Author: Platform Times Newspaper

By Precious Akinola Leadership in Ijebuland has never been accidental. It has always carried a clear responsibility: to protect what has been inherited while guiding the community forward. These two duties have never been in conflict. In fact, Ijebu history shows that tradition survives best when it is led by people who understand change, rather than fear it. From early trade and education to community organisation and governance, the Ijebu people have long approached leadership with intention. Decisions were not made in haste. Authority was exercised with care. Elders were consulted, processes respected, and the future considered alongside the past.…

By Mujeebat Idris They’re scaring us. It’s time to talk sense. Putting “For Food” in your bank transfer won’t save you from tax. Knowing your rights will. Right now, my timeline is flooded with one thing: fear. People are typing “For Family,” “For Market,” “For Travel” into every bank transfer. They think if they describe the money, the government won’t tax it. Let’s be clear: That is not how it works. All this panic is based on a dangerous rumor and this rumor can actually backfire on you. Imagine you buy a generator from a vendor for ₦500,000. He tells…

By Oyindamola Ologun Nigeria’s recent tax reforms have sparked intense debate across social media platforms. Some believe everyone will suddenly start paying higher taxes. Others argue that small businesses are being unfairly targeted, while a few insist the reforms are merely another way to squeeze citizens without improving public services. The problem is not that Nigerians are asking questions; it is that many of the answers circulating are simply wrong. When tax laws are misunderstood, distrust grows. Nigeria’s tax challenge has never been the absence of laws. The country has legislation, agencies, and penalties, yet tax compliance remains persistently low.…

..EFCC Links Funds To BDC Operator, FIRS Official ..Over N4bn Allegedly Moved Through BDC Channels … Judge Gives 14 days Ultimatum To Claimants Daud Olatunji The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of N30.7 million allegedly linked to fraudulent activities involving officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Monday after upholding an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ruling that the anti-graft agency had established sufficient grounds to temporarily forfeit the funds to the Federal Government. The judge directed that the…

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has dismissed viral reports alleging that he was a target of recent United States airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto State, describing the claims as false, misleading and recycled propaganda. Gumi said he was neither listed for elimination nor under any form of threat, insisting that he is “comfortably staying” in his home without fear or intimidation. Speaking in an interview with Leadership, the controversial cleric clarified that the video being circulated online was an old clip taken out of context and had nothing to do with recent military operations or any alleged US…

The Super Eagles delivered a statement performance on Monday night, thrashing Mozambique 4–0 to storm into the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as Nigeria’s World Cup qualification disappointment continued to fuel a ruthless title push. Victor Osimhen struck twice while Ademola Lookman produced a goal and two assists in a dominant last-16 encounter at the Sports Complex Stadium in Fes, where Nigeria overwhelmed a Mozambican side making its maiden appearance in the AFCON knockout stage. Lookman set the tone midway through the first half, finishing coolly in the 20th minute after Akor Adams latched onto Alex…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has launched a blistering attack on some judges and legal practitioners, accusing them of deliberately bending the law to please powerful political and financial interests. Fubara made the allegation on Monday in Port Harcourt while delivering an address at the 2025/2026 legal year opening and re-dedication service, attended by judges, lawyers and top government officials. The governor said it was disturbing that some judicial officers, whom he described as “legal luminaries”, knowingly distort clear provisions of the law, not out of ignorance, but to pacify those he called their paymasters. “Some of you claim to…

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party chieftain, Peter Obi, has attributed Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis to poor leadership rather than a shortage of resources, highlighting the country’s alarming decline relative to global peers. Obi spoke on Monday following the International Monetary Fund’s 2025 estimates, which show India’s economy now at $4.187 trillion, surpassing Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest by nominal GDP. “Nigeria’s challenge is not a lack of resources, but a failure of leadership and priorities,” Obi said in a statement. “Despite substantial revenue growth, massive subsidy savings, and borrowing that exceeds all previous administrations from 1999 to…

 A Lagos State court on Monday sentenced a former State Education Director, Olawale Faleti, 64, to two years and five months in prison for stealing N48.9 million from Access Bank. Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court convicted Faleti on five counts of fraud, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented evidence of repeated unauthorized withdrawals. In delivering judgment, Justice Oshodi noted that Faleti’s actions were deliberate and premeditated, exploiting a system glitch to siphon funds during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The judge further said Faleti showed no genuine remorse and failed…

The Federal Government has announced far-reaching reforms aimed at stamping out examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), with full implementation to commence from the 2026 examination cycle. The new measures, unveiled on Monday in Abuja, are part of efforts to restore credibility, integrity and public confidence in Nigeria’s examination system, which has for years been plagued by cheating, impersonation and other irregularities. Speaking at the announcement, the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu-Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, said the reforms would strengthen transparency, tighten oversight…