Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Federal Government has decried the growing trend of Nigerian students who fail to return home after benefiting from foreign scholarships, revealing that a staggering 85 per cent of such beneficiaries do not contribute to national development upon completion of their studies abroad. The Minister of Education, Mr. Tunji Alausa, made this known on Friday during a one-day engagement with heads of institutions, bursars and procurement officers in Lagos. He said the government was overhauling the funding architecture of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and foreign scholarship schemes to ensure better value for public resources. “Our evidence-based analysis showed…

Daud Olatunji The ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games, has been thrown into turmoil following separate incidents of misconduct involving kickboxing and cycling officials in  Ogun State. On Wednesday, pandemonium broke out at the kickboxing venue as rival officials of the Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (KBFN) engaged in a physical altercation over control of officiating duties. The clash, which stemmed from a lingering leadership crisis within the federation, saw the technical director, identified as Kevin—allegedly handpicked by an embattled factional president—arrested by police following the scuffle. The competition was immediately suspended, disrupting Wednesday’s scheduled bouts. Sources revealed that…

The Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, has expressed satisfaction with the achievements recorded during his eight-year tenure, as he prepares to bow out of office on May 31, 2025. Speaking during a press conference held on Thursday at the Telemedicine Conference Hall in Abeokuta, Musa-Olomu said his administration had transformed the hospital and taken it “to the promised land.” “When I assumed office, there was no single X-ray or ultrasound machine. Out of ten theatres, only one was working. “The hospital lacked basic infrastructure and couldn’t be considered a tertiary hospital…

Balqees Adeniji  In a bid to boost awareness and ensure accurate dissemination of information on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, media stakeholders convened in Abeokuta on Thursday for a strategic engagement session organized by the Family Health Initiative of Ogun (FAHIO) in partnership with Pathfinder International, Nigeria. The event, held at the Primary Health Care Board conference room in Oke-Mosan, brought together journalists, health educators, and public health stakeholders to brainstorm on effective media strategies that will promote uptake of the HPV vaccine across the state. In her welcome address, FAHIO Chairperson, Mrs. Oluwakemi Balogun, commended the media for its…

A prominent advocacy group, the Ogun West Initiative (OWI), has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the successful upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro. The commendation followed the announcement by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday that President Tinubu had signed the bill into law. The bill, which had its first reading nearly nine years ago, was sponsored by Senator Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly. In a statement issued Wednesday night, OWI described the development as “heartwarming and…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced another N15 reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), marking yet another effort to ease the burden of fuel costs on Nigerians. Following this latest slash, PMS will now sell at N875 per litre in Lagos, N885 in the South West, N895 in the North West and North Central, and N905 in the South East, South South, and North East. The revised prices are effective immediately and will be implemented through all of Dangote Refinery’s distribution partners, including MRS, AP (Ardova), Heyden, Optima Energy, Techno Oil, and Hyde. In a statement…

The Oluomo of Yewaland and Chairman of IBD Impex Ltd/IBD International Hotels Ltd, Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to a Federal University of Technology. Chief Egungbohun, popularly known as IBD Dende, described the development as a major milestone for Yewaland, expressing delight over the transformation of the institution. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Elder Adetokunbo Fakeye, the business mogul commended the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for championing the bill that led to the elevation of…

Odunayo Alade, father of the WASSCE candidate killed by a stray bullet in Ibadan, has explained why he failed to stop when flagged down by security operatives, saying he was trying to ensure his son got to his examination centre early. It  had earlier reported that the deceased, Kehinde Alade, was fatally shot on Tuesday at Gbagi Market Road, Ibadan, in the Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, allegedly by a police officer pursuing the family vehicle. Speaking to News Central at his residence in Ibadan on Wednesday, Alade denied breaching traffic regulations and insisted he took a commonly…

The 27th Annual Sports Day of the Blind was held on May 15, 2025, at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Centre, drawing attention to the importance of inclusion in sports and society. Organised by the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) and sponsored by the Daramola Dynasty Foundation, the event was a colourful celebration of resilience, ability, and equality. Held under the theme “Champions of Inclusion,” the Sports Day featured a vibrant display of talent, strength, and determination. Events such as the March Past, Tug of War, and various track races highlighted the athletic prowess and team spirit…

The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for their pivotal roles in the recent upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro. In a statement personally signed by the Minister, Dr. Salako described the presidential assent to the bill as “another milestone achievement” under President Tinubu’s administration and a strong indication of the President’s inclusive and transformative approach to governance. According to him, the elevation of the institution marks a new chapter in…