Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Amid growing political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai are in advanced talks to unveil a new political coalition, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) being considered as the platform of choice. Multiple sources familiar with the development told PLATFORM TIMES that the trio, alongside other key political actors, met earlier this week to finalize discussions on forming a “formidable” opposition alliance. While a Bloomberg report suggested that the leaders have unanimously agreed to adopt the ADC as the…

The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, has joined a host of eminent Nigerians in mourning the death of Chief Olatunde Ayinla Abudu, OFR, MFR—an illustrious industrialist, philanthropist, and educationist—who passed away on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the age of 96. Chief Abudu, the Mayegun of Egbaland and Oke-Ona Egba, was described by the institution as a visionary leader whose immense contributions to education and community development left an enduring legacy. In a tribute signed by the Rector, Arc. Dr. B. Adekoyejo Jolaoso, the polytechnic community expressed deep sorrow over the demise of one of its earliest benefactors and Fellowship…

Daud Olatunji  Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of foremost industrialist, philanthropist and elder statesman, Chief Olatunde Ayinla Abudu,  describing his death as “the fall of a giant in the waters of Nigeria’s history.” Chief Abudu, who died in the early hours of Monday, June 9, 2025, at the age of 96, was hailed by Amosun as a symbol of integrity, service and statesmanship whose legacy would remain a guiding light for future generations. In an emotional tribute titled “Eja nla lo lomi: The passing of a great…

The Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, has described the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta as a national treasure and a model for Nigeria’s cultural and creative development. Musawa made this known during her recent visit to the library as part of efforts to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for the culture and creative economy sector. She said the visit was aimed at learning from the OOPL model and exploring ways to replicate its success in other parts of the country, starting with the proposed Abuja Creative City. “We are trying to build…

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has thrown its weight behind Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the authentic national secretary of the party, while calling for the zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region. The group, which includes three former governors — Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom (Benue) — made the resolution public after a strategic meeting in Abuja on Monday night. Reading a communiqué on behalf of the group, Wike said, “We unequivocally affirm Senator Anyanwu as the truly elected…

A notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has reportedly issued a fresh threat to farming communities in Zamfara and parts of Niger State, demanding a staggering N50 million before allowing residents to cultivate their farmlands this rainy season. Security analyst, Bakatsine, disclosed this development on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, raising alarm over the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria’s rural North. According to the post, the affected communities span from Tsalaken Gulbi in Fakai village, under Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara, extending to Qaya, a village close to the Niger State border. Turji reportedly warned that…

Former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, has revealed that she almost quit her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme due to intense academic pressure and repeated discouragement from her lecturers. Jonathan, who recently bagged a PhD in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, shared her experience during a testimony at Streams of Joy International Church. Reflecting on her challenging academic journey, the former First Lady said the pressure she faced nearly derailed her pursuit of the advanced degree. “Sometimes, my lecturer would make me redo the same page repeatedly. I’d get so upset and think,…

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has declared that he would have removed fuel subsidy and floated the naira if elected president, but with a more structured and people-focused approach. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, Obi stated that while he supported the policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the execution lacked planning and transparency. Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, stressed that ending the subsidy regime was necessary due to the deep-rooted corruption associated with it. However, he criticised the Tinubu-led government for failing to channel the savings from…

Feyisayo Ogunbiyi |l Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is not inferior to conventional universities, insisting that the institution plays a critical role in addressing Nigeria’s educational needs. Obasanjo, who made this assertion on Monday while receiving an award as NOUN’s first alumnus, emphasized the importance of distance learning in a developing country like Nigeria, where millions are still unable to access traditional tertiary education. Speaking at the university’s headquarters, Obasanjo, the founder of NOUN, reflected on the evolution of Nigeria’s university system, noting that the expansion of universities over the years…

President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, on Thursday, declared that his conglomerate remitted a total of N450 billion in taxes to the Federal Government in 2024, positioning the company as the highest tax contributor in the country. Dangote made the disclosure during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Plant in Lekki, Lagos. Speaking before an audience that included top business leaders and federal officials, Dangote stated that the tax paid by his group exceeded the combined contributions of all Nigerian banks, highlighting the company’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability. Despite this…