Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Osi of Egbaland, Chief Bode Mustapha, has  received  glowing tributes from protégés and colleagues who praised his humility, charisma, and lifelong contributions to public service as he marks his 75th birthday. In a heartfelt message, Rasheed Sefiu, retired Permanent Secretary, recalled how Mustapha championed his appointment as Executive Secretary of the Abeokuta North Local Government Education Authority in January 2000. “Congratulations and God bless, sir. I am highly elated and fulfilled when I remember the mode of our connection in 1999, through which you championed my appointment. “You are indeed a worthy, humble, humane, charming, charismatic, and blessed leader,”…

The Head of Department of Theatre Arts at the Federal College of Education Abeokuta, Dr Adeniyi Adekunle Oluwadamilare, alongside some non-governmental organisations, has rallied students to break the culture of silence and speak out on challenges threatening their future. The call was made during a sensitisation programme tagged Ajose Campus Acoustic Session, organised by the Gender Development Initiative in collaboration with the institution’s Theatre Arts Department. The initiative was aimed at encouraging students to openly discuss issues affecting their wellbeing, particularly peer pressure, abuse, and reproductive health concerns. Speaking at the event, Oluwadamilare warned that many young people fall into…

The Association of Nigerian Broadcasters (ANBROAD), Ogun State Chapter, has congratulated the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Lanre Ogunlowo, on his promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police. In a congratulatory message on Saturday, the Ogun State Governor of ANBROAD, Gbenga Goke-Fadiran, described the promotion as a well-deserved recognition of Ogunlowo’s years of dedicated service, professionalism, and commitment to public safety. Goke-Fadiran, in a letter addressed to the police chief at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, said the elevation reflected Ogunlowo’s outstanding leadership and invaluable contributions to policing and community security. According to…

The Ogun State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised the alarm over rising divisions among Muslims in the state, urging caution and unity as the 2027 general elections approach. In a statement on Friday, the group warned that some Muslim leaders and community members are being swayed by “pregnant promises” from politicians—commitments whose delivery is uncertain and often self-serving. MURIC’s Chairman in Ogun State, Ustaadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, and Secretary, Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare, highlighted what they described as a worrying trend: internal quarrels among Muslims over political loyalties, while politicians themselves continue to meet, strategize, and…

At least 40 per cent of Nigerian adults are now living with hypertension, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has revealed, highlighting the country’s growing struggle with non-communicable diseases. The 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report, released on Sunday, shows that while awareness of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases improved slightly compared to 2024, the prevalence of hypertension remains dangerously high. The report credits public health campaigns by the ministry and professional health bodies for raising awareness, encouraging routine checks, and promoting healthier lifestyles. “Hypertension is a silent killer. Many Nigerians are unaware they have…

All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft have been confirmed dead following a crash in western Iraq on Thursday, the U.S. Central Command announced. The aircraft, tasked with mid-air refueling during Operation Epic Fury, went down while flying over friendly airspace. “All six crew members aboard the aircraft are now confirmed deceased,” the Command posted on X. “The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile or friendly fire.” The identities of the victims remain withheld pending notification of next of kin. While the U.S. insists…

Uthman Ogunfolaji A suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has revealed that he intended to surrender to security forces after the Ramadan fast, but was intercepted by the Nigerian Army before he could act on his plan. Troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI arrested the insurgent while he was transporting motorcycle tyres and other maintenance spare parts from the Timbuktu Triangle, military sources confirmed on Thursday. During interrogation, the suspect admitted his affiliation with ISWAP, saying, “I am from the Markas of Kauwa under the leadership of Hamzala and assisted by Abu Umar. “I buy tyres…

A Lagos Special Offences Court on Wednesday sentenced Emmanuel Nwude, former Union Bank director, and two lawyers, Emmanuel Ilechukwu and Rowland Kalu, to one year in prison each for forgery and dealing in forfeited property. The judgement, delivered by Justice Mojisola Dada, concluded a long-running case that has spanned more than a decade, following the trio’s alleged attempt to illegally transact a property already forfeited to victims of Nwude’s infamous $242 million “non-existent airport” fraud. Nwude was previously sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2005 after defrauding Nelson Sakaguchi, a former director of Brazil’s Banco Noroeste, by selling a…

Security operatives have rescued a young boy allegedly abducted from Lafia, Nasarawa State, after intercepting suspected child traffickers in the nation’s capital. According to a Facebook post by One Aliyu Musa on Thursday, March 12, 2026, the child was reportedly taken from within the College of Agriculture in Lafia and transported to Abuja, where the criminals intended to sell him. “By the grace of God, security operatives arrested the traffickers and rescued the child. He is currently in the custody of authorities in Abuja,” Musa wrote, appealing to the public for help in locating the boy’s family. He urged anyone…

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has released a total of ₦1.894 trillion as the February 2026 revenue allocation to the Federal Government, state governments, and local councils, a statement from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has revealed. The disbursement, confirmed by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, followed the FAAC meeting held in Abuja earlier this month. Of the total, ₦1.274 trillion came from distributable statutory revenue, while ₦619.119 billion was generated from Value Added Tax (VAT). According to the communiqué, February’s gross revenue stood at ₦2.230 trillion. However, ₦77.302 billion was deducted as…