Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Chairman of the Independence National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said the commission accredited 111 domestic and international organisations, and will deploy 3,554 observers for the Ondo State governorship poll. Mr Yakubu made this known on Thursday in Akure during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the commission ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 16. He said, “As you are aware, an election is a multi-stakeholder activity. INEC has a role to play and we have done so always in consultation with stakeholders.’’ The INEC chairman, who said that the commission’s role had to be complemented by…

The Nigerian Presidency has reassured citizens that Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) remains a safe and cost-effective alternative to petrol, dismissing safety concerns stirred by Malaysia’s recent decision to phase out natural gas-powered vehicles by July 2025. In a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, clarified that the Malaysian government’s concerns primarily relate to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), not CNG. This clarification comes amid rising apprehensions among Nigerians over CNG-powered vehicle safety, fueled by reports of explosions involving CNG vehicles. “The Malaysian issue speaks more to the…

Daud Olatunji Wema Bank has been crowned the No. 1 Best Workplace in Nigeria for 2024 by the prestigious Great Place to Work (GPTW) Awards, held recently in Lagos. This achievement highlights Wema Bank’s commitment to fostering an innovative and supportive work culture, focusing on employee well-being, work-life balance, and mental health initiatives. The Great Place to Work Awards recognize organizations that prioritize healthy work environments and employee satisfaction, using insights derived from the Trust Index Survey—a globally recognized tool that assesses workplace culture through the employees’ perspective. Organizations that meet the survey’s benchmark are awarded GPTW certification, a symbol…

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has raised the alarm that Nigeria spends a staggering $1 billion each year on importing vehicle spare parts, including essential components like bumpers, tires, batteries, oil filters, and lights. The NADDC  said it has initiated efforts to enhance Nigeria’s technological capabilities in local vehicle component manufacturing in  a bid to curtail the massive expenditure on vehicle spare part imports. The Director-General of NADDC, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, highlighted these concerns on Monday during the launch of a specialized engineering training in Abuja. Addressing participants at the Midas NFX Automotive Software Design Skills bootcamp…

The Federal Government has disbursed N45 billion to equip the  Primary Health Centres  facilities nationwide, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced. Speaking at the 2024 Joint Annual Health Review meeting in Abuja, Prof. Pate stated that the funds, directly allocated to primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in partnership with state governments, aim to significantly improve access to essential health services in rural and underserved areas. The initiative, part of the PHC 2.0 reform, has already channeled resources into over 8,000 centres, empowering them with both financial backing and workforce support. “The 45 billion Naira disbursed to PHCs…

Daud Olatunji Save the Children International (SCI) has warned over the severe risk of hunger facing over 16 million Nigerian children. According to the SCI Country Director, Duncan Harvey, a devastating combination of climate disasters, escalating insecurity, and skyrocketing prices is pushing the country’s hunger crisis to dangerous new levels. Harvey revealed that conditions in Nigeria have deteriorated significantly, with an additional one million children likely to suffer acute malnutrition by April next year. He called for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of life and address the deteriorating food crisis, particularly in the northwest and northeast regions, where conflict…

Kamala Harris formally conceded the presidential election to Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon, after calling the former president on the phone. “She discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans,” a senior Harris aide shared, Mail Online reports. Harris is scheduled to deliver remarks at Howard University later today. Meanwhile, Trump is spending the day at his Mar-a-Lago residence. The state of Michigan, part of the critical “blue wall,” has played a pivotal role in recent elections. Democrats had hoped this base would propel Harris to victory, as Joe Biden reclaimed it…

The Lagos State Government has closed down a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), a Celestial Church of God, several nightclubs, and event centres across the state, citing violations related to noise pollution. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the enforcement on Wednesday, stating that the closures were carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) on Tuesday. The shutdowns targeted establishments in multiple areas, including Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota. Among the sealed establishments were prominent religious centres and social venues, such as RCCG, Celestial…

An Enugu State Magistrate Court has ordered the detention of a woman, Mrs. Ada Ogbogu, in the Enugu Correctional Centre for allegedly assaulting her three-year-old stepson, Kaitobechukwu Ogbogu, by breaking his leg with a pestle. The incident has sparked outrage, with child rights advocates and government officials condemning the alleged act of violence. Mrs. Ogbogu was arraigned on Tuesday, with police informing the court that the crime she is accused of carries a potential life sentence if convicted. The charge, registered as CME/646C/2024, specifies that on October 23, 2024, around 2:30 p.m., at Ike Ani Estate in Emene, Enugu, Mrs.…

The Nigerian Institute of Landscape Horticulturists (NILH) is gearing up to host its 17th Natural Conference and Annual General Meeting, gathering environmental professionals, scholars, and enthusiasts from across Nigeria to explore the role of landscape horticulture in achieving sustainable environmental protection. The event, themed “Unveiling The Potentials of Landscape Horticulture for Environmental Protection and Sustainability,” is scheduled for November 25th–29th, 2024, at the University of Abuja’s Faculty of Agriculture Auditorium, along the Airport Road at the institution’s permanent site. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the conference will tackle critical sub-themes relevant to Nigeria’s urbanisation and environmental challenges, including “Environmental Landscape and…