Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria has taken a pivotal step towards enhancing energy access across underserved communities, signing a multi-stakeholder Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with government agencies and Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs). The historic agreement, aimed at transforming the clean energy landscape, was formalized in Abuja, marking a critical phase in Nigeria’s sustainable energy drive. In a bid to expand renewable energy solutions to unserved, underserved, and peri-urban areas, the REA partnered with four government entities: the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), National Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and the National Agricultural Development…

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised alarm over persistent power outages across northern Nigeria, attributing the crisis to what it describes as a “conspiracy” to undermine the region’s economic stability. In a recent statement, ACF alleged that the Federal Government’s failure to restore electricity could be a deliberate strategy to stifle northern economic growth. Issued by the Forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the statement called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the power crisis, which has caused significant disruption to both economic and social activities in the region. “For over a week, the…

The Nigeria Police Force on Monday arraigned dismissed Inspector Joseph Ozonwanji of the Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugu, at a Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly murdering popular Igbo ogene musician, Okezie Mba, widely known as Igbo-Jah. The incident, which took place over the weekend, has sparked significant public outrage. Ozonwanji’s arraignment came after an orderly room trial and his subsequent dismissal, both approved by Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 13, AIG Godwin Aghaulor. The charge sheet, marked CME/614/2024, alleges that Ozonwanji unlawfully killed the musician by shooting him with an AK-47 rifle on October 25, 2024. The charges fall under…

Amid skyrocketing fuel prices, petrol marketers across Nigeria have reported a sharp decline in patronage, leaving filling stations desolate and significantly impacting operations. With the price of petrol now above ₦1,000 per litre in most regions, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) are calling on the federal government to provide critical financial intervention to help the industry stay afloat. During an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, painted a grim picture of the sector’s current challenges. “We used to…

The Governors of Nigeria’s 19 Northern states convened on Monday in Kaduna with key traditional rulers from the region. The meeting, hosted at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, was led by the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya. It aimed to confront critical issues plaguing the Northern region, including rising insecurity, poverty, high numbers of out-of-school children, and persistent power outages. The high-level gathering saw the attendance of governors from states such as Kaduna, Gombe, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Borno, Bauchi, Kwara, and Adamawa. Deputy governors represented other…

 A dispatch rider, Monday Osazuwa, has alleged before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, directed him not to maintain any records of substantial funds collected on Emefiele’s behalf. Osazuwa, the first prosecution witness in Emefiele’s ongoing trial, made the statement on Monday as he took the witness stand again following an application granted by Justice Rahman Oshodi for his recall. Emefiele is facing charges of abuse of office and money laundering involving $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion, an amount alleged to have been embezzled during his tenure at the…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has signed a landmark agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group to strengthen naira . This partnership is expected to significantly boost local currency financing and reduce exposure to foreign exchange risks for Nigerian businesses. According to a joint statement from the CBN and IFC, the agreement aims to support Nigerian businesses across various critical sectors, including agriculture, housing, infrastructure, energy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the creative industry. The initiative will enable IFC to manage currency risks effectively and deepen its financial commitments within Nigeria,…

Daud Olatunji Twelve schools across Ogun State have been selected to receive capital projects worth a total of N6 billion under the 2024 federal budget, with each school set to receive a new block of classrooms valued at N500 million. PLATFORM TIMES reports that data obtained from Tracka, titled “Tracking 2024 FG Consolidated Capital Projects in Ogun,” aims to enhance educational infrastructure across several key regions in the state, including Abeokuta, Ijebu, Odogbolu, and Sagamu. The selected schools include prominent institutions such as St. Peter’s College (Junior) in Olomore, Abeokuta Grammar School (Junior) in Idi-Aba, and Methodist High School (Junior)…

The Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions has praised the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for its efforts in managing the liquidation of Heritage Bank and increasing deposit insurance coverage, steps seen as crucial for strengthening Nigeria’s financial safety net. This commendation was given on Saturday by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, Chairman of the committee, during the Stakeholders Retreat of the Senate Committee, held in Lagos. The event, themed “Building Resilient Financial Systems through Effective Legislative Interventions,” focused on discussing NDIC’s role in stabilizing the financial sector amid emerging economic challenges. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)…

Fawaz Adebisi Reporters of Platform Times, Fawaz Adebisi and Ayomide Awe shone on Thursday, at the 32nd Anniversary of the Press Club of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, PCM. During the event, the reporters received prestigious awards for their hard work and contributions to the club. While Adebisi received the Campus Journalist of the year award, Awe received the Rookie Reporter award of the year. Gracing the event as panelists and special guests, in attendance were the Editor and publisher of Platform Times, Daud Olatunji, Public Relations practitioner and freelance journalist, Nurudeen Salako, Senior Correspondent at Punch And investigative journalist, Sodiq…