Author: Platform Times Newspaper

… Nigeria’s 18.5m Out-Of-School Children Crisis Worsens …. Analysts Warn Of Security, Poverty Fallout Daud Olatunji Imo, Ogun and Rivers states have emerged as the worst offenders among 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory that failed to access a combined ₦97.88bn in basic education funds, deepening Nigeria’s worsening out-of-school crisis. Findings by PLATFORM TIMES showed that the funds, allocated under the Universal Basic Education Commission intervention scheme, remain unutilised largely due to the inability of state governments to provide the required counterpart funding. An analysis of official records obtained through a Freedom of Information request by a legal team…

Civil society organisations have raised fresh concerns over the non-utilisation of millions of dollars recovered from former public officials, warning that delays in deploying the funds could erode public trust in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive. The groups said about $50 million linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and $954,000 recovered from former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, remain largely unaccounted for in terms of impact, despite being repatriated for specific development projects. The concerns were raised at a two-day town hall meeting on asset recovery and utilisation, where the Executive Director of the African Network for Economic and…

The Delta State Government has banned the Ozoro fertility festival following allegations of sexual assault on female participants, describing the incident as “barbaric and unacceptable.” The ban comes amid outrage over the account of a 300-level student of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Miss Ezeugo Ijeoma Rosemary, who alleged that she was stripped naked and molested by a mob during the event. Recounting her ordeal, the student said the incident occurred on Thursday evening near her school when she unknowingly walked into activities linked to the festival. “I came down from a bike and suddenly boys started shouting, ‘Hold her, hold…

—New Two-Tier Policing Model Shifts Local Crimes To States —Federal Police To Handle Terrorism, Interstate Offences … States To Contribute Minimum 15% To Security Financing The Federal Government has moved to overhaul Nigeria’s policing structure with a proposal that would assign homicide, armed robbery, domestic violence and other local offences to state police commands, while a federal outfit focuses on terrorism and interstate crimes. The framework, submitted to the Senate by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, outlines a two-tier policing system designed to decentralise security operations and improve responsiveness to crime across the country. Under the proposed…

The lingering crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a fresh turn on Sunday as a faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, re-elected Abdulrahman Mohammed as its National Chairman. The development came during a factional national convention held in Abuja, where Abdulrahman—who hails from Nasarawa State—was returned as chairman by consensus alongside 20 other members of the National Working Committee (NWC). Abdulrahman had previously served as Acting National Chairman of the faction’s caretaker committee before his re-election, signalling what party insiders described as a consolidation of the group’s leadership structure amid widening internal…

The Rivers State Government has told the High Court sitting in Port Harcourt that over N302 billion was expended during the six-month administration of former sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), between March and August 2025. The disclosure was contained in a counter-affidavit filed before the court in response to a Freedom of Information suit instituted by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project. The suit, marked PHC/4153/CS/2025, is seeking full disclosure of how public funds were spent during the period of emergency rule in the state. The government, through the Accountant-General’s office and the Ministry of Budget and…

A pastor, Dozie Ezani, has been arrested in Anambra State for allegedly raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl, in a case that has sparked outrage in the community. Ezani, identified as the General Overseer of a church in Amichi, Nnewi South LocalGovernment Area, is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department following his arrest by operatives of astate-backed vigilante group. The suspect was reportedly apprehended at his poultry farm in Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, after security operatives acted on intelligence over his alleged illici trelationship with the minor. Spokesperson for the vigilante group, Karen James, disclosed that…

The Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has said Nigerians may push for a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond the constitutionally permitted two terms. Akanbi made the remark in a statement issued on Sunday to commemorate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, describing the President as a decisive leader whose policies have begun to reposition the country’s economy. According to the monarch, growing public confidence in Tinubu’s leadership could trigger calls for a review of the constitution to extend his tenure. “Many Nigerians may call for a constitutional review to enable Tinubu to serve more than two…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to donate all his salaries since assuming office to a special fund aimed at supporting personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces and their families. The President disclosed this in a personally signed statement on Sunday to mark his 74th birthday, describing the move as a tribute to the sacrifices of military officers serving the nation. Tinubu said he had directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to establish a dedicated account for the fund, which will cater for wounded soldiers and families of fallen heroes. “On this my 74th birthday, I celebrate the valiant men…

The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed mobile network operators in the country to compensate subscribers experiencing poor quality of service, in a move aimed at strengthening consumer protection and accountability in the telecommunications sector. The commission said affected subscribers would receive compensation directly from operators whenever service delivery falls below prescribed Quality of Service Key Performance Indicators within specific locations. In a statement issued on Sunday by its Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, the regulator stressed that consumers should not bear the burden of network failures caused by operators’ inability to meet required standards. According to the NCC, the…