Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A new consumer outlook report has revealed that Nigerians now spend over half of their monthly income on food, as rising living costs continue to squeeze household budgets across the country. The report, released by Lagos-based marketing communications firm SEID, stated that 50.1 per cent of Nigerians’ earnings are allocated to food expenses. It also found that 18.5 per cent of households have adopted solar energy solutions to cope with increasing electricity costs. The findings were contained in SEID’s inaugural Nigerian Consumer Outlook Report 2025 (NCOR 2025), which surveyed more than 7,000 Nigerians across the country’s six geo-political zones. Speaking…

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has tasked the judiciary with ensuring that electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are held accountable for the 112 electricity-related deaths and 95 injuries recorded so far in 2024. Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 2025 National Seminar on Regulations in the Electricity Power Sector for Judicial Officers in Abuja, Kekere-Ekun described the situation as unacceptable, warning that negligence in the power sector must no longer go unpunished. The seminar was organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI). It had as its theme:…

The Federal Government’s fiscal woes deepened further in January 2025, as debt servicing obligations outstripped retained revenue by a staggering margin, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The CBN’s January 2025 Monthly Economic Report revealed that the government spent N696.27bn on debt servicing during the month, compared to a total retained revenue of N483.47bn. This means debt service alone consumed approximately 144 per cent of the government’s earnings, painting a grim picture of Nigeria’s worsening public finance crisis. Despite slight gains in some revenue categories, the government’s earnings were grossly insufficient to cover debt obligations,…

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that his recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) marks the beginning of a major political revolution aimed at dismantling godfatherism and rescuing Nigeria from deepening existential threats. Speaking with journalists in Kano on Monday, El-Rufai said he abandoned the APC to join forces with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which he described as the only credible platform free from the internal dysfunction and power-brokering that have crippled Nigeria’s dominant parties. According to him, the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have both been “destroyed by godfathers,” leaving Nigerians desperate…

Balqees Adeniji A cyclist lost his life on Monday after colliding with a moving truck at Alausa Bus Stop, near the ‘Radio’ area by Kudirat Abiola Way, along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos State. The incident, which caused heavy traffic congestion in the area, was confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Mr Adebayo Taofiq. According to the statement, the cyclist was reportedly attempting to manoeuvre from Kudirat Abiola Way towards the ‘Radio’ junction when he collided with a truck bearing registration number BDG…

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo, Abuja, has dismissed an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, seeking to recover an estate seized by the Federal Government. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, on December 2, 2024, secured the final forfeiture of the property located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, covering 150,500 square metres and comprising 753 duplexes. Although the estate was initially linked to a company that later disclaimed ownership, Emefiele, through his lawyer, A.M. Kotoye, applied to be recognised as an interested party, asking…

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in partnership with Wardiere Oakmount Development — a real estate firm based in Houston, Texas and Abuja — has launched an initiative to empower 4,000 farmers in the Federal Capital Territory. Tagged Operation Feed the Nation, the scheme will provide registered farmers in Kuje, Abuja, with seedlings and farmland to cultivate cashew, cocoa, maize, Malaysian palm trees, rice, millet, yam, and beans, among other crops. A statement signed by the Chairman of Wardiere Oakmount, Kunle Ilori, and made available to journalists on Friday, said the collaboration is aimed at supporting President Bola…

The Balogun of Iddo, Chief Ayodele Koleade, has assured that the vacant Agura of Gbagura stool will be filled within the next one month, putting an end to nearly two years of vacancy following the demise of the late monarch. Chief Koleade gave the assurance on Sunday during a meeting of the Gbagura Youth Development Council (GYDC) held at Oba Agura Square, Oke-Iddo, Abeokuta. He disclosed that all arrangements and processes towards the emergence of a new king from the Jiboso Ruling House would be completed before the end of May 2025, paving the way for the crowning of a…

The Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, has decried the spate of violence, banditry, and kidnappings in Kaduna and Plateau states, revealing that the Church has so far spent over N300 million on ransom payments. General Secretary of ECWA, Rev. Ayuba Asheshe, made the disclosure during a press conference held on Sunday in Jos, Plateau State. Asheshe said the persistent attacks had left the Church and its members devastated, noting that more than 50 members of the congregation were still in captivity despite the huge sums already expended. He said, “ECWA expresses its profound grief and deep concern over a surge…

The Akwa Ibom State Government has asked its medical trainees to take a binding oath to serve the state before pursuing opportunities abroad. This new policy, which aims to protect the state’s significant investment in the training of medical professionals, was announced by the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, in Uyo over the weekend. The move comes as the state grapples with the rising tide of skilled workers leaving Nigeria for better prospects— a phenomenon commonly referred to as “Japa.” Essien revealed that all medical trainees sponsored by the state will now be bound by a formal contract…