Author: Platform Times Newspaper

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated WEMA Bank on its 80th anniversary, commending the institution for its resilience, innovation, and contributions to Nigeria’s economic development. In a statement issued on Thursday, the President described WEMA Bank as Nigeria’s oldest surviving indigenous bank and lauded its transformation from a regional lender to a key player in the national banking sector. “Over the last eight decades, the bank has focused on the vision of its founding fathers to support Nigerian businesses across all the key economic sectors with strategic business advisory and financial support, which are vital for sustainable growth,” Tinubu said. Founded…

Gunmen on Wednesday night invaded Ilara, a town in the Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, killing two people and abducting a popular businessman identified as Ade Bendel. The incident, which occurred around 11pm, threw the quiet border community into panic as the assailants reportedly shot sporadically during the attack. Confirming the incident on Thursday, the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Mutiu Adedimeji, said the kidnappers fled through a bush path into the Republic of Benin, abandoning the victim’s vehicle at Sabe, a neighbouring town across the border. “Yes, the incident happened. They abducted Ade Bendel yesterday (Wednesday)…

Not less than 18 cows have died after reportedly grazing on a fumigated farmland in Vwei community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident occurred around noon on Wednesday, when the cattle, belonging to a herder identified as Dan’azumi Haruna, strayed onto the treated farmland, sources said.. According to a security analyst, Zagazola Makama, seven of the cows were later slaughtered due to contamination from chemicals used on the farmland, while 11 died instantly at the scene. Fifteen other cattle affected by the chemical exposure are said to be receiving veterinary care. At the time of filing this…

The Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has ordered an immediate suspension of media coverage of all activities of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the state, following the alleged assault of a journalist, during the 2025 May Day celebration in Abeokuta. The journalist, identified as Olajide Osoba, a member of the Union, was reportedly attacked by individuals believed to be members of NANS at the June 12 Cultural Center, Kuto — the venue of the event. In a statement e-signed by the Council’s Secretary, Bunmi Adigun, and made available to PLATFORM TIMES, the…

President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged that the economic hardship currently plaguing Nigeria—including hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and the rising cost of living—is both real and critical, assuring citizens of his administration’s commitment to finding lasting solutions. Speaking on Thursday during the national May Day celebration at Eagle Square, Abuja, Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, said the challenges Nigerians face are dire and must be tackled head-on. “I am aware of the peculiarities of the economic hardship Nigerians face—rising living costs, hunger, insecurity, unemployment, and the loss of livelihoods,” Tinubu stated. “These challenges are real…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has traced funds linked to the failed CBEX cryptocurrency investment scheme to at least four countries, raising concerns that full restitution to victims may be unattainable. EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday. He revealed that the commission had frozen several accounts tied to the scheme and recovered a significant—but undisclosed—sum of money. “We have been able to block some accounts. We have been able to freeze some funds, which I will not be able to give you a figure, but some reasonable amount of…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disowned a fraudulent bank account allegedly being used to extort money from candidates who missed the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), warning that scammers are demanding N15,700 for fake rescheduling services. In a statement released on Thursday, JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, identified the fraudulent account as a Sterling Bank account with the number 8520641017 and the name “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw”. He described the scheme as a criminal attempt to defraud unsuspecting candidates. “We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced an investigation into a staggering N71.2 billion discrepancy in the disbursement of funds under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The commission’s Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Demola Bakare, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, noting that preliminary findings uncovered major irregularities in the financial records of the student loan scheme. According to Bakare, while the Federal Government reportedly released N100 billion for the implementation of the students loan initiative, only N28.8 billion was confirmed to have reached student beneficiaries, raising concerns over the…

The League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State, on Thursday, inaugurated the Council of Muslim Titled Chiefs (COMTIC), aimed  towards unifying the Muslim Ummah in the state and strengthening Islamic leadership. The historic event took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, and was graced by prominent Islamic scholars, leaders, and traditional Muslim titleholders. Among those in attendance were the President General of the League, Shaykh Sikirullahi Babalola; the Grand Chief Imam of Egbaland, Shaykh Saadallahi Bangbola; the Grand Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Shaykh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo; and the Grand Chief Imam of Remoland, Shaykh Abdul Qadri Jinadu. The Baba Adeen…

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has warned that the growing public discontent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration could ignite a mass protest movement reminiscent of the 2020 #EndSARS uprising, unless urgent reforms are implemented. Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM Ilese-Ijebu, on Thursday, May 1, 2025, Sowore said the popular #TinubuMustGo campaign could snowball into a nationwide revolt if the administration continues on its current trajectory of failure across critical sectors. “This administration is heading into its second year, and it is a second…