PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

  Factional NANS president retracts allegations against Seyi Tinubu, issues public apology Atiku Abubakar Isah, a factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has publicly withdrawn his earlier allegations against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, admitting his claims were untrue. In a viral video, Atiku had previously accused Seyi Tinubu and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Ayodele Olawande, of inviting him to Lagos and offering him ₦100 million to support President Tinubu. He further claimed he rejected the offer and was subsequently abducted on April 15, 2025. However, in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Atiku issued an apology to Seyi Tinubu, acknowledging that the story was fabricated.  He blamed the misinformation on one Ladoja Olusola, whom he accused of manipulating him in a bid to hijack leadership within the student body for personal gain. He said, “In the video, I also alleged that, for what ...

 Robbery gone wrong: Nigerian gospel singer grilled by UK police UK-based Nigerian gospel singer and broadcaster Muyiwa Olarewaju has shared a harrowing experience of how he was treated as a suspect after narrowly escaping a robbery attempt earlier this year. Nigerian cuisine In a video posted on his Twitter account, the worship leader revealed details of the February incident, which occurred at around 5:30 a.m. while he was en route to work. Olarewaju explained that a young white man attempted to break into his vehicle and smashed the window in the process. After managing to escape the dangerous situation, Olarewaju made his way to work and contacted the police to report the incident. He provided authorities with the location of nearby surveillance cameras, which he believed might offer evidence of the attempted robbery. “I told the police where the cameras were in that area, the fact that the guy had smashed up my window, and the worrying and all that it caused,” Olarewaju stated...

 I sold my house, car, started living with my mother-in-law – Actor Tito Harrison recounts health crisis Veteran Nollywood actor Tito Harrison has opened up about his battle with a liver condition and ulcer, which left him bedridden and financially drained. In a candid interview on Biola Bayo’s podcast, Harrison disclosed that he had to sell his house, cars, and belongings to cover medical expenses, eventually moving in with his mother-in-law due to financial difficulties. The veteran movie star emphasised that in the darkest moments of his life, the one person who stood by him was his wife. He described her as his greatest blessing, recalling how she remained by his side even when others abandoned him. “When I was battling with liver disease and a chronic ulcer, my wife stood by me when everybody left me. It is good to have a good wife. I sold my house, car, and everything I had to pay hospital bills. After moving to a rented house, I couldn’t afford the rent again, so we had to s...

 ‘He loves me’ – Tiwa Savage sparks dating rumours with Usher Nigerian afrobeats star Tiwa Savage and American singer Usher Raymond have sparked relationship rumours after the duo were captured doing the the 30 seconds challenge in London recently. Usher brought Tiwa Savage out as a surprise guest at his ‘Past Present Future’ tour stop at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday night. The crowd went wild as he joined Savage to perform her hit song, ‘Somebody’s Son’. At the afterparty, the duo were captured doing the 30 seconds challenge, a clip of which has now gone viral. Usher Raymond challenged Savage to freestyle for 30 seconds, and during her freestyle, she mentioned that he loves her. This sparked relationship speculations. “I’m a little drunk! But it’s alright. I think I’m drunk enough, I think I’m drunk enough. Are you drunk enough? Usher, are you drunk enough? Listen, he loves me,” she freestyled amid cheers from the crowd, with her last statement particularly exciting them. The vi...

 Edo govt demands Obi retract claims on 2024 governorship election The Edo State Government, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, has rejected Peter Obi’s claims that the September 21, 2024, governorship election was not free and fair. In a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, the government called Obi’s assertions unfounded and disrespectful to Edo voters’ democratic choice. The statement read: “The Edo State Governorship Election was conducted in accordance with the highest standards of electoral integrity, as observed by both local and international observers. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ensured a level playing field, and the process was widely acknowledged as credible.” It added: “Mr Obi’s pronouncements are not supported by any credible evidence and appear to be driven by political expediency rather than a genuine concern for democratic principles.” Urging Obi to retract his statements, the government stated, “The Edo State Government urge...

 Court Jails 25 Internet Fraudsters in Benin City Justices W.l. Aziegbemhin and A.N. Erhabor of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City have convicted and sentenced 25 internet fraudsters to various jail terms. The convicts are: Tremendous Irosaike Eraze, Etinosa Newman, Benjamin Evbayemwenru, Otomobor Prosper, Osalumhewse Hope, Omigiri Shedrack Sabinus, Imasekhomwan Favour Lucky, Karoighen Enamegoulor, Onuka Patrick, Osarenmen Iyobosa and Justice Osakpolor Amadin. Others are: Iboi Joshua, Edward Peter Osagie, Sunday Wisdom, Ozili Jude, Idehen Kelvin, Destiny Melekwelu, Eyoto Favour, Blessed Awosei Odekhilan, Melekwelu Daniel Chinedu, Sunday Olawole, Abulime Promise, Salisu Lucky Nurudeen, Idehen Lucky and Ohikhozai Zion. They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a separate one-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent do...

 SPEECH BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, ON THE OCASSION OF HIS STATE VISIT AND GRAND RECEPTION BY ANAMBRA STATE; AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE, 8TH MAY 2025.   1. Protocols. Anambra Kwenu! Anambra Kwenu!! Igbo Kwezuenu!!! 2. About 30 months ago, I stood at this Venue as Candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In less than two years since my assumption of office as your president, I am delighted to be back on a state visit and to commission some legacy projects by your state government. I come as a friend to the great people of Anambra and the Southeast. I salute your enterprise, innovation, and unwavering commitment to progress. Anambra has long stood as a beacon of commerce, intellect, and cultural strength — a pride not only to the Southeast but to Nigeria.   3. My visit today bears a bold testament to parts of my speech during my campaign here. I recall vividly telling you then, "Charles Soludo, your son…is still my friend.  I salute his vision. He is a brilliant man. He has the...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE IN ANAMBRA, PRESIDENT TINUBU PLEDGES TO TACKLE EROSION, REACTIVATE GAS PLAN AND INTEGRATE STATE INTO THE NATIONAL RAIL SYSTEM President Bola Tinubu pledged on Thursday in Awka to address key developmental challenges confronting Anambra State and the Southeast region.  These include erosion, underutilisation of gas reserves and Anambra’s exclusion from the National Rail Master Plan.  Speaking at a civic reception held at Alex Ekwueme Square during his state visit, President Tinubu assured the people of Anambra of the federal government’s commitment to upgrading road infrastructure and fostering stronger national unity through inclusive development. Responding to Governor Chukwuma Soludo's requests, the President acknowledged the persistence of abandoned federal road projects in the region.  He emphasised the strategic importance of completing roads linking Anambra to Kogi State to facilitate easier access to the South-South and Abuja. "Abando...

  Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican's powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, took the name Pope Leo XIV.  More photos below. 

 POISONED MOTHER AND DAUGHTER SURVIVES IN BENUE STATE 8th May, 2025        The Clinic did a wonderful job, the baby and her mother survived the poison. The baby told us what happened and I wonder how/why people are evil...what's your profit if this baby D I E D yesterday.  They would be discharged tomorrow with referral to good hospital for proper scan to check internal organs.  To my Facebook friends and family, God reward you people big. Imagine if there was no money to rush them to clinic for treatment?  I'll post the interviewed videos after police finished investigation. The person(s) behind this need to learn too.  Thank you for always trusting me. Credit: Zege'Orkwande More photos below . 

 Man, 40, arraigned in Ekiti over alleged theft of goats Mr Oriyomi said that the defendant and others now at large stole five goats valued at N600, 000. A 40-year-old man, Olarewaju Mustapha, was on Thursday arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing goats. Mustapha of no fixed address is standing trial on a charge of stealing. He however pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him. The prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendant and others now at large committed the offence on May 1 at about 10 p.m., at Ipole Iloro- Ekiti. Mr Oriyomi said that the defendant and others now at large stole five goats valued at N600, 000. He said that the defendant was apprehended by the community and handed to the police. He said the offence contravened Section 302(1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021. The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses....

 Srinagar Airport has been placed on high alert following heightened security measures in the wake of Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan.  As part of the nationwide security precaution, all airports in Jammu and Kashmir have been closed until 5:29 am on Saturday, May 10, with Srinagar being one of the key locations affected. The closure has led to significant disruption, with Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet flights to the region completely cancelled. Security forces, including the BSF, have been deployed along the international border to prevent potential retaliatory actions. Passengers have been advised to check their flight statuses due to the widespread cancellations. In addition, reports of a Pakistani army threat to Srinagar Airport have been dismissed as baseless by the central government. Despite the closure, airlines are working on contingency plans to ensure safety and minimize disruption.

 President Tinubu in Awka President Tinubu arrived in Awka Thursday to commission some projects completed by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Governor Uzodimma of Imo, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, NSA Nuhu Ribadu,  former  Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku all witnessed the commissioning. One more photo below. 

 Wisconsin- A 17-year-old Milwaukee boy accidentally shoots and kills his mother while attempting to stop his stepfather from beating her. 26-year-old Ziare Dalton is being charged with felony murder in connection with the death of 34-year-old, Amber Gray.  This tragic incident unfolded on April 18th when Gray and Dalton were involved in a heated argument that led to physical violence. According to Gray's 11-year-old son, when his older brother came home, Dalton was striking his mother. Gray placed a 911 call that captured some chilling audio of the confrontation.  Gray told dispatchers that Dalton was physically assaulting her and her son. While on the phone with 911, Dalton and the older child began arguing upstairs. At some point during the call, Dalton came back downstairs and the 17-year-old boy followed him down brandishing a fire arm. Dalton went back into the room with Ms. Gray and soon after, dispatchers heard approximately 10 gunshots before the line was disconn...

  Habemus Papam! White smoke has risen from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the College of Cardinals has chosen a new pope. Of the 133 cardinals sequestered in the Vatican since May 7, one has now been elected as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His name will be announced shortly. White smoke signals new Pope elected White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling that cardinals locked inside have elected a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Thousands of pilgrims and curious onlookers in St Peter’s Square cheered and applauded as the smoke appeared and bells began to ring, indicating the 2,000-year-old institution has its 267th pope. All eyes now turn to the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, to see who has been elected to succeed Pope Francis, an Argentine reformer who died last month after 12 years as leader of the worldwide Church. The new pontiff will be introduced in Latin with his chosen papal name and...

 Why School Withheld $84,942 from Yahaya Bello’s Children’s School Fees-Witness The trial of the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello continued on Thursday, March 8, 2025 with the third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Nicholas Ojehomon, explaining under cross-examination before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja that the American International School, Abuja, AISA, retained part of the school fees linked to Bello’s daughters because it represented legitimate tuition fees earned by the institution. Findings by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had shown that a total sum of $845,852.84 linked to proceeds of unlawful activities was paid to AISA for Bello’s children and demanded a full refund of it. However, only $760,910.84 was returned to the Commission by the school. The defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN had in the cross-examination, pressed the witness, an auditor with the school to account for the $84,942 difference in the amount paid to the school a...

  Anambra Speaker Lauds Governor Soludo For Attracting President Tinubu's State Visit Through Building Monumental Projects By Chizoba Okeke  The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, has said that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has proved that with massive human and infrastructural developments as well as overall good governance, President Bola Tinubu was attracted to Anambra State by the Governor to commission landmark projects built by Governor Soludo's administration. Welcoming President Tinubu to Anambra State on behalf of the State Legislature, Rt. Hon. Udeze described the visit as unprecedented in view of the fact that this is the first time in the history of the State that a President is coming to the State to commission among other signature projects, the new Government House, Governor's Lodge, Solution Fun City and Anambra County Club as well as the Presidential Lodge built by the present Soludo administration which have eluded successive ...

 Addressing a rally in Ranchi, Jharkhand on Tuesday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his April 19 visit to Srinagar after receiving credible intelligence about a possible terrorist attack in the valley.  Kharge alleged that an intelligence report was sent to the PM three days before the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead. Reacting to Kharge’s remarks, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad called the statement “irresponsible” and accused the Congress of displaying duplicity in its stance on terrorism. He criticised the Congress for politicising national security issues. Kharge made the statement at a time when several districts are preparing for a civil defence mock drill scheduled on May 7, following a late-night directive from the Home Ministry on May 5. India has since announced multiple punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Despite the criticism,...

 EFCC Arrests 98 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Enugu, Kwara Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested 51 suspected internet fraudsters, while those of Ilorin Zonal Directorate have arrested 47. The Enugu suspects, made up of three females and 48 males were arrested in Premier Layout area of the state capital. Items recovered from them include 18 luxury cars, laptop computers and high grade mobile phones. The Ilorin 47 were picked up along Awolowo Road, Tanke, and Harmony Estate areas of the city as well as in Ganmo and Amoyo in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. Items recovered from them include 10 luxury cars, 74 high grade mobile phones, 18 laptop computers, and a motorcycle. Both arrests followed credible intelligence that linked the suspects to fraudulent internet activities. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. More photos below. 

Appeal Court Upholds Ex-banker’s Seven Years Jail Term in Enugu   The Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and seven years prison sentence of one Onyekachi Nwosu, a former employee of Guaranty Trust Bank for his commission of over N50million (Fifty Million Naira) loan fraud.   Nwosu was prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a nine-count charge, bordering on forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N50million and was convicted and sentenced by Justice R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie of Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu on January 14, 2021. The convict, who was an account officer of one Anyaso Chinedu, owner of Floxy Aluminum Odiofele Products Limited, used a forged document titled “An Application to Mortgage, Consent to Mortgage and Tripartite Legal Mortgage” to deceive GTB into believing that one Mrs. Adebimpe Foluke pledged her property as collateral for the sa...

 Total Shutdown in Malamulele B2 Suspended Following Tragic Incident The total shutdown in Malamulele B2 has been suspended after police engaged with stakeholders following the death of a 20-year-old pupil, Xilaveko Khosa, who was brutally killed and his young sister raped in the presence of their father during a house robbery. The incident has sparked outrage and grief within the community, leading to protests and a call for justice. In response, police have engaged with community stakeholders to address the concerns and restore order. The suspension of the shutdown aims to facilitate ongoing investigations and ensure the safety of residents. Authorities have pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide support to the affected family. Community members are urged to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement during this difficult time. One more photo below. 

 An elderly woman, suspected of theft, was apprehended in the Vaal area.  It is reported that a young woman attempted to withdraw money from an ATM, but the transaction was unsuccessful. The elderly woman, who had been observing, followed the young woman. When the young woman entered the bank to inquire about the failed transaction, she received an SMS notification indicating that R3,000 had been withdrawn from her account. Upon investigation, the elderly woman denied seeing anyone withdraw the money. However, she was found in possession of R3,000 in cash, multiple bank cards, and various wallets. She was subsequently arrested. It appears that her occupation involves hustling or engaging in deceptive activities. More photos below. 

 TRAGEDY AS DAUGHTER AND MOTHER POISONED IN BENUE The woman and her daughter had breakfast this morning and started  vomiting, complaining of serious stomach pain and wounds all over their tongue and mouths, is like someone poisoned them? I asked them to get nearby vehicle and move them to Teaching Hospital ASAP. I'll settle transport fare on arrival.  Needing your help as usual when it's time. Please, let's help them out of this condition. They are from Daudu, Guma LGA, Benue State.    Call for confirmation: 08053884020;  07033616777 Credit: Zege'Orkwande  More photos below.