Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Thirty-two years after the presidential election was annulled, former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida has admitted in his long-awaited autobiography that he was wrong in annulling the June 12, 1993 presidential election. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the election which he now acknowledges was won by the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Abiola. Babangida’s admission was made public on Thursday, during the unveiling of his autobiography titled A Journey in Service; An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the latest development sent ripples through the political landscape, re-opening discussions around one of Nigeria’s most controversial elections. Speaking…

It is wrong to write your surname before your first name because your first name is more important. Have you ever heard people call TINUBU BOLA or better still TRUMP DONALD? No, it has never happened. Rather, you’ll read BOLA TINUBU or DONALD TRUMP. Most times, when filling some documents, instructions may have it that surnames should be firstly written, that does not justify the rationale behind writing the surnames first. Such a thing is done for official purposes which is best known to the office involved. In the same vein, it is wrong to address a person with their…

A Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has granted controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, bail in the sum of N2 million with a surety of the same amount. However, Magistrate O.L. Oke issued a stern warning, emphasizing that Portable risks losing his bail if he discusses the court proceedings on social media or causes trouble in any way. “If you leave this courtroom and, for any reason, go to any social media platform to say anything about the court, you will lose your bail,” Magistrate Oke warned. “If you leave and foment trouble or cause problems…

Lafarge Africa Plc, a leader in innovative and sustainable cement production, has concluded a successful three-day capacity-building training program for Geoscientists and Mining Engineers at its Ewekoro Training Center in Ogun State. The event, which was held in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, aimed to equip participants with essential technical knowledge and hands-on experience to enhance their skills in the mining sector. The training brought together 25 participants from diverse sectors, featuring expert-led sessions that focused on mining best practices, safety protocols, raw materials management, community engagement, and sustainability initiatives. Attendees were also given…

Daud Olatunji The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has vehemently denied accusations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding Boko Haram or any other terrorist groups. PLATFORM TIMES reports that Mills made the clarification following a meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum in Abuja on Wednesday night. He addressed concerns raised by Congressman Scott Perry on February 13, who alleged that USAID funds were being used to support groups like Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. During a congressional hearing, Perry stated that USAID was involved in funding terrorist activities, a claim that sparked immediate…

The Federal Government has filed a suit seeking $79.51 billion and N231 million in compensation from Binance Holdings Limited, accusing the global cryptocurrency exchange of causing significant economic losses in Nigeria. In a case brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on February 11, the government claims that Binance deliberately operated in secrecy despite its substantial economic footprint in Nigeria. The suit, which is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1444/2024, alleges that Binance violated numerous financial and tax regulations, including the Companies Income Tax Act, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Establishment Act, and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Regulatory Framework for Mobile…

The Netherlands has announced its decision to return 119 Benin Bronzes, looted during the 1897 British raid on Benin City, to Nigeria. PLATFORM TIMES reports that this marks the largest return of such antiquities to Nigeria, signaling a significant step in addressing historical injustices. In a statement issued by the Dutch embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, Eppo Bruin, the Dutch Minister for Education, Culture, and Science, expressed that the bronzes should never have been taken to the Netherlands in the first place. Bruin emphasized that this restitution would help “redress a historical injustice that is still being felt today,” adding,…

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has issued a stern warning to local government (LG) chairmen across Nigeria, emphasizing that they are not immune to investigation or prosecution for corruption. Speaking at the Gombe State Local Government Summit on Wednesday, Olukoyede made it clear that the anti-graft agency will not hesitate to take action against any chairperson involved in fraudulent activities, regardless of their tenure. “No local government chairman is immune, and we will not wait until the end of your tenure to take action,” Olukoyede stated, stressing the importance of accountability in…

No fewer than eight people were reportedly  injured on Tuesday after a hunter’s gun accidentally discharged during the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) national convention in Demsa Local Government Area, Adamawa State. The incident occurred when a member of the Hunters Association from Kukta Village, Song Local Government Area, was carrying a dane gun as part of the event’s security. According to the police spokesperson, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the weapon fell from the hunter’s hands, causing it to discharge sporadically, leading to the injuries. The eight victims are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in Demsa,…

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Abdullahi, has reassured Nigerians that the country is not at risk of food scarcity, despite growing concerns in certain quarters. Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, Abdullahi addressed fears over food security, asserting that Nigeria remains secure in its food supply. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu is fully aware of the critical importance of food security, which led to his declaration of a state of emergency just two months after taking office. “Let me react to the headline I saw you talking about, risk of food scarcity. Nigeria is…