Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji The Federal Government has revealed that Nigeria requires over 20 million toilet facilities to combat the alarming issue of open defecation, which remains prevalent among 48 million Nigerians. This was disclosed by Mrs. Chizoma Opara, Deputy Director of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, during a media dialogue organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with Oyo State Rural Water Supply Agency.  The event, aimed at raising awareness on ending open defecation and eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), was held in Lagos. Opara, while presenting an…

Aisha Ademigbuji While it might go unnoticed by many, book lovers around the world know that August 9th is an unofficial holiday dedicated to celebrating the joy of reading and literature. It’s National Book Lovers Day, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating it since May 2024. Let me share a brief summary of how I celebrated Book Lovers Day. First, I picked up a book I had previously set aside and made sure to finish it on August 9th. Afterward, I created a short reel highlighting both classic and contemporary works by African authors, including Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Buchi…

The leadership of the Labour Party (LP), headed by its National Working Committee (NWC), has called for a thorough investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving key figures in the party’s 2023 presidential campaign.  The party is urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to probe its presidential candidate, Peter Obi; activist Aisha Yesufu; Pastor Itua Ighodalo; and several prominent members of the socio-political group, Afenifere. At a press conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, made the allegations public.  Arabambi claimed that over…

In a bold call for political reform, Dr. Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi, former Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, has advocated for a single five-year term for the president and governors, arguing that the current system fosters corruption and hampers national development.  He made this statement during the popular current affairs programme, Boiling Point Arena, held on Sunday night. Jokosenumi, contributing to the topic “The Nigerian Socio-Political and Economic Quagmire: What are the Rescue Options?”, described the existing two-term system as a “crazy idea” and an enabler of greed within the political class.  According to him, politicians have exploited the loopholes…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has imposed fresh sanctions on Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, over the institution’s failure to reinstate its “unjustly” dismissed leaders seven years after their removal. The lecturers, sacked under controversial circumstances, have remained out of office despite a resolution by the university’s governing council ordering their reinstatement. In a statement issued by ASUU’s Lagos zone on Tuesday, Zonal Coordinator Adelaja Odukoya announced that the union had prohibited any member from engaging with LASU in official capacities such as external examinations, conferences, or sabbatical exchanges. The sanctions are part of a…

Daud Olatunji  The Federal Government has rejected claims made by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of the United Kingdom regarding alleged human rights abuses in Nigeria, labeling the accusations as unfounded and based on misinformation.  The controversy erupted after the TUC leader in the UK accused Nigeria of rights violations at the opening of its conference in London, citing the recent travel restriction imposed on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero. According to a statement from the Nigerian State House, the allegations stemmed from Ajaero’s failure to comply with a lawful invitation from the Department of State Services (DSS),…

The DigGeoNaija project is on a mission to revolutionize geotourism in Nigeria. Dr. Kamaldeen Olakunle Omosanya, the project’s director and principal investigator, brings over 17 years of experience as a geoscientist and certifications from Google and Microsoft. He is spearheading efforts to digitally preserve Nigeria’s geological heritage and harness new economic opportunities through advanced technology. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the DigGeoNaija project represents a significant step toward preserving Nigeria’s natural and cultural heritage. It was further gathered that through this initiative, the digitization of Nigeria’s geosites will serve as a lasting record for future generations, providing an invaluable resource for…

The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation has alleged that non-indigenes in Lagos State are seeking to capture political control of the state and deny indigenes their constitutional rights.  The group, a socio-cultural organization representing Lagos indigenes, made this claim during a meeting with the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu Division on Tuesday. The President of De Renaissance Patriots, Mr. Miftah Bolaji Are, addressing the gathering, emphasized that the group is non-partisan and dedicated to ensuring that Lagosians retain control of key political offices, including the governorship, deputy governorship, and speakership positions.  Are, who recently assumed leadership of the group following the death…

The Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) has announced the commencement of the 2024/2025 academic session, scheduled to begin on Monday, September 16, 2024.  The university management, in a statement released by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Dapo Oke,  has called for the return of both new and returning students to the campus as the new academic year kicks off. Oke in the statement said of particular note is the directive for all 400-level students who meet the qualifications for teaching practice (TP) to proceed with their assignments from Monday, September 16.  The statement  read further that the  students…

The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, has commended the Ogun Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for its proactive engagement with stakeholders in the state.  Owotomo is also scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the 2024 Annual Colloquium of the NIPR, Ogun State Chapter, which is set to take place on October 3, 2024, at the Cinema Hall, June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta. The theme of the colloquium, “Galvanising Public and Private Stakeholders Towards Addressing Food Crisis in Nigeria: Public Relations As Key Driver,” shows  the critical role of effective…