Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Despite the N12.49 billion spent on the health sector in Ogun State in 2023, numerous health facilities across the state continue to operate without essential resources, including skilled birth attendants, clean water, sanitation facilities, and steady power supply, a recent report by BudgIT has revealed. In its latest state-by-state performance analysis, BudgIT highlighted that primary healthcare centers in Ogun suffer from critical shortages, pointing to a lack of skilled birth attendants (SBAs), insufficient human resources, and inadequate medical equipment. This, the budgIT says, leaves many communities without basic healthcare provisions necessary for safe births and routine medical care.…

Daud Olatunji Ogun State has been ranked the third most indebted state in Nigeria after Lagos and Rivers with a debt burden of N430.52 billion as of December 31, 2023, according to a recent report by BudgIT, a civic tech organization focused on fiscal transparency. PLATFORM TIMES reports that there was a rise of 230.62% in debt over the past six years from its 2018 debt level of N130.22 billion. PLATFORM TIMES further reports that the state’s substantial financial obligations have put it behind only Lagos and Rivers in the national debt rankings. According to the data obtained from BudgIT,…

Two renowned elder statesmen, Senator Femi Okurounmu and Professor Anthony Asiwaju, are poised to address the persisting crisis in Rivers State and the alleged desecration of Nigeria’s judiciary—a development they warn has the potential to unleash unprecedented unrest in the Niger Delta. The pair will appear on the widely followed current affairs program, Boiling Point Arena, scheduled for Sunday, November 10, 2024. The online monthly interview series, now in its 25th edition, will kick off at 8 p.m. via Zoom, broadcasting live on Sweet 107.1 FM, Abeokuta, and WASH 94.9 FM, Lagos. Conceived by Dr. Ayo Arowojolu, a veteran media…

The Chairman of Chisco Group, emphasized the crucial role of peace in promoting the prosperity of Igbo people and their businesses across the world. Anyaegbu, popularly known as “Chisco,” stated this in preparation for his forthcoming investiture as Mayor Ndi Igbo. Anyaegbu said peaceful coexistence remains the primary objective for Ndi Igbo everywhere, including Lagos, where he has lived and conducted business for over five decades. Chisco made these remarks on Monday following a visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he extended a formal invitation to the elder statesman to attend his investiture on December…

The Federal Government has removed universities and other tertiary institutions under its control from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), shifting them to an alternative payment platform. The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) confirmed this development, explaining that it aligns with a directive from the President Bola Tinubu administration aimed at restructuring the payroll management system for federal tertiary institutions. OAGF’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, elaborated on the transition, stating that the shutdown of IPPIS for these institutions was an anticipated response following the government’s directive. “It was only natural…

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the country and its leaders, asserting that “nothing lasts forever” amid the ongoing challenges. The monarch, who made the appeal during a conference on Monday, urged religious leaders to avoid misleading their followers for personal gain, instead encouraging them to promote peace and resilience. Speaking at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, organized by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in partnership with International Alert, the Sultan highlighted the significance of unity in overcoming the region’s issues. He stressed that…

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State chapter, has called for the immediate removal of the state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Amina Abdullahi, following an alleged assault on a doctor at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano. The NMA described the incident, which occurred on November 1 at the hospital’s Emergency Paediatric Unit, as an abuse of power and a violation of humanitarian principles. In an official statement issued Monday by NMA Chairman Dr. Abdurrahman Ali and Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, the association condemned the commissioner’s actions, asserting that they “constitute misconduct, punishable by dismissal as outlined in Section…

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has revised its examination timetable for the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External candidates to accommodate the upcoming Ondo State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024. NECO made this announcement on its official website, urging candidates to carefully review the updated timetable and check any changes affecting the exams originally slated for that day. According to the information posted, “the 2024 SSCE External Timetable has been adjusted due to the Ondo Governorship Election on Saturday, 16th November, 2024.” Candidates are advised to examine the revised timetable, now available online, alongside the original…

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that he did not lose the 2023 election but rather was the victim of a “criminally stolen” mandate. In a recent series of statements, Abubakar alleged that the election results, which declared President Bola Tinubu as the winner, did not reflect the true votes cast by Nigerians. Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, accused Tinubu’s administration of imposing “excruciating pain” on citizens through what he described as “trial-and-error economic policies.” He argued that the current government has caused unprecedented economic hardship, as it lacks a…

’Former presidential aide Doyin Okupe has stated that Nigerians are being “unfair” in their criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that the president’s reforms are necessary to prevent Nigeria’s economic collapse. Okupe, who served as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign in the 2023 elections, noted that while he previously supported Labour Party candidate Obi, he now believes the “better man” won. He shared these insights after meeting Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday. “Just 17 months, how much can he do?” Okupe questioned, urging Nigerians to give Tinubu’s administration more time to fully implement…