Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Lafarge Africa Plc has rolled out the 2025 edition of its flagship female empowerment programme, BuildHer by Lafarge, aimed at training women in tiling and block-laying, two professions traditionally dominated by men. The initiative, which kicked off in Lagos, Ogun, and Cross River states, will equip 100 women from low-income communities with technical, entrepreneurial, and financial literacy skills over an intensive eight-week period. Speaking at the launch, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said the programme underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable female empowerment and poverty reduction. “With our female tilers and block-laying training programme,…

Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the reported use of ₦600 million in public funds to sponsor the wives of 21 local government chairmen in Adamawa State on a trip to Turkey. Obi described the expenditure, said to be packaged as a “leadership training,” as a reckless waste of scarce resources at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with poverty and children are out of school. In a statement on Saturday, the former governor said the decision amounted to “a mockery of the very essence of governance.” “While our children…

The Nigerian Naira has been ranked the ninth weakest currency in Africa, according to the latest September 2025 report by Forbes Currency Calculator, raising fresh concerns about the state of the economy despite recent gains in inflation control. Forbes, which updates exchange rates every five minutes using data from the Open Exchange Rates API, placed the Naira at ₦1,490 to a dollar, ranking behind currencies such as the São Tomé & Príncipe Dobra (22,282/$1), Sierra Leonean Leone (20,970/$1), and Guinean Franc (8,680/$1). Others ahead of Nigeria include the Ugandan Shilling (3,503/$1), Burundian Franc (2,968/$1), Congolese Franc (2,811/$1), Tanzanian Shilling (2,465/$1),…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has raised fresh concerns over the activities of informants aiding terrorists and bandits across northern Nigeria, describing them as “worse than the insurgents themselves.” Speaking in Birnin Kebbi during a visit to traditional rulers and community leaders, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Tukur Ismail Gusau, lamented that the menace of informants was undermining ongoing military operations. “They are everywhere and in every place. Informants are the major impediments to our efforts in defeating terrorism and banditry,” Gusau said, stressing that the military’s success largely depends on the cooperation of citizens. According to him,…

The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Saturday, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. The monarch, who had been in the South-West since Thursday for the coronation of former Oyo State Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, visited the Adetona royal household to commiserate with the family of the revered traditional ruler. The Sultan, accompanied by the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji…

Former Ogun State governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has raised alarm over the deplorable state of roads in Ijebu North East Local Government, urging the state government to urgently intervene to save residents and businesses from further hardship. Speaking at the Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour of the BATOGD Movement in Ijebu North East, Daniel lamented that many of the roads have been abandoned for decades despite their importance to the socio-economic life of the people. “The condition of our road infrastructure is dire, and rehabilitation can no longer be delayed. We therefore implore the…

When the story of modern grassroots transformation in Ondo North is told, one name will likely echo across communities — Engr. Michael Abayomi Adeyanju. At 55, Adeyanju is not marking his new chapter with quiet celebrations but with bold political action. Born in Eriti Akoko, Akoko Northwest Local Government Area, he has steadily built a reputation as a disruptor in Ondo politics, earning recognition as a man who turns progressive ideals into tangible impact. Far from the stereotype of a career politician, Adeyanju wears many hats — a business mogul, philanthropist, community mobiliser, and a staunch believer in the All…

…Influencer Admits Stunt Was For Social Media Engagement …Ogun Monarch Demands Arrest Of Mandy Kiss …Influencer Begs Nigerians Not To Arrest Or Jail Her Daud Olatunji The controversy surrounding social media influencer, Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, popularly known as Mandy Kiss, deepened on Friday after she released an emotional video renouncing her earlier claim of attempting a Guinness World Record (GWR) for sleeping with 100 men in 24 hours. In a one-minute, eight-second clip obtained by PLATFORM TIMES, the self-styled “President of Olosho” pleaded with Nigerians to forgive her, insisting that her viral flier was nothing more than a publicity stunt to…

The Federal Government on Friday justified the $220 million fine slammed on Meta Platforms Inc., operators of Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media services, saying the sanction was necessary to safeguard the data of Nigerians and enforce compliance with national laws. The National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, made this known in Abuja at the Training for DevsInGovernment workshop themed: “Innovating with Privacy: Building Trust in Government Digital Services.” Olatunji stressed that the investigation into Meta’s activities was not meant to witch-hunt the U.S.-based technology giant but to ensure that it operates within…

An Abuja High Court has declined a request by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of five retired senior police officers accused of forgery and age falsification. Justice Halilu Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, ruling on Thursday, held that the prosecution must first ensure personal service of the criminal charges on the defendants before seeking their arrest. The defendants, who were absent in court, are facing a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and falsification of official records to allegedly extend their years of service in the Nigeria…