PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Senate Dismisses Rumours of Leadership Rift Between Akpabio and Bamidele The Nigerian Senate has refuted claims of a rift between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, dismissing reports of a clash during a recent executive session as baseless. In a statement issued on Sunday, Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, clarified that the alleged disagreement, which reportedly occurred during deliberations on whether the Senate should proceed on its annual recess, was a misrepresentation of routine parliamentary debates.  “The reports do not contain any iota of truth,” Adaramodu said. “They misconstrue time-tested practices and traditions in parliaments worldwide, where members leverage debates, questions, or interpellations to discuss initiatives decisively before approval.” He emphasized that debates in the chamber or committee rooms should not be interpreted as altercations or signs of division among the Sen...

 Super Falcons Coach Condemns Use of Laser Pointers by Moroccan Fans in WAFCON Final Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has expressed dismay over the use of laser pointers by Moroccan fans targeting Nigerian players and himself during the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final on Saturday. The match, which ended in a 3-2 victory for Nigeria’s Super Falcons against hosts Morocco, was marred by disruptive fan behavior. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Madugu condemned the actions, noting that the lasers were directed not only at his players but also at him personally. “The lasers were not applied to the players alone; even myself, they kept pointing those lasers at me,” he said. Despite the distractions, Madugu praised his team’s resilience, stating, “It did not have any effect on them. You could see even when the lasers were coming, nobody bothered about it. We remained focused on the game.” The coach, however, questioned the appropriateness of such behavi...

 Adeyanju: Only Goodluck Jonathan Can Defeat Tinubu, Peter Obi Lacks Northern Trust Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan is the only Southerner capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in a presidential election. Speaking on Arise Television, Adeyanju dismissed the prospects of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stating that Northern voters would not trust Obi to uphold a promise to serve only one term as president. Adeyanju’s comments come in response to Obi’s recent statement expressing willingness to serve a single term and hand over power to the North. Obi, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, is considered a leading contender for a potential coalition presidential ticket, though none have officially declared their candidacy. “I have said it publicly, and I want to reiterate that even if a Southerner were to contest, the only person who...

 Asisat Oshoala Debunks Retirement Rumours After Super Falcons’ WAFCON Triumph Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has dismissed rumours suggesting she has retired from international football, calling the speculation baseless. Speaking to reporters in Morocco following Nigeria’s thrilling 3-2 victory over the host nation in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final, the six-time African Player of the Year reaffirmed her commitment to the national team. “I don’t know where that came from, but agenda must agend. I get it, but I’m not bothered. I’m still here. I’m still playing. I’m still doing my job. That’s what I’m focused on,” Oshoala stated. The 30-year-old, who was part of Nigeria’s 23-player squad for the tournament, played a key supporting role throughout the competition. Oshoala’s illustrious international career began in 2013, with a standout performance at the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup and a pivotal role in Nigeria’s African Women’s Championship victory that ...

 David Nabarro, COVID-19 special envoy, dies at 75 David Nabarro, the World Health Organization’s special envoy for COVID-19 since the pandemic began in 2020, died at the age of 75, the WHO announced Saturday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Nabarro as “a great champion of global health and health equity” and a “wise, generous mentor” to many. Nabarro also served as co-director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London. During the peak of the pandemic in 2021, he urged increased global cooperation and support for poorer nations, calling the crisis “unlike anything else” in his career. Nabarro had previously run for WHO director general in 2017, finishing second to Tedros.

US halts Visa services at Embassy in Niger Republic, State Department says The United States is suspending all routine visa services at its embassy in Niamey, the capital of Niger, until further notice, according to a State Department spokesperson and an internal cable dated July 25, seen by Reuters. The pause affects all immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, though diplomatic and official visas are exempt. The State Department said the suspension will remain in place until Washington resolves “concerns with the Government of Niger,” without providing further specifics. The internal cable also directed consular officers at other visa processing posts to apply “heightened scrutiny” when evaluating non-immigrant visa applications from Nigerien nationals, citing high overstay rates of 8% for visitor visas and 27% for student and exchange visas. It urged consular managers to reduce overstays and emphasized the need for “particular vigilance” in adjudicating these applications. The U...

 Thai and Cambodian leaders to meet in Malaysia for talks to resolve deadly border dispute Thai and Cambodian leaders are set to meet in Malaysia for talks aimed at ending ongoing hostilities, a spokesperson for the Thai prime minister’s office confirmed Sunday. The discussions come amid growing international pressure, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, to resolve a deadly border dispute that has lasted four days, leaving at least 34 people dead and forcing more than 168,000 to flee their homes. Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will attend Monday’s talks, invited by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet is also expected to participate, although Cambodian officials have yet to confirm. The talks follow Trump’s recent intervention, during which he warned both countries that continued violence could impact their trade agreements with the U.S. Both...

Trump renews claim that Harris paid for endorsements, calls for former VP to be ‘prosecuted’ President Trump on Saturday repeated his accusations that former Vice President Kamala Harris paid celebrities to endorse her during the 2024 presidential election. He claimed Harris and the celebrities involved should face prosecution for allegedly breaking the law. Trump alleged that Harris paid Beyoncé $11 million, Oprah Winfrey $3 million, and Al Sharpton $600,000 for endorsements. In a Truth Social post, he wrote, “You are not allowed to pay for an endorsement. It is totally illegal to do so. Kamala and all of those that received endorsement money, broke the law. They should all be prosecuted!” The former vice president’s campaign has denied these claims. Oprah Winfrey previously stated she was not paid for her appearance alongside Harris at a campaign event, noting that production fees were covered but not paid directly to her. Additionally, Federal Elections Commission records show the H...

 Beyoncé surprises fans with Destiny’s Child reunion at final Cowboy Carter show in Las Vegas  Destiny’s Child reunited for a surprise performance during Beyoncé’s final Cowboy Carter show in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 26. The group’s classic lineup—Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams—took the stage together for the first time in years, delivering a powerful medley of their biggest hits to an electrified crowd at Allegiant Stadium. Video from the event showed Beyoncé momentarily disappearing from the stage before returning from below with Rowland and Williams as “Independent Women” played to loud cheers. The trio then performed “Lose My Breath,” followed by Beyoncé’s 2022 hit “Energy,” and wrapped up with the iconic “Bootylicious.” The reunion delighted fans, marking their first joint performance since 2018’s Coachella set. Throughout the Cowboy Carter Tour, Rowland and Williams had appeared at several shows, including stops in Paris and Washington, D.C. Beyoncé’s t...

Heavy rain in northern China leaves 2 dead and displaces thousands Heavy rainfall has caused widespread destruction across Beijing, Hebei province, and parts of north and northeast China, leaving at least two people dead and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Authorities reported that intense storms have triggered flooding, landslides, and dangerous surges of water in rivers and reservoirs, while warning that additional heavy rain is expected to continue over the coming days. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the province of Hebei has suffered two deaths and two missing persons after record-breaking rainfall struck the industrial city of Baoding, dumping 145 millimeters (5.7 inches) of rain in just one hour on the county of Fuping. The Ministry of Water Resources has issued targeted flood alerts across 11 provinces and regions, including the capital, as small and medium-sized rivers face overflow and mountain torrents threaten nearby rural communities. In Beijing’s Miyun dis...

SpaceX launches 24 satellites to polar regions to improve internet access SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket Saturday night from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Lompoc, California. The mission deployed 24 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit, placing them into a polar orbit to enhance internet service in polar regions. The Starlink 17-2 mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at 9:31 p.m. PDT. The Falcon 9 booster, tail number B1075, made its 19th flight, including 16 Starlink missions. About eight and a half minutes after liftoff, the booster successfully landed on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Pacific Ocean, marking the vessel's 142nd landing and SpaceX’s 481st booster recovery. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell notes that more than 8,000 Starlink satellites are currently in orbit. Earlier in the week, Starlink users experienced a rare full network outage, which began at 4 p.m. and was resolved in stages over the following four hours, with...

 Fantastic Four: First Steps rides to $218 million global box office debut Marvel Studios’ “Fantastic Four: First Steps” has given Disney a strong box office boost in 2025, earning $118 million domestically and $110 million internationally for a total global debut of $218 million. This marks a return to the “feast” phase after a mixed year, showing solid audience interest. The film’s global opening narrowly trails Warner Bros.’ DC release “Superman,” which started with $220 million worldwide, boosted by strong performances in Europe and Mexico despite a slight dip to $33 million domestically on Saturday. However, both Marvel and DC face challenges in attracting casual moviegoers to new superhero stories, as this launch falls short of the $289 million global debut for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” in 2023, despite a similar domestic start of $118 million. “Fantastic Four” has no ties to previous superhero films or series, and early reception has been positive, with an 88% critics...

Turkey evacuates thousands as firefighters combat wildfires Firefighters continued to battle wildfires across Turkey on Sunday amid an intense Mediterranean heat wave, prompting authorities to evacuate more than 3,600 residents from affected areas in multiple provinces. The southern provinces of Mersin and Antalya, along with the central province of Usak, saw their fires largely brought under control, but significant blazes persisted in the northwestern province of Bursa and the northern province of Karabuk, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli reported. In Bursa, a wildfire erupted Saturday in a forested area between the Gursu and Kestel districts, a region known for its concentration of Turkey’s auto industry. The fire briefly forced the closure of a highway linking Istanbul and Izmir. Intense flames threatened residential areas as thick smoke blanketed the city. Authorities evacuated 1,765 people from Kestel, while roughly 2,000 firefighters worked to contain the blaze ...

  A Mozambican national who was working as a domestic worker for a wealthy family in Richards Bay has disappeared with valuables while her employer was at work. The belongings valued at R100 000 include cellphons, laptop, designer bags, expensive takkies, and she was seen in CCTV footage carrying them in two suitcases .  More photos below. 

 VETERAN ACTRESS SHAFFY BELLO SAYS SHE NO LONGER DATES YOUNGER MEN Shaffy Bello, a veteran Nollywood actress, has revealed that her time for dating younger men is over and that it was fun while it lasted.  The elderly and petite actress said young men still hound her for romantic relationships, but her priorities now lie in exploring a marriage where it can be achieved.  “What I want now is different,” she said. “When I did it, I was having fun. It was for a season, and that season is over. But there’s nothing wrong with it.” A highly talented and versatile actress, Shaffy said dating younger men was only for fun and kicks and that she never regrets it. But her choices and fancies have shifted over the years. 

 Falana condemns arbitrary renaming of streets, bus stops in Lagos Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, has criticised the ongoing trend of renaming streets and public spaces in Lagos State without following constitutional procedures or consulting residents, describing the actions as unlawful and undemocratic. In a statement issued yesterday, Falana condemned recent instances, including the renaming of the popular “Charley Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop” by the former chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mr Kolade Alabi. He also cited reports of two streets being named after President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as industrialist Aliko Dangote’s alleged naming of streets in honour of the late Mr Herbert Wigwe and President Tinubu. According to Falana, these actions violate the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which clearly vests the responsibility for naming and numbering streets exclusi...

 MUSIC PRODUCER DROPS N120M FOR PORTABLE-VDM DUEL A popular music producer and artiste manager, Soso Soberekon, on Sunday offered to sponsor a physical between Portable and Verydarkman. Winner goes home with N100 million and loser pockets N20 million.  Soberekon said that since singer Portable has challenged the human rights activist to a duel following their online spats, it is best to settle the fight inside a boxing ring while making money in the process.  “The street’s most talked-about voices…now let your fists do the talking," Soberekon wrote on Instagram. "No more talk! Let’s turn this online cruise into real-life bruises! “PORTABLE vs VERYDARKMAN. 2 mouths, 1 ring. Who go survive? I’m putting N120 MILLION on this wahala: Winner N100 MILLION, Loser N20 MILLION (Yes, even the beaten man goes home smiling) VENUE: KFT EVENT CENTER-WARRI, DELTA STATE. Talk no dey finish, sign the dotted line and enter ring if body dey tell una.” Despite beating actor Charles Okocha and...

 ‎LASPA TO COMMENCE ENFORCEMENT ON INDISCRIMINATE PARKING ON JULY 28 ‎ The Lagos State Parking Authority  (LASPA) will commence enforcement on the indiscriminate parking of vehicles on Lagos roads from Monday, 28th July 2025. ‎The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, dropped the hint today, during the monthly walk for fitness exercise organised by the Office of the Head of Service for July. ‎Mr. Agoro noted that it would be better for LASPA to start the enforcement on indiscriminate parking of vehicles within the State Secretariat in Alausa and the Old Secretariat in Ikeja before extending it to other parts of the State. The Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office (PSO), Mrs. Olasunkanmi Oyegbola, reinforcing the charge, called on Civil Servants to imbibe the model parking culture by supporting LASPA. She urged them to take the message to their colleagues and friends, adding that no victim of the enforcement by LASPA should contact the Office of the Head of Servi...

 Aba Catholic Diocese Rocked by Scandal as Priest Levels Grave Allegations Against Bishop, Clergy ....... Bishop suspends Fr. Anyanwu. See suspension documents below 👇🏾 👇🏾  The Catholic Diocese of Aba is embroiled in a major controversy following a now-deleted Facebook post by Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu, who leveled serious accusations of immorality and misconduct against Bishop Augustine Echema and several priests within the diocese. The viral post, which has continued to circulate through screenshots, has sparked widespread outrage and debate within the Catholic community, raising questions about accountability and transparency in the Church. In the explosive post, Fr. Anyanwu accused Bishop Echema of shielding priests involved in grave moral offenses while unfairly targeting him for exposing irregularities. The controversy reportedly began over a dispute concerning the signpost of St. Benedict’s Parish, Fr. Anyanwu’s home parish. He claimed the bishop orchestrated efforts...

 Court Orders NYSC to Permit Skirts for Female Corps Members in Landmark Ruling The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) must allow female corps members to wear skirts instead of the mandatory trousers, declaring the NYSC’s policy unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental rights to freedom of religion. In a landmark judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Amina Shehu held that the NYSC’s strict enforcement of its uniform policy, which requires female corps members to wear trousers, infringes on the religious freedoms guaranteed under Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. The case was brought by several female corps members who argued that wearing trousers conflicted with their religious beliefs, which mandate the use of skirts for modesty. The court ordered the NYSC to amend its dress code to accommodate female corps members who wish to wear skirts that align with their religious practices, provided the skirts meet the sch...

  NYCN Kajuru Condemns Personality Attacks, Calls For Issues-Based Campaigns Ahead Of Chikun-Kajuru By-Elections As political activities heat up ahead of the Chikun-Kajuru Federal Constituency by-elections scheduled for August 16, 2025, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kajuru Branch, has raised concerns over the growing trend of personality attacks and online mudslinging among supporters of various candidates. In a statement signed by Shariason Adamu Abednego, made available to KADUNA POLITICAL AFFAIRS, the council expressed disappointment over the use of social media platforms to engage in character assassination rather than promoting meaningful discourse on policy and development. "While we acknowledge the enthusiasm and passion of supporters, we strongly believe that this election should be about issues, policies, and the future of our constituency, rather than personal attacks and character assassination," the statement read. The NYCN has called on all candid...

 NIGERIA'S BASKETBALL TEAM, D'TIGRESS, WINS 92–45 OVER RWANDA  Nigeria’s D’Tigress kicked off their FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025 campaign with a 92–45 win over Rwanda in their Group D opener at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan. Nigeria led the tables with scores 17-8, 28-17, 26-12, and 21-8 in the four quarters.  The D'Tigress' Victoria Macaulay led with 20 points and Destiney Promise Philoxy added 11 points in an impressive all-around victory.  The D'Tigress' 92–45 win over Rwanda in basketball comes in addition to the Super Falcons 3-2 win over Morocco in 2024 WAFCON football final. 

 NYSC WARNS FEMALE CORPERS OVER MASQUERADE SIGHTING IN IBADAN NYSC authorities in Oyo State warned female corp members against trying to see the dreaded Ololu masquerade or travelling along its scheduled routes during the forthcoming annual Egungun festival in Ibadan. Abimbola Faniyi, Information and Public Relations Officer, warned female NYSC members to respect the traditions of Ibadan people and not venture near the masquerade if they hear of its approach.  "Corps members should know that it is forbidden for females/women to see the masquerade," she said. “Corps members are also advised to avoid any gathering around the masquerade’s designated routes during the festival." Faniyi noted that the masquerade will pass through Oje, Gate, Oja-Oba, Ayeye, Orita-Merin, Beere, Oranyan, Idi-Arere, Agugu, Oke-Aremo, Oremeji, and Olubadan Palace areas among other routes during its outings. 

 PRESS RELEASE  INTERNAL SECURITY: POLICE NEUTRALIZE THREE BANDITS, RECOVER TEN AK-47 RIFLES IN INTELLIGENCE-LED OPERATIONS In continuation of the Force’s launched offensive against violent crimes and armed criminal syndicates that threaten the country’s peace and stability, the Nigeria Police Force has achieved yet another significant operational success in recent intelligence-led operations across the country. Sequel to a series of coordinated tactical operations conducted in the month of July 2025, across Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa, Nassarawa, and Niger States, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department- Intelligence Response Team( FID-IRT) has successfully neutralized three (3) armed bandits during several armed encounters. The bandits, who attempted to escape upon sighting operatives, were fatally subdued after intense gunfire exchanges, during which they abandoned their weapons and fled into the surrounding terrains with various degrees of gunshot injuries. These oper...

 Chinese bizman, 80-yr-old grandma arrested as NDLEA seizes Colos in moimoi sachets . Intercepts Loud consignments in processed food cans from Canada; others in Lagos, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Nasarawa, Borno, Niger, Ogun, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi raids A Chinese businessman Liang Tak You and an 80-year-old grandma Mrs. Grace Ekpeme top the list of arrests made by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in nationwide interdiction operations leading to the seizure of consignments of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis hidden in moimoi sachets and Canadian Loud, another strong strain of cannabis concealed in canned food items imported from Canada. Liang was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on Friday 25th July 2025 based on actionable intelligence. The suspect, who arrived Nigeria from Bangkok via Dubai, UAE, on Emirates Airline flight, is a Chinese national, naturalised and based in...

SPECIAL INFORMATION / ANNOUNCEMENT As you have already known that the Rector of the Salesians Community Omole & our Parish Priest - Very Rev. Fr. Peter Morba (SDB) is now the Newly appointed Provincial Superior of Salesians in Nigeria & Niger. As a result of that, Rev. Fr. Charles Onyekachukwu Uzoeto (SDB) is now the newly appointed Rector of the Salesian Community & the Parish Priest of the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, Omole. Another Associate Salesian Priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Okolo (SDB) will be joining the Community / Parish by the 1st week of August.

 The much-anticipated Big Brother Naija Season 10, aptly themed Double ‘10/10’, has officially kicked off with a dazzling two-day premiere that aired on July 26th and 27th, 2025. With viewers across Africa already hooked, the stage is set for 10 electrifying weeks of drama, strategy, alliances, and jaw-dropping twists.  The excitement hit a high during Saturday’s live launch, where the first set of housemates made their grand entrance into the stunningly revamped Big Brother house. From bold personalities to intriguing backstories, this season promises to deliver a cast like never before—each housemate bringing something unique to the table. So, who are these fresh faces ready to shake the house and steal the spotlight? Let’s meet the housemates of BBNaija Season 10: ‘10/10’. More photos below.