Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Emmanuel Oludare The Trade Leaders Council of Nigeria has appointed former Ogun State House of Representatives member, Hon. Jelili Kayode Amusan, as the Patron of the Association. This was announced in a statement issued by the Council after a meeting of its Central Working Committee.  The statement, signed by the President, Prince Femi Egbodofo, and the Secretary General, Mr. Fijabi Saheed Abiola, highlighted that Hon. Amusan was chosen due to his significant contributions to national development and his active efforts to enhance the standard of living for the members of the Association. “We are pleased and delighted to inform you…

The Police Command in Kaduna State says it has detained two suspects for allegedly burying a man alive in Zaria. The command’s Spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna. Hassan said that the detention of the two suspects in Zaria for alleged complicity was sequel to a viral video showing a person buried with only his head left out. He said that immediately the police got wind of the video, efforts were made to locate the 20-year-old victim, from Gauraki village in Kufena ward, Zaria council area, and possibly detain the culprits…

The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation has vehemently rejected the characterization of their group as a “far-right” entity, responding to a recent article by columnist Lekan Sote.  The article, published in The Punch on August 7, 2024, criticized the group’s advocacy for indigenous rights in Lagos, likening their stance to far-right movements in other countries. Sote’s column had pointed to the De Renaissance Patriots’ desire to “develop indigenous culture, use indigenous language, and allow indigenes to reclaim the Lagos government,” associating this with exclusionary politics. He also referenced historical events, including the excision of Lagos divisions by General Yakubu Gowon, as…

The Nigerian Senate has firmly denied allegations that each senator in the Red Chamber receives N21 million in monthly salaries and allowances, clarifying that the figure being circulated pertains to running costs, which are entirely separate from personal salaries. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South, addressed the claims made by his colleague, Senator Sumaila Kawu, during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service on Wednesday.  Kawu had asserted that he receives a total of N21 million monthly, which includes both salary and allowances. However, Adaramodu refuted this…

Daud Olatunji In a development that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and legal circles, a Chinese firm, Zhongshan, has secured a $130.6 million compensation judgement against Nigeria, culminating in the seizure of three presidential jets by a French court.  This complex case, which has unfolded over 12 years, traces back to a joint venture agreement between the Ogun State Government and China’s Guangdong Province to establish the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ) in Igbesa, Ogun State. The OGFTZ was envisioned as a massive industrial hub covering 2,000 hectares, intended to stimulate economic growth and attract significant foreign investments to…

In a dramatic escalation of Nigeria’s international legal woes, a French court has authorised the seizure of three presidential jets linked to the Federal Government of Nigeria over an unresolved business dispute between Ogun State and a Chinese firm, Zhongshan. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the seizure is part of a broader legal battle that has already seen Nigerian-owned properties in the United Kingdom confiscated. The aircraft, which are part of the Nigerian presidential air fleet, include a Dassault Falcon 7X located at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330 stationed at Basel-Mulhouse Airport in…

The Baale of Kuto, Alhaji Chief Muftau Kehinde, has vehemently denied allegations that his son, Fatai Kehinde, was involved in cult activities, following his brutal murder in Kuto on August 9.  Kehinde, who expressed his deep grief and disbelief over the tragic incident, called on the police to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to justice. Fatai was killed by suspected cultists on Friday in Kuto . Speaking about the events leading up to his son’s death, the ages man recounted that he had left Fatai’s shop around 7 p.m. the previous evening.  Chief Kehinde , Jaguna Ijemo …

Daud Olatunji A local anti-corruption group, Grassroots Accountability Project (GAP), has issued a stern warning of impending legal action over alleged widespread misappropriation of public funds by the immediate past Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area in Ogun State, Hon. Adetutu Elizabeth Oyesanya.  The group alleges that during Oyesanya’s tenure, funds meant for local development were misused, depriving the local community of essential services and perpetuating poverty. In a petition signed by GAP’s Coordinator, Gboyega Sadare, the group claims to possess irrefutable evidence of financial malpractices, including embezzlement, flawed procurement processes, and mismanagement of internally generated revenue within the…

Three decades after the tragic killing of Zackari Murtala Muhammed, the family of the late Head of State is leading a renewed fight for justice, marking a significant step forward in the quest for victims’ rights across Nigeria.  On the 31st anniversary of the assassination, the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), spearheaded by Dr. Aisha Oyebode, has secured critical support from the National Assembly for the Victims’ Rights Bill, a legislative milestone that could reshape the nation’s approach to criminal justice. Zackari Murtala Muhammed was fatally shot on August 13, 1993, a crime that remains unresolved despite the identification of suspects. …

Daud Olatunji The acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr. Chris Maiyaki, has called for enhanced quality assurance and reputational capital as critical tools for transforming Nigeria’s educational landscape.  Dr.  Maiyaki  made this assertion during the inaugural Registry Lecture at Babcock University, where he delivered a keynote address titled “The Role of the University Administrator in a Changing University Environment: Issues and Prospects.” In his address, Dr. Maiyaki highlighted the evolving challenges faced by university administrators in today’s dynamic higher education environment.  He emphasised the necessity for these administrators to adopt a creative and innovative mindset, which…