Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Today on Platform Times Newspaper, 2nd August, 2026. Visit www.platformtimes.com.ng for many more stories.

The World Health Organization has raised fresh concerns over the escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), warning that the disease has become the country’s largest recorded epidemic, with more than 3,600 confirmed infections and nearly 1,600 deaths. In its latest situation report released on Saturday, the global health body said 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths had been recorded as of July 30, describing the outbreak as a rapidly evolving public health emergency driven by sustained transmission and widening geographical spread. The WHO said the increasing number of infections and fatalities underscores the urgent need…

Zainab Abioye Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to reject ethnic profiling, religious intolerance, misinformation and retaliatory violence, warning that such divisions threaten national peace, security and economic development. Shettima made the appeal on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, during the 80th birthday celebration and public presentation of the autobiography of former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah Jang. The Vice-President said lasting peace remained the bedrock of national progress, stressing that every Nigerian had a role to play in preserving unity and strengthening social cohesion. “A people at peace is the highest achievement of any government because peace is the…

Daud Olatunji Fresh questions have emerged over the source of funds powering the multi-billion-naira humanitarian interventions of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, after an analysis of publicly available records showed that she announced or facilitated more than N15 billion in donations through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) between July 2023 and July 2026. The donations, which cut across humanitarian relief, women empowerment, healthcare, agriculture, education, disability support and disaster response, have triggered renewed calls from civil society organisations, policy analysts and governance advocates for greater transparency and accountability regarding the funding structure of the initiative. The concerns stem from…

Daud Olatunji Nigeria imported motor vehicles and automotive parts worth $602 million from the United States between January and May 2026, representing a 41.3 per cent increase compared to the $426 million recorded during the same period in 2025. The latest figures, obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, indicate a sustained rise in vehicle imports despite persistent concerns over high automobile prices in the country. Data showed that passenger cars accounted for the bulk of the imports, with shipments rising by 45.5 per cent to $454 million during the five-month period, up from…

… President, Ex-VP Attach Only Higher Institution Certificates … Obi Provides Full Educational History Ayomide Awe The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the personal particulars of candidates vying for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, with the documents revealing that President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar did not attach their primary and secondary school certificates, unlike former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. The particulars, which were displayed on Friday at INEC offices across the 774 local government areas, were published in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates the electoral…

Daud Olatunji Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing rebuttal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the latter’s claim that choosing him as running mate in the 1999 presidential election was the greatest mistake of his presidency, accusing the ex-president of attempting to rewrite history. Atiku, who also revived the long-standing controversy surrounding Obasanjo’s failed third-term bid, declared that he had “no apology whatsoever” for opposing what he described as an unconstitutional attempt to extend the former president’s tenure. The former vice-president made the remarks in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication,…

Grace Adeleke A Catholic seminarian abducted by gunmen in Benue State has regained his freedom after reportedly escaping from his captors’ hideout and reuniting with his family. The seminarian, Kelvin Ochai of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, was said to have escaped on Friday evening from the den of his abductors after days in captivity. The Diocese confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo. According to the statement, Ochai trekked to Aliade in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State after escaping and was later reunited with his family…

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has ordered Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited to pay N15 million in damages to two former customers for unlawfully retaining and processing their personal data after they had ended their banking relationship with the financial institution. In what legal experts have described as a significant ruling on data privacy in Nigeria, the court also directed the bank to delete all personal data belonging to the claimants that it is not legally required to retain and restrained it from further processing or using such information without lawful authority or the customers’ consent. Justice…

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of allegedly plotting to hijack the party’s structure and replace its presidential candidate, former President Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The faction also alleged that the electoral commission was working to weaken the opposition and create conditions for a one-party state, warning that any attempt to recognise candidates submitted by rival party leaders would undermine Nigeria’s democratic process. The allegations were contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party’s Interim National Working Committee, Ini…