PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 PARENTS IN AGONY AS 4 BIOLOGICAL SIBLINGS GO MISSING IN KARU, ABUJA  2nd January, 2025    The public has been alerted to the disappearance of four biological siblings, children of Mr. Asoja, an indigene of Etulo, residing in Karu Local Government Area of Abuja. The children reportedly went missing on December 30, 2025, from their family residence at Ado Junction, Capital Gate, House No. 2. According to their parents, the incident occurred in the evening while the children were watching cartoons. Their mother had briefly stepped out to purchase cooking ingredients and returned to find all four children missing. The missing children are: Joefreey Kasal Asoja – 11 years David Mtsewe Asoja – 7 years Joy Elsan Asoja – 4 years Joseph Asoja – 2 years The children are described as fair in complexion, except for Joy Elsan, who is chocolate in complexion. They speak both Etulo and English. Information available to the family suggests that the abductors allegedly changed the c...

 Mozambique President Daniel Francisco Chapo has rallied the Mambas ahead of their Round of 16 clash against the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, announcing a substantial cash incentive for victory.   In a message issued on Thursday, January 1, to the players and coaching staff, President Chapo praised Mozambique’s group-stage performance and congratulated the team for reaching the knockout phase. He described the feat as unprecedented and a source of national pride, commending the squad’s courage, discipline and determination.   To further motivate the team, Chapo approved an extraordinary bonus of 500,000 meticais for each player and member of the coaching crew if they defeat Nigeria and progress to the quarter-finals. The amount is estimated at about ₦11.3 million in Nigerian currency.   Mozambique booked their place in the Round of 16 after finishing third in Group F, despite a 2–1 loss to Cameroon national football team in their final group ...

 Ghanaian Prophet who built ark after predicting that the world will end on Christmas Day is remanded. Content ceator and self-acclaimed prophet Evans Eshun, popularly known as Ebo Noah, has been remanded in police custody for two weeks following the adjournment of proceedings at the Adentan Circuit Court.  The court further ordered that the suspect undergoes psychiatric evaluation at the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital ahead of his next court appearance  Investigations into the matter continue.

GOV. SANWO-OLU INSPECTS GNI BUILDING FIRE SITE AT MARINA, ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 2ND, 2026 L-R:   Acting General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Bldr. Florence Gbaye; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and permanent secretary, Office of urban development, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, during an inspection of the GNI Building following a fire incident at Marina, Lagos, on Friday, January 2nd, 2026.   L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District (CBD), Mrs. Bola Olumegbon Lawal; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde and permanent secretary, Office of urban development, Arc. Gbolah...

 POLICE ARRAIGNS DRIVER OF ANTHONY JOSHUA VEHICLE IN COURT ON FOUR COUNT CHARGES, CASE ADJOURNED TILL JANUARY 20 The Ogun State Police Command has arraigned  the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the Anthony Joshua accident case,  Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode (male), aged 45,  before a Magistrate Court sitting in Sagamu area of Ogun State  A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer Ogun State Command DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi explained that the defendant was arraigned on four counts charge before Chief Magistrate O.M Somefun  of the Sagamu Magisterial division. The charges include that the defendant drove the said SUV Vehicle in a manner  dangerous to members of the public resulting in a fatal accident causing the untimely death of two persons which is punishable under section 5(1) of the Federal Highway Act cap F 135 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2002 applicable in Ogun State. The defendant was also docked for reckless driving, negligence and bein...

 GOVERNOR MUTFWANG OF PLATEAU STATE FORMALLY JOINS APC Governor Caleb Mutfwang has formally picked the APC membership card following his resignation from the  Peoples Democratic Party. He was formally received by the state executive Council of the All Progressives Congress at the APC secretariat in Jos. With the conclusion of all formalities, Governor  Mutfwang  said before the formal defection, he has made  consultations far and wide and his dream is that of one United Plateau.  He therefore calls for unity among all the people stressing that he will continue to support President Tinubu whom he says is determined to put the country on the path of development. Chairman of the All progressives congress, Plateau state,Rufus Bature who welcomed the governor and his team said the APC is a party that accommodates all without discrimination.  Secretary to  government of Plateau state, Samuel  Jatau says it is time to put aside  differences...

About 40 dead and 115 injured in fire at Swiss Alpine bar during New Year’s celebration  A deadly fire tore through a packed New Year’s celebration at a bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday, killing about 40 people and injuring at least 115 others, many of them critically. Authorities said the exact death toll was still being confirmed as rescue and recovery efforts continued. The popular Le Constellation bar, crowded with revelers ringing in the new year, was quickly transformed from a festive gathering place into the scene of one of Switzerland’s worst peacetime tragedies in recent memory. Officials announced five days of national mourning as investigators worked to identify victims and notify families. Valais Canton police said the community was devastated and warned that it would take several days to fully account for those who had been inside the venue, noting that the number of people present at the time of the fire remains unknown. O...

Russia says Ukrainian drone strike kills 24 in occupied Ukraine as peace talks strain tensions    Russia’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that its specialists had accessed the navigation system of a drone it claims was used in a recent strike and that the data showed the aircraft’s final destination was President Vladimir Putin’s residence. Officials said the information would be shared with U.S. authorities through what they described as established communication channels, though no evidence from the navigation data was made public. The ministry also released video footage it said showed a downed drone connected to the alleged attack. The nighttime recording depicted a masked man in military gear standing beside a damaged drone lying in the snow, describing it on camera. No location or date was provided, and the footage offered no independent confirmation of the claims being made. Ukrainian officials rejected the allegation outright, calling it a fabrication intended to disru...

 Pope opens 2026 with plea for peace in war-torn nations and families scarred by violence  Pope Leo XIV began 2026 on Thursday with an urgent call for peace, highlighting countries torn by war and families suffering from violence. He celebrated New Year’s Day Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica before delivering a noon prayer from his studio overlooking the piazza, where pilgrims and tourists gathered on a bright, chilly morning. Marking the church’s World Day of Peace, Leo urged the faithful to unite in prayer. “Let us all pray together for peace: first, among nations bloodied by conflict and suffering, but also within our homes, in families wounded by violence or pain,” he said. Following the busy Christmas season, the pope will take a few days of rest before leading celebrations for the Epiphany on Jan. 6, which will also mark the official close of the 2025 Holy Year—a once-in-a-quarter-century event that drew millions of pilgrims to Rome. Immediately afterward, Leo will preside o...

 New immigration restrictions ordered by Trump take effect Jan. 1 Starting Thursday, individuals from seven countries will be barred from traveling to the United States under new restrictions, according to updated guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The travel limits, signed earlier this year by President Donald Trump, affect citizens of Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria. The restrictions apply to both immigrant and non-immigrant travelers. Officials cite national security and public safety as the reasons for the ban, while critics say it disproportionately targets African and Muslim-majority countries. The new measures continue existing travel restrictions on individuals from Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Partial restrictions remain in place for travelers from Venezuela and Cuba. The announcement comes as the administration a...

Trump says he underwent CT scan rather than MRI  For weeks, President Donald Trump had repeatedly said he underwent an MRI at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in October. However, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published Thursday, Trump and his physician clarified that he actually received a CT scan, not an MRI. “It wasn’t an MRI,” Trump told the Journal. “It was less than that. It was a scan.” Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s doctor, confirmed the procedure, explaining that the president’s doctors initially planned either an MRI or a CT scan. The scan was conducted to rule out cardiovascular issues and showed no abnormalities. Both MRI and CT scans are used to image internal organs, but MRI uses magnets and radio waves while CT relies on X-rays. Trump previously said the imaging was part of his annual physical and had described the results as “perfectly normal.” Reflecting on the testing, he told the Journal he now regrets having it done, saying it has...

 Abia First Lady welcomes first baby of the year in Abia with gifts and cash of 1million Naria  The Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs Priscilla Otti, on Thursday, welcomed the first baby of 2026 at the Akirika Ukwu Primary Healthcare Centre, Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. The baby of the year, Oluebubechi Nwatuobi Excessgrace, was born at exactly 12:43 a.m. on January 1, 2026, weighing 3kg at birth. To commemorate the historic birth, Mrs Otti presented the newborn and her mother with essential gifts, including bags of rice, milk, groundnut oil, sanitary items, as well as a cash donation of N1m, explaining that the gesture was aimed at supporting the mother’s nutrition and overall well-being during the nursing period. In a joyful moment during the visit, the First Lady also named the bundle of joy “Ihuoma,” expressing hope that the child would grow in peace, grace, and favour. Describing the birth as a joyful and symbolic beginning for the new year, Otti n...

 ‎Anambra First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo welcomes New Year babies with gifts and cash ‎ ‎The wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo, has welcomed the first set of “New Year” babies of 2026 born in various hospitals across the state with various gifts and cash awards to celebrate their birth. ‎ ‎Soludo, in her yearly tradition of celebrating babies born on New Year’s Day, continued her visitation across various hospitals on Friday, where she was presented with the first set of babies. ‎ ‎The governor’s wife, who is also the founder of ‘Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo’, spent some exciting moments with the babies and their mothers and was pleased to hear exciting testimonies from mothers who did antenatal care and had their delivery (including C-Section births) all at zero costs. ‎ ‎The governor’s wife, who is also the founder of ‘Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo’, spent some exciting moments with the babies and their mothers and was pleased to hear exciting testimonies...

 Governor Soludo wears school uniform to his old school - Uga Boys’ Secondary School, in celebration of Uga boys 50 years anniversary. The school is now one of the Anambra schools transformed into a smart school by the Soludo administration. More photos below. 

 LASG FETES, REWARDS DRAINAGE OPERATIVES, ENCOURAGES THEM TO REMAIN COMMITTED The Lagos State Government on Monday rewarded operatives of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) and operatives of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance for their contribution to a sustainable flood-free Lagos, while encouraging them to be more committed in the new year.  Speaking at the end-of-year party and Award ceremony held at Alausa, the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi Akodu said the state government would continue to provide the necessary facilities and support required for better service delivery.  According to him, "The reward for hard work is more work. I would like to let you know that those who did not receive awards this year are also truly appreciated by the government, and I encourage you to put in more effort next year".  He said the team has been doing a good job in cleaning up secondary drains and manholes in the 52 Local Government Areas and Local...

 LETTER OF APPRECIATION TO HON. MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT FOR PAYING REGISTRATION FEES FOR STUDENTS  On behalf of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the entire student body of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, I write to express our profound gratitude and sincere appreciation to you, the Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal  for your kind gesture and immense support through the payment of school fees scholarships to numerous students of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, as well as other tertiary institutions across Kaduna State. Your commitment to the advancement of education and youth development has brought immense relief to many students and their families, especially in this challenging economic period. This noble intervention has not only eased the financial burden on beneficiaries but has also encouraged academic excellence, stability, and renewed hope among students in Kaduna State. We also wish to specially appreci...

 Prosperity cannot come by taxing Poverty As I travel the world and meet leaders who have transformed their nations, one lesson is clear: lasting economic and social progress begins with national consensus. Transformative leaders—those who successfully unite their people around a shared vision—share a defining quality: honesty. Government must be transparent and truthful because citizens deserve nothing less from those who lead them. True leaders do not exploit their people to enrich themselves and a few cronies; they build trust, unity, and shared purpose - the foundation of sustainable progress. It is against this standard of honest leadership that Nigeria’s current approach to taxation must be measured. If taxation is to function as a genuine social contract, it must be rooted in sincerity, fairness, and concern for the welfare of the people. Every tax policy should be clearly explained, including its impact on incomes and its expected contribution to national development. Witho...

 A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has urged supporters of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, to formally join the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Okonkwo said Obidients who are yet to register with the ADC can no longer be regarded as true supporters, describing them as “disObidients.”   “When I was in the Labour Party, I said it was a tactical mistake to tell your followers they could join all political parties. I am glad that my brother, Peter Obi, has now changed that tactic,” he said. According to Okonkwo, Obi, during an interview on X Space, directed his supporters to register as members of the ADC. “If you are an Obidient and you’re not in the ADC, sorry, you’re not an Obidient, you are a disObidient,” he stated while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. The lawyer praised the ADC, describing it as a credible opposition platform and a “vehicle of good people,” adding that the party enjoys strong back...

 Those opposing US Airstrikes On Terrorists Should Be Sent To Sambisa – Shehu Sani Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has stated that individuals criticizing the United States’ airstrikes against terrorist groups operating in Nigeria should be sent to the Sambisa Forest. Sani made the remark on Monday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account while reacting to the US-led airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day, which reportedly targeted terrorist enclaves in parts of Nigeria’s North-West. According to the former lawmaker, critics of military action against terrorists should be relocated to affected areas such as Zamfara and Sokoto to engage directly with the armed groups. He said those opposed to the strikes should be taken to Sambisa Forest to “preach, talk, or negotiate” with terrorists in an effort to stop the killings and kidnappings of innocent Nigerians. Sani argued that anyone rejecting military solutions must be prepared to offer practical alternati...

 Kaduna Revenue Boss, Jerry Adams, Empowers 450 Widows With Food Items, Cash The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Jerry Adams, has empowered no fewer than 450 widows across the state with food items and cash support. Each beneficiary received a bag of rice, a wrapper, and a cash donation as part of the gesture, which was carried out in the spirit of the yuletide.  The presentation took place in Kafanchan. Speaking at the event, Adams said the initiative was deeply personal, noting that he was raised by a widowed mother after losing his father more than 45 years ago. “My focus on widows is rooted in my own life experience. I witnessed firsthand the challenges my mother faced while raising the family, and that experience shaped my resolve to ensure widows are supported and empowered,” he said. He also acknowledged that years of insecurity in Kaduna State had claimed the lives of many family breadwinners, leading to a rise in the number of widow...

 Defence Minister Meets Veteran Missionary Peter Fretheim In Jos The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), hosted veteran missionary and humanitarian Peter Fretheim at his residence in Jos. During the visit, Fretheim offered prayers for the Minister, seeking guidance and strength in his role overseeing Nigeria’s defence and security. Peter Fretheim has worked in Nigeria for over 28 years through SIM ECWA, focusing on humanitarian programs in Jos and surrounding communities.  His work includes supporting orphans, widows, individuals affected by leprosy, and other vulnerable groups. He has also documented his experiences through writing and continues to engage in community development initiatives. General Musa, a retired military officer, has held several key positions in the Nigerian Armed Forces and currently serves as Minister of Defence. The meeting reflects ongoing interactions between government officials and individuals involved in humanit...

 Governor Inuwa Yahaya Meets AIG Zone 12 , Restates Zero Tolerance for Crime in Gombe  Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, earlier in the week held a high-level security meeting with the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 12, in charge of Bauchi and Gombe States, AIG Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, to address recent security challenges in the state. The meeting, came against the backdrop of the recent unfortunate incident in Pindiga community, Akko Local Government Area, where two persons were killed and three others abducted by unknown gunmen. During the meeting, the Governor and the AIG reviewed the security situation across the state, with emphasis on strengthening intelligence gathering, boosting police presence, and enhancing rapid response capabilities to prevent further breaches of peace. Governor Inuwa Yahaya reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for criminality, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains a non-negotiable p...

 TROOPS OF OPHK NEUTRALISE TERRORIST SUICIDE BOMBERS IN BORNO STATE Troops of OPHK have successfully neutralised three terrorist suicide bombers following a deliberate, intelligence-driven operation conducted along the Guduf–Pulka axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The operation, executed through covert intelligence efforts by troops in collaboration with local volunteer forces, led to the tracking and neutralisation of the suicide bombers before they could carry out planned attacks on innocent civilians. During the encounter, suicide vests and other improvised explosive device (IED) materials in the possession of the terrorists were recovered and safely secured. Troops also inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorist escorts accompanying the suicide bombers. The surviving elements fled into the Mandara Mountains under pressure from sustained troop action. In the course of exploitation, troops recovered four AK-47 rifles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, while t...