Author: Platform Times Newspaper

As a long-standing stakeholder in Ogun State’s political evolution, actively involved since the second-term bid of Otunba Gbenga Daniel in 2005–2006 and deeply committed to the Ogun West struggle since 2011, I find it necessary, even urgent, to lend my voice to the ongoing political conversation shaping our collective future. To my fellow advocates of the Ogun West agenda, I pose a sincere question: Can we confidently say that our current approach is yielding the results we desire? If we are candid with ourselves, the answer forces a sober reflection. We must pause and interrogate our journey with clear, unblinking…

A coalition of prominent Northern women under the banner of Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW) has condemned the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, describing the incident as “a brutal indictment of Nigeria’s leadership and humanity.” The group, in a strongly worded statement co-signed by leading activists including Asmau Joda, Maryam Uwais, Mairo Mandara, Aisha Oyebode, Fatima Akilu, Kadaria Ahmed, Larai Ocheja Amusan and Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, said the weekend attack once again exposed the vulnerability of girls in Northern Nigeria despite years of promises and heavy investments in the…

Daud Olatunji As Nigeria marked the 2025 World Toilet Day on Tuesday, the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) raised fresh concerns over the country’s slow progress in ending open defecation, warning that the sanitation crisis is fuelling the spread of parasitic and infectious diseases nationwide. In a statement signed by the Chairman of its Communication Committee, Dr. Tajudeen Olusegun Uthman, PPSN said the country risks undermining its public health goals unless urgent, sustained, and coordinated action is taken to close critical sanitation gaps. The 2025 global theme is “Accelerating Change: Sanitation for a Healthier Future.” Dr. Uthman…

The Imole Progressive Network has applauded the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for appointing Comrade Gani Mohammed as Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategy, describing the choice as “well-deserved and strategically sound.” PLATFORM TIMES reports that in a congratulatory statement issued by its Secretary-General, Hon. Olorunfemi Christopher, the group said the appointment was a clear recognition of Mohammed’s “unbroken record of dedication, commitment, and service to the state.” Christopher, who conveyed the goodwill of Engineer Michael Abayomi Adeyanju and the entire network, said Mohammed had consistently demonstrated capacity and loyalty in various public engagements. “This appointment reflects his…

Ogun State Government has unveiled plans to institutionalize its Women Empowerment Scheme, ‘Oko’wo Dapo’, into a State-backed Women’s Trust Fund, aimed at expanding economic opportunities for women across the State. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, during the official flag-off of the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) at the Awujale Interregnum in Ijebu-Ode. The federal initiative seeks to empower 105,000 women across the four implementing Local Government Areas (LGAs). Adeleye explained that institutionalizing Oko’wo Dapo would guarantee continuity, transparency, and sustainability for women-focused programmes, ensuring that empowerment initiatives…

….Committee Demands Answers On Ghost Beneficiaries, Inflated Costs … Lawmakers Vow No Sacred Cows As Food Security Hangs In The Balance Daud Olatunji The House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security on Tuesday launched a deep probe into alleged mismanagement and diversion of ₦1.12 trillion earmarked for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) and other agricultural interventions. Chairman of the committee, Deacon Chike Okafor, said the third public hearing in Abuja would scrutinize how agencies outside the Federal Ministry of Agriculture handled billions of naira intended to boost food production and reduce hunger across…

A Nigerian medical doctor has been sentenced to three years in a UK prison after defrauding the National Health Service (NHS) of more than £268,000. Richard Akinrolabu, 61, a specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Princess Royal University Hospital, pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation. He was sentenced on November 4, 2025, at Woolwich Crown Court. Investigations revealed that between 2018 and 2021, Akinrolabu secretly worked night and on-call shifts at three other NHS trusts while claiming he was unfit for similar duties at his primary hospital. At different times, he took sick leave…

Leaders of opposition parties in Ogun State, under the umbrella of the Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP), the Labour Party  and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have threatened to take legal action against the state government over alleged lack of transparency in the reconstruction of legislative and commissioners’ quarters, as well as the relocation of residents from the NATA (Mechanic) Village, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. In a letter dated November 18, 2025, signed by Prof. Yemi Oke, SAN, PhD, FCTI, FCArb, along with legal associates Sandra Idedia and Oluwatobi Adeniregun of MJS Partners, counsel to the opposition groups demanded that the…

In a harrowing account, Amina Hassan, widow of the late Hassan Yakubu Makuku, vice principal of Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS), Maga, recounted how armed bandits killed her husband and abducted 25 schoolgirls in the early hours of Monday. Amina said  that she was awakened around 3:30 a.m. by unusual noises outside her window. Initially believing it was animals, she tried to wake her husband. “Before I knew it, there was a bang on our door and it was forcefully opened. I tapped my husband, thinking animals had gotten inside and were destroying our things. “As soon as…

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Tuesday sentenced Osaibovo Charles to 50 years in prison for defrauding a foreign national of £15,000 by impersonating Nollywood actor Fredrick Leonard. Justice Ismail Ijelu convicted Charles on multiple charges, including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering. The EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate led the prosecution. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed that Charles deceived Miss Shenika Garati into transferring the money under the pretense that it was required for a movie production in Nigeria. “Charles posed as the famous actor to lure…