Author: Platform Times Newspaper

President Bola Tinubu has revealed that the cash scarcity caused by the naira redesign policy nearly forced him to abandon his 2023 presidential ambition. Speaking on Saturday during a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu recounted how he doubted his candidacy after an encounter with a close relative during the election campaign. “Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During the campaigns, one of them came to my living room around 3:30 am and said he needed just N50,000 to buy foodstuff for our uncle,” Tinubu said. “He told me, ‘The currency is…

The Ondo State Government has vowed to probe the public display and sale of caskets at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Akure. The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health Matters, Simidele Odimayo, disclosed this to reporters on Sunday, assuring that the state government would take necessary action after its investigation. “We have been informed about what is happening (open sales of caskets) in the hospital and have responded appropriately,” Odimayo said. “We’ll continue with our investigation to be sure so that we don’t have any unexpected things happening within the hospital system.” The development…

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has successfully recovered an additional $14.2 million (N21.4 billion) from four oil companies as part of its ongoing probe into financial irregularities within the sector. House spokesperson Akin Rotimi, in a statement on Sunday, disclosed that the recovered funds include $1.9 million (N2.9 billion) from Platform Petroleum Ltd, $1.578 million (N2.3 billion) from Midwestern Oil and Gas Ltd, $523,845 (N785.7 million) from Universal Energy, and $10.3 million (N15.5 billion) from Aradel Energy Ltd. The latest recovery follows an earlier announcement on March 16, when PAC retrieved $19.24 million (N28.8 billion), bringing the…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered an immediate ban on all unregistered vigilante groups operating within the state and suspended the commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin, following the gruesome killing of 16 hunters in Uromi. In a statement issued on Saturday by the Secretary to the State Government, Okpebholo condemned the attack and clarified that the vigilante group responsible for the killings was not officially recognized by the state security apparatus. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, saw a mob in the Uromi area lynching 16 hunters of northern origin who were traveling from Elele,…

Daud Olatunji The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has assured depositors of the defunct Heritage Bank with balances exceeding the insured limit of N5 million that efforts are underway to ensure the timely disbursement of their funds. Following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) revocation of Heritage Bank’s operating license on June 3, 2024, the NDIC was appointed as the liquidator to oversee the bank’s winding-down process. The corporation has since commenced the verification and payment of insured deposits, with substantial progress recorded. A statement by the  Ag. Head, Communication & Public Affairs, Hawwau Gambo, the NDIC clarified that depositors…

A 40-year-old Nigerian boxer, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, has died after collapsing during a boxing match in Ghana. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former National and West African light-heavyweight champion, was facing Accra-born John Mbanugu, nicknamed “Power” in an undercard bout of Ghana’s Professional Boxing League. The sad incident occurred at the Bukom Boxing Arena on March 29. Olanrewaju suddenly fell to the canvas mid-fight, prompting the referee to immediately call for medical assistance. Medical professionals rushed to the scene, but in spite the attempts to revive him, the boxer was pronounced dead, with reports suggesting…

Daud Olatunji In the spirit of gratitude and devotion, the League of Imams and Alfas, Ogun State, has issued a heartfelt message to Muslims worldwide as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitri, marking the end of Ramadan. Led by Shaykh Sikirullahi Babalola, President General of the League, and supported by the Grand Chief Imams of Egbaland, Ijebuland, and Remoland, the message emphasizes the significance of this joyous occasion beyond mere celebration. The statement signed by the Secretary General of the league,Imam Tajudeen Adewunmi Mustapha, was released following the Eid El Fitr celebration held on Sunday all.over the world. The statement read “we praise…

Graduating with a first-class degree is a remarkable feat, but doing so while leading a major campus tutorial and serving as a student pastor makes it even more extraordinary. Samuel Sodunke Sunday, a recent first-class graduate from the Department of English and Literary Studies at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), achieved a CGPA of 4.62. In this exclusive interview with KOREDE BADMUS, he shares his journey of balancing academics, leadership, and personal growth while offering insights to students striving for excellence. Can we meet you? I am Samuel Sodunke Sunday, a recent graduate of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, where I…

The political crisis in Rivers State has deepened following a heated exchange between the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the former Head of Service, Dr. George Nweke, over recent bombings of oil pipelines and the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex. Nweke, who recently resigned from his position, accused Fubara of orchestrating both incidents in a bid to suppress opposition and solidify his hold on power. However, the embattled governor has dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign orchestrated by political adversaries. The controversy stems from a series of violent incidents that have rocked the state. In…

Despite policies aimed at boosting local production, Nigerians spent a staggering N21.51tn on imports, including foodstuffs and other goods, over the past four years, data from the National Bureau of Statistics have revealed. A breakdown of the data shows that N6.77tn was spent on the importation of prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits, vinegar, and tobacco during the period under review. The expenditure rose from N594.08bn in 2020 to N2.79tn in 2024, reflecting a consistent increase in Nigeria’s reliance on foreign food products. The importation of live animals and animal products also surged, totaling N3.64tn over four years. This category saw a…