Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has confirmed the killing of one of the protesters  by security operatives in the Suleja area of Niger State.  This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Suleja branch of the NBA, Abdullahi Liman, following a directive from the national president of the association.  Liman, said  he visited the residence of one of the deceased protesters, Yahaya Nda Isah, to gather credible information for further action.  “The national level of the NBA has asked all the branches to constitute monitoring committees in respect of the protest,” Liman said. He further stated, “We are going around…

Daud Olatunji  The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern warning to the Take It Back Movement, an advocacy group planning the #EndBadGovernance protest, slated for August 1 to August 10. The group has come under scrutiny for not providing required details about the protest organisers, a condition mandated by Nigerian law enforcement authorities. In a statement released late Wednesday, Egbetokun expressed concern over the movement’s refusal to comply with the Nigerian Police Force’s requirements, which include submitting the names of the organisers, the planned route, and the schedule for the protests.  The Police IG emphasised that…

Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, has once again called for the expulsion of armed Fulani herders from the South-West region of Nigeria.  This new eviction notice, announced on July 15, 2024, is the second of its kind issued by Igboho, highlighting the intensifying hostilities and criminal activities plaguing the area. Igboho’s move comes amid a resurgence in banditry, kidnappings, and violent crimes that have plagued the region despite previous efforts to curb these issues.  The Yoruba freedom fighter had initially made headlines during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari when he launched a campaign urging violent herders…

Senator Solomon Adeola, representing Ogun West and serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, has expressed his deep gratitude and enthusiasm following the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) recent approval for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Abeokuta-Iboro-Ilaro Road.  This  development was announced by Senator Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, after a Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday. The contract, valued at N57 billion, has been awarded to Strabic Construction Company, marking a monumental investment in the infrastructure of Ogun West Senatorial District.  This road, crucial for connecting Abeokuta, the state capital, to Iboro and Ilaro, is poised to…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) announced on Wednesday that it has successfully disbursed a total of N1.17 billion to 20,000 students across five public tertiary institutions.  This announcement was made by the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, at a press conference held in Abuja. Sawyerr highlighted that the disbursement aligns with a directive from President Bola Tinubu and reflects NELFUND’s commitment to enhancing access to education for deserving students.  He emphasised that the fund has ensured that 100 percent of the students’ institutional fees were covered. “The total amount disbursed is N1,172,388,340.00, which has been paid in full…

Daud Olatunji  No fewer than 49  inmates of the Old Abeokuta Custodial Centre in Ogun State have graduated from courses in computer desktop publishing and basic education. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  graduation ceremony, held on Wednesday, showcased the centre’s commitment to reform and empowerment through education. The welfare officer of the custodial centre, Awesu AbdulHakeem, announced the graduation, detailing that 27 inmates completed the computer desktop publishing programme, while 22 inmates graduated from the basic education course.  The event was well-attended, featuring dignitaries such as the Comptroller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Ayodeji Adepoju, and the Officer-in-Charge of the…

Daud Olatunji  The Olowu of Owu-Abeokuta kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, has made a strong case for the reintroduction of history into the Nigerian school curriculum. The monarch stated this  on Wednesday at his Oke-Agowu Palace during a press conference heralding activities marking the second anniversary Coronation and 60th birthday. Oba Matemilola emphasised the importance of teaching accurate historical narratives from a local perspective, particularly for the Yoruba people. According to Oba Matemilola, much of the history taught in Nigerian schools has been shaped by colonial narratives, often misrepresenting significant events and figures.  He cited the example of…

The Abeokuta Passport Office has launched a new system that drastically reduces the waiting time for passport issuance to just one week after biometric data capture.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the innovation, led by Passport Control Officer ACI Sunday Olubiyi, aligns with the directives of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda for enhanced public service delivery. Historically, Nigerian passport applicants have faced prolonged waiting periods, often enduring months of delays and uncertainty.  However, the new system at the Abeokuta Passport Office ensures that applicants receive their passports in a significantly shorter time…

The Federal Government has  spent over ₦633.30 billion on electricity subsidies in the first quarter of 2024, representing a significant increase of 150.5% from the ₦252.76 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023. PLATFORM TIMES reports that this  substantial rise, detailed in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) quarterly report, also surpasses the total subsidy of ₦628.61 billion paid throughout the entire year of 2023. A detailed breakdown of the subsidy payments reveals a progressive increase over the quarters of 2023, culminating in the large outlay seen at the start of 2024.  Specifically, the government spent ₦36.02 billion…

Members of the minority caucus of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, staged a walkout in protest of a bill amending the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.  The bill sought to increase the limit of advances from the CBN to the Federal Government from 5% to a maximum of 10%, a move that has stirred significant controversy. The proposed amendment, known as the Ways and Means, allows the CBN to provide short-term financing to the Federal Government to cover budget shortfalls.  However, opposition lawmakers, led by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, voiced strong objections to the increase.  Chinda argued that…