Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Prince Yemisi Shyllon, a renowned promoter of Nigerian arts and culture, has raised alarms over the country’s significant loss of revenue due to underinvestment in tourism. Speaking in Abeokuta at the 10th anniversary lecture of the “Your Image” PR Primus Programme on OGTV, Shyllon lamented the potential millions being missed out annually, particularly in states like Ogun. He urged for a substantial investment of at least $305 billion annually into Nigeria’s tourism sector to harness its potential and position the country as a global tourist destination. In his keynote speech titled “The Role of Public Relations in the…

Ayomide Awe Residents of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, are living in fear as tensions rise over a looming clash within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). The conflict, which is expected to escalate following an alleged directive to dismiss several union members, has left the public calling for urgent intervention from the Ogun State Government. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that on Friday, October 11, 2024, unrest began to spread across Ijebu-Ode after the chairman of the NURTW in Ogun State, Alhaji Ismail Mustapha Adewale, popularly known as Yaro, reportedly issued a controversial directive to expel several members of the union.…

Daud Olatunji In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, the Rotary Club of Abeokuta Royal held a special event at Baptist Girls College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, where they distributed 500 sanitary pads to students and inaugurated the school’s Interact Club. The event, tagged “Pad of 500 Girls,” aimed to empower young girls by addressing menstrual hygiene, providing leadership development opportunities, and advocating for equal rights for girls. Speaking to newsmen during the event, Rotarian Adetonike Ganiyat Kazeem, the president of the Rotary Club of Abeokuta Royal, highlighted the importance of menstrual hygiene and the economic challenges facing girls…

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru came off the bench to deliver a vital goal that secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Nigeria against Libya in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The Super Eagles, playing at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, faced a resilient Libyan side that was determined to frustrate the Nigerian attack with a deep defensive setup throughout the match. The breakthrough came in the 86th minute when Dele-Bashiru, who had replaced Alex Iwobi in the 74th minute, latched onto a perfectly delivered low cross from Moses Simon. The Lazio midfielder’s finish was a decisive moment…

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has renewed its call for Nigeria to return to a system of true federalism, asserting that the current structure is stifling development and local autonomy. The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, stated that the clamour for regionalism reflects the growing desire among Nigerians for a more functional federation, where people can have greater control over their affairs and resources. In a response to Weekend Trust inquiries, Ajayi emphasised that Nigeria’s existing governance structure does not serve the nation or its citizens well. He argued that the current centralization of power limits the ability…

Ayomide Awe The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a concerning spike in Lassa fever cases, with 1,018 confirmed infections and 172 fatalities recorded across 28 states in Nigeria as of September 29, 2024. This was revealed in the NCDC’s latest Lassa fever situation report, which showed the virus continues to spread rapidly despite ongoing containment efforts. The data, collected from January 1 to September 29, indicated that the confirmed cases were drawn from 8,411 suspected infections, spanning 128 local government areas (LGAs) across the country. The case fatality rate (CFR) for the disease remains…

Despite Nigeria’s critical shortage of healthcare workers, over 10,000 trained nurses and midwives remain unemployed, according to data collated by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). This alarming revelation comes at a time when the country is grappling with a severe healthcare crisis, marked by inadequate staffing, delayed medical procedures, and overwhelming patient demands. The NANNM confirmed that state councils across the country provided lists of unemployed nurses. As of early September, the number surpassed 10,000, with ongoing efforts to compile more data. Nigeria’s healthcare system is currently facing a shortage of professionals, which has caused significant…

Adedigba David As the world turns its gaze toward October 11, 2024, a collective heartbeat resonates across nations, celebrating the International Day of the Girl. This day is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a global symphony that amplifies the dreams, voices, and leadership of girls everywhere. This year’s theme, ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future,’ is a profound reflection of the unyielding spirit of girls who see not just what the world is, but what it could become. They are architects of a future filled with possibility—a world where their rights are not only acknowledged but enshrined…

Daud Olatunji The need to prioritise mental health in the workplace took center stage during the 2024 World Mental Health Day commemoration held at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Themed “It Is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace,” the event featured insights from mental health professionals, including Dr. Paul Agboola, the Provost and Chief Medical Director of the hospital, who emphasised the crucial role mental stability plays in workforce productivity. Dr. Agboola, speaking to newsmen after the event, underscored the global recognition of mental health’s impact on workforce efficiency. “A stable workforce is the foundation…

Daud Olatunji Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has described the growing Almajiri crisis as a national issue stemming from years of systemic neglect, calling for urgent action to address what he described as “a volcano waiting to erupt.” He made this assertion on Thursday while receiving a delegation from the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Abiodun lamented the rising number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, cautioning that their plight poses a serious threat not only to the northern region but to the entire country’s future. He confirmed that Ogun State ranks…