PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 APC NWC RECEIVES NOMINATION FORMS FOR PRESIDENT TINUBU / VP SHETTIMA The National Working Committee of the Governing All Progressives Congress APC has formally received the nomination forms for its president and vice presidential candidates for onward transmission to the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters Ibrahim Masari submitted the forms carrying the name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate ahead of 2027 general election  National Chairman of the party Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and Chairman, Progressive Governors Forum Hope Uzodimma hailed the decision of President Bola Tinubu and assured of massive mobilization of votes ahead of the general elections

 ‎Experts Warn Nigerians Against Replacing Water with Sugary Drinks Amid Rising Dehydration Concerns ‎ ‎ ‎By Chizoba Njaka  ‎ ‎ ‎Health experts and advocates across Nigeria have raised concerns over what they describe as a growing but often overlooked hydration crisis, warning that many people who believe they consume enough fluids may still be chronically dehydrated because they replace plain water with soft drinks, sweetened fruit juices, tea, coffee, malt drinks and energy beverages.  ‎ ‎They noted that symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, dizziness and mood swings are frequently linked to inadequate water intake rather than illness or other commonly assumed causes. ‎ ‎The experts explained that although many beverages are liquids, they cannot perform the same functions as plain water in the body. According to them, the human body is made up of about 60 to 70 per cent water, making proper hydration essential for digestion, regulating body temperature, transporting nutr...

 Market Leaders Urge Roadside Traders to Embrace Change for Sustainable Growth By Ebele Iyke Odili Market leaders on July 8, urged traders operating along market roads to adopt more organized business practices in order to promote orderliness, improve commercial activities and support the sustainable growth of local markets. The appeal was made during an engagement with roadside traders, where the leaders emphasized the importance of adapting to changing market conditions through customer-friendly and regulation-compliant business approaches. Addressing the traders, the leaders noted that the evolving business environment requires flexibility, innovation, and cooperation with market regulations aimed at creating a safer and more conducive trading atmosphere for all stakeholders. They stressed that effective communication and mutual understanding between market authorities and traders are vital for maintaining peace, addressing concerns promptly and fostering an environment where bu...

 LAGOS OPENS REGISTRATION FOR CLEANER ENERGY SCHOOLS INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2026 … Invites Secondary School Students to Develop Innovative Clean Energy Solutions The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has announced the commencement of registration for the maiden edition of the Lagos Cleaner Energy Schools Innovation Challenge (LCESIC) 2026, a flagship initiative designed to inspire and equip the next generation of energy innovators across the State. Speaking on the initiative, the Honourable Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye described the programme as a strategic investment in the future of Lagos and a demonstration of the Lagos State Government's commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, and sustainable development. According to him, "The future of sustainable energy depends not only on infrastructure but, more importantly, on people. Through the Lagos Cleaner Energy Schools Innovation Challenge, we are investing in the next...

 NDLEA arraigns drug baron Anochili, 3 Mexicans, 6 others, remanded in prison   …Over N480 billion super clandestine lab, methamphetamine found in Ogun forest A 63-year-old drug baron, Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians have been arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on an 11- count criminal charge bordering on the setting up of a super clandestine laboratory and the production of 2,419,48 kilograms of methamphetamine worth over Four Hundred and Eighty Billion Naira (N480,000,000,000.00) in the international market at Mowe village, ljebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. The defendants: Anochili Innocent, 63; Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40, all Mexican nationals except Anochili; Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38; lgwe Abuchi Remijus, 43; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; Omonughwa Kingsley Orike, 45; and Nwobum Emeka, 59, were dock...

 Man Bags Two Years, Four Months Jail Term for N822m Fraud in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, July 10, 2026, secured the conviction and sentence of one Minnis Uchenna Howard and his company, Howard Minnis Asset Management Limited, before Justice R. A. Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, for fraud involving N822,422,260. The defendants were initially arraigned on November 30, 2023, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and stealing, to which they pleaded not guilty. During the trial, the prosecution, led by M. K. Bashir called four witnesses and tendered several documents as evidence, while the defence called two witnesses. Subsequently, on July 3, 2026, the defendants were re-arraigned on an amended one-count information. The count reads: “That you, Minnis Uchenna Howard and Howard Minnis Asset Management Limited, sometime in 2023 at Lagos, within the...

 Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies. STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT  PRESIDENT TINUBU EXPRESSES JOY OVER THE RESCUE OF ORIIRE ABDUCTED CHILDREN AND TEACHERS, COMMENDS SECURITY AGENCIES President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound joy at the successful rescue of the children and teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, by the security forces.  President Tinubu praised the heroic efforts of the security agencies, especially the military, the DSS and the police, for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others. President Tinubu regretted the anguish that the children and their teachers, as well as members of their families and the entire nation, have experienced since the sad occurrence. For cooperating with the Federal Government in all re...

  GOV ENO DIRECTS IMMEDIATE ACTION ON FLOOD-PRONE AKWA IBOM COMMUNITIES. Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has directed relevant government agencies to immediately identify flood-prone communities and implement intervention measures following recent flooding in parts of the state. The governor, represented by Senator Akon Eyakenyi,  the Deputy Governor, gave the assurance while speaking at a constituency briefing and empowerment programme organised by Udeme Otong, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, in Abak Local Government Area. She said the governor had directed the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency (AKSEMA) and the Ministry of Environment to carry out assessments of affected areas, adding that inspections had already been completed and reports submitted. According to her, the reports indicate that some locations will require desilting of drains and culverts, while illegal structures obstructing natural waterways may have to be demolished to all...

 Tiffany Haddish roasts Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair crowd on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Guest‑hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! on July 6, Tiffany Haddish took aim at President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair. The comedian mocked Trump’s prediction that the Freedom 250 event on the National Mall would be “packed to the brim,” before cutting to footage showing sparse crowds and empty stalls.  While Fox News clips insisted thousands attended, Haddish leaned into the contrast, quipping that her own bat mitzvah and even her DUI trial had drawn bigger audiences a punchline that earned loud cheers. The segment highlighted how late‑night comedy often transforms political headlines into shareable jokes. Haddish’s monologue tapped into ongoing debates about Trump’s event turnout, echoing commentary from public relations expert Amore Philip, who noted that the best political humor balances sharpness with humor so the laugh carries the message.  By framing the fair’s strugg...

 Kristin Cavallari was furious after being forced to give half her company's value to Jay Cutler in messy divorce: 'I didn't get anything' Kristin Cavallari recently opened up about her split from Jay Cutler, revealing that she was furious at having to hand over half the value of her lifestyle brand, Uncommon James, during their divorce.  Speaking on the Aspire podcast, she explained that while she didn’t receive any financial support from her ex, she had to pay him in cash, property, and other assets.  Despite her anger at the time, Cavallari said the success of her company ultimately gave her the confidence to walk away from the nine‑year marriage. Looking back, Cavallari noted that if she hadn’t built Uncommon James, she could have relied on Cutler’s wealth instead. But she now sees the settlement as a blessing, saying the challenge pushed her to fight harder and emerge stronger.  She emphasized that those difficult moments became fuel for her resilience, helping ...

 North West sparks buzz with bold facial piercing look on TikTok North West, 13, sparked conversation online after debuting a striking new look in a TikTok video shared with her mother, Kim Kardashian. The clip showed her with silver studs that resembled facial piercings, dramatic gothic‑inspired makeup, and spiked accessories.  She completed the aesthetic with bright blue pigtails and long extensions, captioning the post with a zombie emoji. The video quickly gained traction, amassing nearly a million likes and fueling buzz around her evolving style. The timing coincides with Kim promoting North’s upcoming Kimokawii tour alongside rapper Molly Santana. Kardashian has encouraged fans to buy tickets, posting photos of the duo together backstage at events.  The tour, which marks North’s first headlining run since launching her solo music career, kicks off August 5 in Dallas and wraps August 27 in Los Angeles.  North’s growing presence in fashion and music has kept her ...

 ANAMBRA POLICE STEPS UP AN ALL-INCLUSIVE OPERATION STRATEGY AS THE COMMAND RECEIVES THE NIGERIA FOREST SECURITY SERVICE ON A COURTESY VISIT The Anambra State Police Command today, 10th July 2026 received the leadership of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), Anambra State Command, on a courtesy visit at the Command Headquarters, Awka. The visit forms part of the Command’s sustained efforts to strengthen its all-inclusive operational strategy by fostering collaboration with critical security stakeholders in enhancing safety and security across Anambra State. The Command in its remarks, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations DCP Ibrahim Ezekiel welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain proactive policing and leverage on strategic partnerships to consolidate the gains already recorded in the fight against crime and criminality in the State. He further urged the Nigeria Forest Security Service to continue to support lawfu...

 NIGERIAN ARMY,  NEMA DEEPEN ALLIANCE TO BOLSTER NATIONWIDE DISASTER RESPONSE, FLOOD PREPAREDNESS The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reiterated the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to enhancing national disaster preparedness, emergency response and humanitarian assistance as integral elements of Nigeria’s overall security framework. The COAS made this known on Friday, 10 July 2026, while receiving the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Abubakar Umar, during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. He described NEMA as a vital strategic partner, noting that its mandate aligns closely with the Nigerian Army’s constitutional role of supporting civil authorities in maintaining national stability during emergencies. Lieutenant General Shaibu assured the delegation of the Army’s readiness to provide swift and effective operational support in disaster situations across the country. He rev...

 EFCC Arraigns  Construction Company GMD for Alleged $600,000 Fraud in Enugu The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Egwuche Chinyere Gladys,  Group Managing Director of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State, for alleged abuse of office and embezzlement of public funds to the tune of $600, 000 (Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollar). Gladys was arraigned alongside a company, Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited on a twelve-count charge bordering on money laundering. Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited and Mrs. Egwuche Chinyere Gladys, while being the Group Managing Director of  Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited on the 13th of March, 2023 at Abakaliki, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court...

 MAGGOTS IN MY COCA-COLA COURT CASE : INSPECTION OF  DELTA BOTTLING PLANT HELD Delta plant inspected over maggot-in-Coke claim An inspection of Delta Beverages’ bottling plant in Graniteside has been held as part of an ongoing case involving a man who alleges he found maggots in his Coke. The matter is set to continue in the Harare Magistrates’ Court on 15 July. Delta Corporation is blaming Zimbabwe’s counterfeit goods trade as it defends itself against claims that a bottle of Coca-Cola contained maggots. The case opened in May after Harare resident Shepherd Mukonomera alleged he found "unknown foreign objects" inside a 300ml Coke he bought from a street vendor on 19 October 2023. Mukonomera told the court he had drunk about a quarter of the bottle when he noticed the particles, which he later described as worms. The drink was sent to a government laboratory, which visually identified the objects as maggots. A separate scientific test, however, reportedly found the substance ...

 SLAIN ZANDILE ATTENDED KIDS' SPORTS DAY WITH FUGITIVE DAD MARK - UK PAPER REVEAL FINAL HOURS Mark was acting normal on Friday, attended family event with Zandile An IT executive stood next to his estranged wife at their daughter's school sports day just hours before he allegedly murdered her and their two children at the family's £1.3million home and fled Britain. Mark Tshuma, who earned £100,000, was seen in CCTV footage at Heathrow airport on Saturday where he took a flight to his native Zimbabwe after allegedly killing his whole family. The bodies of his wife Zandile Tshuma, 42, and their daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, were found in the family's property near Bedford on Monday. But just the day before he fled to southern Africa, Tshuma had been acting normal, a friend has said - and even attended the summer family event with his wife. Andrew Southam, who services the swimming pool at the family's home, said: 'I saw Mark on Friday. He was fine. He was...

 Mexico accuses former US Ambassador Ken Salazar of misleading officials over capture of Sinaloa cartel leader Zambada  Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has accused former U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar of misleading Mexican officials about the circumstances surrounding the 2024 capture of alleged Sinaloa cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. Authorities allege Salazar violated his diplomatic responsibilities by making false statements when he said U.S. agencies were not involved in the operation that resulted in Zambada’s capture and transfer to U.S. custody in July 2024. The allegations emerged after reports that the aircraft used in the operation was later displayed at the War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, where it was presented as part of an FBI operation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum supported the Attorney General’s Office’s claims, saying Salazar misled the Mexican government by denying U.S. involvement. She said Mexico’s consulate in New Mex...

 Palestinian Authority announces first parliamentary elections in more than 20 years, setting vote for November  Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has announced plans to hold parliamentary elections in November, marking what would be the first legislative vote for Palestinians in more than 20 years. The decision comes as the Palestinian Authority faces growing international pressure to reform and demonstrate that it can play a role in governing Gaza after the war. The authority, which oversees limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has faced years of criticism over allegations of corruption and concerns about its leadership. The decree calls for parliamentary elections on Nov. 28 involving voters in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. However, questions remain about whether the vote will actually take place. Abbas previously scheduled elections in 2021 but canceled them after concerns emerged that the results could threaten his political ...

 Hunter Biden to publish essay series revisiting addiction, laptop controversy, and past seven years of his life Hunter Biden is preparing to release a series of personal essays reflecting on the past seven years of his life, beginning with a piece addressing the controversy surrounding his laptop. The son of former President Joe Biden announced that the essays will be published on Substack, with new chapters released every few days. He also plans to release an accompanying video series titled “Where’s Hunter?” The first installment, titled “The Laptop,” focuses on the political controversy that emerged during the 2020 presidential campaign after reports surfaced about a laptop Hunter Biden had left at a Delaware computer repair shop. The laptop became a major point of political debate and fueled years of scrutiny from Republicans over Hunter Biden’s personal life, business dealings and family connections. In an excerpt shared ahead of the essay’s release, Hunter Biden challenged t...

Isle Royale National Park bans tent camping at campground after wolf becomes increasingly bold around visitors  Isle Royale National Park has temporarily banned tent camping at one of its campgrounds after a wolf displayed increasingly aggressive and unusual behavior around visitors and their belongings. Beginning Thursday, tent camping and group camping at Three Mile Campground will be prohibited through July 31. The closure also includes hammock use and nearby off-trail campsites. Park officials said the decision came after repeated encounters with a wolf that had been approaching campers over the past week. The animal was seen sniffing and pawing at tents, pulling backpacks away and even entering a tent. Officials said the wolf has become increasingly comfortable around people and appears to be relying on human food sources. The park has attempted to correct the behavior through hazing efforts, improved trash management and stricter food storage requirements, but the wolf has co...

 The parents of Nolan Wells have spoken publicly for the first time since the 18-year-old football player was found dead after going missing during a Fourth of July trip to Mississippi's Horn Island. Speaking on Good Morning America, Christine and Elmore Wonsley said they are still searching for answers about what happened before their son's death and have started an independent investigation. Nolan disappeared on July 4 after traveling to Horn Island with a group of friends. One of the friends reported him missing to the U.S. Coast Guard later that night, and his body was found in the water two days later. Authorities have said they believe Nolan may have drowned, but investigators are still awaiting the medical examiner's report and reviewing evidence before determining the cause of death. One question his parents say they cannot understand is why Nolan would have separated from the friends he arrived with. “That we cannot answer,” Christine said. “I just can't fathom...

 Four trapped, three rescued as building collapses in Kano  A two-storey building under construction at Sultan Road in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State has collapsed, leaving four people trapped beneath the rubble. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026.‎ Eyewitnesses said construction workers noticed signs of structural failure while working on the top floor and rushed to safety. ‎ However, four people, including a security guard and a tricycle rider, were caught in the collapse. Confirming the incident to Daily Trust, ‎one of the workers, Shuaibu Yaro, said three victims had been rescued while efforts were ongoing to save the fourth. “We came to work here and had started taking sand upstairs when the site engineer noticed the signs of collapse. We rushed to safety, but unfortunately three people were in front of the gate and one other person was trapped,” Yaro said.  ‎“Three have been rescued, including the security guard and his friend...

 Sudan army says US peace plan must call for full RSF withdrawal from cities, documents show The Sudanese army has conditioned any broad acceptance of a ‌U.S. proposal for ending the country's three-year-old civil war on the full withdrawal by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces from cities it has occupied, according to documents seen by Reuters. The documents, the contents of which were confirmed by senior Sudanese officials, show that a U.S. proposal ​last month called for both sides to agree to an immediate 90-day humanitarian truce, allowing for negotiation of ​a permanent ceasefire and a civilian-led transition to elections. It also called for a UN-led mechanism to ⁠support limited withdrawals by the RSF, prioritising North Darfur, where the RSF recently took over the city of al-Fashir ​in a violent attack, and North Kordofan, a current target of RSF drone strikes. The army-led Sudanese government accepted most of ​the proposal but objected to only a limited withdrawal, sayi...

 Rivers Governor Fubara Presents ₦1.854 Trillion 2026 Budget, Signals End to Political Crisis Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday presented a proposed ₦1.854 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, marking his first appearance before the lawmakers since the 2023 political crisis that fractured the legislature. The budget presentation, tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” represents a significant milestone in the state’s political reconciliation. It comes after nearly three years of parallel legislative sittings and rival budget processes between factions loyal to the governor and his predecessor. Presenting the estimates before the Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, Governor Fubara said the budget is designed to sustain economic growth, strengthen infrastructure, enhance human capital development, and boost social investments across the state. The governor projected total revenue of ₦1.854...