PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

      The Presidency wishes to correct internet-based gossip and un-informed media commentary regarding presidential term limits, given credence by so-called support groups, staging street demonstrations asking President Muhammadu Buhari to do a third term. There are no circumstances – nor set of circumstances – under which President Buhari may seek to amend the Constitution regarding the two-term term limit on holding office as Pre sident. President Buhari intends to serve his full second elected term in office, ending 2023 – and then there shall be a general election in which he will not be a candidate. There is not even the faintest possibility that this will change. It is important to note that there was a past attempt to change the Constitution to allow for the-then incumbent president to stand for a third term. That attempt was wrong, unconstitutional - and rightly rebuffed. No such attempt will happen under this President. President Buhari is a democrat. He ...

       The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa has advised Nigerians not to relent in collaborating with government at all levels to develop the country and ensure its return to greatness. Rt. Hon Obasa stated further that making the country great should be a collaborative effort  of the the government at all levels on one hand and the people on the other. The Lagos Assembly Speaker’s advice was contained in a statement to felicitate with Nigerians on the 59th Independence Anniversary of the country. “I’m convinced that we’re on the way to regaining our lost glory. Nigeria is on the road to greatness and we at government will continue to work towards returning the country back to greatness.“However I want to reiterate the fact that government alone cannot achieve our aim of making the country great without the support, cooperation and prayers of our people. “...

        Professor Pat Utomi has charged the newly recruited Cadet Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on training at EFCC Academy Karu, Abuja, to see their recruitment into EFCC as a national call. Utomi made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the EFCC Academy Karu, Abuja to engage the newly recruited Cadets of the Commission in training. While delivering his speech, Utomi explain ed that weak organisations are a big risk to economic development in Nigeria because they encourage indiscipline and lawlessness in the country. He stated that politics is not responsible for the social progress of a society but culture and values, stressing that the cardinal fact was that politics could be used to influence culture and save culture from itself. “You are entering a very powerful and important institution; see this opportunity as a moral call to nation building that will help reduce uncertainty in business in the way we govern ourselves...

      The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has approved the promotion of Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Grace Tabawa Garba to the exalted rank of Air Warrant Officer (AWO). With the promotion, MWO Garba becomes the first female Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) to be promoted to the highest rank in the Non-Commissioned Officers’ cadre in the Armed  Forces of Nigeria. The SNCO, who has put in not less than 33 years of outstanding meritorious service to the Nation, was found worthy to be promoted to the rank of AWO for her exemplary leadership qualities, hard work as well as her contributions to the Service over the years. The promotion demonstrates the commitment of the current NAF leadership in paying adequate attention to the empowerment of female personnel to realize their full potentials. It would be recalled that one of the NAF's female officers was sent to the United States of America for training to become the first female figh...

    According to BBC NEWS '' The company said it plans to "exit most international locations in Asia and Europe" but would continue to operate in Mexico and Latin America. It expects to close up to 350 stores worldwide, a spokesperson said, including as many as 178 US stores. Forever 21 sells inexpensive, trendy clothes and accessories, and competes against brands such as Zara and H&M. But some analysts say the retailer, founded in 1984, has lost its way over the past five years, and fallen out of favour with young US shoppers looking for relatively cheap clothing. The company has also, like many traditional retailers, struggled against rising competition from online rivals. Chapter 11 protection postpones a US company's obligations to its creditors, giving it time to reorganise its debts or sell parts of the business. A Forever 21 spokesperson said the retailer expected to have between 450 and 500 stores globally after this process, down from its...

      Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has decried the faulty electoral system in the last 20 years of the nation's democracy, declaring that it is responsible for the poor leadership selection process. Addressing Rivers people during the 59th Independence Anniversary at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Governor Wike noted that the Electoral System has been largely fraudulent, making it difficult for votes to count. He said: "We pride ourselves as a democratic nation, yet for 20years, our electoral process has remained widely fraudulent and incapable of delivering free and fair elections. "Yet, we are shamefully carrying on as if all is well, resisting every attempt at providing a credible electoral system, and not minding the monumental damage this has caused and continues to cause to the character and quality of our politics, leadership recruitment and nation building ". Governor Wike said that this year's Anniversary of the cou...

     In an uncommon show of patriotism, residents of Lagos State defied the Tuesday downpour and trooped out to witness the parade commemorating the 59th Independence anniversary. At the event held at the Police College in Ikeja, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated Nigerians, urging them to keep their hope alive and remain united to build a prosperous nation. Sanwo-Olu, dressed in Neighbourhood Watch Corps’ uniform, said the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government and leadership in the State had made irreversible progress to restore the glory of the past and build on the legacies bequeathed by the nation’s founding fathers. He assured that the effort to rebuild the country and keep it on path of progress remained on course, while guaranteeing that the implementation of his party’s programmes would bring greater good to the majority of citizens. He said: “Today, we take glory to the men and women who laboured and sacrificed their time, knowled...