Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the country and its leaders, asserting that “nothing lasts forever” amid the ongoing challenges. The monarch, who made the appeal during a conference on Monday, urged religious leaders to avoid misleading their followers for personal gain, instead encouraging them to promote peace and resilience. Speaking at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, organized by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in partnership with International Alert, the Sultan highlighted the significance of unity in overcoming the region’s issues. He stressed that…

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State chapter, has called for the immediate removal of the state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Amina Abdullahi, following an alleged assault on a doctor at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano. The NMA described the incident, which occurred on November 1 at the hospital’s Emergency Paediatric Unit, as an abuse of power and a violation of humanitarian principles. In an official statement issued Monday by NMA Chairman Dr. Abdurrahman Ali and Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, the association condemned the commissioner’s actions, asserting that they “constitute misconduct, punishable by dismissal as outlined in Section…

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has revised its examination timetable for the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) External candidates to accommodate the upcoming Ondo State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024. NECO made this announcement on its official website, urging candidates to carefully review the updated timetable and check any changes affecting the exams originally slated for that day. According to the information posted, “the 2024 SSCE External Timetable has been adjusted due to the Ondo Governorship Election on Saturday, 16th November, 2024.” Candidates are advised to examine the revised timetable, now available online, alongside the original…

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that he did not lose the 2023 election but rather was the victim of a “criminally stolen” mandate. In a recent series of statements, Abubakar alleged that the election results, which declared President Bola Tinubu as the winner, did not reflect the true votes cast by Nigerians. Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, accused Tinubu’s administration of imposing “excruciating pain” on citizens through what he described as “trial-and-error economic policies.” He argued that the current government has caused unprecedented economic hardship, as it lacks a…

’Former presidential aide Doyin Okupe has stated that Nigerians are being “unfair” in their criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that the president’s reforms are necessary to prevent Nigeria’s economic collapse. Okupe, who served as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign in the 2023 elections, noted that while he previously supported Labour Party candidate Obi, he now believes the “better man” won. He shared these insights after meeting Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday. “Just 17 months, how much can he do?” Okupe questioned, urging Nigerians to give Tinubu’s administration more time to fully implement…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on charges of alleged misappropriation and diversion of public funds totaling N1.3 trillion from the 13% derivation fund allocated to Delta State between 2015 and 2023. Sources within the EFCC confirmed Okowa’s arrest on Monday, November 4, 2024, following his appearance at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate. He was reportedly invited by the commission as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged mismanagement of funds during his tenure as governor. EFCC investigators allege that Okowa failed to provide an account for the substantial sum…

The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has called on women in governance to advocate for legislative reforms aimed at dismantling systemic barriers that prevent gender parity in Nigeria’s political landscape. She emphasized that achieving gender equality in leadership roles requires targeted legislative efforts and supportive political networks. Salako-Oyedele made this call during her keynote address at the APC Women Summit and Dialogue held at the Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. With the theme “Empowering the Next Generation of Female Leaders: Building Political Networks for Collective Success,” the summit gathered prominent female leaders and stakeholders focused on…

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has praised Bashir Agboola for receiving the distinguished “Notable Black Leader in Healthcare” award from Crain’s New York Business for 2024. Agboola, who serves as the Vice President, Associate Chief Information Officer, and Chief Technology Officer at the renowned Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to healthcare and transformative technological leadership. In a statement issued by NiDCOM’s Head of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa commended Agboola for consistently reflecting a positive image of Nigeria on the global stage.…

A recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023-24 report reveals significant insights into Nigeria’s ongoing fight against malaria, highlighting progress and persistent challenges. The NDHS survey made available to journalists on Sunday in Abuja said malaria remained a serious health concern in the country, especially affecting vulnerable populations, with the latest data showing key trends in prevention, treatment, and public awareness. The survey indicates a marked increase in household ownership of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), a primary method of malaria prevention, especially in rural areas where ownership rates outpace urban regions. “Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) has also seen…

A police operative has shot dead a commercial bus driver in Anambra State, Nigeria’s South-east. The incident occurred on Saturday in Otuocha, a community in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state. This is happening two weeks after a police inspector, Joseph Ozonwanji, shot dead a Nigerian musician, Chikezie Okezie Mba, when he visited the Anti-Cult Unit of the Enugu State Police Command. Sources said that the operative allegedly shot the driver, identified simply as Kamtochukwu after the driver refused to give a N100 bribe to a police team at a checkpoint in the area. “The officer and the…