Author: Platform Times Newspaper

 The Vice Chancellor of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Professor Adesola Ajayi, has underscored the indispensable role of strategic research in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the fight against climate change. Ajayi made this known while speaking at a two-day workshop organised by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Alumnae, in collaboration with African Women in Climate Research and Action (AWCRA) and Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. The workshop, themed “From Vulnerability to Resilience: Empowering Women to Address Climate Change through Sustainable Development Goals”, drew participants from across West and Southern Africa including Nigeria, Republic of…

Feyisayo Ogunbiyi  Traders of South-East extraction in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Saturday, staged a protest and shut down their shops to express outrage over the gruesome killing of one of their own, Mrs. Blessing Eze, allegedly by tax-collecting touts. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident occurred on Friday, June 6, during the Eid-el-Kabir festivities when local touts reportedly stormed the market demanding a ₦1,500 “festival levy” from traders. According to eyewitnesses, Eze, who sold food items in the market, pleaded with the tax collectors to return later as she had not made any sales and could…

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has described the Nigerian Civil War as the most challenging and painful period of his life, stating that his actions during the conflict were guided by a sense of duty and not hatred. Gowon made the remark on Saturday in Abuja while receiving a Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship of the Abuja Anglican Diocese. “I always remember the civil war. It was the most difficult period of my life,” the former leader said, reflecting on the civil war that lasted from July…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians to avoid specific Dove-branded hand soaps and deodorants, citing health risks posed by a banned chemical substance found in the products. In a public alert released on Saturday, NAFDAC said the affected products contain Butylphenyl Methylpropional, also known as 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propanaldehyde—a substance linked to skin irritation and potential harm to unborn children. The agency’s statement, titled “Alert on the Ban of Dove Hand and Deodorant Soap due to Butylphenyl Methylpropional Contamination”, listed several products implicated in the health warning. These include:Dove Exfoliating…

Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has revealed that Nigeria lost a staggering $450 million to fraud perpetrated under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) subsidy scheme between 2006 and 2012. Bawa made this disclosure in his newly released book, The Shadow of Loot & Losses: Uncovering Nigeria’s Petroleum Subsidy Fraud, where he detailed how oil marketers manipulated the system to siphon billions from public funds. The ex-EFCC boss, who served as the agency’s chairman from February 2021 to June 2023, was a lead investigator on the team that probed the infamous fuel subsidy scam.…

Former presidential spokesperson and Arise TV co-host, Dr. Reuben Abati, has responded to recent allegations made against him by Mr. Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stating categorically that he never begged the FCT minister for financial assistance. In a statement shared on his official social media pages on Saturday, Abati dismissed Olayinka’s claims as false, maintaining that he was not absent from Friday’s edition of The Morning Show to avoid confrontation, but because he was engaged in a pre-scheduled book review event. Olayinka, who appeared as a guest on Arise…

Former Ogun State Governor and serving Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has hailed the enduring reign of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, describing the monarch as a towering symbol of royal excellence and visionary leadership in Nigeria. In a message of tribute and solidarity obtained by PLATFORM TIMES on Saturday, Senator Daniel, who also bears the traditional title of Otunba Obalofin of Ijebuland, praised the Awujale’s over six-decade reign, crediting it for transforming Ijebuland into a bastion of peace, cultural pride, and progressive development. “Your Imperial Majesty’s leadership has been nothing short of…

A recent call by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, to fence the country’s borders with its four neighbouring states has sparked debate among security experts and former military officers. At a security conference in Abuja, General Musa urged the government to consider fencing Nigeria’s borders as a critical step towards curbing the escalating menace of cross-border criminals, terrorists, and armed insurgents. Citing successful precedents like Pakistan’s fence with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia’s barrier with Iraq, Musa described effective border management as indispensable in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insecurity. The nation has battled a 16-year insurgency led…

A  total of 1.67 million pilgrims converged on the plains of Arafat on the pivotal Day of Arafat for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, and the event passed without any reported security or health incidents, Saudi authorities have confirmed. Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Deputy Emir of Makkah Region and Vice Chairman of the Permanent Hajj and Umrah Committee, attributed the smooth and calm atmosphere to the Kingdom’s integrated service system and meticulous planning by leadership. He said, “On this great day, pilgrims gathered at Arafat in devotion and reverence. Their transportation from Makkah and Mina was executed in record time under…

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the return journey for Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2025 Hajj will commence on Monday, June 9. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh, disclosed this on Friday in Minna while felicitating with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. Professor Saleh noted that the first batch of returning pilgrims would include contingents from Imo State flying with Air Peace, Bauchi State with Max Air, and Kebbi and Sokoto States with Flynas. “The return journey for Nigerian pilgrims will begin on the 13th…