Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Nigerians grappling with persistent network failures, dropped calls, slow internet connections and disrupted business transactions may get answers as the House of Representatives has summoned the chief executives of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and Mafab Communications over the deteriorating quality of telecommunications services across the country. The lawmakers have given the telecommunications operators seven days to appear before an ad hoc committee investigating the poor services, warning that any chief executive who fails to honour the invitation could face a summons for arrest to compel their appearance. The summons followed mounting complaints from subscribers over what they…

Toyyibat Qasim Africa’s richest industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a continent-wide petroleum distribution network, disclosing that his conglomerate has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Kenya’s petroleum products pipeline network as part of efforts to expand its footprint across African energy markets. Dangote also revealed plans for petroleum storage terminals, tank farms and distribution corridors linking Djibouti, Ethiopia, Cameroon and Namibia, with further expansion envisaged into Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited disclosed the plans during an interview with Financial Times Africa Editor, David Pilling,…

…Fourth Outbreak Since April Sparks Panic Across Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo, Ago-Iwoy …Students Faint, Schools Shut As Parents Demand Urgent Government Action …Govt Blames Geological Fault Lines, Promises Lasting Solution Daud Olatunji Fear gripped parts of Ogun State on Wednesday as a fresh outbreak of suspected methane gas emissions reportedly left more than 100 secondary school students requiring medical attention across Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye. The latest incident, which affected several schools, forced some institutions to suspend academic activities as students and staff reportedly experienced breathing difficulties, fainting spells and other symptoms after inhaling an offensive gaseous substance. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that…

Ayomide Awe A suspected fraudster has reportedly confessed to stealing bank customers’ automated teller machine cards and memorising their personal identification numbers (PINs) by pretending to assist them at ATM points in Calabar, Cross River State. The suspect, whose identity was not disclosed by the police, allegedly exploited unsuspecting customers who needed assistance with ATM transactions to obtain their cards and PINs before using the information to defraud them. The Cross River State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a video shared on the command’s official Facebook page on Tuesday. Eitokpah said the suspect was arrested on…

Firdaus Obiremi Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for the reported ₦10bn approved for Ebola preparedness, demanding full disclosure of expenditure following the confirmation of a case in Abuja. Atiku also questioned the Federal Government’s handling of the reported case, alleging delays in public disclosure, inadequate protection for healthcare workers and lapses in contact tracing. He further warned the Tinubu administration against using the public health emergency to restrict political campaigns, discourage voter participation or interfere with Nigerians’ constitutional rights ahead of the 2027 general elections. The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate made the demands…

Toyyibat Qasim Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has blamed President Bola Tinubu and the Economic Community of West African States for the withdrawal of Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso from the regional bloc, saying their handling of the 2023 coup in Niger deepened divisions in West Africa. Obasanjo said ECOWAS and Nigeria, which played a leading role in the bloc’s response to the military takeover, mishandled the crisis and contributed to the decision by the three military-led countries to abandon the organisation. The former president spoke during an interview at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, monitored by SaharaReporters…

Daud Olatunji . The Nigerian Bar Association, Abeokuta Branch, and the Ogun State Police Command have agreed to establish a joint forum to address recurring concerns, including the criminalisation of civil disputes, excessive charges for enforcing court judgments and alleged attempts to frustrate police investigations. The agreement was reached during a meeting between the NBA delegation, led by its Chairman, Chief Kayode Aderemi, and officials of the police command. At the meeting, the police cautioned lawyers against presenting civil disputes as criminal matters through petitions, urging them to desist from practices that could lead to the inappropriate use of police powers.…

….UNICEF, Airtel Africa Commit $57m To Digital Education Across 13 African Countries Daud Olatunji The United Nations Children’s Fund has called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s education curriculum, warning that outdated teaching methods and learning content are leaving graduates without the practical and digital skills required by employers. The organisation said the disconnect between what students learn in schools and the competencies demanded by the labour market was undermining young people’s employment prospects and ability to achieve economic independence. UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Dr Rownak Khan, made the call during a joint visit by UNICEF and Airtel Africa…

Ayomide Awe The African Action Congress has written to President Bola Tinubu, requesting permission to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, on November 11, 2026. The party also requested food, drinks and logistical support for 5,000 participants expected to attend the proposed inauguration, including Nigerians and foreign guests. The requests were contained in a letter dated October 21, 2026, and signed by the party’s National Secretary, Oshiokhue Philip Ikpeminoghena. The party, which is backing its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, for the 2027 election, said the requests were based on the principles of multiparty democracy,…

Daud Olatunji A 35-year-old Nigerian national, Goodness Sokoh, has been sentenced to 21 years’ imprisonment in the United Kingdom after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against four teenage girls. Sokoh, who resides on North Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was sentenced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Amersham Law Court following an investigation by Thames Valley Police. According to a statement published on the police force’s website, a jury unanimously found Sokoh guilty on August 4 of three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, two counts of causing a child to…