PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AKPABIO PRAYS FOR PEACEFUL EASTER CELEBRATION  The President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, has called on Nigerians to embrace peace, tolerance and mutual respect across religious and ethnic lines as Christians celebrate Easter.  In a message Akpabio urged citizens to reflect on the values of love, unity and peaceful coexistence embodied in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as he extends warm Easter greetings to Christians in Nigeria and worldwide. He as well charged Nigerians to work collectively toward building a nation where everyone can live in peace, harmony and prosperity. While  acknowledging the country’s security challenges Akpabio expressed confidence that Nigeria will overcome them through collective effort, understanding and prayers for brighter future, noting that President Bola Tinubu and the Armed Forces are working relentlessly to address insecurity across the country. Akpabio also condoled with families affected by terrorist...

 Nkeiruka Onyejeocha Resigns As Minister Of State For Labour Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has resigned from office. She announced her resignation on her "X account" where she expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in his administration. She described her exit as the close of a significant chapter in her public service, affirming her continued commitment to national development. It would be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed all political appointees seeking to contest in the 2027 general elections to resign by March 31, 2026, to ensure a level playing field.

Ye draws Lauryn Hill support in sold-out SoFi Stadium comeback show  Kanye West, performing under his current and former moniker Ye, returned to the spotlight with a high-profile Southern California concert, receiving a boost from one of his musical inspirations, Lauryn Hill. The sold-out show at SoFi Stadium came nearly a year after he released the controversial song “Heil Hitler” and two months following an apology letter addressing his antisemitic remarks. With 70,000 fans in attendance, Ye focused on his music legacy, performing hits spanning two decades. “I want to thank y’all for sticking by me all these years. Through the hard times, through the low times,” he told the crowd. Hill joined Ye on stage for the first time, performing an energetic version of his 2004 hit “All Falls Down,” which originally sampled her voice. Ye stepped aside as Hill performed “Lost Ones” and “Doo Wop (That Thing)” before rejoining her for his 2021 track “Believe What I Say.” The concert also featu...

 Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso steps down after World Cup qualifying failure  Italy’s national team coach Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down by mutual consent, just three days after the squad failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. The Italian soccer federation expressed gratitude for Gattuso’s nine months in charge, praising his dedication and passion in a formal statement. Italy’s hopes for the tournament in North America ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoff. Gattuso said, “With pain in my heart, not having achieved the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over.” His departure follows the resignations of federation president Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon. Italy, four-time World Cup champions, have now missed the last three tournaments after previous playoff losses to Sweden and North Macedonia. Gattuso had taken over in June from Luciano Spall...

 U.S searches for missing pilot after Iran downs fighter jet, hits Dubai with drone strike  The U.S. military intensified its search Saturday for a missing pilot in southwestern Iran after the country shot down an American F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet and called on citizens to report the pilot in exchange for a reward. One crew member from the aircraft was rescued, while the fate of a second remains unknown, marking the first U.S. aircraft losses in Iranian territory since the conflict began six weeks ago. The situation signals a potential turning point in a war that has already killed thousands, disrupted global markets, and triggered spikes in fuel prices. The downing of the F-15E followed recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that President Donald Trump claimed had decimated Iran’s defenses. Iran also reported that a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf, though U.S. officials have not confirmed whether it was shot down. In the region, Iranian missile and dro...

 PRESS RELEASE  ABIA STATE POLICE COMMAND ASSURES CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL OF A SECURE AND JOYFUL EASTER CELEBRATION The Abia State Police Command extends warm Easter greetings to all Christians in the state. As we observe this sacred occasion commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, may joy, peace and blessings abound in your hearts and homes. In line with our commitment to ensuring public safety, the Command has activated a comprehensive Operation Order to provide robust security measures before, during, and after the Easter celebrations. Security personnel have been strategically deployed across Abia State to guarantee the safety of lives and property. Regular and coordinated patrols of major roads, worship centers and other public areas are ongoing. These efforts, alongside other covert and overt operations are aimed to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free Easter celebration for all. We call on all Abians to be vigilant and security-conscious. You are kindly advised to report...

     I Can’t Believe This Happened - Student Meets Joe Biden Mid-Flight A young passenger got the surprise of her trip when she discovered former President Joe Biden was seated just a few rows behind her during a recent flight. The moment quickly turned into a viral social media story after TikTok user Cailyn shared clips of the unexpected encounter. In the first video, the student, who appeared to be seated in the business class section, turned her camera over her shoulder to reveal Biden sitting nearby, quietly reading a newspaper across the aisle. Her caption captured the disbelief of the moment. “Tweaking rn because President Joe Biden is sitting two rows behind me on my flight and we spoke,” she wrote. “Can’t believe this isn’t an April Fools joke.” The video later shows Biden standing near her row, speaking with her before the two paused for a selfie together. In a follow-up clip, Cailyn shared another memorable part of the encounter, a handwritten note from the for...

 Onitsha North 1 Unveils ‘Work and Train’ Initiative To Tackle Youth Unemployment  By Kelechi Achukwu-Jide The Member representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency, Hon. Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe, has launched the Onitsha North 1 Work and Train Initiative, aimed at addressing youth unemployment and promoting sustainable economic empowerment. The initiative is designed to equip young people with practical, market-relevant skills through a structured one-year intensive training programme across diverse vocational and professional areas. In a statement issued by her Director of Media and Communications, Nnamudimma Wenga Ikwuazom, it disclosed that 50 unemployed but willing-to-learn youths from the constituency will be selected to participate in the scheme. The statement further indicated that, beyond skills acquisition, each participant will receive a monthly stipend of ₦150,000 throughout the duration of the programme to support their engagement and ease financial constraints. To qualify,...

 Patronize Nawfia Neuropsychiatric Hospital, not Quacks - Administrator By Ebele Egoh The Anambra State Hospital Administrator, Dr. Frank Ifeanaeme, has advised the public to always patronize Neuropsychiatric hospital Nawfia for quality healthcare services, noting various health services that the hospital renders that patients might not see somewhere else.  He said this during a routine monthly supervision at the facility to know whether the patients are receiving the best services from the  health professionals. Dr Ifeanaeme was happy seeing the relationship that exit  between workers and patients, commending the head of the hospital for creating such wonderful environment . "I witnessed the companionate care, the way the staff interact with patients, team work and the professionalism in carrying out your duties, I am impressed and encourage you to keep it up. He cautioned the staff to stop diverting patients to other places where the quality of the services  r...

 2027: I WON'T CONTEST BENUE NORTH-WEST SENATE WITHOUT CONSULTING GOD—EX-GOVERNOR ORTOM  The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has clarified that he has no current plans to contest the Benue North-West senatorial seat in 2027, stating that any future political decision would depend on divine direction. The clarification follows widespread speculation on social media suggesting that Ortom was preparing for another senatorial bid. The former governor, who served between 2015 and 2023, had contested the same seat in 2023 but lost to Titus Zam. In a statement released on Saturday by his media aide, Terver Akase, Ortom dismissed claims of a confirmed ambition, describing them as inaccurate. The statement stressed that while Ortom is not actively seeking elective office, he would only consider such a move after “consulting God.” Akase added that the former governor remains focused on supporting his party and contributing to governance through advisory roles rathe...

 JOY AMID TRAGEDY AS BENUE IDP MOTHER WELCOMES BABY ON GOOD FRIDAY   In a poignant moment of hope, a baby boy was born on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, in a Benue State IDP camp, as local Catholic families reenacted the Passion of Jesus Christ. The mother, who lost numerous relatives in the June 2025 Yelewata Fulani militia attacks, now celebrates the arrival of her newborn and a renewed sense of family. The mother had endured immense loss during the June 2025 violence, which claimed several of her family members. Residents of the IDP camp have described the birth as a symbol of resilience and new beginnings amidst the pain of displacement and past attacks. Both mother and child are reported to be in sound health, bringing moments of joy to the camp. Community members who witnessed the birth have joined in celebrating the “miracle” birth, noting its timing during the solemn Good Friday commemorations. Udam Samuel Aseer, reporting from the scene, said: "Today, the mother not...

 34,000 APPLICANTS SEEK 1,000 POLICE JOBS IN BENUE  No fewer than 34,000 applicants are competing for just 1,000 police recruitment slots in Benue State, highlighting the growing unemployment crisis, the police have said. The disclosure was made on Thursday by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Musa Abdulraham, during a lecture at the Police Officers’ Mess in Makurdi. The event formed part of activities marking the 2026 Police Week. Speaking on “Prevention of Electoral Violence and Ballot Box Snatching,” Abdulraham linked youth unemployment to rising cases of electoral violence. He noted that thousands of jobless youths are often exploited by politicians to disrupt elections. He said the overwhelming number of applicants underscores the scarcity of employment opportunities in the state. “For example, in the ongoing police recruitment, 34,000 applied in Benue State for only 1,000 vacancies. If ...

 LAGOS HOSTS AFRO-BRAZILIAN SUMMIT AHEAD OF FANTI CARNIVAL The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has hosted the Afro-Brazilian Economic and Cultural Exchange Summit in preparation for the upcoming Fanti Carnival scheduled for Monday, 6th April 2026. The summit, held at Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, on Thursday, 2nd April, 2026, was attended by key stakeholders from Nigeria and Brazil to strengthen bilateral relations and promote cultural and economic collaboration. The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry. At the Summit, Mrs Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila highlighted the importance of leveraging shared heritage to drive economic growth and cultural diplomacy. The summit featured insightful panel sessions centred on the creative economy, cultural exchange, and heritage preservation. Discussions explored the growing role of film and storytelling in documenting...

 Kaduna APC Denies Endorsing Candidates Ahead Of 2027 Elections The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State has denied reports claiming it has already endorsed candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the claims as false and politically driven. In a statement released by the state chairman, Atiku Sankey, the party accused certain individuals of spreading unfounded rumours intended to create division within its ranks. There had been speculation that the party leadership, along with Governor Uba Sani, had selected preferred candidates for upcoming positions. However, the APC firmly rejected these claims, emphasizing its commitment to fairness, equity, and internal democracy. The party made it clear that neither its leadership nor the governor has endorsed anyone for any elective office, stressing that it does not and will not impose candidates. It also urged members and the general public to disregard the rumours and avoid sharing misinformation that could harm part...

 DR Congo in talks to become destination for U.S deported migrants Democratic Republic of Congo is in talks with the Trump administration about receiving deportees from other countries, two government sources in Kinshasa told Reuters, in what would be the latest of several such agreements reached in Africa. The discussions, also described by three UN sources and two diplomats briefed by US officials, underscore Washington's growing reliance on so-called third-country deportations to speed up removals of migrants who entered or remain in the United States without authorisation. The arrangements are often negotiated quietly, with limited public detail on their scope or terms. The talks with Congo are coinciding with an effort by the Trump administration to implement a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda and an agreement ensuring U.S. access to Congolese critical minerals.

 Senegal bans state officials from foreign travel to cut costs Senegal's government has suspended all non-essential foreign travel by ministers and top officials, warning of "extremely difficult" times ahead. The US-Israeli war on Iran has driven global oil prices higher, straining the budgets of many countries and pushing governments to take steps to mitigate the negative impacts. Addressing a youth event in the coastal town of Mbour on Friday evening, Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko pointed to oil trading at about $115 a barrel, nearly twice the $62 per barrel assumed in Senegal's budget projections. "No minister in my government will leave the country unless it is for an essential mission related to the work we are currently undertaking," he said, announcing that he had already cancelled his own planned trips to Niger, Spain and France. He said additional measures would be announced next week, with the Energy and Mines Minister expected to addr...

 Kylie Jenner believes she’s done a 'really good job' at 'protecting' daughter Stormi, 8, from the spotlight Kylie Jenner opened up about her efforts to give her daughter Stormi a more grounded childhood, reflecting on her own early exposure to fame.  Speaking on the Big Bro With Kid Cudi podcast, Jenner said she’s proud of how she’s shielded her 8‑year‑old from the public eye, noting that Stormi is nearly the same age she was when Keeping Up With the Kardashians premiered.  Jenner explained that she’s learned to protect certain aspects of her life, like relationships, while developing “thick skin” to handle the pressures of fame. She also shared a touching moment when Stormi asked why their family is famous.  Jenner showed her the first episode of KUWTK, carefully skipping over inappropriate scenes, and was emotional watching her daughter experience the show at the same age she once did.  Jenner admitted she wept afterward, feeling both gratitude for what her f...

 JK Rowling on why she won’t fire Harry Potter star over ideology J.K. Rowling has addressed speculation surrounding Paapa Essiedu’s role in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series after he signed an open letter criticizing a UK Supreme Court ruling on transgender rights.  Some fans wondered if his stance might clash with Rowling’s own controversial views, but she clarified on X that she has no authority to remove actors from the project, and even if she did, she wouldn’t use it.  Rowling emphasized that she doesn’t believe in taking away someone’s livelihood because of differing, legally protected beliefs. Her comments come against the backdrop of ongoing debates about her views on gender identity, which have drawn criticism since 2019 and even led to public disagreements with original Harry Potter stars like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.  Despite this, Rowling made it clear that creative and casting decisions rest with the production team, not her. She stressed th...

 Gloria Gaynor says stop arguing about Trump online and pray instead Gloria Gaynor, best known for her iconic anthem “I Will Survive,” has weighed in on the political climate in the U.S. with a call for prayer rather than online arguments.  In a recent message, she urged Americans to stop fighting about Donald Trump on social media and instead pray for him, regardless of whether they support or oppose him.  Gaynor cited scripture, noting that “the heart of the leader is in the hands of the Lord,” and encouraged her followers to ask God to guide national leaders toward justice and righteousness. Her comments arrive at a tense moment, as Trump’s approval ratings have reportedly declined following the administration’s handling of conflict with Iran.  Gaynor’s appeal reflects her belief in faith as a unifying force, even amid deep political divisions.  She emphasized that prayer, rather than hostility, should be the focus when dealing with leaders whose decisions af...

 Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has asserted that former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, will never become President of Nigeria. Bwala made the strong declaration while featuring on News Central TV’s programme 60 Minutes with Mr Kay on Friday. “He will never be president. He will never cross the Central Business District that will lead to Aso Villa,” Bwala stated emphatically. The presidential aide argued that anyone aspiring to the presidency must possess certain key characteristics, which he claimed Mr. Obi lacks. “Anybody that would be a president, there are characteristics that you will see. The person must be visionary, the person must be grassroots-oriented — organic grassroots, not manipulation. The person must be sincere… but Peter Obi will never be,” he said. Bwala further accused Obi of lacking genuine grassroots support, claiming instead that the former governor reli...

 Gunmen Abduct Ten Residents, Including Seven Family Members, In Southern Kaduna Suspected terrorists, commonly referred to as bandits, have kidnapped seven members of a single family along with three other residents in Unguwar Sabon-Titi, along the Katari–Hayin Dam road in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The incident reportedly took place around 9:32 p.m. on Thursday, according to a resident, Markus Yakubu, who confirmed the attack. Yakubu explained that the armed assailants invaded a residential compound, where they quietly gathered members of one family before proceeding to a nearby house and abducting three additional individuals. “The bandits arrived in large numbers and surrounded my neighbour’s home. Some entered the house and took away members of the family. They then moved to another house and kidnapped three more people,” he said. He added that the attackers initially avoided using gunfire but began shooting after moving the victims away from the area. Accor...

 CALM RESTORED TO TROUBLED COMMUNITIES IN NASARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA Normalcy has been restored to the communities involved in the recent communal crisis in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State  According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Nasarawa State Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, this follows reinforcement of security by the combined personnel of security Agencies in the area The statement further explains that trouble started when some persons took laws into their hands and carried out reprisal attack over the alleged killing of their kinsmen on Thursday in Udege Kasa and Akyawa communities, leading to loss of lives and destruction of houses Accordingly, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed Jauro has ordered an intensive manhunt for all the perpetrators of the act, directing tactical Teams and investigative units to ensure their prompt identification, arrest and prosecution  In the meantime, at a stakeholders meeting in the a...

 PRESS RELEASE FCT POLICE RESCUE MENTALLY CHALLENGED WOMAN AND NEWBORN BABY IN KWALI The FCT Police Command wishes to inform the public that on 3rd April 2026 at about 12:30 AM, it received a report from police officers of the Rapid Response Squad, who were on patrol in Kwali area of the FCT, regarding an unidentified mentally challenged woman who had delivered a baby girl along the roadside in Kwaita Village, Kwali Area Council of the FCT. Upon receipt of the information, the Officer in Charge of the Gender Unit, Kwali Division, alongside her team, promptly mobilized to the scene. The mother and her newborn were safely rescued and immediately conveyed to General Hospital, Kwali, where they received medical attention and were subsequently discharged in stable condition. In line with standard welfare procedures, the Officer in Charge of Welfare, Kwali Area Council, Mr. Sadiq Kwali, was duly contacted. The mother and child were thereafter handed over to him and have been relocated to...

 Anambra Head of Service Launches Cleanliness Initiative at State Secretariat ‎ ‎By Ruth Orji  ‎ ‎The newly appointed Head of Service in Anambra State, Mrs. Ngozi Iwuono, has embarked on a general sanitation exercise at the state secretariat and its surroundings, just one week into her tenure. ‎ ‎The initiative is in line with the directive of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who recently expressed dissatisfaction with the unclean environment and lack of punctuality among civil servants during an unannounced visit to the secretariat. The Governor had subsequently suspended several workers for six months. ‎ ‎During an interview, Iwuono Esq, emphasized that the cleanliness exercise was a direct result of the Governor's instructions, aimed at instilling discipline and creating a healthy work environment.  She commended the proactive workers who participated in the exercise and urged them to maintain cleanliness as a lasting culture. ‎ ‎"The Governor has declared zero tolerance for ...

 NYSC Driving Youth Enterprise, Handle Unemployment – DG By Bridget Nwoye The Director General DG of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reaffirmed the Scheme's key role in tackling youth unemployment in Nigeria.  He made this assertion while briefing Group 2 members of the Senior Executive Course 48, 2026, of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies who were are at NYSC Directorate Headquarters on a study tour with them on  "Economic Diversification and National Development Leveraging the Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth in Nigeria". The NYSC helmsman expressed the course participants that the Scheme had trained a total of 1, 391,11 no9 young graduates in different vocational skills between 2019 and 2025 under its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme. Nafiu emphasized that the SAED was introduced in 2012 in line with one of the objectives of the Scheme, which is to...

 Update: An arrest has been made in the tragic death of Khimberly Chuquipa.  The Los Angeles Police Department has announced that an arrest has been made in the February 17th bullying incident that led to the death of Khimberly. Aside from the announcement itself, little else is known besides the fact that the suspect is a juvenile.  According to reports, Khimberly was struck in the head with a metal water bottle when she attempted to intervene on her sister's behalf when she saw her sister being bullied.    Khimberly passed away on February 25th after undergoing brain surgery. In the time since her passing, the family has demanded answers and sought accountability. They ultimately filed a wrongful death suit against the Los Angeles Unified School District.  According to the family's attorney, Robert Glassman, "The arrest is an important step toward accountability, but an arrest alone does not equal justice and does not answer the larger question of how thi...