Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji  In a bold and candid declaration, popular broadcaster and grassroots leader, Chief Olalekan Alex Shoyinka, popularly known as Ayinla Egba, has made his intentions clear as he vies for the Chairmanship of Abeokuta South Local Government under the Action Democratic Party (ADP).  Speaking at a press conference held at the NUJ Secretariat, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, Ayinla Egba stated his readiness to lead, stressing that his campaign would not rely on monetary inducements to secure votes, but rather on his track record and commitment to the people. Ayinla Egba, who holds the traditional title of Gbadegesin of Ijemo,…

Deborah Hundenu  The Registrar of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Barrister Zakariyya Ajibola, has been recognized for his significant contributions to cultural heritage preservation.  He was awarded the prestigious Patron of the Arts Award at the recently concluded Adire Lens/2nd Solo Photography Exhibition, held at the Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Nigeria. The event, which aimed to celebrate and preserve indigenous culture, also honoured three other individuals, including the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, who received the Adire Ambassador Award.  Barrister Ajibola, who was unable to attend the event in person, was represented by Mr. Idris…

Daud Olatunji A 17-year-old girl, Habeebah Akinsanya, was found dead on Sunday after being kidnapped in the Mile 6 community in the Obafemi-Owode local government area  of Ogun State. PLATFORM TIMES exclusively gathered that the  teenager, who was a student at Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta, was abducted on Friday, leaving her family in turmoil. Habeebah’s father, Akinsanya Aremu, a member of the So-Safe Corps, was said to have reported the kidnapping to the Kemta Police Station, Abeokuta, immediately after it occurred. However, the kidnappers  reportedly contacted him shortly afterward, demanding a ransom of N1 million for her release. Desperate to…

The Class of 2006 of Ebenezer Grammar School Old Students Association (EGSOSA), Abeokuta, has made a compelling case for increased collaboration between alumni associations and the government to elevate the standard of education in Nigeria.  The appeal was made during the association’s recent general meeting held at the school premises in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Saturday. In his address, the President and Coordinator of EGSOSA ’06, Prince Usman Seriki, stressed  the vital role that alumni associations play in the educational sector.  He reiterated that alumni associations should not only support their alma mater but also partner with the government…

Daud Olatunji  A member of the House of  Representatives, representing Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, Tunji Akinosi, has facilitated a  two-day skill acquisition programme, equipping over 100 youths and women with essential entrepreneurial skills.  The initiative, which took place on August 30, 2024, marks a significant stride in Akinosi’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in his constituency. The programme, centered on soap and perfume making, was organized in collaboration with Industrial Arbitration and Panel Inditex Global Services LTD, providing participants with hands-on training and practical knowledge.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Akinosi, who personally oversaw the final stages of the programme, expressed…

Emmanuel Oludare Amidst the growing economic challenges facing the nation, Pastor Anthony Ogbebor, the Chaplain of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital and Pastor-in-Charge of Mount Zion Christian Faith Assembly, has urged Nigerians to seek divine intervention.  He called on all Christian communities to unite in prayer and support during these trying times, emphasizing the need for collective faith and action. Pastor Ogbebor made these remarks during the 26th edition of the Re-union Retreat Programme organized by the Mount Zion Christian Faith Assembly, which commenced on Friday, August 30th, and will conclude on Sunday, September 1st, 2024.  The retreat, an annual spiritual gathering,…

Daud Olatunji The national leadership of the Accord Party has boldly declared that the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, should start preparing to hand over power to the party’s governorship candidate in 2027.  This statement comes as Abiodun, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), serves his second term in office, which the Accord Party confidently predicts will be his last. This declaration was made shortly after the emergence of new executive members of the Accord Party in Ogun State, led by Michael Oke.  The Chairman of the Ogun State Congress Committee, Abdulazeez Salawudeen, emphasized that the party has…

The Ogun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has conducted its ward congresses across the state on Saturday.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  congresses, which took place in all 236 wards across Ogun’s 20 local government areas, were characterized by a peaceful atmosphere, with no reports of violence or disorderliness. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were present at the congresses to ensure the credibility of the process.  At Ward 12 and 11 in Abeokuta North, PDP members turned out in large numbers to elect their ward executives.  In Ikenne Local Government, the congress held at Ogere Town…

 Rasak Musbau Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, facing an array of challenges that demand urgent reform. The nation’s faltering economy, marred by corruption and inefficiency, is compounded by declining social values and a political system that seems more focused on personal gain than public welfare. With decades of stagnation under the control of entrenched political elites, the need for a revitalised leadership structure is undeniable. In nearly sixty-four years of independence, Nigeria has seldom experienced leadership characterised by selflessness and focus. Instead, leaders have often exploited ethnic, religious, and sectional differences to manipulate the populace. To…

Adebiyi Oduyale Apart from the various presidents the nation has had since the past 25 years of unbroken democracy, another set of active players in the current dispensation are the governors. They,  with the presidency, constitute what is generally referred to as the executive arm of a democratic government. The other arms are the legislature or the law makers and the judiciary, which interpretes the laws made and adjudicates in times of crises.                              The role of a governor in the day to day running of a state is as important as the existence of such state. That is why…