Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In the vibrant world of Nigerian Fuji music, Alhaji Adaradenu Akanni, fondly known as “Jamaica,” stands out as a cultural icon with a legacy spanning over three decades. Born 50 years ago in Igbogila, Yewa North, Ogun State, Adaradenu has dedicated his life to the art of Fuji music, a passion that has seen him produce an impressive 19 records and perform live at more than 500 shows. Since his career began 35 years ago, Adaradenu, has contributed to the Fuji genre with albums like Narration, Journey, SIM Card, Deshika, Authentic, Fujitide, Barry Message, Adabi, Skyrocket, London Vibes,…

Daud Olatunji Lagos State remains Nigeria’s most indebted state with a staggering debt stock of N2.18 trillion, a 58.23% increase from the N1.37 trillion it held in 2022, according to a report by BudgIT. PLATFORM TIMES reports that this debt includes a significant dollar-denominated component of $1.24 billion, representing 51.62% of Lagos’s total debt profile, which exposes the state to exchange rate fluctuations. The state’s foreign debt challenges intensified following the devaluation of the naira from N448.08 per dollar at the end of 2022 to N899.39 per dollar by the close of 2023. Consequently, Lagos’s dollar-denominated debt grew by N557.28…

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has reaffirmed the stability, safety, and health of Nigerian deposit money banks, urging citizens to continue patronising them without fear. Bello Hassan, the managing director of NDIC, gave the reassurance during the corporation’s special day at the ongoing 36th Lagos International Trade Fair. Taking questions from journalists, he said that all banks that had their licences not withdrawn by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were safe and healthy. Mr Hassan, represented by Nuhu Bashir, director of communications and public affairs, said that the NDIC was working tirelessly in ensuring continuous safety and soundness…

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned the trial of a lawyer, Chinedu Evaristus, and three others in an alleged N58 million fraud case until January 15, 2025. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case after F.N. Umoh, a lawyer from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation informed the court of the decision of her office to take over the matter from the police. The Inspector-General of Police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/489/2024, sued Mr Evaristus, Olakunle Blessing Fayomi, Kingsley James and Tabitha Kwon as 1st to 4th defendants, respectively. In the charge dated October 9,…

The Chairman of the Independence National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said the commission accredited 111 domestic and international organisations, and will deploy 3,554 observers for the Ondo State governorship poll. Mr Yakubu made this known on Thursday in Akure during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the commission ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 16. He said, “As you are aware, an election is a multi-stakeholder activity. INEC has a role to play and we have done so always in consultation with stakeholders.’’ The INEC chairman, who said that the commission’s role had to be complemented by…

The Nigerian Presidency has reassured citizens that Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) remains a safe and cost-effective alternative to petrol, dismissing safety concerns stirred by Malaysia’s recent decision to phase out natural gas-powered vehicles by July 2025. In a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, clarified that the Malaysian government’s concerns primarily relate to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), not CNG. This clarification comes amid rising apprehensions among Nigerians over CNG-powered vehicle safety, fueled by reports of explosions involving CNG vehicles. “The Malaysian issue speaks more to the…

Daud Olatunji Wema Bank has been crowned the No. 1 Best Workplace in Nigeria for 2024 by the prestigious Great Place to Work (GPTW) Awards, held recently in Lagos. This achievement highlights Wema Bank’s commitment to fostering an innovative and supportive work culture, focusing on employee well-being, work-life balance, and mental health initiatives. The Great Place to Work Awards recognize organizations that prioritize healthy work environments and employee satisfaction, using insights derived from the Trust Index Survey—a globally recognized tool that assesses workplace culture through the employees’ perspective. Organizations that meet the survey’s benchmark are awarded GPTW certification, a symbol…

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has raised the alarm that Nigeria spends a staggering $1 billion each year on importing vehicle spare parts, including essential components like bumpers, tires, batteries, oil filters, and lights. The NADDC  said it has initiated efforts to enhance Nigeria’s technological capabilities in local vehicle component manufacturing in  a bid to curtail the massive expenditure on vehicle spare part imports. The Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, highlighted these concerns on Monday during the launch of a specialized engineering training in Abuja. Addressing participants at the Midas NFX Automotive Software Design Skills bootcamp…

The Federal Government has disbursed N45 billion to equip the  Primary Health Centres  facilities nationwide, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced. Speaking at the 2024 Joint Annual Health Review meeting in Abuja, Prof. Pate stated that the funds, directly allocated to primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in partnership with state governments, aim to significantly improve access to essential health services in rural and underserved areas. The initiative, part of the PHC 2.0 reform, has already channeled resources into over 8,000 centres, empowering them with both financial backing and workforce support. “The 45 billion Naira disbursed to PHCs…

Daud Olatunji Save the Children International (SCI) has warned over the severe risk of hunger facing over 16 million Nigerian children. According to the SCI Country Director, Duncan Harvey, a devastating combination of climate disasters, escalating insecurity, and skyrocketing prices is pushing the country’s hunger crisis to dangerous new levels. Harvey revealed that conditions in Nigeria have deteriorated significantly, with an additional one million children likely to suffer acute malnutrition by April next year. He called for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of life and address the deteriorating food crisis, particularly in the northwest and northeast regions, where conflict…