Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has banned the importation of poultry meat and table eggs from Nigeria and 39 other countries over concerns about animal disease outbreaks, particularly highly pathogenic avian influenza. The decision, announced in a statement by the authority and reported by Gulf News on Tuesday, forms part of what it described as precautionary measures to safeguard public health and ensure food safety in the kingdom’s domestic market. Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Ghana, Egypt, China, India and Germany are among countries affected by the full import prohibition. Others on the list include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Indonesia,…

The Department of State Services has reportedly  invited the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Dare Alebiosu, and two other persons for questioning over a disturbance that occurred during a recent All Progressives Congress stakeholders’ meeting in the area. PLATFORM TIMES gathered from a security source in Abeokuta on Monday that the invitation followed a petition reportedly submitted by an aide to the Ogun State Governor, who was said to have been involved in the incident. The stakeholders’ meeting, held at a private residence in the Government Reserved Area of Ijebu-Ode, reportedly became tense after disagreements broke…

Daud Olatunji Former Senator representing Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo, has pledged that power will shift to Ogun West Senatorial District after her tenure if elected governor of Ogun State. Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, made the declaration on Wednesday while featuring on Frontline, an interactive programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu. Her promise comes amid renewed agitation for the governorship to be zoned to Ogun West, the only senatorial district in the state yet to produce a governor since its creation in 1976. “I know what we need to do to make sure that the next governor after…

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, on Wednesday said the judiciary remains a pivotal institution in the growth of sports, stressing that courts provide the legal backbone that guarantees accountability, protects athletes’ rights and resolves disputes beyond the reach of internal sporting bodies. Justice Dipeolu stated this at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta, during a novelty football match between Ogun State Judiciary workers and members of the Nigerian Bar Association, organised as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Ogun State Judiciary. Speaking at the event, the Chief Judge noted that although sports…

…Eight DIGs and AIGs Poised To Retire Following IGP Change …Police Command Structure Faces Fresh Leadership Overhaul The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is set for a major shake-up as AIG Tunji Disu assumed office as acting inspector-general of police (IGP) yesterday, following the resignation of Mr Kayode Egbetokun over pressing family matters. President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued through his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed gratitude to Egbetokun for his decades of service, while approving Disu’s immediate appointment as acting IGP. The development is expected to trigger the mandatory retirement of about eight deputy inspectors-general…

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has disclosed that Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had accumulated a combined debt of N4.002 trillion as of September 30, 2025. The latest figures, released by the DMO, show that subnational debt accounts for just 2.61 per cent of Nigeria’s total public debt of N153.29 trillion. Data from the office indicate that the debt burden is highly concentrated. Ten states alone account for 67 per cent of the total subnational debt, amounting to N2.68 trillion. Lagos State leads the pack, owing N1.045 trillion, which represents about 26 per cent of the…

In a historic boost for Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has announced that it will supply up to 65 million litres of petrol daily for domestic consumption, surpassing national demand and positioning the country on the path to fuel self-sufficiency. The refinery plans to export an estimated 15–20 million litres of surplus fuel to international markets. President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the development in Lagos, confirming that a structured offtake agreement has been signed with selected marketers to ensure nationwide distribution and curb supply disruptions. “We have agreed on an offtake framework to supply…

The Federal Government on Tuesday dismissed allegations that it paid a multimillion-dollar ransom to terrorists for the release of abducted pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State, describing the report as false, speculative and damaging to national security efforts. The government was reacting to a publication by Agence France-Presse which claimed that authorities paid a “huge” sum and released two commanders of Boko Haram to secure the freedom of 230 hostages. The abduction occurred on November 21 at St. Mary’s Secondary and Primary School in Papiri, where nearly 300 pupils and members of staff were reportedly…

The Federal Government on Tuesday rejected claims of religious persecution in Nigeria, dismissing a recent report submitted to the White House by members of the United States Congress as misrepresenting the country’s security realities. The report, compiled by the US House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations, followed months of investigation into alleged persecution of Christians and extremist violence in Nigeria. The congressional move came after  US President, Donald Trump, redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and directed Congressman Riley Moore and Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to spearhead a probe into religious persecution and terrorism-related violence in…

Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has defended the continued operation of Sharia law in parts of Nigeria, describing it as a constitutional and religious right of Muslims, amid reported pressure from some United States lawmakers seeking its abolition. Gumi was reacting to reports that certain members of the US Congress submitted a memorandum to President Donald Trump, urging the US government to push for the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria. In a post on his verified social media page on Tuesday, the Kaduna-based cleric insisted that Muslims have the right to be governed by religious injunctions, just…