Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Nigeria’s economy recorded a year-on-year growth of 3.13 percent in the first quarter of 2025, driven largely by the services and non-oil sectors, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced on Monday. The latest figures, which follow a long-anticipated rebasing of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with 2019 as the new base year, show an improvement from the 2.27 percent growth recorded in the same quarter of 2024. According to the report, the services sector led the economic expansion with a 4.33 percent growth, contributing 57.50 percent to the total GDP during the period under review. NBS said the…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a “bad market” and insisting that no patriotic Nigerian would support his re-election bid in 2027. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said Tinubu’s administration had failed on all fronts and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of governing for self-interest. “With all the failures of the government of President Bola Tinubu, I can tell you that no patriotic Nigerian, group, or political party will support Tinubu in 2027. Tinubu is a bad market and…

Former Vice-Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Monday made a bold move to reconcile the party’s feuding factions, declaring his loyalty to the Julius Abure-led leadership while calling for unity and ideological discipline within the party. Baba-Ahmed attended a crucial National Executive Council (NEC) meeting convened by Abure’s faction in Abuja amid the party’s worsening leadership crisis. The LP is currently split between the Abure-led group and another faction led by former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman, who claims to be the interim national chairman. Speaking at the meeting, Baba-Ahmed described the LP as a…

Daud  Olatunji  Muhammed Babangida, son of Nigeria’s former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd), has officially accepted his appointment as the chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), describing earlier reports of his rejection as false and malicious. President Bola Tinubu had, on July 18, appointed Babangida to head the apex agricultural finance institution, in what was described as a strategic move to reposition the bank for improved performance. However, shortly after the announcement, a wave of reports emerged across several platforms alleging that Babangida had declined the offer — claims he has now firmly denied. In a statement…

PWDSpotlight, a media platform dedicated to amplifying the stories, innovations, and leadership of persons with disabilities, is set to host a powerful three-day webinar series that will bring together influential journalists and experts to explore how media can become a more inclusive space for persons with disabilities. The series will spotlight underreprqesented voices, challenge industry norms, and champion authentic storytelling from a lived disability perspective. Day 1: “Inclusive Journalism & Representation” Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Facilitators: Blessing Oladunjoye and Tomisin Adeyefa. The opening session will focus on how journalists and storytellers with disabilities are reshaping mainstream narratives. With a strong…

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has demoted a senior court registrar, Adamu Salisu, for forging official signatures and impersonating a commissioner for oaths, in a move aimed at sanitising the state judiciary. The disciplinary action followed findings from the commission’s 84th meeting held on Friday, where Salisu was found guilty of gross misconduct, including the forgery of a bailiff’s signature and unauthorized signing of affidavits. According to a statement issued by the commission, Salisu, who served as the registrar in charge of High Court No. 13, admitted to the offences and was subsequently demoted from Grade Level 13…

The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerian visa applicants, declaring a lifetime ban for those who submit false information or forged documents during their visa application process. In a statement released on Monday, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said the administration of President Donald Trump has intensified its crackdown on visa fraud, emphasizing zero tolerance for immigration-related deceit. “Any Nigerian who engages in visa fraud by submitting fake documents or misleading information will be banned for life from entering the United States,” the statement read. “We will also pursue criminal charges against those who facilitate illegal…

An Abuja Federal High Court has granted bail to two promoters of the collapsed Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim, amid ongoing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N1 billion cryptocurrency investment scam. Justice Mohammed Umar, on Friday, admitted both defendants to bail in the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties, according to the court, must own verifiable properties within the court’s jurisdiction. The matter was adjourned until October 13 for commencement of trial. Otorudo and Ehirim are standing trial on a three-count charge…

A 41-year-old woman, Benita Lurk Ikuenobe, was found dead in a suspected case of suicide inside the auditorium of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Prayer City, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  security analyst, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this, saying,   the incident occurred on Friday morning, July 18, 2025 and was brought to attention by the Chief Security Officer of the church, Esiere Ekikere. The tragic incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday, July 18, 2025, sending shockwaves through the church community and beyond. According to the Chief Security…

The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Tosin Ajayi, has ordered the release of 12 Nigerians held in wrongful detention and approved multimillion-naira compensation packages for the victims. Among the beneficiaries is Abdulyakini Salisu, a quarry operator who was arrested in 2022 along the Zuba–Kaduna expressway over mistaken identity. Salisu, who was wrongly linked to a kidnapping suspect, was exonerated after a fresh review of his case. Salisu was released on Saturday and awarded N10 million, a formal apology, and lifetime medical care in DSS health facilities. “This is just the beginning of what he may…