Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, has cried out over what it described as coordinated and deadly attacks by armed herdsmen in Benue State, which have claimed over 50 lives and forced the closure of 15 Catholic parishes in the last month. Speaking during a press conference in Makurdi on Sunday, the Chairman of the association, Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, described the attacks as “calculated ethnic cleansing” targeted at Tiv communities and the Catholic Church. Fr. Beba alleged that despite the proximity of some of the attacks to military checkpoints, there had been no meaningful response from…

The wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State. The milestone was announced during the institution’s 43rd Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony held on Saturday. In a statement released by her media adviser, Chris Okeke, on Sunday, the former First Lady dedicated her academic feat to Nigerian women and called on citizens, especially women and youths, to embrace lifelong learning irrespective of age. Speaking at the ceremony, Jonathan described education as a powerful tool for transformation and personal development.…

… Lagos, Oyo, Ogun Under Spotlight Over Use of Trillions Daud Olatunji A PLATFORM TIMES investigation has uncovered that three South-West governors — Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) — received a staggering ₦2.31 trillion in federal allocations between May 2019 and April 2025, raising fresh questions about fiscal transparency, budget performance, and development impact across the three states. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the data obtained from BudgIT, a civic tech organisation focused on public finance transparency, showed that Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State received the lion’s share with ₦1.43 trillion, followed by Governor Makinde of…

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has donated the sum of N1 million to each of the families of the 22 Kano State athletes and officials who lost their lives in a tragic road accident while returning from the recently-concluded National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, held in Abeokuta. The donation was presented on Sunday by a high-powered delegation from Ogun State, led by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who visited Kano to commiserate with the bereaved families on behalf of Governor Abiodun. Also on the delegation were the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; Commissioner for Sports,…

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested the General Overseer of the Wells of Salvation Church, Byazhin Across, Pastor Prince Bassey Ajah, alongside his brother and two other accomplices, over the alleged trafficking of two children. The police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Sunday, said the suspects were apprehended following a distress call from officials at Wazobia Motor Park in Abuja at about 2:00 a.m. on May 24, 2025. The officials had flagged suspicious behaviour by a man attempting to travel to Owerri, Imo State, with a minor. The suspect, identified as Isreal Ajah, was arrested…

Despite last-minute interventions and the Supreme Court’s withdrawal from the industrial action, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Federal High Court Chapter, has resolved to commence its planned indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, June 2. This decision followed a four-hour meeting on Sunday between JUSUN leaders and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) alongside the agency’s Director of Operations. The talks, however, ended in a deadlock, failing to avert the looming shutdown of federal court activities across the country. A top JUSUN official who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity confirmed that the…

Former Central Bank Governor and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, declaring that the country is already in crisis with citizens coexisting with bandits and Boko Haram insurgents. Sanusi made the  remarks on Saturday at the 60th birthday celebration of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi. “For all those who are saying we have to be careful before we get into a crisis, please wake up,” the Emir said. “We are living with bandits and Boko Haram; we are already there. We are already in crisis, it has already happened. The…

Daud Olatunji The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has handed a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government and other key stakeholders to urgently address lingering welfare issues or face a crippling nationwide industrial action. This decisive move was announced in a communiqué issued at the close of NARD’s May Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference, held from May 26 to 31, 2025, at the Villa Hilton Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. With the theme, “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects,” the five-day event attracted eminent figures from Nigeria’s medical, legal, and traditional institutions. Dr. Philip…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered and dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate allegedly sponsoring Hajj pilgrims to serve as cocaine couriers to Saudi Arabia, arresting three key members of the cartel in Kano. Spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Sunday that the crackdown followed the arrest of two suspected drug mules, Ibrahim Umar Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport during outward clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah on May 26. Babafemi disclosed that both suspects were intercepted during final screening after operatives received actionable…

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has dismissed a trending video featuring his daughter, Jane Eddidiong Ufot, as a calculated attempt by political opponents to sow discord within his family and distract from his administration’s achievements. The governor reacted publicly to the video during the birthday celebration of former Deputy Governor, Obong Nsima Ekere, held in Uyo. The event had in attendance close family members, including Jane—who currently serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Safety, and Environment. In the viral clip recorded shortly after the death of Governor Eno’s wife, Patience Eno, Jane tearfully…