Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Chairman of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, United Kingdom Branch, has called for deeper collaboration between Nigeria and its diaspora professionals, warning that continued brain drain and weak infrastructure could further undermine the country’s education and health sectors. Speaking in an interview after donating a printer valued at over ₦1 million to his alma mater, the University of Lagos, the medical doctor and alumni leader said diaspora engagement must go beyond remittances to include knowledge transfer, mentorship and institutional support. He said his involvement in alumni activities was driven by collective responsibility rather than personal ambition, describing UNILAG…

The death toll from Lassa fever in Nigeria has risen to 167, even as the number of newly confirmed cases declined sharply in the latest reporting week, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The agency disclosed this in its Week 13 epidemiological report covering March 23 to March 29, 2026, noting that confirmed infections dropped to 26 from 51 recorded in the previous week. Despite the reduction in fresh cases, health authorities expressed concern over the worsening fatality rate, which now stands at 25.2 per cent—significantly higher than the 18.5 per cent recorded within the…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that democracy in Nigeria and across the world must be judged not only by elections and political participation but by its ability to deliver tangible economic development, warning that failure to do so could erode public confidence in democratic governance. Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of a research report organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation titled “Strengthening the Nexus between Democracy and Economic Growth in Nigeria.” He stressed that while democracy remains globally attractive for its principles of freedom, justice and human dignity, it must go beyond…

 The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensified on Thursday as opposing factions led by former Senate President, David Mark, and party chieftain, Ralph Nwosu, took their battle with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court and the public space, amid disputes over recognition and control of party structures. The dispute centres on the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to delist the names of Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary of the ADC from its official portal. In a fresh motion filed before the Federal High Court…

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has reaffirmed that its National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, remains the authentic leader of the party, insisting that no court in Nigeria has removed him from office. The party also dismissed claims suggesting otherwise by its expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, describing such assertions as a “deliberate distortion of court judgments” and “misleading to the public.” In a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP said recent interpretations being circulated around Court of Appeal decisions on pre-election matters in Ekiti State were being wrongly…

The United States has suspended visa appointment services at its Abuja mission following the evacuation of non-emergency staff and family members over worsening security concerns in Nigeria, even as the Federal Government dismissed the security alert, insisting the country remains stable. The development came barely 24 hours after Washington authorised the departure of non-essential personnel from the United States Embassy Abuja, citing a deteriorating security environment. In a notice posted on its official X handle on Thursday, the embassy announced the immediate closure of visa appointment services in Abuja, assuring applicants that affected bookings would be rescheduled. “U.S. Embassy Abuja…

Suspected armed robbers have severed the hand of a school teacher, Isah Sallama, during a brutal attack in the Bunkure Local Government Area. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident occurred on Wednesday night along Funkuyi Road in the Buran District of the state. According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary for Public Enlightenment of the Rano Emirate Council, Nasiru Habu Faragai, the victim was attacked while attempting to rescue another resident, identified as Malam Sauwanu Hadi, who was being dispossessed of his motorcycle and mobile phone by the assailants. Faragai disclosed that the attackers initially attempted to…

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday sentenced a member of Boko Haram, Auwalu Samaila, to death by hanging for terrorism-related offences. Trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, handed down the verdict after the defendant pleaded guilty to a six-count charge filed against him by the Federal Government. The judge, in his ruling, held that the convict deserved no leniency, noting his lack of remorse despite the gravity of his crimes. “It is when somebody is remorseful and seeks forgiveness from God that he can have mercy,” Omotosho said, adding, “The convict before me is not remorseful despite the…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed as false a viral social media claim alleging the introduction of a N5,000 banknote bearing the image of President Bola Tinubu. The image, which has been widely circulated across various platforms, purportedly showed a newly designed N5,000 note, triggering widespread reactions and debates over its authenticity. Many social media users had shared the image, claiming it was an official sample released by the apex bank as part of plans to introduce higher denomination currency into circulation. However, the CBN, in a swift response via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, debunked the…

Barely four months to the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, tension has heightened following the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dr Mutiu Agboke, to Ondo State. Agboke announced his transfer in a message shared on the Osun INEC WhatsApp platform late Wednesday, expressing appreciation to stakeholders for their support during his tenure. “I have been transferred to Ondo State. I thank you most sincerely for the support given to me throughout my stay in Osun State. May God Almighty support you all as well,” he stated. The development comes as…