Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji The Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying it has enabled thousands of students to complete their studies without financial interruptions. Prof. Agboola disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists ahead of the university’s 35th convocation ceremony next week at the Senate Building. “Before NELFUND, between 3,000 and 4,000 students annually applied for leave of absence due to financial difficulties. Today, we have not received a single application on that ground,” he said, describing the initiative as a “major boost to access to quality…

…Over 200,000 victims reportedly conned via bogus investments …Investigations reveal 960 accounts controlled by a single fraudste Daud Olatunji The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has indicted a new generation bank, six fintech companies, and several microfinance banks for allegedly facilitating massive financial crimes that allowed fraudsters to launder billions of naira through Nigeria’s financial system. At a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, said the implicated institutions enabled transactions totalling N18.7 billion to pass unchecked, while cryptocurrency deals worth N162 billion were processed in violation of basic banking procedures during…

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed reports of a bomb threat at two private schools in Ikeja’s Government Reserved Area (GRA), confirming that no explosive device was found following a thorough security sweep. The scare began around 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, when the Human Resources Managers and Chief Security Officers of the schools separately reported receiving threatening messages on WhatsApp from an unknown number, claiming bombs had been planted on the premises. The messages forced both schools to close their gates on Wednesday, sparking panic among students, staff, and parents. In response, Commissioner of Police, CP…

The Rivers State House of Assembly’s attempt to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Nma-Odu, over alleged gross misconduct has been stalled, as the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon C. Amadi, declined the legislature’s request to set up a seven-member investigative panel. In a formal letter addressed to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, Justice Amadi cited ongoing court cases and subsisting injunctions as the reason for the refusal. The letter, dated January 22, 2026, confirmed the receipt of two separate Assembly requests submitted on January 16, 2026, under Sections 188(4) and 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), seeking…

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday visited President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, insisting that their meeting focused solely on governance matters and not political realignment. Makinde, a senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, arrived at the Villa around 3:30 p.m., amid speculation that the visit could signal a shift in his political allegiance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Addressing journalists after the meeting, he dismissed such claims, stressing that he remains “comfortable” in the PDP. “The President is the President of Nigeria, not just the APC. We were discussing governance issues,” Makinde…

The Nigerian   Correctional Service, on Thursday, celebrated the retirement of three senior officers and recognized outstanding staff for their dedication to the service at  the new year party of the staff of the state headquarters of the Nigerian correctional service. The ceremony, attended by top officials and well-wishers, where retired officee were recognized and honoured for their contributions to the service during their service year,saw Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Stephen, Dr. Folabi Rahman (represented by his wife), and CCC Aina Felicia Tomori honoured for their years of commitment to the correctional service. The  Controller of Correction Ogun state command,…

Operatives of the Abia State Police Command have arrested a man for allegedly conducting an illegal voters’ registration exercise for politicians in the state. The suspect, 47-year-old Chukwuemeka Nwaobilor, reportedly a staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, was apprehended at a football field in Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, with an INEC registration machine intended for official use in Isiala Ngwa South. According to sources, Nwaobilor was allegedly collaborating with unnamed politicians from the same federal constituency to register voters illegally. The arrest, which was executed by officers from the Criminal…

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old woman, Jessica Anthony, for allegedly orchestrating a robbery attack on her boyfriend after recruiting suspected criminals to dispossess him of valuables worth millions of naira. The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in Warri on Thursday, saying the suspect conspired with a friend to hire armed robbers to attack her boyfriend, whom she had dated for about two years. Edafe said the relationship between the duo had earlier collapsed but was later rekindled, adding that they were still intimate as recently as December 2025. According to him, the suspect, driven…

Tragedy struck the University of Lagos community as a young law graduate, Maryam Agoro, died barely 24 hours after participating in the institution’s convocation ceremony. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Agoro, a member of the Class of 2023 from the Faculty of Law, attended the university’s 2024/2025 convocation held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, before her sudden death the following day. The heartbreaking news broke on social media on Thursday after a user, identified as @plantcodesss on X, announced her passing, triggering an outpouring of grief from friends, former classmates and members of the UNILAG community. In a tribute shared online,…

Former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura, has said he ventured into politics to save lives and restore security in Katsina State, describing himself as a “politics mechanic” called to fix deep-rooted problems confronting the state. Daura spoke on Thursday in Katsina at a reunion of the Government College Funtua Old Boys Association, Class of 1969, where members endorsed his 2027 governorship ambition. He said insecurity had crippled economic activities in the state, stressing that safety remained the foundation upon which other sectors could thrive. “Whenever you see a mechanic with his instruments, you know…