Author: Platform Times Newspaper

By Dave Agboola Nations are often remembered through the leaders they elect. Just as often, however, they are shaped by the entrepreneurs they produce. The story of modern Nigeria cannot be told without its great business builders. Aliko Dangote redefined industrial production. Tony Elumelu transformed banking and democratized entrepreneurship. Femi Otedola expanded his influence in energy while elevating the culture of strategic philanthropy. Among them stands Mike Adenuga Jr., one of the most consequential yet least understood figures in Nigeria’s economic history. Known as both the “Gentle Giant” and “The Bull,” Adenuga has spent more than four decades reshaping Nigeria’s…

Daud Olatunji The Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria, ATOPCON, Ogun State Branch, has raised concerns over mounting development pressure arising from rapid urbanisation and industrial expansion across the state, warning that inadequate planning and weak development control could produce uncoordinated physical growth with far-reaching consequences for communities. The association said the expanding urban centres and major growth corridors were creating new economic opportunities but were simultaneously placing increasing pressure on infrastructure, housing, transportation, land use, environmental management and development control. The Chairman of ATOPCON, Ogun State Branch, TPL Rauf Adebanjo, raised the concern at the association’s 2026 Annual…

Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has threatened to institute a $100m defamation lawsuit against United States-based lobbyist, Karl Von Batten, over allegations linking him to threats of kidnapping and physical harm. Fani-Kayode also threatened to seek Von Batten’s extradition from the United States to Nigeria, alleging that the lobbyist violated Nigerian cybercrime laws and committed criminal defamation. The former Minister of Aviation made the threats in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, following an announcement by Von Batten’s firm that it had been cleared to proceed with a $36m lawsuit against Fani-Kayode and President Bola Tinubu. Von…

The Canadian government has warned its citizens travelling to Nigeria to avoid unregulated and adulterated alcoholic drinks following reports of deaths and serious illnesses linked to beverages containing dangerous levels of methanol. The warning was contained in the Canadian government’s official travel advisory for Nigeria under its “Safety and Security” guidance. According to the advisory, casualties have occurred after people consumed unregulated and adulterated alcoholic drinks containing high concentrations of methanol. The Canadian authorities advised travellers to purchase alcoholic beverages only from reputable establishments and to seek immediate medical attention if they become unwell after drinking. The development comes amid…

One person was reportedly killed on Thursday after a violent confrontation between personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and traders at Chorbe Market in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Several vehicles were also reportedly damaged during the clash, while traders and residents fled the area as the confrontation escalated. The incident reportedly started when NSCDC personnel were invited by officials of the market traders’ association to enforce a weekly sanitation exercise, during which roadside traders were asked to shut their shops. Some of the affected traders, however, reportedly resisted the directive, arguing that their…

The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe State has nullified the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The court also ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary in the state in accordance with the party’s guidelines and applicable electoral laws. Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed delivered the judgment on Thursday, September 24, 2026, following a pre-election suit instituted by a PDP governorship aspirant, Usman Aliyu Garry. Garry had challenged the process through which Pantami emerged as the party’s candidate, arguing…

…Defence Minister Says Experience Will Expose Citizens To Soldiers’ Hardship, Sacrifices ….‘You’ll Understand What It Means To Stay Hungry, Work Without Sleep’ Daud Olatunji Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, has called for every Nigerian to undergo military training, saying such an experience would give citizens a deeper understanding of the demands and sacrifices involved in defending the country. Musa made the call while speaking on the African Leadership Podcast with Ken Giami, where he discussed the challenges confronting Nigeria’s armed forces and the conditions under which military personnel operate. The minister said military training would expose citizens…

Ayomide Awe The Uplift Development Foundation has marked the 15th edition of its annual free breast and cervical cancer screening programme in Ogun State, with its founder, Dr Mrs Olufunso Amosun, announcing continued funding of surgeries for women diagnosed with breast lumps. The foundation, which commenced the initiative in 2012, said the intervention was designed to bridge the gap between cancer detection and access to treatment, particularly for people who may be unable to afford the cost of medical care. The latest screening exercise, held at the Telemedicine Centre Hall of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, attracted women and men,…

Daud Olatunji The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has warned religious leaders against diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other funds entrusted to churches and mosques into their personal businesses. The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council. Olukoyede described the diversion of religious funds for private business purposes as a criminal act, urging religious institutions to establish effective regulatory and financial compliance mechanisms to safeguard money contributed by their members. He stressed that religious leaders had a responsibility to demonstrate integrity because their…

Mujeeb Akindoyin Nigeria has heightened surveillance and preparedness measures and placed the country on high alert following the continued spread of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the outbreak has so far claimed 3,699 lives. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed the development in an interim public health advisory signed by its Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, following a fresh assessment of the epidemiological situation in the DRC and consultations with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention…