Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has appointed Nigerian tech and social entrepreneur, Zephia Ovia-Ikem, as a UNICEF NextGen Champion, a role that will see her mobilize private sector leaders and innovators to advance the rights and wellbeing of children and young people across Nigeria. Announcing the appointment, Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, said Ovia-Ikem joins a global network of investors, philanthropists, and private sector leaders working to accelerate progress for children and youth. Ovia-Ikem, known for her active support of Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) since its launch, will spearhead advocacy and partnerships aimed at improving access to…

Twenty years after the tragic Bellview Airlines plane crash that claimed 117 lives, the Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has decried the neglect of Lisa Village in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, calling on both the Federal and State Governments to urgently rehabilitate the road leading to the crash site and restore the overgrown memorial ground. Showunmi, in a statement issued to mark the 20th anniversary of the October 22, 2005 disaster, described the present condition of the Lisa crash site as “a national embarrassment” and a reflection of Nigeria’s poor culture of remembrance. “It is…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that it generated a record-breaking N1.86 billion from the sale of forfeited assets in 2024 — the highest amount since its creation. The commission’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, revealed this in a statement issued on Wednesday after the 2025 meeting of the Asset Disposal Committee, which was chaired by ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN). According to the report presented by the Proceeds of Crime Department (POCD), the 2024 asset disposal exercise involved 23 assets, out of which 10 were successfully auctioned in December 2024, generating the bulk of…

Popular gospel musician and broadcaster, Dr. Yinka Ayefele (MON), has revealed that he was subjected to years of intense scrutiny by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) before he was finally granted a licence to operate Fresh FM, one of the most successful private radio networks in the Southwest. Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, to commence activities marking Fresh FM’s 10th anniversary, Ayefele said the process of obtaining the broadcast licence lasted seven years and involved extensive background checks on…

… Opposition Warns Proposal Threatens Multiparty Democracy … Critics Say Move Violates Citizens’ Constitutional Right A heated controversy erupted on Wednesday as leading opposition figures and pro-democracy advocates rejected a proposal before the Senate seeking to limit Nigeria’s political parties to a maximum of 10, describing it as unconstitutional and dangerous to democratic growth. The contentious suggestion, made by Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South) during plenary debate on “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act, No. 13, 2022 and Enact the Electoral Bill, 2025,” has sparked outrage across political circles. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the INEC recognized…

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested four suspects for allegedly operating a sophisticated impersonation and forgery syndicate that targeted government institutions and foreign embassies in Abuja. The suspects — identified as Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam, Obeten John, Abubakar Mohammed, and Lucky Ndirika Emenike — were apprehended by operatives of the Corps’ Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) following credible intelligence on their illicit activities. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, by the NSCDC spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSC) Afolabi Babawale, the prime suspect, Jikan Mallam, had been parading himself as a member…

Tension erupted in Tarabu village, Kirikasamma Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Wednesday when angry youths attacked dignitaries during the flag-off of a 23.4-kilometre road project linking Tarabu to Gafta. Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi, who led the ceremony, reportedly escaped unhurt alongside several top politicians after the event turned violent. Among those who narrowly avoided harm were Hon. Abubakar Fulata, member representing Guri/Kirikasamma/Birniwa Federal Constituency, and Alhaji Muhammad Maji, Chairman of Kirikasamma Local Government Area. Witnesses said  that the attack began moments after the governor had performed the groundbreaking ceremony. Dozens of irate youths began pelting stones and other…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that no fewer than 172 people have died from Lassa fever across 21 states of the federation so far in 2025. In its latest situation report released on Tuesday, the NCDC revealed that 924 confirmed cases of the viral disease were recorded as of epidemiological week 40, covering 106 Local Government Areas nationwide. The agency noted that the current case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 18.6 per cent, representing an increase from 17 per cent recorded within the same period in 2024 — a sign that the disease’s spread…

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and three other passengers travelling to Anambra State ahead of the November 8 governorship election. The victims were reportedly ambushed on Tuesday afternoon around Aloma, a community in Kogi State bordering Benue, while on their way from Abuja to Awka, Anambra’s capital. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the abducted INEC officials — identified as Chinenye Orji, Adamaka Anih, and Catherine Temaugee — were on official duty to print voters’ registers and other sensitive election materials for the upcoming poll. A survivor, who drove the Sienna…

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has kicked against the ongoing constitutional amendment process by the Federal Government, describing it as “cosmetic, unrealistic, and self-serving.” The group accused political elites of pushing for the creation of 46 new states to expand their access to public funds and security votes rather than to improve governance or strengthen the federation. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Afenifere’s Director of Research, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, said the current amendment effort — which seeks to alter more than 70 sections and 83 clauses of the 1999 Constitution — is “headed for failure.” “They want…