PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE WE’RE ENGAGING THE WORLD DIPLOMATICALLY, PRESIDENT TINUBU TELLS FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL  President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, stated that Nigeria remains on a steady growth trajectory, with more promise of stability and prosperity as economic reforms continue to yield results and gain national and international acceptance.  The President spoke at the Federal Executive Council after the swearing-in of two ministers, Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro, and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN). Doro will manage the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, while Udeh will oversee the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.  On the current state of the economy and the relationship between Nigeria and the United States, President Tinubu assured that the Federal Government was engaging with the world diplomatically.   “The most important thing is the fact that despite the political headwinds and the fear of our people, w...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU SWEARS IN MINISTERS, BERNARD MOHAMMED DORO, KINGSLEY TOCHUKWU UDEH   President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, swore in Dr Bernard Mohammed Doroh from Plateau State and Dr Kinsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN) from Enugu State as ministers.   The ministers took the oath of office at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, held at the Council Chambers of the State House.   The Senate confirmed Dr Doro to replace Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, who was elected as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July 2025.   Dr Doro holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Jos, an LL.B in Law from University College London (UCL), an MBA in Information Technology and Business Strategy from the University of Leicester, and an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice from Anglia Ruskin University.   He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration and an MPhil in Leadership and Management a...

 "If your marriage dey experience some wahala, pls try and sort it out privately. No point in washing ur dirty business on social media. Abi wetin you think?"- Charly-Boy Watch video below. 

 "The recent incident at Miss Universe Thailand — where a director publicly insulted Miss Mexico — has reignited an uncomfortable truth about beauty pageants: behind the glamour and goodwill, there are still troubling power dynamics at play. As a former Miss Malaysia at Miss World and Miss Universe, I’ve experienced it firsthand. Pageants have always been about more than beauty — they’re platforms for advocacy, cultural exchange, and personal growth. But too often, the women wearing the crown are treated as commodities, expected to smile through discomfort and comply without question. And then comes the power play….. the relationships between sponsors, owners, and national directors can blur professional boundaries and create an environment where  young women have to navigate it all while keeping their poise. You learn quickly when to speak and when to stay silent. When Miss Mexico stood her ground and refused to be publicly humiliated, she did something brave — she broke the ...

 Singer Diamond Platnumz has lost over 100k followers on instagram after publicly supporting Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu. This development came as a result of Tanzanians massively unfollowing all celebrities who aren’t speaking up for them in this time of political tensi0n, and has sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans accus!ng him of taking sides politically, while others praise him for expressing his stance openly.

 Appeal court questions Trump’s asylum ban A federal appeals court in Washington expressed skepticism Monday over President Donald Trump’s proclamation that effectively sought to end asylum in the United States, during oral arguments concerning a lower court ruling that determined the president had exceeded his authority under immigration law. The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reviewed a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups challenging the proclamation, which Trump issued shortly after taking office in January. Judges questioned whether the proclamation conflicted with provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that guarantee asylum-seekers the right to request protection in the United States. Judge J. Michelle Childs, a Biden appointee, highlighted potential conflicts, noting that certain INA provisions require credible fear interviews and judicial review for asylum decisions, which ...

 Seven workers trapped after tower collapses at South Korean power plant Rescue teams in South Korea are searching for workers trapped after a major structure collapsed at a power plant in Ulsan on Thursday. Authorities report that at least seven people were believed trapped when a 200-foot-tall boiler tower at the Ulsan branch of state-run Korea East-West Power toppled shortly after 2 p.m. local time. Two workers have been pulled from the rubble, while emergency personnel continue to comb through twisted metal and concrete for others. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok directed all relevant agencies, including the National Fire Agency and Korean National Police, to deploy every available resource to prioritize saving lives and ensure firefighter safety. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung also issued an emergency order to mobilize additional personnel and equipment and dispatched a situation-management officer to coordinate the operation. Photos from the scene show the massive steel tower coll...

  Nnamdi Kanu Writes President Trump, Calls For US Inquiry In South-East Nigeria On Genocidal Killings The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has written to United States President Donald Trump, urging him to launch an independent inquiry into what he described as “state-sponsored genocidal killings” of Christians and Igbo people in Nigeria’s South-East. In the letter dated November 6, 2025, and delivered through the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Kanu—who remains in solitary detention at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters—appealed to Trump to act on his recent declaration that the United States was prepared to “act militarily and cut aid if Nigeria fails to protect its Christian population.” According to Kanu, the proposed inquiry should include access to mass graves, military logs, and testimonies from survivors. Kanu wrote: > “Your bold declaration on October 31, 2025, that the United States is prepared to act militarily and ...

 Dr. John Danfulani Faults Call For Gen. Christopher Musa To Join 2027 Southern Kaduna Senatorial Race, Says The Advocates Are Suffering From Early Political Winter Madness Political commentator and public affairs analyst, Dr. John Danfulani, has faulted the recent call by a group known as the Christopher Gwabin Musa Vanguard 2027, urging former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), to contest for the Southern Kaduna senatorial seat in the 2027 elections. In a strongly worded statement issued on social media, Dr. Danfulani described the group’s campaign as premature and unrealistic, warning that Nigeria’s political environment is vastly different from the regimented structure of the military. According to him, while the group has the constitutional right to make such an appeal and the retired general equally has the right to aspire, the call demonstrates a misunderstanding of the dynamics of Nigeria’s political landscape. “Political terrains aren’t like bat...

 Convicted mushroom killer Erin Patterson appeals verdict in Australian court Erin Patterson, the Australian woman convicted of killing her estranged husband’s parents and aunt with a meal containing toxic mushrooms, has formally filed an appeal against her murder conviction. Patterson, 51, was sentenced in September in Victoria to three life terms plus 25 years for murder and attempted murder after being found guilty of using deadly death cap mushrooms in the fatal dinner. While filing an appeal is not automatic under Australian law, prosecutors last month noted a pending challenge on the grounds that “the sentence handed down to Erin Patterson is manifestly inadequate.” On Monday, Patterson’s legal team officially lodged the appeal, though the specific arguments behind it have not yet been revealed.

Colorado judge denies plea deal for funeral home owner accused of storing nearly 200 bodies A Colorado judge on Monday rejected a proposed plea deal for a funeral home owner facing nearly 200 charges related to mishandling corpses at funeral homes in Colorado Springs and Penrose. The deal would have sentenced Carie Hallford to 15 to 20 years in prison. Fourth Judicial District Judge Eric Bentley said the proposed sentence “is not consistent with the impact of these crimes on the victims and the community.” In October 2023, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office uncovered nearly 200 decomposing bodies at the Penrose facility after investigating a foul odor. Carie and Jon Hallford, who owned Return to Nature Funeral Home in both locations, were arrested the following month on suspicion of corpse abuse, theft, money laundering, and forgery. According to prosecutors, between September 2019 and October 2023, the couple stored bodies in a warehouse instead of burying or cremating them as promis...

 Vin Diesel expected to prevail in sexual battery lawsuit filed by former assistant A California Superior Court judge indicated Tuesday that Vin Diesel is likely to win a lawsuit filed by a former assistant who alleges the actor sexually assaulted her in 2010. In a tentative ruling, Judge Daniel Crowley said the alleged incident took place in Georgia, meaning the plaintiff, Asta Jonasson, cannot pursue the case in California. Jonasson, who worked for Diesel while he was filming Fast Five, claimed in her complaint that Diesel assaulted her in a hotel suite in Atlanta and that she was subsequently fired hours later by Diesel’s sister, who ran his production company. Jonasson’s 2023 lawsuit accused Diesel of sexual battery, wrongful termination, and violations of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. The FEHA claims were previously dismissed in June due to the one-year statute of limitations. Crowley questioned why Jonasson filed in California rather than Georgia, citing the “...

North Korea holds funeral for longtime ceremonial leader North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presided over a state funeral for Kim Yong Nam, the country’s longtime ceremonial head of state, who passed away this week at the age of 97. The ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Patriotic Martyrs’ Cemetery in Pyongyang, brought together senior officials, family members, and a 100-member funeral committee to honor the veteran statesman. Kim Jong Un led the proceedings as mourners lined the streets, bowing as Kim Yong Nam’s flag-draped coffin and large portrait were carried to the burial site. Once the procession arrived, Premier Pak Thae Song delivered a eulogy, followed by a moment of silent tribute led by Kim Jong Un and other top officials dressed in black suits and military attire. Kim Yong Nam, though not related to the ruling Kim family, played a central role in North Korean politics for decades. He served as the president of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 to 2019, a position that m...

 ICE to launch call center to assist in tracking migrant children for deportation U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to open a “National Call Center” in Nashville, Tennessee, aimed at helping law enforcement locate unaccompanied migrant children for potential removal. According to a contracting notice, the center is expected to handle 6,000 to 7,000 calls per day and could be fully operational by June 2026. ICE officials said the center is being established to meet an “immediate need” for tracking minors as part of ongoing immigration enforcement efforts. The plan has drawn criticism from immigrant advocacy groups, who argue the call center undermines protections for children. Michael Lukens, executive director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, said the effort “will not protect children” and will primarily facilitate deportations. The announcement follows other moves by the administration targeting unaccompanied minors, including a DHS program offering a one-tim...

 Louvre employee says video surveillance system password was 'Louvre' An employee has revealed that the password to the Louvre’s video surveillance system at the time of last month’s $102 million jewel heist was simply “Louvre.” The disclosure has intensified scrutiny of the museum’s security in the aftermath of the high-profile robbery. During testimony before a French Senate committee, Louvre President Laurence des Cars said that the only camera outside the Apollo Gallery faced west and did not cover the window the thieves used to break in. She noted that while all alarms and cameras were functioning, there was a “weakness” in perimeter security due to underinvestment. Investigators said the entire robbery, from entry to getaway, lasted just seven minutes, with the thieves using a truck-mounted mechanical cherry picker to exit the gallery. Des Cars defended the gallery’s security system but acknowledged the need to adapt to unforeseen methods of attack, adding that the incide...

 President Sheinbaum files charges following groping incident on Mexican street Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Wednesday that she is pressing charges against a man who groped her on a Mexico City street Tuesday. The incident, captured on video and widely shared online, prompted Sheinbaum to call for stronger protections against sexual harassment across all 32 Mexican states. She emphasized that the attack highlights a broader problem faced by women nationwide. In a video post, Sheinbaum explained that she wrestled with whether to press charges but ultimately decided it was necessary. “Many women have to deal with this, and if this can happen to the president, what can we expect for all the young women in our country?” she said. Sheinbaum also condemned the resharing of the video, calling it unethical and a potential violation of laws against the dissemination of sexual content without consent. The president said she plans to launch a campaign to educate men on respe...

 A fourth The Mummy film reportedly in development Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are reportedly set to reprise their roles in a fourth installment of the "The Mummy" franchise. While plot details remain under wraps, Radio Silence Productions — the horror filmmaking collective behind 2019’s horror-comedy "Ready or Not" and 2023’s revival of the "Scream" franchise — is said to be directing. Universal Pictures has not confirmed the reports. Fraser, an Academy Award-winning actor for "The Whale," and Weisz, who recently appeared in Marvel’s "Black Widow," would return as Rick and Evelyn O’Connell, the adventurous couple from the first two films. Both actors have previously expressed enthusiasm for revisiting the roles, describing the experience as fun and charming. The original trilogy includes "The Mummy" (1999), "The Mummy Returns" (2001), and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" (2008), collectively gro...

 Tobacco still leading cause of deadly cancers despite declining smoking rates Tobacco continues to be the leading preventable cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., even as smoking rates have fallen dramatically, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society. More than 80% of lung cancer deaths are linked to tobacco, highlighting the ongoing toll of the substance despite public health progress. Adult cigarette smoking dropped from 42% in 1965 to just 11% in 2023, while quit attempts reached a record 62% in 2022. Despite these gains, many smokers are not taking advantage of low-dose CT scans recommended for lung cancer detection. Only 18% of eligible current or former smokers were up to date on screenings in 2022, even though early detection significantly improves survival rates. The report also notes that lung cancer screening and the use of cessation aids are lowest in Southern states, which carry the highest burden of the disease. The atlas maps national and state-leve...

 Wildfire smoke exposure tied to higher risk of premature births New research suggests that wildfire smoke may increase the risk of premature birth, adding another serious health concern beyond its effects on the lungs. A large study by the University of Washington examined more than 20,000 births across the U.S. between 2006 and 2020 and found that pregnant individuals exposed to wildfire smoke were more likely to deliver early. The findings were published Monday in The Lancet Planetary Health. Researchers focused on fine particle pollution from wildfires, known as PM2.5, and measured both frequency and intensity of exposure during pregnancy. The study found that the highest risk occurred during the second trimester, particularly around week 21, and that later-stage pregnancies were most affected by high levels of smoke above 10 micrograms per cubic meter. The strongest associations were observed in the Western U.S., where wildfires have grown more frequent and intense. Experts no...

Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland passes away at 24 Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24, the team announced Thursday. No cause of death has been disclosed. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family,” the Cowboys said in a statement. Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, confirmed he passed away on Wednesday night. “I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan to a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field,” Perzley said. Kneeland, a second-round draft pick last year, played in 18 games and scored his only career touchdown in Monday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals after recovering a blocked punt. The NFL said it is in contact with the Cowboys and is offering counseling resources to teammates and coaches.

 Potential space debris strike delays return of Chinese astronauts The return of three Chinese astronauts has been delayed after suspected space debris damaged their return vehicle. China’s Manned Spaceflight Agency announced Wednesday that Shenzhou 20 Commander Chen Dong and astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie will stay aboard the Tiangong space station longer than planned. “To ensure the health and safety of the astronauts and the successful completion of the mission, the originally scheduled return of Shenzhou-20 on Nov. 5 has been postponed,” the agency said. The trio launched in April from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert for a six-month rotation on Tiangong, reaching the station after a six-hour journey. China aims to land a person on the moon by 2030 and has carried out around 37 space missions, six of them crewed. Shenzhou 21, launched at the end of last month, is currently on a six-month research visit to Tiangong. Officials said astronauts from bot...

 Maldives bans smoking for people born after 2006 The Maldives has introduced a groundbreaking law permanently banning tobacco use for an entire generation, effective Saturday. Under the new regulation, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2007, is prohibited from buying, using, or being sold cigarettes or other tobacco products. This means that individuals 18 or younger today will never be able to legally smoke in the country as they grow older. The Health Ministry said the measure is designed to "protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation." The ban applies to both residents and tourists across the island nation, which consists of nearly 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean. Retailers are required to verify age before selling tobacco, and selling to anyone under the age cutoff can result in a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa (about $3,200). The Maldives also maintains a complete ban on e-cigarettes and vaping devices for all ages, with fines of 5,000 rufiyaa (around $32...

 LAGOS SAFETY COMMISSION RALLIES STAKEHOLDERS ON STRENGTHENING SAFETY CULTURE, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS  The Lagos State Safety Commission has called for renewed collaboration among safety practitioners, regulators, and the private sector to strengthen safety culture and improve emergency preparedness across the state. This was the thrust of a one-day Stakeholders’ Forum on Safety and Emergency Response held on Tuesday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference Centre, Ikeja, with the theme: “Strengthening Safety Culture and Emergency Preparedness Among Safety Practitioners in Lagos.” Declaring the forum open on behalf of the Director-General of the Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Dr. (Mrs.) Adetola Akindele emphasised that safety remains everyone’s responsibility and a shared value that must underpin all human, industrial, and environmental activities in the state. Mojola, in his welcome address delivered by...

 LASG ADVANCES  LEGAL REVIEW TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV, AIDS The Lagos State Government has taken a significant step towards reinforcing the rights and welfare of people living with HIV & AIDS as key stakeholders convened for a high-level engagement at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).  The strategic session, spearheaded by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), focused on the review of the Lagos State Law for the Protection of People Living with HIV & AIDS with a particular aim to update the existing 2007 law to reflect emerging realities and societal changes.  The Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, stated that the engagement marks a crucial moment in the State’s ongoing commitment to upholding human dignity, eliminating stigma and discrimination, and strengthening legal protections for people living with HIV. She commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his steadfast dedication ...

 Anambra Governorship Election: INEC Begins Distribution Of Non-Sensitive Materials Ahead of the Anambra governorship election, the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, has commenced the distribution of non- sensitive materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria  Awka to the 21 local government areas.  With this task completed, INEC is said to have finished 12 of its processes and is now ready to conduct the election on Saturday, 8th November 2025.  The distributions were conducted with all stakeholders present under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police for Anambra State, Abayomi Shogunle. More photos below. 

 Cameroon's Paul Biya: World's oldest president sworn in for 8th term Paul Biya, who has been president of Cameroon for 43 years, was sworn in on Thursday for an eighth term, after a contested election that sparked mass protests in which several demonstrators died. The 92-year-old Biya, the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 with 53.7 percent of the vote, according to official results, against 35.2 percent for his main challenger, former government minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary. He was sworn in at a ceremony in parliament in the capital, Yaounde, for a new seven-year term at the helm of the central African country. "I will spare no effort to continue to be worthy of this trust," Biya told the gathering attended by local political figures but no foreign leaders. "I fully understand the gravity of the situation our country is going through. I understand the number and severity of the challenges we face and I understand the depth of frustrations an...

Sherri Shepherd receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame  Actress, comedian, and talk show host Sherri Shepherd was celebrated Monday with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Shepherd, known for her time on The View and as the host of her own show SHERRI, received the 2,827th star along the iconic boulevard. Attending the ceremony were Tyler Perry, Niecy Nash, and Shepherd’s 20-year-old son, Jeffrey Tarpley, Jr. Beyond her work in talk shows, Shepherd has appeared on TV series including 30 Rock, Friends, and The Jamie Foxx Show, and in films such as Precious, Think Like A Man, and Ride Along 2. “The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome actress Sherri Shepherd to the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” said Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame producer. “Sherri is a beloved figure whose humor, authenticity, and resilience have brightened the lives of millions.”

 Arizona abortion providers challenge pre-Dobbs limits in state court Nearly a year after Arizona voters enshrined the right to abortion in the state constitution, leading obstetricians and gynecologists are still challenging a series of pre-existing laws they say hinder access to care. Dr. Paul Isaacson, a prominent supporter of the 2024 Proposition 139, testified Wednesday that laws requiring a 24-hour waiting period and multiple clinic visits create barriers for women seeking abortion care and, in some cases, push them past the legal limits for medication or procedural abortions. He also said a ban on abortions for certain reasons, such as fetal abnormalities, discourages open communication between patients and providers. “They’ve advised their patients not to say anything when they come to us,” Isaacson said. “I can’t say what I want to say to them.” Attorney Justin Smith, representing intervenors seeking to maintain the laws, argued that the rising number of abortions in Arizo...

 Elon Musk likely to win Tesla shareholder vote on $1 trillion CEO pay plan Tesla is set to announce on Thursday the results of a shareholder vote on whether CEO Elon Musk should receive a nearly $1 trillion stock-based pay package over the next decade. The outcome appears largely predetermined, with Musk’s substantial ownership stake and loyal retail investor base expected to carry the vote despite proxy advisors Glass Lewis and ISS recommending against the plan. Results will be shared following Tesla’s annual meeting in Austin, Texas. Board Chair Robyn Denholm and other supporters argue the package is critical to keeping Musk at Tesla, highlighting his role in the company’s robotics and AI initiatives. Investor Ron Baron praised Musk on X, calling him the “ultimate ‘key man’” whose drive and standards are central to Tesla’s success. Opponents, including Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund and shareholder advocate James McRitchie, have expressed concerns about the package’s...

Nancy Pelosi to retire, ending historic tenure in the US House  Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi has announced she will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, closing a historic chapter in American politics marked by her role as the first woman to serve as House speaker and one of the most influential figures in modern government. Representing San Francisco for nearly four decades, Pelosi made the announcement Thursday in a video address to constituents, emphasizing her commitment to finish out her final term and encouraging voters to remain engaged in democracy. Pelosi’s career is defined by landmark legislative achievements, including her leadership on the Affordable Care Act, Dodd-Frank financial reforms, and repealing the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. She also played a pivotal role as a check on former President Donald Trump, guiding the House through two impeachments and establishing the Jan. 6 special committee. Known for her strategic political acum...

 Ogun to demolish, reconstruct legislative, commissioners’ quarters built in 1976  The Ogun government has announced plans to demolish and rebuild the state’s legislative quarters and commissioners’ quarters, originally constructed in 1976. Jamiu Omoniyi, commissioner for housing in Ogun, said the decision followed the ministry’s recent technical assessment that revealed the buildings have become unsafe and uneconomical to maintain despite numerous repairs over the decades. Omoniyi said the decision aligns with the National Building Code of Nigeria (2006), which mandates public buildings to meet minimum safety standards. He noted that the structures that have exceeded their useful life require either major rehabilitation or complete reconstruction, especially where repairs have become uneconomical. “The existing legislative and commissioners’ quarters were constructed in 1976, nearly 50 years ago,” the commissioner said. “Over the years, successive governments have spent enorm...

 Ex-Grizzlies star Tony Allen faces drug-related arrest in Arkansas  Former Memphis Grizzlies star Tony Allen has been arrested in Arkansas on drug-related charges, according to local authorities. The Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Allen faces two charges of drug possession—one felony and one misdemeanor—and is being held without bond. The arrest occurred after a traffic stop about 50 miles from Memphis, when the vehicle Allen was riding in was pulled over for an improper lane change. Officials say Allen was found with a bag of marijuana, and deputies reportedly discovered cocaine in a cigarette box during a search of the car. Allen, 43, spent the bulk of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies from 2011 to 2017 and also played for the Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans. He is widely regarded as one of the league’s top defensive players, and the Grizzlies retired his jersey in March. This is not Allen’s first legal issue. In 2023, he pled guilty in a fe...

 Sani unveils N30bn Kaduna BRT project to ‘cut emissions, create 14,000 jobs’ Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, has unveiled a N30 billion counterpart funding commitment for the Kaduna bus rapid transit (KBRT) system. The project is a collaboration with the Agence Française de Dévelopement (AFD), the French development agency. Speaking at the national transport conference, Sani said the KBRT will run along a dedicated 24km corridor from Rigachikun to Sabon Tasha, deploying 120 articulated buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). The governor said the transport project is the “first of its kind in northern Nigeria” and the “second nationwide after Lagos”. He said the initiative is expected to cut carbondioxide emissions by 38 percent and save commuters N1.8 billion annually in fuel costs. The governor said the initiative will generate about 3,200 direct jobs for drivers, station agents, and maintenance engineers. “We are creating 3,200 direct jobs (drivers, station agents, mainten...

 Senate advances bill to establish national ICT centre in Enugu A bill seeking to establish the National Centre for Information and Communication Technology in Nkanu, Enugu state, has passed for second reading in the senate. The bill was sponsored by Kelvin Chukwu, senator reprsenting Enugu east. Leading the debate during Wednesday’s plenary, Chukwu said the bill aims to create a world-class institution for training, innovation, and research in emerging digital fields. He said information and communication technology has become central to economic growth, governance, education, health and global competitiveness. “Nigeria’s large youthful population presents a significant opportunity to expand the digital economy but that access to ICT training remains uneven across regions,” he said.