Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Ogun State has been named the Best Overall Performing State in Digital Technology Development, a testament to its unwavering commitment to advancing the digital economy through collaborations with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals and startups. The award, presented at the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) in Makurdi, Benue State, highlights Ogun’s leadership in digital transformation under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration. The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, who presented the award, lauded Governor Abiodun’s visionary approach to digitalization and tech entrepreneurship. He described the achievement as…

The Edo State Government has announced the appointment of Friday Aghedo as the Chief Press Secretary to the state’s Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa. The appointment, effective December 2, 2024, was disclosed in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Mr. Musa Ikhilor. Aghedo, a seasoned media professional and blogger, brings extensive experience in media management and leadership to the role. Having worked closely with Deputy Governor Idahosa since 2019, Aghedo’s familiarity with his principal’s operations is expected to foster seamless communication and media coordination. Before this appointment, Aghedo served as the Press Secretary to the Chairman…

The Minority Whip of the Ogun State House of Assembly,  AbdulRasheed Kashamu, has assured the public of a meticulous review of the N1.05 trillion  budget proposal presented by Governor Dapo Abiodun for the 2025 fiscal year.before the state house of Assembly. Kashamu, who is also Nigeria’s youngest lawmaker, pledged that the Assembly would scrutinize the budget to ensure it meets the needs of Ogun State residents. Speaking after the governor’s budget presentation on Wednesday, Kashamu reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to upholding its oversight responsibilities while maintaining a collaborative relationship with the executive. “The legislature and the executive have always had…

Daud Olatunji Former Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ogun State Oladipupo Adebutu  has condemned the recent detention of his personal assistant, Gafar Asaolu, labeling it an abuse of political office. In a statement released on Thursday, Adebutu criticized the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly succumbing to political manipulation, accusing them of fabricating charges against Asaolu following the November 16 local government elections. “The detention of Gafar Asaolu was an unprecedented abuse of political office,” Adebutu said. “Despite obtaining Certified True Copies of statements from all actors involved, it is clear that Asaolu was not mentioned as…

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has expressed concern over the country’s annual expenditure of $480 million on importing three tonnes of rice, describing it as unsustainable. Nonye Ayeni, NEPC’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, disclosed this during a one-day technical support workshop for rice farmers and processors in Lokoja, Kogi State. Represented by Aliu Sadiq, a deputy director in the council’s policy and strategy department, Ayeni emphasized that urgent measures are being implemented to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on rice imports. “The continuous spending of $480 million on importing rice is unacceptable,” Ayeni said. She noted that boosting local…

The Labour Party (LP) has expressed strong disapproval of the recent defection of four of its members in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party has vowed to take legal action against the defectors while demanding that their seats be declared vacant. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the defections during a plenary session, identifying the lawmakers as Chinedu Okere, Mathew Donatus, Akiba Bassey, and Esosa Iyawe. The defectors cited alleged “internal crises” within the LP as their reason for switching allegiance to the APC. In a swift reaction, LP…

An Abuja-bound Max Air flight narrowly averted disaster on Wednesday when one of its engines caught fire mid-air, forcing an emergency landing at Maiduguri airport, Borno State. The incident, which occurred just 10 minutes after the flight’s departure, had over 70 passengers on board, including Borno State Deputy Governor, Usman Kadafur. Despite the harrowing experience, all passengers and crew members were unharmed. Reports suggest the engine fire was triggered by a bird strike during ascent, which caused the engine to malfunction. In a swift response, the pilot followed standard safety protocols by shutting down the affected engine and diverting the…

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has declared that the upper chamber of the National Assembly will not succumb to intimidation or pressure to halt deliberations on the controversial tax reform bills. Akpabio made this assertion during Thursday’s plenary, addressing speculations that legislative actions on the bills had been suspended. “The senate cannot be bullied. Any reform that we are convinced serves the interest of Nigerians will proceed,” Akpabio stated emphatically. Earlier this week, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin inaugurated a special committee to engage with a federal government delegation on the bills. However, reports circulated that the legislative process had…

A Jigawa State High Court has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a 30-year-old woman, Salamatu Musa, over allegations of witchcraft. The verdict was delivered by Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, after the court found the convicts guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. The convicted individuals—Hassan Isah (55), Adama Yahaya (42), Abdullahi Yahaya (35), and Maryam Daso Yahaya (28)—were accused of conspiring to kill the deceased, whom they blamed for the death of their son through alleged witchcraft. The tragic incident occurred in 2019 at Kwan-Dole Village in Mallam-Madori…

The Chairman of the Edo State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Dr. Richard Edosa, has identified traditional institutions, churches, and a lack of knowledge in the medical profession as major contributors to Nigeria’s alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality. Edosa, who represents Oredo West constituency, made this assertion during a visit by the National Population Commission (NPC) team, led by Dr. Tony Aiyejina, to the Deputy Speaker of the House, Maria Edeko, at the Assembly Complex in Benin City. Speaking on the NPC’s 2024 Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) programme, Edosa lamented the high maternal mortality rate in…