Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A former Head of the Department of General Studies at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Dr. Lucky Aikabeli, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the 2025 World Poetry Day Lecture organized by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Ogun State Chapter. According to a statement by ANA Ogun Chairman, Dr. Chris Omotosho, the lecture will take place on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the University of Ibadan Centre for Degree Programme, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, starting at 10 a.m. Dr. Aikabeli, a publishing consultant, poet, and prolific writer, will speak on the theme: “Poetry as a Bridge for…

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salisu, has urged Nigerian youths to embrace digitalisation for career advancement Salisu made the call while receiving the Leadership Award of Excellence in Digital Transformation and Cyber Security on behalf of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, at the 2025 Cyber Security Workshop held at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo. He stressed that digitalisation, which represents the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is crucial for individuals, businesses, and government agencies seeking growth. He added that Governor Abiodun’s technology-driven policies have improved service delivery in Ogun State. “The Ogun State government will continue…

Former Minister of Communications, Dr. Adebayo Shittu, has condemned the backlash against Nigerians who express dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stressing that free speech is essential to democracy. Shittu’s remarks follow the controversy surrounding a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye (also known as Raye), who faced alleged threats from NYSC officials after her viral video criticizing the government. While many Nigerians have shown solidarity with the corps member, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has called for the highest form of disciplinary action—expulsion from the NYSC. Speaking on…

A former President of the Nigeria and African Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, warning that the decision could have dire economic and political consequences for the nation. In a statement on Tuesday, Ogundipe described the declaration as a “disservice” to the country, arguing that the crisis in Rivers State should have been resolved politically rather than through emergency rule. He questioned the advice that led to Tinubu’s decision, warning that it could plunge the country into further instability. “Mr. President, should we not count…

The Psalmist calls the attention of those who identify as believers to the fundamentals of true worship and acceptable service unto God. Psalm 24:3 enunciates the parameters of acceptable worship, of the almighty. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully…”_ In Nigeria, religious pretentiousness displayed as true piety, has, to a large degree, replaced true godliness. Book of Isaiah chapter 58, unequivocally denounces religious observations that do not measure…

President Bola Tinubu consulted the National Assembly before declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, the House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, has said. On Tuesday, Tinubu announced the emergency rule following the political crisis in the state. He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State Assembly. The president appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s administrator. In a statement, Rotimi said the president met with key lawmakers before making the decision. Those present included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, among others. Security chiefs,…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his family were reportedly held hostage at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday night by heavily armed soldiers following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The development came shortly after Tinubu invoked Section 180 of the Nigerian Constitution to justify his decision, citing the ongoing political turmoil in the state. The crisis, largely fueled by a bitter power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, escalated last week when pro-Wike lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor. Sources within the Rivers State Government hinted that troops moved…

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state  has dismissed two of his aides over alleged gross misconduct. This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Grace Umezurike, on Tuesday. According to the statement, the affected aides are Felix Okemini (Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security– Ebonyi North Senatorial District) and Mr Nnanna Nwangele (Special Assistant to the Governor on Airport Security). The governor directed the affected officers to hand over all government properties in their possession to the SSG by the close of work on Tuesday. “The officers should henceforth not be seen…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has convened an emergency meeting at its headquarters in Abuja following a controversial move by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to revoke the land rights of the party’s national secretariat. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the FCT minister informed the PDP that the Right of Occupancy for the party’s national secretariat, located at Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja, had been revoked. Wike’s decision cited the party’s failure to pay its annual ground rents for the last two decades, covering…

Daud Olatunji Six Christian pilgrims from Sagamu, Ogun State, have reportedly fled a camp in Nazareth, Jerusalem, during their Christian holy pilgrimage, sending shockwaves through the Nigerian delegation. According to PLATFORM TIMES, the incident occurred on Monday night when the six pilgrims, including five males and one female, escaped the camp by sneaking through a window. A source, who spoke to PLATFORM TIMES on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, revealed that the pilgrims were part of a larger Nigerian contingent. They had been in Jerusalem for the pilgrimage but had fled to another…