Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Saudi Arabian authorities have turned have turned away more than 269,000 individuals without official Hajj permits from entering Mecca, as part of efforts to enforce regulations and maintain order during the annual Islamic pilgrimage. This was disclosed by Saudi officials on Sunday during a press briefing in Mecca, according to reports from Al Arabiya and the Associated Press. The move, which targeted both foreign nationals and Saudi residents attempting to partake in the pilgrimage without authorisation, is part of a broader crackdown on unauthorised entry during the 2025 Hajj season. Speaking during the media briefing, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Omari stated,…

Deborah Musa The Federal High Court in Abuja was under lock and key on Monday, June 2, 2025, as judiciary workers defied earlier directives and joined a nationwide industrial strike, effectively barring access to judges, lawyers, litigants, and court staff. When journalists  visited the premises in the early hours of Monday, gates remained firmly shut with no court activity in sight. A similar scenario unfolded at the Court of Appeal headquarters, also located in the Federal Capital Territory. This development follows a communiqué issued by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) dated May 30, directing its federal chapters to…

The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 6, and Monday, June 9, 2025, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration. This was made known in a statement issued on Monday by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government. Tunji-Ojo congratulated the Muslim faithful both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, urging them to emulate the virtues of sacrifice, obedience, and faith as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). The minister also called on Nigerians to use the festive period to offer prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity in the country. He…

Daud Olatunji A recent investigation by PLATFORM TIMES has revealed that the administration of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, received a total of ₦335.81 billion in federal allocations between May 2019 and April 2025. The data, sourced from the civic tech platform BudgIT, covers a six-year period of monthly disbursements from the Federation Account and highlights the fiscal inflows into Ogun State under Abiodun’s stewardship since he succeeded Senator Ibikunle Amosun in 2019. A breakdown of the figures shows consistent growth in allocations over the years, with the highest inflow recorded in 2024 – a year after election – when…

Daud Olatunji An exclusive investigation by PLATFORM TIMES has revealed that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State received a total of ₦539.04 billion in net federal allocations between May 2019 and April 2025, covering six budget cycles under his stewardship. Data obtained from BudgIT, a civic technology organization focused on fiscal transparency, indicates a steady increase in the state’s monthly receipts from the Federation Account despite national economic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and global oil price fluctuations. PLATFORM TIMES reports that a breakdown of the disbursements shows a consistent upward trajectory: 2025 (Jan–Apr): ₦61.36 billion 2024:…

Daud Olatunji An investigation by PLATFORM TIMES has revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu received a staggering ₦1.43 trillion in federal allocations on behalf of Lagos State between May 2019 and March 2025. The data, obtained from BudgIT—a civic technology organisation advocating transparency and accountability in public finance—covers the six-year period of Sanwo-Olu’s administration, beginning from his assumption of office in May 2019 to the most recent disbursement in March 2025. The fiscal figures show consistent annual increases in allocations, with a dramatic surge recorded in 2024. According to the breakdown, Lagos received ₦79.62 billion in the last eight months of…

The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, has cried out over what it described as coordinated and deadly attacks by armed herdsmen in Benue State, which have claimed over 50 lives and forced the closure of 15 Catholic parishes in the last month. Speaking during a press conference in Makurdi on Sunday, the Chairman of the association, Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, described the attacks as “calculated ethnic cleansing” targeted at Tiv communities and the Catholic Church. Fr. Beba alleged that despite the proximity of some of the attacks to military checkpoints, there had been no meaningful response from…

The wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State. The milestone was announced during the institution’s 43rd Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony held on Saturday. In a statement released by her media adviser, Chris Okeke, on Sunday, the former First Lady dedicated her academic feat to Nigerian women and called on citizens, especially women and youths, to embrace lifelong learning irrespective of age. Speaking at the ceremony, Jonathan described education as a powerful tool for transformation and personal development.…

… Lagos, Oyo, Ogun Under Spotlight Over Use of Trillions Daud Olatunji A PLATFORM TIMES investigation has uncovered that three South-West governors — Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) — received a staggering ₦2.31 trillion in federal allocations between May 2019 and April 2025, raising fresh questions about fiscal transparency, budget performance, and development impact across the three states. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the data obtained from BudgIT, a civic tech organisation focused on public finance transparency, showed that Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State received the lion’s share with ₦1.43 trillion, followed by Governor Makinde of…

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has donated the sum of N1 million to each of the families of the 22 Kano State athletes and officials who lost their lives in a tragic road accident while returning from the recently-concluded National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, held in Abeokuta. The donation was presented on Sunday by a high-powered delegation from Ogun State, led by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who visited Kano to commiserate with the bereaved families on behalf of Governor Abiodun. Also on the delegation were the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; Commissioner for Sports,…