Author: Platform Times Newspaper

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…

Daud Olatunji The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerian youths to be hard-working, stating, “There is no food for lazy man.” She also emphasised that her husband, President Bola Tinubu, should not be blamed for the current economic hardship in Nigeria. She made this statement on Thursday while speaking at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, noting that the Tinubu administration is still young. The president’s wife was in Ife to inaugurate a hostel and a 2.7-kilometre road donated to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, by the Ooni of Ife, which was named…

Daud Olatunji As Nigeria joins the global community to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised the alarm that 75 per cent of new HIV infections among adolescents globally occurred in girls. Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Field Office for South West Nigeria disclosed this in a statement to newsmen to mark the 2024 International Day of the Girl. Lafoucriere, who described the theme of this year, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” as apt, noted that it reflected the findings from a UNICEF analysis, which showed that girls…