Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has expressed grief over the death of the Chief Imam of Yewaland, Sikirullah Babalola, describing the late Islamic cleric as a symbol of unity and peace. Babalola, who was also the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State, died on Saturday at the age of 98. In a condolence message issued on Sunday, Amosun said the cleric’s passing was a monumental loss not only to the Muslim community in Yewaland but also to the entire Ogun State and beyond. He noted that the late nonagenarian devoted his life to…

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has explained that the decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into Education and Agriculture-related non-engineering courses from the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is aimed at boosting enrolment and addressing critical manpower gaps in the sectors. Oloyede disclosed this on Monday during the board’s ongoing policy meeting on the 2026 admission exercise, noting that the move forms part of broader reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education and agricultural systems. The board had earlier announced via its official X handle that candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and Agriculture non-engineering courses…

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, on Sunday dismissed speculations of a possible return to the All Progressives Congress, declaring that he has “no reason” to rejoin the ruling party. Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting of the African Democratic Congress held in Ilesa, where he also criticised the APC-led Federal Government over worsening economic conditions. He said the current leadership of the APC had deviated from the founding ideals of the party, accusing it of failing in its core responsibility to ensure the welfare and security of citizens. “I…

The political future of Siminalayi Fubara was thrown into fresh uncertainty on Sunday after he abruptly walked out of the screening exercise organised by the All Progressives Congress in Abuja. Fubara, who arrived at the venue—Plateau State Governors’ Lodge—at about 3:15pm, was said to have left moments later in visible anger, sparking speculation over a possible disagreement with members of the screening committee. Sources at the venue indicated that the governor might not have completed the screening process before his sudden exit, although details of what transpired remained unclear as of press time. The development has heightened concerns over Fubara’s…

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, has accused President Bola Tinubu of allegedly orchestrating the creation of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections. Abdullahi made the allegation while reacting to the defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the ADC-led coalition to the newly formed NDC, describing their exit as a major setback but not fatal to the opposition’s chances. He claimed the development had inadvertently strengthened the ruling All Progressives Congress, noting that the emergence of multiple opposition platforms could split votes and boost Tinubu’s…

The Federal Government on Sunday issued a stern warning to telecommunications operators to urgently improve service delivery, insisting that Nigerians must get value for money amid persistent complaints of poor network quality across the country.

Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Guards Brigade have foiled what security sources described as a potential breach of restricted installations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), arresting a suspected spy and four individuals posing as military personnel in separate operations across Abuja. The operations, conducted on Friday and Saturday by personnel of the 176 Guards Battalion and the Guards Brigade Garrison, were part of intensified surveillance and patrols aimed at tightening security around sensitive national assets in the capital. According to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the first incident occurred during…

An unspecified number of civilians have been reportedly killed following a military airstrike on Guradnayi, a settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Sources said  that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when military aircraft allegedly targeted fleeing residents and suspected armed groups in the area. A resident, Auta Awododo, said the bombing happened around 5 a.m., claiming that at least 12 persons were killed in a single house. “It happened around 5 a.m. Twelve people were killed in one house. One of them was my cousin’s son,” he said. Awododo added that…

Borno State Government has said no fewer than 8,000 former Boko Haram members and their families have been successfully reintegrated into society under its ongoing deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed this on Saturday in Maiduguri, noting that the initiative has recorded about 75 per cent success. She said the programme, championed by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, remains a critical component of the state’s broader peace-building and post-insurgency recovery efforts in the North-East. Gambo explained that the mass surrender of insurgents and their families placed a significant humanitarian burden on the…

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted and handed over several stolen luxury vehicles traced to Canada, in a major crackdown on transnational vehicle theft syndicates operating through Nigerian ports. The vehicles, which include high-end brands such as Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz, were recovered at the Tin Can Island Port and formally returned to Canadian authorities during a handover ceremony on May 4, 2026. The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Nasser Salihou, received the vehicles from the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Command, Frank Onyeka. According to the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the…