Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji  A tragic tanker explosion along the Lapai-Agaie road in Niger State claimed the lives of over 48 people in the early hours of Sunday.  The incident, which occurred around 12:30 a.m., involved a petrol tanker loaded with fuel that collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle, resulting in a devastating explosion that rocked the area. The petrol tanker, which was travelling along the Lapai-Agaie route, crashed into the truck approximately two kilometres from the Dendo Community in Agaie Local Government Area.  The truck, reportedly coming from Wudil in Kano State and headed towards Lagos, was significantly…

Daud Olatunji  The Lagos State Government has been taken to the Federal High Court in Ikoyi by two community groups, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation and Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum, demanding transparency over Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s recent claim that he paid $100 million for land in Ibeju-Lekki.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  groups are seeking an official statement from the state government on the payment and how the money was utilised. In a legal motion filed on Friday, September 6, 2024, the applicants urged the court to compel the state government to clarify whether Dangote’s claim is true.  The statement read further…

The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, has expressed its deep shock over the arrest of a 200-level student, Ayomide Adeleye, from the Department of Philosophy, who is allegedly involved in a murder case.  In an official statement released by the institution on Fridayand signed by Wale Balogun, Ph.D, for Head Corporate Affairs, the university management condemned the criminal act and extended condolences to the bereaved family. PLATFORM TIMES reports that Miss Christianah Idowu, a 300-Level student of Pure and Applied Botany at the College of Biosciences (COLBIOS) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), was abducted in…

By Adedoyin Oguntade Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration created a Disability Data Bank in 2020 with the goal of documenting personal information of Nigerians living with disabilities and the challenges they face. This was set up by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters, in collaboration with the Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria (BRISIN).  The SSA to the President on Disability Matters, Dr Samuel Ankeii, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the leadership of BRISIN, excitedly announced that the data bank was the first database of PwDs in the country’s history,…

The rich cultural heritage of the Ibo people is set to take centre stage in Sevilla, Spain, as the 14th edition of the Ibo General Assembly (IGA) convention kicks off with a line-up of notable Nigerian figures, including Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho, diplomat Bianca Ojukwu, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Naomey Nwachukwu. The event, which promises a vibrant display of Ibo traditions, was confirmed by the Chairman of the Asociacion Cultural De Los Igbos En Sevilla, Frank Sam Chukwuemeka, during an exclusive interview.  He noted that the annual gathering is not only an opportunity for the Ibo community to…

Emmanuel Oludare The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), says it  is in deep mourning following the tragic murder of one of its students, Miss Christianah Idowu, a 300-level student of Pure and Applied Botany from the College of Biosciences (COLBIOS). PLATFORM TIMES reports that Miss Idowu was abducted in Lagos and subsequently killed in what the university described as a senseless act of violence that has left the entire community heartbroken. In a statement released by the institution’s Acting Head of Public Relations, Olasunkanmi Olajide, FUNAAB expressed profound sorrow over the brutal loss and extended heartfelt condolences to Miss…

Daud Olatunji Babcock University’s Inaugural Lecturer, Professor Adekunle Binuyo, has called for prioritising effective communication as a fundamental driver of organisational success, particularly in Nigeria’s current climate of rising business operational costs. Prof. Binuyo, the Head of the Business Administration department, highlighted the importance of communication in organisations during the University’s 50th inaugural lecture.  Themed “Unleashing Organizational Potential: Leveraging Management and Marketing Strategies for Sustainable Performance,” the lecture emphasized how communication fosters growth and sustains progress within organizations. “Organisations cannot progress steadily without effective communication, whether horizontal, vertical, or diagonal,” Prof. Binuyo stated.  He urged businesses to view communication…

Phebe Falodun The Ogun State government has admitted allocating nearly N1 billion to three non-operational ministries in its 2024 budget, explaining that the funds were set aside to ensure readiness for their eventual establishment.  This admission follows an exclusive report by PLATFORM TIMES, which revealed that the state had budgeted N922,169,997.11 for the Ministries of Energy, Mineral Resources, and Regional Integration, which do not yet exist. In response to the report, in a statement signed by Olaniyi Ajibola, Senior Special Assistant on Strategy Communications, the government admitted that it gave allocation to the purported Ministries. Apparently rattled by PLATFORM  TIMES,…

Emmanuel Oludare  Tragedy struck on Thursday morning when a suspected group of Yahoo boys rammed their car into a 24-year-old woman and her one-year-old daughter while they were walking along the pedestrian walkway at Kemta Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  reckless driving incident led to the death of the child, while the mother is reportedly battling for her life. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrific scene, stating that the group, who appeared intoxicated, were inside a grey Lexus ES350 with registration number APP429JN when the car lost control and veered off the road, hitting the pedestrians.  The woman,…

In a major call for reform, stakeholders within The Scout Association of Nigeria (TSAN) have demanded a comprehensive overhaul of the organisation’s governance structure, citing the need to enhance transparency and accountability.  This demand was made during a virtual stakeholders meeting, which drew participants from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. During the meeting, stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with the current leadership, accusing it of poor governance and failing to uphold international best practices and the policies laid out by the association.  The group, which comprised former and current National Board members, National Executive Committee members, State Scout Commissioners, and youth representatives,…