Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has formally prohibited individuals below 18 from purchasing Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. PLATFORM TIMES reports that it was a move to enhance national security and protect minors. This regulatory measure, as confirmed by officials from the NCC, mandates that SIM ownership is reserved for Nigerians who have attained the age of 18, aligning with the age of legal consent in Nigeria. According to sources within the NCC, the new policy aims to safeguard young Nigerians from potential risks associated with SIM usage. “This is about protecting minors from liabilities they may not fully understand,”…

For nearly three weeks, customers of Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) have been ensnared in service disruptions due to system upgrades, leaving them unable to perform basic transactions or access their funds. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the timing of the disruptions, as month-end approaches, has compounded anxieties as workers across Nigeria brace for salary payments, with concerns mounting over accessibility when the funds land in their accounts. The disruptions stem from core banking migrations—a process intended to modernize the banks’ operating systems. Both banks, aiming to improve user experience, had advised customers to expect temporary downtimes. But rather…

Prominent activist and #BringBackOurGirls movement convener, Aisha Yesufu, has fiercely responded to Nigerian singer Seun Kuti, following his criticism of her advocacy for women’s rights in Nigeria. The dispute began when Kuti reacted to Yesufu’s campaign for women’s freedom, suggesting she should “liberate [herself] from [her] hijab first.” In response, Yesufu took to her social media platform, X, to address Kuti’s remarks, accusing him of trying to gain relevance at her expense. In a series of scathing posts, Yesufu took aim at Kuti’s heritage and career. She remarked, “Seun Kuti wants to trend with my name as his karaoke business…

Nigeria’s economy suffers a staggering $26 billion loss every year due to persistent power shortages, a recent report by Standard Bank has revealed. This figure excludes the additional $22 billion spent annually by businesses on off-grid fuel to mitigate the impact of these shortages, highlighting the severe financial strain on the country’s business sector. The report, which sheds light on the economic repercussions of Nigeria’s electricity crisis, comes amid a series of national grid collapses that have plagued the country in recent weeks. Many regions across Nigeria experienced prolonged blackouts, with the grid reportedly failing three times within a single…

Daud Olatunji As the Ogun State gubernatorial election draws closer, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has intensified its call for the Muslim governor in 2027, urging political stakeholders to address longstanding religious imbalances in leadership. The call was made in a statement issued by Alhaji Olaleye Rasheed Damilare, Secretary of MURIC Ogun State, and signed by Alhaji Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, the organization’s State Chairman. According to MURIC, the state’s history of leadership, heavily skewed in favour of Christian governors, fails to reflect the religious diversity of Ogun’s population. “Since the establishment of democracy in Nigeria, four out of the five…

Daud Olatunji The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the equitable rehabilitation of roads across the state, promising that ongoing road maintenance efforts will extend to all zones. This assurance was provided by the Chairman of the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA), Mr. Raphael Ogunlade, during an inspection of ongoing road rehabilitation projects on Thursday. Concerns have mounted among residents in various regions of Oyo, including Oyo, Ogbomosho, and other zones outside Ibadan, over whether the government’s efforts will be evenly distributed. Responding to these concerns, Mr. Ogunlade emphasized Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to ensuring that all…

Daud Olatunji A student from Obada Community High School in Ogun State, identified as Ariyo Monday, has reportedly died following complications after being disciplined with two strokes of a cane. Conflicting accounts over the circumstances of his death have sparked public outcry and controversy, with accusations and clarifications from school authorities, the teachers’ union, and bloggers. Earlier reports, including a widely circulated video by blogger Just Adetoun, claimed that the student had died after being subjected to 164 strokes of the cane by a teacher, allegedly under orders from the principal, Mrs. Onalapo. The video, which showed Ariyo critically ill…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming that the current leader entered office with no coherent plan for the nation. In a recent interview, Obasanjo criticized Tinubu’s approach, arguing that effective leadership is not about making spontaneous pronouncements but requires careful planning and strategy. In his statement, Obasanjo expressed disappointment in Tinubu’s three-point agenda, describing it as unformulated and unstudied. “What do you say of a president who came to office without a plan? Came to office without a plan and then you woke up and just said three-point plan. What are…

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operative captured in a viral video engaged in a violent altercation with police officers. The incident, which has sparked public outcry, took place this week at Elizabeth Estate, Abere, Osogbo, the capital of Osun State. The video, widely circulated on social media, shows members of the police force and NSCDC personnel in a physical brawl, with blows and slaps exchanged between the two security agencies. Witnesses at the scene claimed that tensions first erupted on Tuesday when policemen from Oyo State…

A labourer, identified as Sunday Emmanuel, allegedly murdered his wife, Linda Emmanuel, and attempted to kill his three-year-old son in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State. The attack reportedly took place on October 7, 2024, around 5:30 a.m. at Ogbeni Camp, in the Ofosu area of the local government. According to a police report, Emmanuel fatally attacked his wife, slashing her neck and cheek with a machete during a dispute over their family’s annual wages. Following the brutal assault, Emmanuel allegedly turned on his young son, also named Sunday, striking the toddler’s head in an apparent attempt to end…