Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, has revealed that he rejected offers totaling nearly N500 million during his mother’s burial in 2019, resisting what could have been a major ethical scandal. Olukoyede made this disclosure on Thursday at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja, where he underscored the importance of integrity in leadership. The event, themed “Ethics, Integrity, Corruption Risk Assessments, and Anti-Corruption at National and Sub-National levels: Sustaining the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria”, was organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre, the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission,…

In a dramatic courtroom scene on Thursday, M.K. Tijjani, the legal representative of dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Ari Hudu, was sentenced to prison for contempt of court by Justice Benjamin Manji of the Adamawa State High Court. The sentencing follows a series of contentious incidents during the trial of Ari Hudu, who is facing legal scrutiny over his disputed declaration of Aishatu Binani as the winner of the 2023 Adamawa governorship election. The decision, initially made by Hudu, was later overturned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party as the…

Daud Olatunji  The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Oyo State Government for launching the Public Primary School Pupils Health Insurance Scheme, describing it as a crucial step toward achieving universal health coverage for children. The initiative, which was officially flagged off in Ibadan on Thursday, aims to provide quality healthcare services to indigent pupils across the state. The Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, praised the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is denied medical care due to financial constraints. The initiative, which initially covers 90 schools across 18 local government areas, is…

In a bid to rectify disparities in the current electricity billing system and stimulate investment in the power sector, the Federal Government has announced plans to overhaul electricity tariffs, particularly targeting Band B and C customers. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this during the ongoing public presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan in Abuja on Thursday. Adelabu emphasized the need for a more equitable pricing system, citing the significant gap between tariff rates for different customer bands. Currently, customers in Band B, benefiting from 17 to 18 hours of electricity supply, pay…

The embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has presided over plenary with four other members at the chamber. The plenary was conducted after the doors to the chamber were forced open by security personnel. As at 3.pm, the plenary commenced and was still on-going till about 3.30 pm. Meanwhile, over 26 other members of the assembly were around but refused to enter the chamber in apparent loyalty and support to the substantive Speaker, Mojisola Meranda. Obasa had earlier, reportedly, announced his return as Speaker, arguing that while impeachment is a constitutional and democratic process,…

Daud Olatunji The Labour Party has confirmed ongoing discussions with 36 lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly who are reportedly considering defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the crisis that erupted over the forceful return of ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the lawmakers, who have reaffirmed their loyalty to Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, are said to be aggrieved by Obasa’s controversial re-entry into the Assembly complex, allegedly backed by thugs and armed security personnel. According to reports, the legislators’ decision to explore defection was fueled by concerns over the manner in which…

Renowned Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Ibraheem Dende Egungbohun (IBD), has called upon government authorities to prioritize vocational and technical education to better equip Nigerian youths for global industrial challenges. Speaking to journalists following his recognition with the Fellowship Award from Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa, Alhaji Egungbohun emphasized the critical role of technical education in addressing youth unemployment and fostering self-reliance. “Vocational and technical education provides essential entrepreneurial skills that empower youths to stand on their own feet,” Alhaji Egungbohun stated, stressing the necessity for government incentives to make these educational pathways more attractive to young Nigerians.…

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced that engineering work on Nigeria’s first locally-made helicopter is nearing completion, with plans for its maiden test flight set to take place soon. The Project Manager of NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute in Kaduna, Kareem Aduagba, disclosed this during a Focus Group Engagement held on Tuesday. The event, attended by inventors, manufacturers, and key industry stakeholders, aimed to promote local manufacturing and innovation. Aduagba explained that the agency was leveraging scientific and engineering expertise to develop the helicopter alongside Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). He noted that while…

The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has announced that Friday, February 28, 2025, will mark the commencement of the search for the new Moon of Ramadan 1446AH. In a statement issued by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Muslims are called upon to actively search for the new moon on Friday evening. Any sightings should be reported promptly to local District or Village Heads, who will relay the information to Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. This process is crucial for…

Chairman, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, says organised foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities and recruiting youths into serious organised cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency fraud. EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. He explained that Olukoyede said this while receiving participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) on Wednesday in Abuja. He said the institute’s Director of Studies, Hyginus Ngele, led the team to the commission. Olukoyede expressed surprise at how bandits and insurgents were able to…