Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Presidency has distanced Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s recent comments from the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, saying they bear no connection to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In a statement released on Friday, Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), described recent media interpretations of Shettima’s remarks as “deliberate misrepresentations” aimed at stirring unnecessary controversy. Shettima had, on Thursday, spoken at the public presentation of OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block, a memoir by former Attorney-General of the…

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of over N2 billion, $480,000, and luxury assets linked to a massive fraud scheme that targeted Union Bank customers. Justice Daniel Osiagor, presiding over the case, on Friday granted the order following a formal application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sealing the fate of assets linked to the elaborate banking fraud. The EFCC had earlier secured an interim forfeiture in May after uncovering fraudulent withdrawals from 575 dormant and “no-debit” accounts in the bank, amounting to N2,007,000,000. According to the commission, the funds were diverted…

The South-West caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from any purported political coalition, declaring that the zone remains fully committed to the unity and progress of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Rising from a strategic meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday, the caucus, in a communiqué signed by the PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, urged members to stay united, focused, and steadfast in their support for the party’s leadership at both zonal and national levels. The caucus emphasized that the PDP in the South-West is not part of any merger or…

Tragedy struck in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State on Thursday as a Junior Secondary School 3 student reportedly beat his teacher to death during a confrontation over a confiscated school cap. The suspect, identified as 16-year-old Friday Ogamude, a student of UBE Oju Centre, allegedly attacked his teacher, Mr. Oyibe Oyibe, aged 35, during an argument that turned violent. Sources said the confrontation was sparked by a cap the teacher had seized from the student since May 2025. Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, who confirmed the incident, noted that the altercation escalated rapidly, with the student allegedly striking the…

Former presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, has admitted to fabricating the controversial 2017 story about rats invading President Muhammadu Buhari’s office in the Aso Rock Villa, revealing that the narrative was intentionally crafted to divert public attention from the president’s failing health. Shehu made the revelation in his newly released book, According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience, where he recounted key moments during his time as the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former President Buhari. In Chapter 10 of the book, titled “Rats, Spin and All That,” Shehu disclosed that the infamous rat invasion…

Over 200 residents of Adehun community in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State have benefited from a free medical outreach organised by Great Standard Montessori Model School, Abeokuta. The outreach, held on Friday, was part of the school’s ongoing humanitarian initiative to promote health awareness and provide essential medical care to underserved members of the community. Speaking during the event, the proprietress of the school, Mrs. Nofisat Akingbade, said the programme, which began in 2023, was designed not only to meet the medical needs of residents but also to instil values of empathy and social responsibility in the…

The Chief Executive Officer of Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Mokhtar Bounour, has called for stronger collaboration, innovative solutions, and policy support to accelerate sustainable development in Nigeria’s electricity sector. Bounour made the call while speaking at the Shell Power Conference 2025 held in Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme “Powering Nigeria’s Energy Future: Bridging the Gap Between Ambition and Action.” Addressing a gathering of key stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders, Bounour emphasised that Nigeria’s energy future depends on unified efforts and bold action to overcome persistent challenges in power generation and distribution. “While compliance with health and safety standards is paramount,…

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, once again stirred public conversation after a video surfaced showing him serving food at a community gathering in Umuchima, Imo State. In the widely circulated clip, Obi was seen carrying trays and personally dishing out food to guests, drawing applause from attendees and social media users who hailed his simplicity and humility. Dressed modestly and arriving without the usual fanfare, Obi mingled freely with community members and local leaders present at the event. The scene, which many described as a rare display of humility among Nigerian political…

Daud Olatunji The House of Representatives has raised the alarm over the failure of two Chinese companies operating in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector to remit over ₦15 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Federal Government. Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Jonathan Gaza, made the disclosure on Friday in Abuja during a ministerial retreat organised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development for its senior officials. Although Gaza withheld the names of the firms, he described their actions as not only illegal but deeply troubling, especially at a time when the government is striving to…

… Says ‘We Won’t Be A Dumping Ground The Federal Government has alleged that the recent reduction in U.S. visa validity for Nigerians may be connected to Nigeria’s refusal to accept deported Venezuelan prisoners and illegal immigrants from the United States. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, made this disclosure during an interview on a private  Television on Thursday, claiming that the United States, under the administration of former President Donald Trump, had mounted sustained pressure on African nations, including Nigeria, to receive Venezuelans being deported — some of them former inmates. “The U.S is mounting considerable pressure on African…