PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Pentagon to sever ties with Columbia, Yale, Brown, and others as Hegseth cites 'wokeness" The Pentagon announced that beginning next school year, members of the U.S. military will be prohibited from attending Columbia, Yale, Brown, Princeton, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, along with several other institutions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled the policy in a video message, accusing the universities of fostering what he described as anti-American sentiment and ideology incompatible with military values. He called for the “complete and immediate cancellation” of Defense Department attendance at the named schools, arguing that elite institutions have benefited from taxpayer dollars while promoting what he labeled as “wokeness and weakness” instead of pragmatic leadership and a focus on victory. The directive follows an earlier move targeting Harvard University, where restrictions were placed on military participation in certain graduate-level professional...

 GOVERNOR ALIA SURPRISES BENUE ARTISAN, MR IORDYE  WITH ₦10 MILLION ON BAPTISM DAY, GIVES ACCOUNT  In an unexpected gesture of generosity, Hyacinth Alia visited Mr. Isaac Iordye at his shop on September 14, 2025, the very day the artisan was scheduled for baptism. The Governor personally gifted ₦10 million to Mr. Iordye, while Hon. Haakyav Tombu Peter contributed an additional ₦1 million. Speaking to Benue Info-pedia during a recent visit, Mr. Iordye expressed deep gratitude, describing the visit as “overwhelming” and life-changing. The financial support has reportedly helped boost his business and inspired local conversations about the Governor’s hands-on approach to supporting ordinary citizens. Residents of Benue have since applauded the initiative, highlighting it as an example of leadership that connects directly with the people.

 LSMTL SIGNS LABORATORY QUALITY POLICY STATEMENT … Commits Agency To ISO 17025:2017 Accreditation In a landmark move towards International recognition, the General Manager of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL), Engr. Olayinka Abdul has officially signed the Agency's Laboratory Quality Policy Statement, reinforcing its commitment to achieving ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation.  The signing ceremony, held on Thursday at Ojodu-Berger and attended by all personnel of the Agency, marked a pivotal moment in its accreditation journey.  In her remarks, Engr. Olayinka Abdul emphasised the transformative potential of the accreditation drive, noting that Stakeholders and Members of the Public have continued to commend the Agency's operations.  She revealed that feedback from Clients and Industry Partners indicates that the Agency's activities are impressive and at par with International best practices in Materials Testing. Following the Policy signing, e...

 Barbra Streisand slammed over Olympic post about Alysa Liu Barbra Streisand recently faced backlash online after posting what she intended as a celebratory message for Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu. The legendary performer congratulated Liu on her gold medal win at the Winter Olympics in Milan, highlighting that Liu had once skated to her song “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”  Streisand also added a personal anecdote about her childhood experiences with a Chinese family in Brooklyn, noting Liu’s heritage. While the post was meant to honor Liu, many social media users felt the caption wandered off-topic and drew attention away from the skater’s achievement. The reactions on Instagram were swift, with some praising Liu’s historic victory while others criticized Streisand’s wording.  Comments ranged from lighthearted jokes to blunt critiques, with several users suggesting the message seemed awkward or self-focused.  Many felt that Streisand’s reference to Liu’s background ...

 Billy Ray Cyrus’s ex-wife Firerose accused him of abuse, now her own family are coming to his defense Billy Ray Cyrus’ ex-wife, Firerose, has accused him of “narcissistic abuse” following their split in May 2024 after seven months of marriage. The 64-year-old country star, now dating actress Elizabeth Hurley, has faced repeated claims from Firerose that he isolated her from loved ones.  However, her parents, Stephen and Debbie, dispute those allegations, telling Page Six that Cyrus never cut her off from family.  Instead, they say Firerose severed ties with them back in 2020, leaving them heartbroken and eager to reconnect. The couple’s short-lived marriage has been marked by mutual accusations of emotional mistreatment. Firerose alleged in court documents that Cyrus controlled her communications and restricted visits from friends and family, while  Cyrus denied those claims and countered that she was verbally and physically abusive toward him. Firerose’s representa...

 They Were Meant to Be Flying Home - Man Fighting Lung Cancer Is Stranded Abroad After Suffering a Stroke While on Vacation What was supposed to be a few peaceful weeks by the sea has become a medical nightmare thousands of miles from home. Wayne Muress, 66, from England, is hospitalized in India after suffering a stroke while on vacation with his wife, Maggie.  The couple had traveled to Goa for a three week break, hoping for rest and time together before returning home. Instead, they now find themselves navigating a health crisis in a foreign country. Wayne has been living with lung cancer for six years, a diagnosis that ended his career as a fisherman and reshaped daily life for the couple.  According to his relative, Sam Pigget, who spoke to The Mirror, Wayne and Maggie have focused on making the most of their time together, determined to enjoy life despite ongoing treatments and uncertainty. On the morning of Feb. 12, just two days before their scheduled flight back ...

 'Is he wearing a mask?' Jim Carrey's unrecognizable puffy new look sparks fan meltdown  Jim Carrey took the Paris spotlight on Thursday night, not just for the career honor he received, but for an appearance that had fans buzzing. The 64-year-old actor arrived at the 51st César Awards held at the historic L'Olympia in a sleek, all-black suit, exuding classic Hollywood style.  Carrey was presented with an Honorary César, a celebration of his decades-long contributions to film, and delivered a heartfelt speech dedicating the milestone to his late father. “I wanted to recognize my dad. I mean, my dad was the type of person that if you met him for five minutes, you felt like you knew him for 50 years,” Carrey said, a clip from the ceremony quickly going viral online. While many applauded the tribute and celebrated Carrey’s incredible filmography, including The Mask, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Liar Liar, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, social media users couldn’...

 Lewis Hamilton warned to swerve 'Kardashian curse' as his romance with Kim goes into overdrive Lewis Hamilton’s rumored romance with Kim Kardashian has quickly become a subject of intrigue, with some of his close associates advising caution.  The seven-time Formula One champion, 41, and the 45-year-old reality star have known each other for years, but recent outings including a private dinner in Paris and a joint appearance at the 2026 Super Bowl suggest their friendship has evolved into something more.  Observers noted Hamilton leaning in close to Kardashian during the game, even hinting he would introduce her to his mother. Insiders describe the relationship as fast-moving, with both stars adjusting their schedules to spend time together. Kardashian is reportedly drawn to Hamilton’s confidence and success, appreciating that he has built his own empire independent of her fame.  For Hamilton, the connection appears intense, though his friends worry about the media f...

  Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Present NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award After Jordan Trip Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a surprise virtual appearance at the NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors just hours after wrapping their humanitarian trip to Jordan. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were featured in a pre-recorded video that aired during the Feb. 26 ceremony at L.A. Live.  In the message, they presented the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award to Dr. Mary Anne Franks for her leadership with the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative.  The backdrop used for the video is one the couple has featured in during previous joint appearances. Their cameo coincided with the conclusion of a two-day international trip focused on health, mental health, and support for communities affected by conflict.  On the same day, the Sussexes met with World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during site visits in Jordan. The NAACP-Archewell Di...

 Music legend Neil Sedaka dead at 86 Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka passed away on Friday, February 27, at the age of 86. His family released a heartfelt statement expressing their grief, describing him as not only a rock and roll icon but also a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  They emphasized that while millions admired his music, those closest to him cherished the warmth of his character most deeply. Sedaka’s death followed reports that he had been rushed to the hospital earlier that day. Rising to fame in the late 1950s and 1960s, he became a defining voice of the era with hits like Oh Carol, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, and Next Door to an Angel.  He was also a key figure in shaping the “Brill Building” sound, collaborating with lyricist Howard Greenfield to pen classics for other artists, including Stupid Cupid and Where the Boys Are for Connie Francis, and Love Will Keep Us Together for Captain & Tennille. Over his six-decade career, Sedaka ear...

 Pink separates from Carey Hart for second time after 20 years of marriage Reports surfaced claiming that Pink and her husband Carey Hart had separated after two decades of marriage, but the singer quickly shut down the speculation.  On February 26, Pink posted a video on Instagram dismissing the rumors as “fake news,” joking that even her children hadn’t been informed of the supposed split.  She urged fans and media to focus on her accomplishments rather than fabricated stories, making it clear that her marriage remains intact. Pink, 46, and Hart, 50, share two children, Willow Sage and Jameson Moon. The couple first met at the 2001 Summer X Games and married in Costa Rica in 2006.  Though they briefly separated in 2008, they reconciled the following year, with Hart even appearing in Pink’s hit “So What” music video, which was inspired by their breakup.  Over the years, they’ve been candid about the ups and downs of their relationship, often crediting therapy a...

 El-Rufai: You Have Acted On The Yearnings Of The Downtrodden, Kaduna Citizens Tell EFCC, ICPC, DSS The Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) for what it described as their courage and professionalism in holding the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, accountable for his eight years in office. The group said the agencies had acted on the yearnings and aspirations of millions of downtrodden citizens of Kaduna State. Members of the group staged a peaceful procession to the Kaduna offices of the EFCC and the ICPC, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as, “Investigate and prosecute El-Rufai now,” “We won’t be silent until El-Rufai faces the law,” and “We stand with ICPC, EFCC.” Other placards read, “Citizens demand that El-Rufai be investigated and prosecuted,” “Inves...

 Fire Guts Four Flats At Jama’a Emir’s Palace A fire outbreak on Friday gutted four flats at the Jama’a Emir’s Palace in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The affected flats were reportedly located in a section of the palace occupied by the Emir’s mother.  The incident occurred while the family was preparing for Magrib prayers. Eyewitnesses said officials of the Kaduna State Fire Service responded to a distress call but experienced initial challenges in containing the blaze, reportedly due to a malfunctioning pumping machine.  The delay allowed the fire to spread, destroying four flats before it was eventually brought under control. Security personnel and local volunteers assisted in efforts to salvage property and prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the palace. No casualties were recorded, but the inferno caused significant damage to property.  The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and authorities have n...

 Mass graves found in eastern Congo after rebel withdrawal, governor says Two mass graves containing a total of at least 172 bodies have been found in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern city of Uvira, following the withdrawal of the AFC/M23 rebel group, a senior government official said. The rebels briefly captured Uvira, a transit hub on Lake Tanganyika, near the Burundian border, in December. They began withdrawing a week later under U.S. pressure and the Congolese army re-entered the city last month. AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka told Reuters he had been unaware of any mass graves during the group’s time in Uvira and accused the government of spreading propaganda to damage its reputation. Jean-Jacques Purusi, the Kinshasa-appointed governor of South Kivu province, where Uvira is located, told local reporters the graves had been found in the Kilomoni and Kavimvira neighbourhoods. One contained 31 bodies, the other 141, he added in comments made on Tuesday that wer...

A female police officer was reportedly hit by a black van fitted with red wheels in Abuja, with the inscription 'Female Strike Force' on the side, and 'NSCDC' at the back. The accident was reported today Saturday 28 February 2026, as the black van with red wheels was turning with speed and from an insecure angle, she was hit and pinned under the vehicle. The video shows how both officers and civilians were running in panic lifting the van and trying to rescue her. We can see in the video that some female officers are in shock, some other women are running around anxiously. Watch video below.  The situation of her health remains uncertain as no report has been given. 

 Environmental Enforcement Update | 27/02/2026 The Anti-Open Defecation Squad of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) was on early morning monitoring and enforcement duty across Ebute Ero, Sura–Simpson and adjoining areas of Lagos Island to curb open defecation and other environmental nuisances. During the operation, seven (7) defaulters were apprehended at Ebute Ero, Inner Marina and Apongbon. The offenders are being conveyed to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) Headquarters, Oshodi, for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with environmental laws. Details of Defaulters: 1. Shile Suraj – 65yrs, Male, Osun State Address: 1, Suenu Street, Lagos Island Occupation: Maritime dock worker Offence: Open defecation Place of Arrest: Ebute Ero 2. Chika Chibuzor – 21yrs, Male, Anambra State Address: Marina Occupation: Business Offence: Open defecation Place of Arrest: Inner Marina 3. Ganiu Mustafa – 35yrs, Male, Kwara State Address: Apongbon Occupa...

 GOVERNOR ZULUM PLEDGES SECURITY; ENSURES TIMELY COMPLETION OF PROJECTS IN 2026 Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing the remaining security challenges in the state and ensuring the timely completion of ongoing projects across the three senatorial districts. The governor made the pledge during the first regular State Executive Council meeting for 2026, held at the Government House Maiduguri. Umar Jimbarima reports that although relative peace has returned to many communities amid the ongoing resettlement drive in Borno State, Governor Zulum’s administration remains resolute in strengthening security across all parts of the state. Addressing cabinet members and top government officials at the State Executive Council meeting, Governor Zulum declared that 2026 would be a year of consolidation and also disclosed plans to strengthen the social protection system, stressing that social security remains central to...

 Ghana 'back on track' after worst economic crisis in decades: president Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama on Friday said the country was rebounding from its worst economic crisis in decades, pointing to slowing inflation, a firmer currency, and falling debt as signs of stability. The West African nation sought an IMF bailout in December 2022 after surging debt, currency depreciation and soaring prices pushed it into default, forcing painful fiscal reforms and debt restructuring talks with creditors. To sustain the recovery, Mahama - re-elected in December 2024 - announced fresh spending to promote round-the-clock manufacturing and exports, tighter public procurement rules and new investment in the energy sector, including billions of dollars pledged for offshore oil and gas fields. Delivering his State of the Nation address to the parliament in Accra, Mahama declared that "Ghana is back" and "open for business", pitching the gold- and cocoa-producin...

 David Mark Was a Senator For Twenty Years. Why Did He Not Pass Legislation For Real-Time Transmission of Election Results?  David Mark served as a Senator for twenty good years. He was the most powerful Senate President for eight out of those twenty years. If real-time transmission of election results was possible, why did he not pass such a law when he held sway at the National Assembly?  Why did he wait until he was out of the National Assembly, and out of power, before coming up with this unrealistic proposal for real-time transmission of results?  While electronic voting and electronic transmission of election results are very feasible and are provided for in the amended Electoral Act, which every patriotic Nigerian should support, at 77 years of age, it is believed that Senator David Mark has the experience and knowledge of the fact that no country on Earth has real-time transmission of results. This man was the Communications Minister, for goodness' sake. He k...

 Anambra Court Jails Orient Petroleum MD,  One Other 14 Years for N25billion Fraud  Justice O. M. Anyachebelu of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has convicted and sentenced Engineer Nnaemeka Nwawka, managing director,  Orient Petroleum Resources Plc,  and  Sage Nebefeife Foundation to fourteen years imprisonment  each for stealing,  conversion and gratification to the tune of N25billion.    They were jailed after being found guilty of ten-count charges bordering on stealing,  conversion and gratification.   Count one of the charges reads:  “That you NNAEMEKA NWAWKA, JUDE ANNIEKWE CYRIL and THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF SAGE NEBEIFE FOUNDATION sometimes between 23rd April to 21st December, 2012 in Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of N82,856,934 (Eighty Two Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and...

 N240m Fraud:  Supreme Court Affirms  Conviction and Sentence of Senator Albert Bassey The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday, February 27, 2026  affirmed the decision of the trial Court and Court of Appeal that convicted and sentenced Senator Albert Bassey to seven years imprisonment and the restitution of the sum of N204m ( Two Hundred and Four Million Naira) to Akwa Ibom State.  The decision of the five- man panelist of the apex court delivered by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah,  having reviewed the appeal of the appellant, came to the conclusion that the decision of the Court of Appeal  is affirmed but the order of restitution which the High court made but ignored by the Court of Appeal was restored. “The order of this court is that the conviction and sentencing imposed by the lower court on the 23 day of June 2023 on the appellant is hereby affirmed but the order of the lower court avoiding the order of restitution given by the trial court did not fol...