Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Five major Nigerian banks including Wema Bank have  recorded a combined foreign exchange (forex) gain of N67.89 billion in the first half of 2024. This was revealed by the interim financial results submitted to the Nigerian Exchange Limited.  This represents a significant decline of approximately 67.89% from the N211.42 billion reported during the same period in 2023. The financial institutions involved are FCMB Group, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Wema Bank, Sterling Financial Holding Company, and Jaiz Bank.  Each of these banks experienced varying degrees of forex gains, influenced by changes in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) forex…

A 27-year-old man, identified as Tolu Falansa, tragically lost his life in a fire incident that occurred in the early hours of last week Sunday, in the Owode-Yewa community, in the Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident happened around 5:am. According to a police source familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity,the fire claimed Falansa’s life as he slept in his apartment.  Disturbingly, it was revealed that Falansa had kept his motorcycle inside the room where he slept.  His lifeless body was discovered beside the machine in a…

Daud Olatunji The Kano State Judiciary and several churches in Katsina State have reported significant losses following violent invasions by miscreants and hoodlums amid ongoing nationwide protests against hardship. In Kano, the judiciary counted its losses after miscreants, masquerading as hunger protesters, invaded the state high court.  The spokesperson for the Kano State High Court, Baba Ibrahim, stated on Sunday that the vandals vandalised offices, razed vehicles, and stole exhibits in ongoing cases, including guns recovered from suspected criminals. Ibrahim said, “On Thursday, rioters claiming to be #EndBadGovernment protesters broke into the court premises, vandalised offices, and stole an unspecified…

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) are set to participate in the 2024 Migration Dialogue, organized by the Journalists International Forum for Migration (JIFORM).  This event, aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of journalists and other professionals involved in migration matters, is scheduled to take place virtually via Zoom on Saturday, August 10th, with participants from several countries expected to attend. Highlighting the event will be Paola Pace, the Deputy Chief of Mission for IOM Nigeria, who will deliver a keynote address titled “Migration Trends: Threats and…

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees arrested by police and security forces during protests against the high cost of living in Nigeria.  Frank emphasized the need for a compassionate approach, urging Tinubu to act as a paternal figure dealing with aggrieved citizens to prevent further violence and the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators. Addressing the international community, Frank called for vigilant monitoring of the ongoing protests and the heavy-handed response from security forces.  He urged the United States, United Kingdom,…

Hoodlums wielding planks violently dispersed #EndBadGovernance protesters at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos State, on Sunday morning. The protesters, who had gathered to voice their dissatisfaction with the current administration, were forced to flee as the hoodlums launched a fierce attack. The protest, which had been relatively peaceful, took a violent turn around 10:30 am when a major disagreement broke out among the organizers.  A lawyer known simply as JP attempted to address the protesters, urging them to leave the protest grounds following President Bola Tinubu’s recent address to the nation.  However, another faction led by 70-year-old Adegboyega…

Food inflation in Nigeria has reached a staggering 40 per cent, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  surge has pushed the prices of essential commodities beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians, sparking widespread concern over food security in the country. Despite these alarming figures, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has assured Nigerians that the nation is on the brink of a significant agricultural turnaround.  Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Kyari revealed that the country is expecting a bumper harvest by the end of…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed all institutions to disclose within one month, details of all candidates they illegally admitted prior to 2017 or risk recognition and condonment. Dr Fabian Benjamin, the board’s Public Communication Advisor (CPA), disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the board’s headquarters on Sunday, in Abuja. Benjamin said that the board had resolved that it would no longer entertain absorption of illegal admissions by institutions through the window of “Condonment of Illegal Admissions”, without a registration number. The move, he explained, was aimed at curbing illegal admissions, falsification of records and ensuring compliance…

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has approved the removal of John Chem, the chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC).  The decision follows accusations from the state house of assembly regarding Chem’s alleged poor judgement in his role. On Wednesday, the Benue state house of assembly leveled serious allegations against Chem, asserting that his tenure was marred by decisions that failed to meet public interest and stakeholder expectations.  The assembly’s resolution called for his immediate removal from office. In a statement released on Thursday, Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, confirmed the governor’s action.  “Governor Alia…

The International Press Centre (IPC) has expressed grave concern over the increasing number of attacks on journalists by security agents and hoodlums, viewing them as deliberate efforts to suppress truthful reporting on ongoing protests. On Thursday, officials from the office of the National Security Adviser abducted and confiscated the camera and phones of Kayode Jaiyeola, a photojournalist from The PUNCH.  As of the time of filing this report, his belongings have not been returned. The situation escalated further on Friday in the Federal Capital Territory when police officers fired teargas at journalists covering a protest at the Berger roundabout.  The…