Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled an ambitious plan to integrate at least half of Nigeria’s estimated five million out-of-school nomadic children into the formal education system within the next two years. Director of Basic Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folake Olatunji-David, disclosed this during a virtual media briefing in Abuja, describing the initiative as a decisive step to tackle one of Nigeria’s most pressing education crises. According to her, the plan targets the enrollment of 20 per cent of nomadic children by 2026, while an additional 30 per cent are expected to be absorbed into the system…

The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended its immediate past Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, over an alleged plot to impeach Governor Hyacinth Alia. The decision followed a motion raised by Terna Shimawua, representing Kyan State Constituency, during plenary. Shimawua was among the lawmakers suspended last week by Dajoh when he still held sway as Speaker. Ruling on the motion, the new Speaker, Alfred Berger, who represents Makurdi North, reduced Dajoh’s suspension from the six months initially proposed to three months. The Assembly also confirmed the appointment of Timothy Yangien Ornguga as Commissioner, a nomination earlier rejected by Dajoh before…

Stakeholders from the six states of the Southwest on Tuesday converged on Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, for a three-day multi-sectoral emergency preparedness workshop aimed at addressing recurring disasters, including flooding and cholera outbreaks, that continue to plague the region. The workshop, convened by the Oyo State Government in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), brought together representatives from state governments, emergency agencies, and development partners to chart strategies for strengthening regional response to disasters. In his presentation, UNICEF Emergency Specialist, Olayinka Afolabi, traced the recurrent flooding and cholera outbreaks in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun states to poor sanitation…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered a criminal syndicate involving officials of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, who allegedly planted illicit drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia. The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, saying the syndicate’s activities led to the arrest and detention of three innocent Nigerians in Jeddah after performing the lesser hajj. According to Babafemi, six suspects have so far been arrested, with four already charged in court, including a 55-year-old drug…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has raised fresh concerns over voter apathy, revealing that no fewer than 360,794 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected across the state. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, who spoke through the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Musa Olurode, described the situation as worrisome, warning that the huge backlog could have dire implications on voter turnout in future elections. Agboke urged eligible voters yet to collect their PVCs to use the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as an opportunity to retrieve their cards. “We are appealing to all eligible voters…

The Ogun West Assembly for Tinubu (OWAT) has declared its total support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, promising to mobilise at least 250,000 votes for him in the zone. OWAT, an umbrella body of political leaders and stakeholders from the Ogun West Senatorial District, said Tinubu had laid a sustainable foundation for national development through “bold reforms and strategic leadership” in the last 27 months. The group, in an advertorial published in national dailies at the weekend, argued that the President had rescued the country from the brink of collapse. According to OWAT, Tinubu inherited “a…

The Onilisa of Lisa, Oba Oladele Najeem Ayinla Odugbemi, has renewed his appeal to the Federal and Ogun State Governments to urgently rehabilitate the Bellview Airline Memorial Arcade and its access road, nearly two decades after the tragic 2005 plane crash that claimed 117 lives. The monarch made the call during an interdenominational prayer session held at the crash site in Lisa Town, Ifo Local Government Area, as part of activities marking this year’s Isese Day. Oba Odugbemi expressed dismay that the memorial arcade, once a symbol of national grief and remembrance, had been left to rot. He noted that…

A property owner in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has petitioned Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged threats to his life, environmental degradation, and forceful occupation of his building frontage by street traders and commercial motorcyclists. The petition, written on behalf of Mr. Adeyanju Boladale Emmanuel of Kemta Olokuta Junction, Abeokuta, by Folaiyanu Nigeria Enterprises, accused street traders and okada riders of turning his property into a hub of indiscriminate trading, open defecation, and noise pollution. According to the petition dated December 2022 but reinforced with fresh complaints, the traders and riders allegedly pour refuse into the house’s gutter, defecate and urinate by…

At least seven people, including children, have been killed while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a late-night terrorist attack on Angwan Rimi community in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The attack, which occurred on Sunday night and spilled into the early hours of Monday, came barely weeks after the Kaduna State government signed a peace pact with bandit leaders under its “Kaduna Model” peace initiative. Community leaders said the assailants, described as heavily armed Fulani marauders, invaded the area and unleashed terror on residents. Mr. Iliya Tata, Public Relations Officer 1 of the…

Tragedy struck in Abuja on Sunday when the foundation of a building under excavation at the Radio House complex in Area 8, Garki, caved in, killing a 25-year-old man. The Federal Fire Service (FFS), in a statement on Monday, confirmed the incident, saying its rescue team from the National Headquarters promptly responded to a distress call and recovered the victim’s body from the rubble before handing it over to his family. National Public Relations Officer of the FFS, Deputy Controller of Fire, PO Abraham, expressed the Service’s condolences to the bereaved family and warned developers against cutting corners in construction…