Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Widespread outrage has trailed the alleged sexual assault of several women during the controversial Alue-Do festival in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, with the police arresting a community leader and four others over the incident. Viral videos from the Thursday festival showed young women being chased, stripped and molested by groups of youths in broad daylight, sparking condemnation across the country. In one of the clips, a lady was dragged off a motorcycle and assaulted, while others showed victims struggling to cover themselves as attackers tore their clothes amid cheers from onlookers. Although the exact number…

The Presidency on Friday dismissed reports suggesting that Nigeria had agreed to receive foreign deportees under a recent migration agreement with the United Kingdom, insisting that the deal strictly applies to Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the UK. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the clarification became necessary following what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding the pact. Ajayi, in a statement shared via his verified X handle, explained that the agreement was signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom and does not compel Nigeria to…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit to N1,245 per litre, citing escalating global geopolitical tensions and rising crude oil costs. The new price represents a N70 increase from the previous N1,175 per litre and is expected to trigger a fresh rise in pump prices nationwide as marketers adjust to the higher cost. In a notice issued to marketers on Friday, the refinery said the adjustment was driven by developments in the international oil market. “Please be informed that due to the current global geo-political situation, which has further escalated, the PMS gantry and…

The Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in Ogun State has announced plans to launch the second edition of its publication titled “Our Legacy, Our Pride – 50 Years of Monumental Achievements in the Ogun State Civil/Public Service (1976–2026)”. The book launch is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, with proceedings billed to commence at 10:00 a.m. According to a statement issued in Abeokuta by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Otunba Abiodun Awere, the publication forms part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of…

A Presidential Aspirant of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Mr. Olajide Filani, has congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on the successful completion of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr, urging Nigerians to embrace unity, compassion and renewed commitment to nation-building. In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 19, 2026, Filani described the Eid celebration as a reminder of sacrifice, discipline, love and devotion to God, noting that the spiritual lessons of Ramadan should translate into everyday conduct among citizens and leaders. He called on Nigerians to uphold the values of tolerance, peace and mutual respect, stressing that the country’s…

As political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, a new public opinion poll has positioned Engineer Michael Abayomi Adeyanju (popularly known as Imole) as the overwhelming favourite for the Ondo North Senatorial seat, with 90 percent of respondents expressing preference for his candidacy. The poll, conducted by the PenPlus Stat Index (Research and Public Opinion Unit of PenPlus Online Media Publishers), also revealed deep dissatisfaction with the current senator representing the district, with 85 percent of respondents rating his performance as “very poor.” According to the report dated February 19, 2026, the survey covered all…

…. Ogun, Imo, Edo Among States Yet To Establish Functional Regulators … Illegal Permits, Coordination Gaps Deepen Sector Uncertainty Daud Olatunji Nigeria’s push to decentralise electricity regulation is facing serious headwinds as at least 16 states struggle to establish effective regulatory systems, raising fears of worsening power supply challenges for consumers across the country. Findings from the sector indicate that several states, including Ogun, Imo, and Edo, are yet to operationalise their State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs), despite formally assuming regulatory powers under the Electricity Act 2023. The situation has sparked concern within the industry, with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory…

A legal practitioner, Bernard Okpi, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging a bilateral health agreement between Nigeria and the United States over allegations that it could expose sensitive medical data of Nigerians to foreign control. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/15/549/2026 and filed on 16 March, is aimed at stopping the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 19 December 2025 between both countries. Okpi is asking the court to determine whether the agreement violates Nigerians’ constitutional right to privacy and existing data protection laws. Joined as defendants in the case are the President,…

President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s economy has exited what he described as a prolonged “dark tunnel” of uncertainty, expressing optimism about the country’s future while urging citizens to sustain hope and confidence in the ongoing reforms of his administration. Tinubu gave the assurance on Wednesday in London during an exhibition tagged “Nigeria’s Modernism,” held as part of his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom. According to him, the administration was elected to “renew everybody’s hope,” adding that his government remained committed to delivering policies that would improve the lives of Nigerians both at home and in the…

The Ogun State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the death of a female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Victoria Ariyo, who reportedly died following complications linked to a suspected abortion procedure. Ariyo, who was serving in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, was said to have undergone the procedure before her condition deteriorated, leading to her death. Her remains have since been buried at Kobape Cemetery along the Kobape–Sagamu road in Abeokuta. The police confirmed the incident on Thursday, noting that detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department have taken over the case to determine…