Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Pominent political economist and former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, has clarified that the shadow government initiative he launched is not a subversive effort to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration, but a democratic tool to promote accountability and governance reform. Utomi, who is currently facing legal action from the Department of State Services over the move, made the clarification on Sunday during the 4th edition of the Topaz Lecture Series hosted by the University of Lagos Mass Communication Class of 1988 Alumni Association. Speaking on the theme “Shadow Government: A Distraction or Necessity?”, Utomi said the initiative, rather than being…

More than 21,000 candidates failed to show up for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) resit, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed, even as the examination body battles an alarming wave of high-tech exam malpractice involving AI tools, impersonators and compromised Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres. The resit, which was conducted for candidates affected by technical issues during the main UTME, recorded a significant absentee figure. Out of 336,845 candidates slated for the rescheduled test, 21,082 did not appear, according to a statement released on Sunday by JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin. While the turnout…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta within the first five months of 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and environmental degradation. This was revealed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja. According to Ejodame, the air component of Operation Delta Safe executed no fewer than 173 missions and 265 sorties, amassing over 270 flying hours between January and May in support of joint and independent military operations in…

Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027 could be significantly undermined — not by Labour Party’s Peter Obi alone, but by the emergence of three influential Nigerians. Speaking on Sunday via a statement issued by his media aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Primate Ayodele noted that while Obi remains a strong political figure, he does not possess the singular strength to unseat President Tinubu. According to the cleric, only a coalition involving three key individuals — whose identities he said he would reveal later — could…

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria’s northern region holds the key to the nation’s transformation, describing it as the country’s greatest asset. Obi made the assertion on Sunday while addressing participants at a meeting of the National Political Consultative Group (North) held in Abuja. The former Anambra State governor lamented the high poverty rate in the North, which he said has worsened insecurity and stalled national development. He blamed the situation on years of underinvestment and neglect. “When you have poverty, you have humanity that you cannot control,” Obi said.…

A  coalition meeting involving key opposition political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, was temporarily disrupted on Sunday following a protest by delegates from Jigawa State over representation issues. The high-level political parley, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel under the aegis of the National Political Consultative Group (North), saw a brief moment of chaos after former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, recognised a delegate to speak on behalf of Jigawa State. The move was met with stiff resistance from other Jigawa delegates who stormed the podium, physically preventing the…

Some critical stakeholders in Ogun state have expressed shock over the silence of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun on the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic Ilato, to University by the Federal Government . Tinubu signed into law the bill establishing the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, thereby upgrading the 46-year-old polytechnic to a full-fledged university. This was announced by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday. The bill, which was sponsored by the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Adeola, passed its third reading in October 2024. PLATFORM TIMES reports that since the president assented to the bill, many…

Daud Olatunji  The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, on Saturday commissioned five key infrastructural projects at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, describing the development as a major milestone in the delivery of quality healthcare under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Salako—an indigene of Ogun State—stated that the projects were part of a nationwide effort to upgrade facilities and improve service delivery across Federal Tertiary Health Institutions. He noted that the initiatives form a core part of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme, anchored on…

In an academic landscape often riddled with challenges, Akinbami Oluwatobi Israel stands out as a beacon of determination and excellence. Hailing from Ondo State and boasting a stellar 4.58 CGPA in Biochemistry from the Federal University Oye Ekiti, Israel’s story is one of relentless curiosity, faith-driven motivation, and strategic balance between leadership and scholarship. In this exclusive interview, with KOREDE BADMUS, Oluwatobi  shares insights into his journey, the hurdles he overcame, and the mindset that propelled him to academic distinction.  Can we meet you? A: My name is Akinbami Oluwatobi Israel, a native of Ondo State and a Biochemistry graduate…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the disbursement of ₦56.85 billion in upkeep allowances to more than 550,000 students across Nigeria, marking a significant milestone one year after the launch of its student loan portal. A statement issued by Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND, disclosed that in just twelve months, over 600,000 students have registered on the portal, with more than 550,000 successful loan applications processed. The Fund’s efforts are part of the Federal Government’s initiative to eliminate financial barriers to higher education for Nigerian youths. “NELFUND’s student loan programme has brought relief to…