Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has uncovered no fewer than 35 bank accounts allegedly linked to a former Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, in an ongoing investigation into suspected fraud in the state’s foreign scholarship programme. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the discovery emerged during the commission’s probe into the management of billions of naira earmarked for overseas postgraduate scholarships for Kano indigenes. The state government had in September 2024 approved about N4.6bn for 1,001 postgraduate students to pursue studies in foreign universities. The beneficiaries were expected to study in institutions across India, Kenya…

The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, will on Friday deliver the keynote address at a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics conference organised by Rockcity FM in collaboration with the Rockcity Centre for Media and Leadership Development. The conference, scheduled to hold at Taidob College in Abeokuta, will also feature the official launch of the Rockcity Centre for Media and Leadership Development. Salako-Oyedele is expected to speak on the theme, “Building a Future-Ready STEM Ecosystem in Ogun State.” According to a statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer of Rockcity FM, Niran Malaolu, the event forms part of efforts…

Olalekan Shoyinka The recent statement credited to the Ogun State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), urging Christian leaders to support the emergence of a Muslim governor in the 2027 election on the basis of “religious balance,” deserves a thoughtful response in the spirit of peace, unity and democratic maturity. Ogun State has historically stood as one of the most tolerant and culturally progressive states in Nigeria. The people of the state have, for decades, demonstrated that politics and governance can flourish without the divisive intrusion of religious sentiment. Our collective political history shows that while governors may personally…

The Ogun State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Christian leaders in the state to support the emergence of a Muslim as governor in 2027, citing fairness, equity, and the need to restore religious balance in political leadership. In a statement on Wednesday, signed by MURIC Ogun State Chairman, Ustadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, and Secretary, Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare, the group recalled the role Christian leaders played in the 2019 governorship election. “We vividly recall that Christian leadership in Ogun State urged the Muslim electorate to vote for Prince Dapo Abiodun, a Christian, despite the outgoing governor,…

Four student leaders in Ogun State were on Tuesday remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre for alleged assault, harassment, and destruction of property worth millions of naira. The defendants—Hezakiah Adelola, General Secretary of the NANS Ogun State Chapter, Kamil Iseoluwa, Ibikunle Idris, and Folorusho Jacob Olugbenga—faced a seven-count charge of conspiracy, assault, harassment, and destruction of property. The court documents allege that the students, on separate occasions, assaulted and harassed Kehinde Tejuosho and Lekan Olubodun, in addition to damaging properties. All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate M.K. Araba, presiding at the Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta,…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged all political parties, candidates, and their supporters in Osun State to conduct peaceful and issue-focused campaigns as the 2026 governorship election campaign officially kicks off Wednesday, March 11. The warning was issued by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, through a statement released by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Olurode, on Tuesday. Dr. Agboke stressed that political activities must comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and INEC’s regulations for political parties. He particularly cautioned against the use of abusive language, hate speech, and…

… Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic Among Major Debtors … Debt From International Carriers Threatens Aviation Revenue …FAAN Given Two-Week Deadline To Enforce Collection Daud Olatunji The House of Representatives Committee on Finance has ordered the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to recover over N18.98 billion owed by foreign airlines within the next two weeks, warning that failure to do so would attract stricter enforcement actions. The directive came on Tuesday during a revenue monitoring session where FAAN officials, led by Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, appeared before the committee to present the latest debt profile of international carriers operating…

Four police officers have been remanded in custody over the alleged killing of six traders at Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market. The Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court ordered the officers — Msanu Bala (41), Jibrin Samaila (47), Ibrahim Garuba (29), and Ibrahim Kashimu (26) — to be held at Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The accused face a seven-count charge of conspiracy and murder following the attack, which reportedly occurred on August 27, 2025, around 9:00 a.m. Police prosecutor O.W. Ologun told the court the officers, along with others still at…

Nigerians spent a staggering N3.9 trillion on imported plastics, rubbers, and related products in 2025, highlighting the country’s continued dependence on foreign goods despite local production capacities, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figures show that in the final quarter of 2025 alone — October to December — Nigerians imported these items at a cost of N982.9 billion. This marks a slight increase from the N3.4 trillion spent in 2024 and a sharp rise from N1.2 trillion in 2023. A breakdown of other imported consumer goods revealed that Nigerians also spent N89.9 billion on items…

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has warned that rising cases of kidnapping and banditry across the South-West should not be allowed to continue merely because of concerns that state governors may abuse a proposed state police structure. The group said the worsening security situation in the region requires urgent reforms, insisting that fears about political misuse of state police must be addressed through safeguards rather than used as an excuse to delay the initiative. Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, stated this during an interview on Frontline, a public affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu on Tuesday. Ajayi…