Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina, have returned to Kano after a historic separation surgery in Saudi Arabia, bringing tears of joy and relief to their family and the people of the state. The twins, who were born joined at the lower abdomen, pelvis and spine, arrived at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Thursday evening, where they were warmly received by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, top government officials, and a Saudi delegation. The separation surgery was carried out at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital, Riyadh, under the directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed…

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has accused the party’s Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, of plotting to manipulate the forthcoming ward and local government congresses in Lagos State. In an open letter addressed to the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) on Friday, George alleged that Koshoedo had single-handedly taken control of the distribution of congress forms, sidelining party leaders in the state. George described the move as “unacceptable, unjust and insulting,” warning that it could trigger chaos and legal battles that would destabilize…

… 2025 Global State Of Democracy Survey Paints Bleak Picture Nigeria has recorded another poor outing in the 2025 Global State of Democracy survey, slipping in key areas such as rule of law, rights protection, representation and citizen participation. The report, released on Thursday by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), ranked Nigeria 95th in representation, 97th in rights, 128th in rule of law, and 73rd in participation out of 174 countries. According to the survey, judicial independence in Nigeria continues to weaken as executive interference undermines the impartiality of the courts. It also identified fragile…

Suspected cultists on Thursday night turned a burial ceremony in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, into a bloodbath, killing four mourners and leaving at least 15 others injured. The hoodlums, who stormed the venue at the late hours of the day, reportedly opened fire on guests, throwing the community into chaos as mourners scampered for safety. Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Command said its operatives swiftly moved in to restore order and prevent further bloodshed. In a post on its official X handle on Friday, the command stated: “In the late hours on 11th…

…Bill to be sent To Assembly For Approval Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved the transmission of a bill seeking to outlaw same-sex marriage and other practices deemed immoral in the state. The governor gave the approval during the 31st Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Kano, on Friday. His spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, in a statement made available to journalists, said the proposed legislation specifically prohibits same-sex marriage and practices locally referred to as Madugo and Liwadi (lesbianism and homosexuality). According to him, the bill will soon be forwarded to the Kano State House…

… Exports Hit ₦22.7trn, Crude Oil Contributes Over 52% Nigeria’s economy recorded a major boost in the second quarter of 2025 as the country posted a trade surplus of ₦7.46 trillion, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The NBS, in its Foreign Trade Report released on Friday, said total trade for the period stood at ₦38.03 trillion, marking a 20.05 percent increase compared with the same quarter in 2024 and a 5.59 percent rise over the first quarter of 2025. Exports were valued at ₦22.75 trillion, accounting for 59.81 percent of total trade,…

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned Nigerians not to be swayed by the promise of free petrol delivery by the Dangote Refinery, describing the offer as a “Greek gift” designed to weaken the union and monopolise the petroleum haulage sector. In a statement on Friday signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union alleged that the refinery’s move to commence direct and free supply of petrol to 11 states from September 15 was a ploy to edge out other employers of petroleum truck drivers. “Nigerians should not be deceived…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and seized counterfeit malaria drugs valued at over ₦1.2 billion in Lagos. The agency disclosed that its operatives intercepted 277 cartons of unregistered Malamal Forte concealed in a warehouse in the Ilasa-Oshodi area of the state. According to NAFDAC, the drugs were illegally imported from Shanxi Tianyuan Pharmaceuticals Group in China, disguised as spare parts and hidden in cartons labelled Diclofenac Potassium 50mg. “This seizure is part of NAFDAC’s sustained nationwide operation to protect public health and ensure only safe, quality medicines are available to Nigerians,” said…

The British Council, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE), has launched the 2025 edition of Creative Economy Week Nigeria, a multi-city celebration designed to spotlight innovation, skills, and collaboration in the creative sector. Themed “Building Futures through Creativity,” the programme was officially unveiled on Thursday, September 11, in Abuja and will run across five Nigerian cities—Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu—before concluding with a major showcase in London on October 11. Now in its second edition after a pilot held in 2023, the initiative has grown into one of the…

… Loot traced to foreign accounts of corrupt officials … ₦7.3bn seized from failed local council project The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced the repatriation of $700 million in stolen funds linked to corrupt Nigerian officials and stashed in foreign accounts. The commission also disclosed that ₦7.3 billion was recovered from failed and abandoned projects in several local government areas across the North-East. ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), made this known on Thursday during a one-day media dialogue with journalists from the North-East and North-West in Kano. Aliyu explained that the dialogue…