PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Super eagles coach Eric Chelle has signed for a new sports agency to represent him henceforth.  Eric Chelle, head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, has signed with a new sports agency to represent him going forward.  The move is expected to strengthen his professional management and strategic engagements within the global football space.

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR DIRECT REMITTANCE OF OIL AND GAS REVENUES TO FEDERATION ACCOUNT President Bola Tinubu has issued an executive order to safeguard and enhance oil and gas revenues for the Federation, curb wasteful spending, eliminate duplicative structures in this critical sector of the national economy, and redirect resources for the benefit of the Nigerian people. The President signed the EO in pursuance of Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The Executive Order is anchored on Section 44(3) of the Constitution, which vests ownership, control, and derivative rights in all minerals, mineral oils, and natural gas in, under, and upon any land in Nigeria, including its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, in the Government of the Federation. The directive seeks to restore the constitutional revenue entitlements of the federal, state, and local governments, which were removed in 2021 by ...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT PRESIDENT TINUBU’S MESSAGE TO CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS ON LENT AND RAMADAN With profound reverence to God Almighty, I greet the Christian and Muslim faithful on the solemn occasions of Lent and Ramadan.    This year, Lent and Ramadan begin on the same day. This is not a common occurrence, and it reminds us that as a people of faith, we share a lot in common and are one people under God.   For Christians, the Lenten season is a time for fasting, abstinence, and penitence, following Jesus Christ's example in the wilderness before His crucifixion, which brought salvation to mankind.   For Muslims, Ramadan is a hallowed season that reflects total submission to God Almighty and His command of sacrifice, devotion, service, and communal love and giving. It marks one of the five pillars of Islam. Beyond the obligatory fasting, Ramadan calls for deep spiritual reflection in obedience to Islam's injunctions.   As a nation and as a people, I ...

 EFCC Arraigns Man, Company for Alleged N53m Fraud in Lagos The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, arraigned Tunji Adewumi Adepoju and his company, West Quantum Auto Products Ltd, before Justice O. A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged N53,000,000 fraud. Adepoju and his company were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. The defendant allegedly stole the proceeds from the sale of eight cars belonging to Mr. Idowu Raji, valued at N53,000,000, by converting the funds to personal use, contrary to Sections 41(1), 280(4), and 281 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

 Anambra Pastor sets Ablaze traditional rituals   (Agwu, Ndi ichie, Ndi mmiri na chi uwa) of his convert   Bishop Ephraim Ononye, an Anambra Clergyman has assisted one of his converts in setting Ablaze some traditional rituals Such as Agwu Ndi ichie, Ndi Nmiri and chi uwa, after giving his life to Christ. In the video he posted, Bishop Ephraim stated that his convert confirmed he was in bondage even after doing all the traditional rituals (Such as Olu Nmiri, Chi uwa and Ndi ichie) which was supposed to liberate and make him prosperous, hence the new convert has authorized him to set the rituals on fire as he has now  decided to follow Jesus. More photos below. 

 HEFAMAA CONTINUES STATEWIDE SENSITISATION DRIVE AT LAGOS ISLAND TO STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY FOR RESIDENTS The Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), in collaboration with the World Bank and the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) initiative, has sustained momentum in its statewide sensitisation campaign aimed at enhancing regulatory compliance among health facilities across Lagos State. As part of this ongoing advocacy, a town hall meeting was convened at Lagos Island Local Government to reinforce the importance of quality healthcare delivery and strict adherence to established operational standards.  The engagement targeted healthcare providers operating within and beyond Lagos Island and other relevant stakeholders, emphasising uniform compliance across the state. Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. (Mrs.) Abiola Idowu, represented by the Dep...

 A concertgoer has filed a civil lawsuit against singer Donny Osmond, his production company, and Harrah's Las Vegas casino.  The claim relates to an incident during a February 2024 performance at the venue, where the individual alleges she was hit in the head by a large, lighted inflatable ball used as a prop in the show. This reportedly led to an eye injury requiring medical treatment, along with other related effects. The lawsuit, filed in Clark County District Court, seeks compensation for medical costs and other impacts. It cites concerns about safety measures in the dimly lit showroom environment. Reports on the matter have appeared in various news sources, noting this as an uncommon claim tied to the long-running residency show. No detailed responses from the involved parties have been highlighted in initial coverage.

 Actor Jerry O'Connell recently shared a funny story about how he finally quit smoking after many years.  He explained that his wife, Rebecca Romijn, encouraged him to give up the habit for the sake of their home and family, motivating him to make a positive change. After trying different approaches, he turned to hypnosis as a helpful tool, and it worked—he has now been smoke-free for about 14 years. This lighthearted tale from his interview highlights how personal support and determination can lead to lasting healthy habits. It's a great reminder that quitting smoking is a big achievement worth celebrating, and stories like this show the power of teamwork in relationships!

 Lake Michigan’s long-lost Lac La Belle ship found after nearly 150 years One of Lake Michigan’s most sought-after shipwrecks, the passenger steamer Lac La Belle, has been located nearly 150 years after it sank, discovered by Illinois shipwreck hunter and scuba diver Paul Ehorn. The vessel went down during a stormy night in October 1872, and Ehorn found it upright on the lakebed, remarkably intact. Built in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio, the Lac La Belle was a popular passenger steamer, initially running routes from Cleveland to Lake Superior. After sinking in 25 feet of water in the St. Clair River in 1866 due to a collision, it was raised and refurbished three years later. The ship was later acquired by Milwaukee’s Englemann Transportation Company and operated passenger routes to Grand Haven, Michigan. On October 13, 1872, the vessel departed Milwaukee during a moderate gale carrying 53 passengers and crew, along with cargo including barley, flour, pork, and whiskey. Roughly two hours ...

 Netflix to stream its first MMA fight on May 16 Netflix is set to stream its first live MMA fight on May 16, featuring retired fighters Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. Rousey, a former UFC champion and Olympic medalist, retired in 2016, while Carano left the sport in 2009. Both are returning to the cage for a one-night featherweight bout inside a hexagon, which will be available for global streaming. The fight is co-promoted by Most Valuable Productions, the company founded by Jake Paul. The matchup pairs two high-profile veterans likely chosen because current MMA stars are bound by contracts with other promotions. Netflix, which has already streamed boxing matches, talk shows, golf events, and awards ceremonies, appears to be expanding into MMA as a natural next step. Rousey boasts a 12-2 professional record, while Carano, a pioneer in women’s MMA since 2006, is also known for her acting career, including her role as Cara Dune in The Mandalorian. Carano’s departure from the show fo...

U.S military reports 11 dead after strikes on three suspected drug vessels  The U.S. military reported Tuesday that strikes on three boats accused of drug smuggling in Latin American waters killed 11 people, marking one of the deadliest days of the administration’s ongoing campaign against alleged traffickers. Monday’s operations targeted two vessels carrying four people each in the eastern Pacific Ocean and a third boat with three people in the Caribbean Sea. Videos released by the military showed the small craft engulfed in flames, though officials did not provide independent proof that the vessels were carrying narcotics. These latest strikes bring the reported death toll to at least 145 since the campaign began in September, during which U.S. forces have repeatedly targeted small boats along known smuggling routes. The operations have drawn criticism over their legality and effectiveness, particularly because much of the fentanyl linked to fatal overdoses enters the U.S. over l...

Houston police detain Delta passenger for attempting to enter cockpit Houston police detained a passenger Wednesday morning after the individual allegedly tried to enter the cockpit of a Delta flight. Authorities said the incident occurred around 5:38 a.m. as the plane was pulling into Gate 32 at William P. Hobby Airport. The flight was reportedly en route from Houston to Atlanta. No injuries were reported, and the circumstances behind the attempted breach remain under investigation. Cockpits on commercial aircraft are highly secured, with reinforced doors and strict protocols implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when hijackers forced their way into cockpits on four planes. Those attacks led to the creation of the TSA, upgraded security screenings, and strengthened cockpit doors and locking procedures. This event adds to a recent string of cockpit-related incidents. In October 2023, an off-duty pilot was accused of attempting to shut down the engines of a Horizon Ai...

Vatican rejects role on Trump’s Board of Peace  The Vatican said it will not take part in President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, emphasizing that major international crises should be addressed through the United Nations rather than alternative diplomatic bodies. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s top diplomat, said the Vatican declined the invitation because of the board’s “particular nature,” noting that its structure differs from that of traditional state-led international efforts. He stressed that the Holy See believes global conflicts should primarily be managed within the established framework of the U.N., a position the Vatican has consistently supported in matters of international diplomacy. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, had been invited to join the board, which was initially presented as part of broader peace efforts tied to the conflict between Israel and Gaza. President Trump has since expanded the scope of the initiative, saying it could h...

Melania Trump to donate her 2025 inaugural ball gown to Smithsonian  First lady Melania Trump is set to donate her 2025 inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian on Friday. The strapless black-and-white gown was created by her longtime designer and stylist, Herve Pierre, who is shown sketching and fitting the dress for Trump in her recent documentary, "Melania." The gown will join the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, which houses a popular first ladies’ exhibit featuring more than two dozen historic gowns. This will be Trump’s second contribution to the exhibit; in 2017, she donated the off-the-shoulder vanilla gown she wore to that year’s inaugural balls, also designed by Pierre.

 Nwafor Orizu college of Education, Nsugbe Announce compulsory retirement of Six Staff members with immediate effect. In a memo dated 2nd Feb., released today on the school Facebook page, the governing council of the Nwafor Orizu college of Education has approved the compulsory of their six staff, mandating them to stop work with immediate effect.  The decision comes after a meeting held by the governing council on the 27th of January 2026, which based on established findings relating to age discrepancies in their official records. Other reasons include consistent underperformance and gross misconduct. The following persons were affected by the compulsory retirement.. 1. Dr Rose N. Umezinwa 2. Dr Veronica C. Okoli 3. Mrs. Obumselu Christiana Ngozi 4. Mr Ojinna Ndubuisi  5. Adebisi Kunle 6. Dr Bartholomew Sunday. 

 CFO fired over financial misconduct in Mopani District Municipality Mopani District Council has dismissed Chief Financial Officer Sibongile Mathebula with immediate effect after a formal disciplinary hearing into financial misconduct. Council says the process followed labour law and municipal regulations, and that Mathebula was given a chance to respond before the final decision. Leaders now promise tighter controls, stronger action against corruption, and accountability for any losses involving public funds.

 Three white farmers found guilty of brutally killing an innocent black man  The farmers have been found guilty of murdering Dumisani Phakathi in Mamokgalieskraal after beating him while he collected water. His body was later hidden in black refuse bags and discovered during a police stop on the R511 near Brits. The court rejected the accused men’s attempts to blame one another and ruled the State proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. Jaco Wessels Kemp, Louise Coetzee, and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen attacked Phakathi at a chicken farm on 16 September 2023. The men were braaing when they saw him walk past the gate to fetch water from a nearby furrow. They assaulted him, dragged him into a storage facility, and continued the attack until he died. At about 02:00 the next morning, police stopped Kemp and Coetzee on the R511. Officers found Phakathi’s bloodied body hidden under black refuse bags in their bakkie. Van der Westhuizen handed himself to police on 19 September 2...

 President Tinubu signs amended electoral act 2026 into law. The electoral act 2026 as amended was signed into law today by the President Federal Republic Of Nigeria at the Aso Villa. The new law allows for the electronic and manual transmission of election results in places where there is network failure. The signing took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, around 5pm on Wednesday, February 18, with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance. The National Assembly had passed the bill on Tuesday,February 17. More photos below. 

 "I EARN YOUR MONTHLY SALARY IN 2 HOURS" - US-BASED NIGERIAN NURSE BLASTS DOCTORS OVER ALLEGED DISRESPECT  A United States-based Nigerian registered nurse, Joy William, has stirred controversy on social media after claiming that she earns in two hours what a Nigerian doctor makes in a month. William made the statement in a post shared on X on Monday, February 16, 2026, while reacting to what she described as Nigerian doctors who “look down on nurses.” In the post, she appeared to criticise what she termed a culture of professional superiority, drawing attention to the disparity in earnings between healthcare workers practising abroad and those in Nigeria. The remark has since generated mixed reactions online. Some users supported her position, pointing to better pay structures and improved working conditions for healthcare professionals in the United States and other developed countries.  Others, however, argued that the comparison was misplaced, noting that Nigerian doct...

 GOV. ALIA SIGNS BILL ESTABLISHING LABE COLLEGE OF NURSING SCIENCES IN GBOKO  Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has signed into law a bill establishing the Labe College of Nursing Sciences in Gboko, marking what observers describe as a significant stride in strengthening Benue State’s healthcare and educational sectors. The signing, which took place on Wednesday, signals a renewed push by the Alia administration to expand access to quality health training and bridge the manpower gap in the state’s medical workforce. Governor Alia said the establishment of the college goes beyond academics, describing it as a long-term investment in the health and prosperity of Benue people. According to him, the institution will provide specialised training for nurses and midwives, thereby boosting the local healthcare workforce and improving service delivery across communities, especially in underserved rural areas. He noted that increasing the number of well-trained health professionals would he...

 TEACHER, WIFE KILLED IN ARMED ATTACK ON BENUE COMMUNITY  A primary school teacher and his wife were killed in a late-night attack by suspected gunmen in Asase Ugbede, Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses said the assailants entered the community around 8:30 p.m. via a bush path linking Tse Adagba and Tse Ankpev Road, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee. The victims were identified as Christopher Mule, a teacher from Mbabwande Council Ward, and his wife. Reports indicate that Mule’s second wife sustained injuries and is receiving treatment, while other injured residents have been discharged. According to residents, the attack occurred about 150 meters from a military checkpoint, and soldiers intervened to prevent further casualties. Authorities are yet to confirm the identity of the attackers or their motive. The community remains on high alert as investigations continue.

 23-YEAR-OLD KILLED IN BENUE OVER PALM FRUIT DISPUTE, SUSPECT FLEES  18th February, 2026  A 23-year-old man has died following a violent altercation with his neighbour over palm fruit harvesting in Benue State. The incident occurred on February 16 at about 2:20 p.m. in Pass Brother Community, Guma Local Government Area. According to sources, the deceased, identified as David Oraade, allegedly confronted a 30-year-old neighbour, Felix Cephas, accusing him of harvesting palm fruits from trees said to belong to his family. The disagreement reportedly escalated into a physical fight during which the suspect allegedly inflicted serious injuries on the victim. David was rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital for medical treatment but was later pronounced dead. His remains have been deposited at the hospital’s morgue. Police sources say the suspect fled the scene shortly after the incident and is currently at large. Authorities have launched a manhunt, while inve...

37 Feared Dead As Toxic Gas Hits Illegal Mining Site In Plateau Community  Thirty-seven miners are feared dead following a suspected toxic gas exposure at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, sparking renewed concerns over unsafe mining practices and regulation in the area. The Wase Youth Leader, Shafi Sambo, said he received an early-morning call alerting him to the tragedy because of his position as the youth leader of the area. “It happened at a mining site in Company Zurak, Wase Local Government. We got information that the miners dug deep into the ground and were exposed to a gas that killed 37 of them instantly,” Sambo said in a phone interview. He stated that several other miners were rescued alive and rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention, though the exact number of survivors remains unclear as of press time. Sambo disclosed that the youths were mining Zinc on behalf of a company said to be a Chinese-owned mining fir...

  Kajuru Mourns As Former LG Chairman, Ibrahim Gajere, Dies After Bandits’ Attack Residents of Kajuru Local Government Area have been thrown into mourning following the death of their former chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Gajere. Hon. Gajere was reportedly declared missing after bandits attacked the area. The attack led to the burning of vehicles, the killing of a number of people, and injuries to others. According to a source, his family was later contacted after his body was discovered, 24 hours after he was reported missing. His death has left residents of Kajuru devastated, with many expressing their grief and extending condolences to his family.

 PRESS RELEASE CGF OLUMODE VISITS SINGA MARKET FIRE SCENE; ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR FIRE STATIONS IN MAJOR KANO MARKETS The Controller General, Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, MBA, MDRM, ACTI, FCIA, on Monday, 16 February 2026, visited the scene of the recent fire outbreak at Singa Market, Kano, to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and initiate preventive actions in line with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The visit formed part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening fire safety architecture across commercial centres in the state, following the incident which occurred on Saturday. Firefighters remain actively at the scene carrying out damping-down operations to forestall any possibility of re-ignition. During the inspection, the Controller General evaluated the operational response and interacted with emergency responders while commending their dedication and sustained efforts in containing the situation and safeguarding s...