Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Thursday dismissed reports of a rift between him and the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, describing the claims as false and misleading. This came amid earlier reports alleging that the monarch had directed a boycott of the coronation of three Ibadan High Chiefs and relocated to Lagos in protest against the state government. However, in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Adeola Oloko, the Olubadan said he neither left Ibadan nor opposed the planned coronation, insisting that he remains in the ancient city and is carrying out his traditional duties.…

The House of Emmanuels Foundation has organised a scholarship examination for over 500 indigent students in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with a call on well-meaning Nigerians to support government efforts in funding education for vulnerable children. The founder of the foundation, Mr Emmanuel Oluwachegoun Amos, made the appeal on Thursday during the exercise held at Lisabi Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta. Amos said education remained a critical driver of national development, stressing that government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of providing access to quality education for underprivileged children. “A nation’s future is built on the quality of education available to its…

Gunmen have again struck in Ebonyi State, killing a traditional ruler, barely one month after a similar incident in the state, further heightening concerns over worsening insecurity in the South-East. The latest victim, Josephat Ikegwu, who was the traditional ruler of Ishinkwo Community in Onicha Local Government Area, was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday night. Sources in the community said that the assailants stormed the monarch’s residence at about 10 p.m. and opened fire on him through the window while he was resting in his bedroom with his wife. Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, Ikechukwu…

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said no fewer than 197 insurgents surrendered to troops in March, while 813 kidnapped victims were rescued across various theatres of operation nationwide. The military high command disclosed this in its latest operational update, highlighting what it described as sustained pressure on terrorist and criminal groups. According to the DHQ, troops also arrested 1,359 suspects, including terrorists, informants, illegal miners and other criminal elements during coordinated operations within the review period. It added that 103 terrorists and other criminals were neutralised, including some identified commanders such as Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago and Ba Alayi Benbeng,…

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, on Thursday challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explain what he described as “fear of a free electoral contest” despite the ruling All Progressives Congress controlling a majority of states and the National Assembly. Mark, a former Senate President, spoke at a press conference where opposition leaders condemned recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission. He accused the administration of orchestrating moves aimed at weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such actions could pave the way for a one-party state. “With over 30…

The Enugu State Government has come under intense public criticism following the indefinite suspension of a student nurse who exposed deplorable conditions at Uwani General Hospital, sparking a nationwide debate over whistle-blower protection in Nigeria’s health sector. The controversy, which has drawn widespread outrage on social media, centres on the decision to bar the nurse from clinical duties after she shared a viral video highlighting severe infrastructural deficiencies at the facility. In the video recorded in late March, the nurse and her colleagues lamented that healthcare workers operated in near-total darkness due to lack of electricity, while also grappling with…

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has strongly condemned the recent killing of residents in Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, Plateau State, describing the incident as tragic, unacceptable and a threat to national unity. In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, the council expressed outrage over the attack and urged authorities to move beyond routine condemnations by taking concrete steps to end the recurring violence. The council lamented what it described as a disturbing pattern where violent incidents are followed by official statements without tangible action, stressing that the protection of lives and property…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday ordered the deployment of over 5,000 Closed-Circuit Television cameras across Plateau State as part of measures to curb insecurity following the recent deadly attacks in Jos. The President gave the directive during a visit to Jos, the state capital, in response to the violence that left at least 28 persons dead and several others injured. Tinubu said the installation of the surveillance cameras would strengthen security operations, enhance intelligence gathering and help prevent future attacks across the state. He also directed security chiefs to immediately go after those responsible for the killings, insisting that…

The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation has renewed its call for the emergence of an indigene as governor of Lagos State in 2027, warning against what it described as the continued marginalisation of natives in the state’s political leadership. In a statement issued on Thursday by its Media Office, the socio-cultural organisation declared that key leadership positions in the state must be occupied by indigenes, stressing that Lagos “is not an orphan” devoid of ancestral ownership. The statement, titled “Lagos Is Not An Orphan: A Call For The Restoration Of Indigenous Leadership,” criticised what it termed the growing dominance of non-indigenes…

…29 States Rely Heavily On Federal Transfers …Borrowing Rises Despite Record FAAC Inflows Daud Olatunji Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have ramped up borrowing, pushing their combined domestic debt to ₦4 trillion as of September 2025, even as federal allocations to the subnational governments continue to rise sharply Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that the states’ debt profile, which had declined from ₦5.8 trillion in December 2023 to ₦3.8 trillion in March 2025, has now rebounded—raising concerns about renewed fiscal strain across the federation. The development highlights a growing paradox: despite a…