Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has renewed calls for polytechnics in Nigeria to award bachelor’s degrees, saying the move will eliminate the long-standing discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in the country. The Executive Secretary of NBTE, Idris Bugaje, stated that the perception of university degrees as superior to HNDs has stunted the career growth of polytechnic graduates for years. A bill seeking to empower polytechnics to confer bachelor’s degrees passed the second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, marking a crucial step towards ending the divide between university and polytechnic education. In an interview…

Abdurrahman Ahmad, national missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society (ADS), has urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to leverage Islamic financial principles to address economic challenges. He stated this at the 30th annual Ramadan lecture and special prayer for the nation on Saturday in Abuja. The theme of the event is: “Ramadan: Sustaining Islamic Tenets in the Face of Current Economic Realities.” Mr Ahmad said leveraging Islamic principles to address the current nation’s economic challenges could be achieved through synergy between governments and faith-based organisations. “If we are to say the current economic realities, things are hard. There is hunger, inflation, insecurity,…

In a shocking act of betrayal, an altar servant of a Catholic Church in Adamawa State has been accused of masterminding the abduction of two priests and demanding a ransom of N10 million before they were eventually rescued. The two clerics, identified as Rev. Fathers Matthew David Dusami and Abraham Samman, were kidnapped on February 22 from their residence at a convent in Gweda Mallam, Numan Local Government Area. Their ordeal took a dramatic turn when security operatives traced their location to the house of Taledo Demiel, a trusted church worker who allegedly orchestrated the crime. Security sources revealed that…

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has taken a decisive step to curb noise pollution in public spaces by banning loud preaching in markets and imposing a fine of N500,000 on offenders. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the move, which has sparked mixed reactions across the state, is part of the governor’s broader effort to restore order and ensure a more business-friendly environment. In a viral video that surfaced online on Saturday, Soludo was seen confronting a street preacher at a popular market, believed to be Onitsha’s Ochanja Market, ordering him to halt his activities immediately. “This is a marketplace, not…

A group of opposition senators has pledged to challenge the suspension of Kogi Central lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as they visited her residence on Friday to show solidarity and explore possible resolutions. The delegation, led by former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, assured Akpoti-Uduaghan of their commitment to addressing what they described as an unjust political decision. Dickson, notably a member of the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee—the same committee that recommended her suspension—stated that he was absent during the plenary session where the decision was made due to engagements on tax reform bills. “As humans,…

Daud Olatunji The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has joined the global commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025, calling for accelerated action to close gender gaps and promote inclusivity. A statement issued by Public Relations Officer, Lagos NIPR, Samuel Adeyemi stated that the event is  themed  “Accelerate Action”, emphasising the urgency of addressing gender inequality and ensuring that women and girls are empowered to drive meaningful change. According to the statement,while speaking on the significance of the occasion, the Chairman of Lagos NIPR, Mrs. Comfort Obot Nwankwo, emphasized the critical role of public relations…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed six Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for federal government-owned hospitals in Akure, Gombe, Azare, Lafiya, Maiduguri and Kafanchan. Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesman, in a statement on Friday, said the newly appointed CMDs and their hospitals are: Olusegun Ojo, CMD, Federal Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo state, who previously served as pioneer CMD of Ondo State Specialist Hospital. “Prof. Yusuf Abdullahi has been reappointed as the CMD of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, following an outstanding performance during his first term. “His reappointment underscores his exceptional leadership and contributions to the hospital’s growth. “Dr Dauda Katagum, the…

There was drama at All Saints’ Church (Anointed Land), Opopogboro, Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, March 2, as aggrieved worshippers refused to participate in the service, demanding the removal of their vicar, Ven. Oke Olanrewaju, over allegations of poor leadership. The worshippers, protesting within the church premises, carried placards with inscriptions such as “No to autocracy, we say no to dictators,” and “Ven. Oke Olanrewaju must go.” They accused the vicar of high-handedness, election interference, and misconduct, insisting that he should be transferred. The Parish Council Committee (PCC) Secretary, Mr. Adeboyega Falowo, said the congregation was dissatisfied with Olanrewaju’s leadership, citing…

Bayero University Kano (BUK) has taken a decisive step against academic misconduct, expelling 62 students and rusticating 17 others following the university senate’s recent decision. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the disciplinary action was presented during the 421st senate meeting held on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025. According to the university’s weekly bulletin released on Friday, the affected students faced allegations of examination malpractice. PLATFORM TIMES reports that out of the total, 17 students were rusticated, while 5 were cleared of any wrongdoing. Additionally, 29 students received warnings, and the cases of three others were deferred pending further investigation. The statement read…

In a bid to enhance connectivity and boost agricultural trade, the Ogun State government has embarked on a substantial infrastructure development initiative. Contracts totaling 209.7 kilometers have been awarded for the construction and upgrading of rural roads spanning the state’s nine federal constituencies. Under the auspices of the Ogun State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (OG-RAAMP), the initiative also includes the remodeling of three pivotal markets across the state’s senatorial districts: Ogun Central, Ogun East, and Ogun West. The selected road projects include the upgrading of key routes such as Olugbo-Oluga-Sipe-Ogbagba in Ogun Central, Isamuro-Okenugbo in Ago-Iwoye area of…