Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Society of Muslim Professionals (SMP), Abeokuta, at the weekend marked its 35th anniversary with a call on members and Muslim faithful to sustain excellence in both spiritual devotion and socio-economic engagement, stressing that gratitude to Allah must translate into continuous service to humanity. Speaking at the grand finale of the anniversary held in Abeokuta, the National President and Presiding Officer, Alhaji Rasheed S.A., said the milestone celebration was a testament to decades of commitment, sacrifice, and collective vision anchored on Islamic values. He noted that the society, founded on April 13, 1991, by pioneering members including Alhaji Sulaiman Osho,…

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested four suspected cultists over alleged armed robbery, assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and theft of an iPhone 14 Pro Max in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of the state. The suspects—Samson John (25), Olufowora Michael (28), Odeh Samuel Ejeh (25), and Olajide Jeremiah (28),were reportedly apprehended following a petition lodged at the Ilaro Divisional Police Station at about 11:30 p.m. on April 16, 2026. Confirming the arrest on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the operation followed a swift response by operatives after the complainant reported a…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Nigeria Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, alongside a special take-off grant of N15bn to fast-track infrastructure and academic development of the institution. The approval marks a major expansion of the academy beyond its existing campus in Wudil, Kano State, in line with ongoing reforms to reposition police training and manpower development in Nigeria. The Ogun campus is expected to serve as part of a broader multi-campus structure for the academy under the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, which provides…

The All Progressives Congress has released its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, pegging its presidential nomination form at N70 million. The party, in a statement issued on Monday night by its National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungun, said aspirants for the presidency would also pay N30 million for the expression of interest form. According to the schedule, governorship aspirants are expected to purchase expression of interest forms at N10 million and nomination forms at N40 million. The party further fixed the cost of nomination forms for National Assembly positions, with Senate aspirants required to pay N3…

Suspected hoodlums on Monday attacked the Chairman of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Tope Omolayo, stripping him naked at the council secretariat shortly after he resumed duty from a six-month suspension. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident occurred at the Owo council secretariat, throwing the area into chaos as gunshots reportedly forced workers and residents to flee for safety. Omolayo had earlier been suspended by the legislative arm of the council over allegations that he insulted the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, in a viral audio recording that sparked outrage across the ancient town. Although the embattled…

The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission on Monday unveiled a joint regulatory offensive to combat rising electronic fraud and strengthen safeguards across Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy. The initiative, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Abuja, is aimed at tightening coordination between both regulators as digital financial transactions continue to surge nationwide. Speaking at the event, CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said the partnership marks a decisive shift towards proactive regulation, warning that the rapid adoption of digital financial services has been accompanied by increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. He noted that the collaboration would enable real-time…

… Local Value Addition Gap Costs $20bn Yearly …$8bn Lost Through Under-Valuation, Fraud …Manual Processes, Poor Monitoring Indicted Daud Olatunji Nigeria is losing over $10bn annually due to deep-rooted inefficiencies in its export systems and maritime governance, a new report has revealed, raising fresh concerns over the country’s dwindling foreign exchange earnings and weak industrial base. The report by the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) urged urgent reforms, warning that systemic failures, policy inconsistencies and entrenched interests have turned the nation’s export corridors into channels for capital flight. Titled “Port of Plenty, Pipelines of Loss: A National Reawakening Call…

Wema Bank Plc has surpassed the recapitalisation benchmark set by the Central Bank of Nigeria, reinforcing its position as a national lender and strengthening its competitiveness within the financial system. The bank announced that its total qualifying capital rose to N264.7bn following the successful completion of a N150bn rights issue and an additional N50bn special placement in 2025—well above the N200bn minimum requirement for national banks. The exercise, completed about six months ahead of the regulatory deadline, places the lender among 33 financial institutions that met the recapitalisation requirements introduced by the apex bank in March 2024. Further findings showed…

… Former Governor Barred by Abiodun Supporters … Gov’s Camp Endorses Abiodun For Senate Daud Olatunji The political rift between Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and former governor, Gbenga Daniel, deepened on Monday following a dramatic standoff at a stakeholders’ meeting in the Ogun East Senatorial District. Tension escalated after Daniel alleged that he was denied entry into a crucial meeting of the All Progressives Congress held at the Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu Ode, a development that has further exposed cracks within the party ahead of the 2027 senatorial race. In a viral video, Daniel, who currently represents Ogun…

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Monday adjourned hearing in the protracted Kano Emirate dispute to April 17, 2027, further extending the legal battle over the ancient throne. A five-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro fixed the new date after proceedings were stalled by a fresh motion filed by counsel to one of the defendants. The case, which centres on the leadership of the Kano Emirate, was earlier scheduled for hearing on Monday but could not proceed due to the application filed on April 14 and served on the appellant’s counsel a day later. Under court rules, the appellant…