PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Onitsha North Leaders Unite in Tribute to Actress Nweje and Lady Ekweogwu By Chioma Nwankwo,  Claribel Udah and Chika Obi  Civic and political leaders from Onitsha North Local Government Area paid their respects at the funerals of two prominent community figures: Hollywood actress, late Mrs. Nkechi Nweje and a philanthropist, Lady Edna Justina Ekweogwu, mother of Sir Andy Ekweogwu, President General of the Onitsha Improvement Union. Mayor Nweze Tony Nwora led the delegation, joined by Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor Charles Soludo, and Sir Okwy Maduekwe, APGA Chairman of Onitsha North LGA. The entourage also included Hon. Ejiofor Egwuatu, LGA Secretary; Hon. Tagbo Emodi, Chief of Staff to the Mayor; and APGA stakeholders Hon. Jonathan Ifeme and Hon. Asolo Obiekwe. Ceremonies took place at the family homes on Obeleagu Street and Mba Road, where Mayor Nwora and his team offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the departed and extende...

 COOU Breaks 5-year Jinx, Concludes 11th-15th First Degrees Combined  Convocation Ceremonies   ... Acting VC, Ikeakor ,Others Appreciate University's Quantum Leap By Michael Ezenwata The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University has successfully concluded the 11th-15th Convocation Ceremonies for its first degree holders spanning 2019-2024 academic years. Under the Prof.Kate Omenugha administration , her visionary leadership is on the March to achieve greater exploits. With the accreditation of all the courses in the university particularly in the field of Medicine, the citadel of learning is progressively surpassing the achievements of some of its sister universities in Nigeria. In a speech at the convocation ceremony at Igbariam,Governor Chukwuma Soludo represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof.Ngozi Chuma-Udeh appreciated the giant strides the university has recorded under Prof.Kate Omenugha and promised to sustain its support to the university. The acting V...

 Several Arrested for Illegal Mining in Mpumalanga Police have arrested several suspects for illegal mining activities in the towns of Sabie, Ermelo, and Barberton. The arrests were made during recent law enforcement operations aimed at curbing illegal mining in the province. According to police, the suspects were found in possession of mining equipment and illegally mined minerals. Authorities say these operations pose serious safety and environmental risks to local communities. The arrested individuals are expected to appear in court soon. Police have warned that illegal mining remains a criminal offense and that further operations will continue across the province. The Mpumalanga provincial government has urged residents to report any suspicious mining activities to the authorities. More photos below. 

 Alleged Drug Dealer Appears in Court After R200,000 Narcotics Bust in Mankweng A 23-year-old man, Thuto Leputu, appeared in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 23 May 2025, following his arrest for allegedly dealing and possessing illegal drugs worth an estimated R200,000. Leputu was arrested during a routine patrol operation by the Limpopo Provincial Flying Squad between 21 and 22 May 2025. Officers pulled over a suspicious blue Mazda 323 and, during a search, discovered a clear plastic bag containing suspected heroin and crystal meth. The police then proceeded to search the suspect’s residence, where they found more drugs hidden in a black plastic bag, along with an undisclosed amount of cash. The vehicle was also confiscated as part of the investigation. Leputu is expected to reappear in court on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, for a formal bail application. More photos below. 

 A 14-year-old Washington D.C. girl fatally shot herself while filming a video for social media. At approximately 5 p.m. on May 21st, police were called to the Benning Court apartment complex to the report of a young girl suffering from a gunshot wound. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered a 14-year-old girl deceased from a gunshot wound. As detectives began investigating the incident, they quickly determined the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. They believe the young lady was recording a social media video and brandishing a firearm when the gun went off and the round struck the young lady, taking her life. Police are unsure how the young girl gained possession of the firearm.  In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, the officers want to remind the public that guns are not toys or props for videos. They said this is a dangerous reminder of the repercussions of firearms making their way into the hands of children and want to remind gun owners to keep their weapo...

 Moshood Abiola National Stadium to Be Fully Operational by End of 2025, Says NSC Chairman The National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Shehu Dikko, has announced that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja will be fully operational by the end of 2025 as part of a comprehensive plan to revive Nigeria’s dilapidated sports infrastructure. The statement comes in response to public outcry sparked by a viral video exposing the deplorable condition of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. The widely circulated video highlighted decaying tartan tracks, crumbling stands, overgrown vegetation, and non-functional lighting at the Lagos stadium, a historic venue that hosted the 1973 All-Africa Games and the 1980 and 2000 African Cup of Nations finals. The footage underscored years of neglect, prompting renewed calls for urgent government intervention. Speaking on Monday, Dikko assured Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is taking unprecedented steps to address...

  Speaker Abbas Tajudeen Withdraws Controversial Compulsory Voting Bill The Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has withdrawn a controversial bill aimed at amending the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians. The decision was announced on Monday by the speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi. The bill, co-sponsored by Tajudeen and Hon. Daniel Adama Ago, had passed its second reading in mid-May but faced significant opposition, including from prominent human rights lawyer Remi Falana. Critics argued that the proposal to enforce mandatory voting raised concerns about democratic rights and individual freedoms. In a statement, Krishi explained that the withdrawal was intended to allow for further dialogue with stakeholders. “Following extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, [the Speaker] has decided to withdraw the Bill to Amend the Electoral Act 2022,” the statement rea...