Author: Platform Times Newspaper

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, subject to Senate confirmation. The nomination was contained in a letter sent to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite action on Yusuf’s confirmation to enable a seamless transition at the commission following the resignation of the outgoing chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, earlier this week. “President Tinubu…

No fewer than 12 Nigerian women and a Ghanaian woman have been arrested by police in Koforidua, Eastern Region of Ghana, following a special operation targeting prostitution and human trafficking. Two other suspects — a landlord and a bouncer  were also taken into custody for allegedly facilitating the illegal activities. The New Juaben South Municipal Police Command said the arrests followed a complaint by a 30-year-old Nigerian woman, Stella Godwill, who alleged she was trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana by her handler, identified as Christabel Simon Monday, and forced into commercial sex work. According to the Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent…

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has claimed that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has agreed to run as Vice-President to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Fayose made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday while giving details of a high-level political meeting in Minna, Niger State, involving Atiku, former military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, and Makinde. According to Fayose, the meeting was strategically arranged to test acceptability, secure confidence and align interests across regions, particularly in the build-up to a potential third-force alliance…

Fawaz Adebisi The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Law at the University of Lagos, Prof. Yemi Oke, has warned that internal divisions within the engineering profession could weaken its statutory authority and diminish its influence in Nigeria’s energy and electricity governance. Oke made the call while delivering a memorial lecture in honour of the late Engr. Venerable Michael Bamigboye Joda during the 2026 Engineering Week organised by the Abeokuta Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. Speaking on the theme, “Engineering Standards under the Nigerian Energy and Electricity Laws: Imperatives for Engineering Professionals,” Oke cautioned specialised engineering groups…

The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed calls for a review or discontinuation of its Memorandum of Understanding with the National Youth Service Corps and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, insisting the partnership remains critical to credible elections. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, stated this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the state NYSC leadership, led by its Coordinator, Mr Ekeng Ita Kubiangha. Agboke described the calls for a review as “nonsensical and unpatriotic,” stressing that the collaboration between INEC and NYSC had strengthened electoral administration nationwide. “It is a nonsensical talk for…

The Federal Government has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to suspend its nationwide crackdown on sachet alcohol and small-sized alcoholic drinks, directing the agency to immediately reopen sealed factories, depots and warehouses. The directive, issued by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, followed concerns that the enforcement actions amounted to a “de facto ban” capable of triggering job losses, disrupting supply chains and heightening social tensions across the country. In a statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Terrence Kuanum, the government said…

The Yoruba Commitment Group has welcomed the return of activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, describing him as a symbol of courage and resistance against insecurity in the South-West. In a press statement on Wednesday, the group said Igboho’s actions in confronting repeated attacks on Yoruba communities had earned him lasting respect and gratitude across Yorubaland and beyond. Signed by the Convener, Otunba Tayo Onayemi, alongside Chief Dr Olugbenga Oyewusi, Mrs Buky Tunde Oshunrinde, Barrister Akeem Aponmade (Secretary), and Dr Olukayode Olunuga, the statement hailed Igboho as “a worthy son of Oduduwa who stood up when many remained…

Golf enthusiasts have a new date to mark on their calendars as The Golf Shop NG announces the inaugural edition of its tournament, set to tee off on April 25, 2026, at the lush Elephant Cement Golf Club, Sagamu. The maiden tournament, themed “Enjoy Your Swing”, is designed to celebrate the rhythm, focus, and camaraderie that make golf one of the world’s most cherished sports. Organizers describe the event as more than a competition—it will serve as a premier networking platform for the golfing elite. Participants will compete for exceptional prizes, while sponsors, both individual and corporate, have been invited…

The Federal Government has announced plans to commence the sale of state-owned assets to private investors this year, as part of its drive to attract foreign and domestic investment into the economy. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed the plan on Monday while speaking at the AlUla conference for emerging market economies in Saudi Arabia. Edun said the government is currently finalising which assets will be offered for sale and the timelines for the transactions. “The plan is to offer some assets in 2026,” Edun said. “What we have put in place has made Nigeria…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State, has provided further clarification on allegations that underage students were registered as voters at its Ede North Local Government Office. The clarification comes a day after reports circulated online, raising concerns over possible breaches of voter registration laws. In a statement signed:by Musa Olurode Public Affairs Officer of the commission in Osun State, INEC confirmed that its fact-finding team visited YTD Grammar School, Ojoro, Ede, where the implicated students were reportedly mobilized. The statement further read that the  Commission met with the Vice Principal, who confirmed that the students were enrolled at…