara residents' call for direct involvement in the regeneration blueprint. He reiterated Governor Sanwo-Olu's unwavering focus on the well-being of all Lagosians and affirmed the government's commitment to fairly compensating individuals impacted by the upcoming project. Dr. Abiodun urged landlords and residents to secu...

 SGBV: LAGOS DSVA TAKES ADVOCACY TO IKEJA RESIDENTS' DOORSTEPS The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) Community Engagement team has spearheaded an impactful door-to-door sensitization campaign across the Ikeja Local Government Area recently. The initiative aims to significantly raise awareness about the critical issues of sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and cultivate a strong culture of zero tolerance within the community. The Onilekere Community Development Association (CDA) played a vital role in the campaign's success. Community leaders actively participated, receiving comprehensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and thorough briefings on the multifaceted nature of SGBV and the established effective reporting mechanisms. The leaders expressed commitment to disseminating this crucial information widely among their community members, fostering an environment characterized by openness and readily available support. The exte...

 A Virginia woman has her final wish granted... one last visit from her beloved horses.  Elizabeth 'Clairborne' Miller Davis is in the final stages of her fight with cancer. Elizabeth has been a life long horse lover and they have been a major factor in keeping her spirits up as she fought her cancer. Elizabeth's final wish was to see her horses, Princess and Stormy, one last time. Thanks to the kindness of the staff at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, VA and her loving family, she got that chance. Hospital staff teamed up with family members to transport Elizabeth to the hospital lawn where her special friends were waiting to say goodbye to their wonderful owner.  This is such a heartbreaking and sweet story. Our hearts go out to Elizabeth and her family.  Great job to everyone who helped make this wonderful moment happen. I am certain it means the world to her.

 Police in New York City are searching for a man they allege committed S/Assault to a deceased man on the subway. The shocking incident occurred on April 9th near the Whitehall station in Lower Manhattan.  The victim boarded the subway around 8 p.m. and passed away of what is believed to be natural causes.  At approximately 11 p.m. a man wearing a black hooded jacket, a blue baseball cap, a yellow hoodie, blue jeans and red and white sneakers boarded the train. The man went through the deceased pockets before making "very intimate" contact with the deceased man. Oddly enough, a woman wearing a yellow hoodie was recorded robbing the deceased man just an hour before the unidentified man also wearing a yellow hoodie tried to rob the deceased prior to the intimate assault. Officials have not stated if the two are somehow connected but they made sure to release this information in the press release.  Police are asking for anyone who recognizes the person in the released p...

 Pallbearers fall into grave after shocking graveside collapse at a Philadelphia graveyard. Loved ones of Benjamin Aviles were horrified by the shocking incident that occurred at his funeral. As the pallbearers carried him to his final resting place and lowered him onto a makeshift platform... the unthinkable happened. When the pallbearers were setting the coffin down to be lowered into the grave, the entire platform collapsed sending pallbearers spilling into the open grave.  Video footage of the unthinkable incident shows the chaos that ensued with pallbearers trapped by the coffin. The deceased man's son, who was sadly knocked out, received the worst injuries. Not only was the deceased man's son knocked unconscious, he was also trapped. Almost everyone involved was injured by the collapse. Funeral attendees scrambled to assist the injured and pull free those pallbeares who were trapped by the coffin. The family is seeking some kind of reimbursement and an apology, blaming b...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT PRESIDENCY DISCLAIMS 2027 CAMPAIGN BILLBOARDS NATIONWIDE   The Presidency has observed, with dismay, the increasing number of billboards in some cities promoting the 2027 campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. Worth noting is that some of these billboards with pictures of the President and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emblazoned on them are springing up in Abuja and Kano in particular. While President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima greatly appreciate their teeming and loyal supporters across the country for their enthusiasm and continuing support, the two leaders do not support any campaign that breaches the laws of the land. The electoral law that guides the conduct of elections and political campaigns forbids any form of campaign for the 2027 general elections. Premature campaigning can undermine the integrity of the electoral process and create unfair advantages. As law-abiding leaders, President Tin...

 Ebonyi APC Denies Claims of Governor Nwifuru Relinquishing Power in 2027 The Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly dismissed rumors suggesting that Governor Francis Nwifuru agreed to step down after a single four-year term in 2027. In a statement released on Sunday, APC State Publicity Secretary Ogbuatu Chidi Simbad described the claims as "false and misleading." He emphasized that no such agreement was ever made, stating, "Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is not leaving after four years. There was no agreement to the contrary, and any such claim is baseless." Ogbuatu pointed out that no governor in Ebonyi State’s history has served only one term, reinforcing the party’s stance on continuity. He accused certain individuals of attempting to sow confusion among the public, saying, "A few who once stood on the sidelines are now trying to distract and mislead Ebonyians, but their imagination only reveals their own motives." Th...

 You've A Duty To Reclaim Nigeria From Older Generation, Falana Tells Youths  *** “You will have to challenge those who are in power when you have access to them, because some of them in power today belong to our generation. We didn’t suffer what you are going through. We lived a life of dignity. “My generation had dreams, genuine dreams, about this country becoming one of the best in the world, because we have abundant human and natural resources that should make us a leading country in the world. But what has happened? “Your generation has a duty to reclaim the country, and please, when you are going to listen to songs in ceremonies of this nature, please try and listen to some of the great African musicians.” -Femi Falana, SAN At The 6th Annual Youth Leadership Conference In Lagos

 A new WhatsApp scam has emerged, where cybercriminals embed malicious code within image files—a technique known as steganography.  In a recent incident in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, a man lost approximately ₹2 lakh after downloading an image sent via WhatsApp from an unknown number. Upon opening the image, malware was installed on his device, compromising sensitive banking information and leading to unauthorized transactions.   Steganography allows attackers to hide malicious code within the least significant bits of image files, making the malware difficult to detect. Once the victim opens the infected image, the malware can access personal data, including banking credentials and passwords, and may even allow remote control of the device. Scammers often follow up with calls to pressure victims into opening these harmful files. To safeguard against such threats, users are advised to avoid downloading images, videos, or links from unknown contacts on WhatsApp. Disabling t...

 An Alabama woman, Towana Looney, made headlines by living with a genetically modified pig kidney for a record 130 days before her body began rejecting it.  The organ was removed on April 4 at NYU Langone Health. Looney has since returned home to Gadsden, Alabama, and is back on dialysis. Despite the outcome, she expressed gratitude for being part of this groundbreaking xenotransplantation research, hoping her experience will help others battling kidney disease. This experiment is part of a broader effort to address the U.S. organ shortage, where over 100,000 people await transplants. Scientists are genetically modifying pig organs to make them more compatible with humans. Looney’s case is notable because, unlike earlier xenotransplant patients who were critically ill, she was healthier, allowing for a longer observation period. Her 130-day milestone marks significant progress in the field. The pig kidney functioned well until early April, when her immune system began rejectin...

 A student from OP Jindal Global University in Sonipat was caught attempting to smuggle his girlfriend into the boys’ hostel by hiding her inside a large suitcase.  The incident was captured on video by a fellow student and has since gone viral on social media platforms. In the footage, security guards are seen stopping the student and unzipping the bulky suitcase, revealing the girl curled up inside.  The exact circumstances leading to the discovery remain unclear, but reports suggest that the girl may have inadvertently made a noise or movement, arousing suspicion. It is still unknown whether she is a student at OP Jindal or an outsider. The university has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. As the video circulated online, netizens responded with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Many users joked about the student’s creativity and determination, while others expressed secondhand embarrassment. Some commenters referred to the incident as “peak hostel beh...

  China is set to unveil the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in June 2025, poised to become the world’s highest bridge.  This engineering marvel spans approximately two miles across a vast canyon in Guizhou province, significantly reducing travel time across the region from about one hour to just one minute. The bridge’s deck will be suspended 625 meters above the Beipan River, surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower by over 200 meters, and will weigh approximately 22,000 metric tonnes—equivalent to three Eiffel Towers.   The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is part of China’s broader initiative to enhance infrastructure in remote areas, particularly in Guizhou province, which is home to nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges. The project aims to improve connectivity between the Liuzhi and Anlong Special Districts, fostering economic development and tourism in the region. Plans are underway to develop the area beneath the bridge into a center for extreme sports, i...

   A 27-year-old woman named Lhing Janeng, originally from Churachandpur in Manipur, was allegedly killed by her live-in partner in southwest Delhi’s Munirka area, police said on Saturday.  The accused, Jagminthang, hailing from Senapati district in Manipur, was arrested on Tuesday. Police suspect he attacked her over doubts about an alleged affair. The incident came to light on April 8 when a PCR call was made around 1:57 pm about a woman’s body found with injury marks near a medical store at Kranti Chowk. Police reached the spot and discovered the body in a room on the fifth floor of a building. Investigations revealed that Lhing had been living there with Jagminthang for the past year. On the night of the incident, the couple had hosted a party with three other guests, which ended around midnight. Police believe a fight broke out later that night, during which the accused physically assaulted Lhing. According to the police, multiple injury marks were found on the victi...