PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 FIRST LADY URGES SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS ON WORLD TEACHERS' DAY Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called on policymakers and the society at large to continue to protect the teaching profession, improve teachers’ welfare and elevate their status. The statement is commemoration of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day with the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing Its Status and Shaping Our Futures". The First Lady Applauds the contributions of teachers to national development, the First Lady notes that they shape minds, nurture dreams and prepare future generations to build a better world.

 NCAA PLEDGES SUPPORT AFTER NAF AIRCRAFT CRASH IN ONDO The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has expressed deep concern over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Ondo State and pledged to support the national response. The aircraft, NAF NGR931, crashed at Igbokoda with about 32 people on board. In a statement, the NCAA  said it was deeply saddened and extended its thoughts and prayers to Nigerian Air Force personnel, the occupants of the aircraft, their families and all those affected. It noted that while military aviation operations fall outside its regulatory oversight and operational mandate, it remains committed to supporting the national response. The Authority added that it is closely monitoring developments and will continue to cooperate with relevant agencies in line with established national emergency response protocols. The statement stands in solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force and all those directly affected, and prayed for the safety and successf...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS NAF PERSONNEL IN ONDO JET CRASH, ORDERS THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE MISHAP   President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the crash on Monday morning of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.   The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.   The President extends his deepest condolences to the family of the 25 passengers and seven crew members involved, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.   "This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten."   “The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation in...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT   PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO MINISTER OF SOLID MINERALS, DELE ALAKE, ON HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY   In my several decades of very close relationship with Dele Alake, I have known him as a steady hand, a forthright, upright, loyal, and committed ally.   He is straight and unequivocal. You always know where he stands on issues.   On the occasion of his 70th birthday on October 6, I rejoice with him, his immediate family, friends, and associates. I celebrate with him for the grace of joining the Club of Septuagenarians.    In his professional and public service life, Dele has built a reputation for hard work, excellence, and an unquenchable thirst for delivering results. At the heart of all his human endeavours is the quest for equity and social justice.   In journalism, where he devoted most of his professional working life, he excelled beyond measure as a frontline journalist and editor. He courageously used his pen to confro...

 Nigeria's Voter Register Exceeds 103 Million, INEC Unveils 2027 Election Preparations Abuja, Nigeria The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday announced a significant milestone in Nigeria's democratic landscape, confirming that the National Register of Voters has now surpassed 103 million. This follows the successful conclusion of a three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and a thorough biometric cleanup process. Expanding Electorate and Robust Registration Professor Joash Amupitan, the INEC Chairman, made this crucial disclosure in his keynote address at a One-Day Strategic Workshop for Editors, organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the commission in Abuja. He revealed that the CVR exercise recorded 10,772,421 new registrations, which underwent rigorous verification by the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS). "Following the conclusion of our three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exerc...

 Atiku Apologizes to Nigerian Teachers, Citing 'Failed Leadership' Amid Economic Hardship Abuja, Nigeria - Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has issued a heartfelt apology to Nigerian teachers, attributing their current economic plight to what he described as the 'failed leadership' of the nation. In a statement released on Monday by his spokesperson, Abubakar expressed deep concern over the escalating cost of living, which he stated is severely hindering teachers' ability to provide for their families and effectively carry out their crucial educational duties. Abubakar, a staunch advocate for education, took a moment to laud the immense sacrifices made by Nigerian educators. Reflecting on his own formative years, he shared a personal connection to the teaching profession. "Of course, I appreciate Nigerian teachers. I am a product of their work and the education I received in their classrooms,...

 INTERPOL SECRETARY GENERAL HOSTS IGP DISU IN LYON, DEEPENS POLICE COOPERATION WITH NIGERIA The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, today, 5th October 2026, paid his maiden official visit as Inspector-General of Police to the INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France, as part of efforts to deepen international police cooperation and strengthen the Nigeria Police Force’s response to transnational crime. During the visit, the IGP met with the INTERPOL Secretary General, Mr Valdecy Urquiza, and other senior officials of the organisation, with discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in cybercrime, counter-terrorism, financial crime, organised crime, fugitive tracking, intelligence sharing and the effective use of INTERPOL databases and policing tools. The engagement also provided an opportunity to review Nigeria’s participation in INTERPOL-supported initiatives and explore further areas of technical and operational collaboration aimed at strength...