Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji A flurry of testimonies from Nigerian university students on social media has exposed alarming allegations of corruption, harassment, and exploitation within the country’s postgraduate education system. The viral thread, initially sighted by PLATFORM TIMES, paints a grim picture of the hurdles students face during thesis defenses and other academic milestones. The allegations reveal a system marred by extortion, coercion, and abuse of power, with students compelled to offer bribes, gifts, and even sexual favors to lecturers and supervisors to advance their studies. “We Paid for Everything, Even Hotel Bills” One viral post, titled “On Postgraduate Courses and Thesis…

The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Muslim Alumni Association (MAPAMA) has extended its congratulations to Architect (Dr) Adekoyejo Babatunde Jolaoso on his appointment as the new Rector of the institution. This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Head of MAPAMA’s Media and Publicity Committee, Tajudeen Balogun, on Wednesday. The statement, issued on behalf of the Association’s National President, Prince Taofeek Oyeniyi, lauded Dr. Jolaoso’s appointment, describing it as well-deserved. “Dr. Jolaoso’s pedigree of focus, versatility, brilliance, diligence, and productivity made his emergence unsurprising. His impressive academic credentials and extensive experience inspire hope for a positive revolution and a…

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Abubakar Hassan, has detailed how over N5 billion in education funds allocated to the Kwara State government under former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was allegedly misappropriated. Hassan, an assistant director of finance at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), testified before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday, during the resumed hearing of the corruption case. Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, the witness revealed that the funds, earmarked for educational projects in primary and junior secondary schools between 2013 and 2015, were diverted under Ahmed’s administration. Hassan explained…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting 14,480 suspects and confiscating 2.4 million kilograms of illicit drugs in the first 10 months of the year. The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing with the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs in Abuja. Among those arrested were 15 notorious drug barons, while the agency secured 2,867 convictions within the same period. “Our seizures in 10 months amounted to 2.4 million kilograms of illicit drugs, which also surpassed last year’s record. We successfully located and destroyed…

An Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Kristen Uyanwanne, to 10 years imprisonment for defrauding their church and others of N52 million. The couple, alongside their church, Temple International Church, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 25, 2020, on a seven-count charge of stealing and fraud. Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Mojisola Dada found the couple guilty of multiple charges, ordering the immediate deregistration and closure of the church. Harry Uyanwanne was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on counts two to six, while both Harry and Kristen received a…

The Joint Security Task Force (JTF) in Imo State has uncovered shallow graves allegedly used by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to bury their victims. The operation, led by Brigadier General U.I. Lawal, commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, uncovered the graves in Aku community, Okigwe Local Government Area. The graves were reportedly located at the residence of an ESN leader, identified by his alias ‘Gentle,’ who had been on the security watchlist for a long time. Although the exact number of graves discovered was not disclosed, the development marks a significant breakthrough in the…

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has lauded Dangote Sugar Refinery for its monumental investment in the Federal Government’s Backward Integration Policy (BIP), describing its impact on job creation as transformative. Director-General of the NDE, Silas Agara, made this commendation during his visit to the Dangote Group’s pavilion at the ongoing Kano International Trade Fair. He praised the company’s Chairman, Aliko Dangote, for his unparalleled commitment to achieving sugar self-sufficiency in Nigeria, which he said serves as a benchmark for others to emulate. Agara highlighted Dangote Sugar’s investment of over $700 million in the BIP, aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence…

…Infrastructure Takes Lion’s Share Daud Olatunji The Ogun State Government has unveiled a N1.055 trillion appropriation bill for the 2025 fiscal year, titled the “Budget of Hope and Prosperity,” with a significant emphasis on capital projects and human development. The state Governor, Dapo Abiodun while presenting the 2025 appropriation Bill  to the state House of Assembly,on Wednesday, disclosed that the proposed budget, the sixth of his administration, seeks to address current challenges, implement reforms, and lay a foundation for sustainable economic growth. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the budget is projected to be funded by a mix of internally generated revenue…

Daud Olatunji The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has approved the appointment of Arc. Dr. Babatunde Adekoyejo Jolaoso as the 10th substantive Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the appointment, effective from Friday, December 6, 2024, follows the expiration of the tenure of the outgoing Rector, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, on Thursday, December 5, 2024. A statement made available to PLATFORM TIMES on Wednesday read that the approval was conveyed in a letter with reference number MOEST/HSC.1/9, dated December 3, 2024. The letter, signed by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu,…

Nigeria’s business environment is expected to remain one of the most difficult globally over the next five years, according to a new report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The report, released on Tuesday, places Nigeria 76th out of 82 economies assessed for the 2025-2029 period, citing persistent economic challenges despite ongoing reforms. The EIU warns that these difficulties could have political ramifications, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu may struggle to retain power after the 2027 elections due to widespread public dissatisfaction. The report highlights that while Nigeria’s growing population and economic reforms present long-term opportunities, the country faces immediate…