Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Residents of Jenta Adamu in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, on Friday morning, set ablaze suspected cult members who had invaded their community. The incident, which has sparked widespread discussions on security and mob justice, occurred when the alleged cultists attempted to rob residents of their belongings. Witnesses say  the attack ignited an immediate response from enraged community members, who pursued the suspects and took justice into their own hands. Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Police Command, Alfred Alabo, detailed the events in a statement. “At approximately 09:20 am, a concerned…

Nigerians are bracing for increased expenses on mobile calls, data, and SMS following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) decision to unveil a new tariff plan for the telecommunications sector effective December 13, 2024. This move, according to the NCC, is aimed at simplifying tariff structures and improving consumer experience across the industry. Dr. Maida Wada, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, made this announcement during an interactive session with the media in Abuja, represented by Mr. Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs. Dr. Wada clarified that the revised release date of December 13 replaces the earlier scheduled date…

The Kaduna State Government has  denied claims that any financial incentives were offered to bandits in exchange for surrendering their weapons. Governor Uba Sani clarified this during an exclusive interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, following the reception of repentant bandits in the state. “We did not give them one naira,” Governor Sani stated when asked if the state government had made financial arrangements for the bandits to lay down their arms. He dismissed any notions of monetary exchange, stressing that the bandits’ decision to surrender stemmed from a deeper disillusionment with their former lifestyle. “Most of them…

The Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has officially sworn in a nine-member Local Government Election Petition Tribunal to adjudicate disputes arising from the November 16th local government elections in the state. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the conference hall of the Judiciary Complex in Kobape, Abeokuta, the state capital. The tribunal is made up of five men and four women, in accordance with the provisions of Section 85 (1 and 3) of the Electoral Law of Ogun State. In her address, Justice Dipeolu urged the tribunal members to approach their duties with the utmost diligence and commitment.…

Wema Bank has concluded the fifth edition of its Hackaholics initiative, awarding an impressive N145 million to seven tech startups during the grand finale held recently in Lagos.  The initiative, which has become a premier platform for discovering and supporting Nigeria’s brightest innovators, nearly doubled its initial prize pool of N75 million in response to the exceptional talent showcased. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, highlighted the importance of the initiative, describing it as a cornerstone of the bank’s commitment to fostering innovation. “We are delighted to celebrate the brilliance of our youth through…

Amnesty International has revealed that at least 24 protesters lost their lives and over 1,200 were arrested during the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria. The protests, which spanned 10 days from August 1, saw Nigerians taking to the streets to decry widespread hardship and poor governance. However, the demonstrations turned violent in some areas, with reports of police using teargas on protesters and journalists, alongside incidents of looting and vandalism of both public and private property, particularly in northern states. In a report titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests” released on Thursday, Amnesty International accused…

The Federal Government has raised concerns over the alarming rise in judgment debts, with cases against Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) more than tripling since 2015. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Justice have called for urgent measures to curb the trend, which they say threatens national resources and hampers development. Speaking at the 2024 Roundtable with Legal Advisers of Federal MDAs in Abuja on Thursday, the CBN Deputy Governor for Corporate Services, Bala Bello, highlighted the surge in garnishee orders as a pressing issue. Represented by the CBN’s Director of Legal Services, Kofo Salami-Alada,…

The British government generated over N40 billion from processing visa applications for Nigerian nationals between June 2023 and June 2024, highlighting the financial significance of Nigeria in the UK’s immigration system. According to Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration, over 225,000 visa applications from Nigerians were processed within the period under review. Owen made this disclosure during the launch of Africa’s largest UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Lagos, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to enhancing its visa services. “In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for…

The Federal Government has disclosed that approximately $19 million is required to effectively combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria, which account for half of Africa’s burden and a quarter of the global total. This was revealed on Thursday by the National Coordinator for NTDs at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Fatai Oyediran, during a high-level advocacy meeting with health commissioners from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. Mr. Oyediran emphasized that with adequate funding and strategic implementation of the NTDs master plan (2023-2027), Nigeria could eradicate the diseases that disproportionately affect…

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refunded a total of N5.3 billion to States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Armed Forces, and accredited tour operators for services not properly rendered by Saudi authorities during the 2023 Hajj exercise. A statement issued by NAHCON revealed that N4.47 billion was refunded to the state welfare boards, FCT, and Armed Forces, while N917.14 million was disbursed to 192 accredited tour companies that participated in the Hajj. According to the commission, the refunds are to be distributed to the affected pilgrims, with ongoing reconciliations expected to cover other…