Author: Platform Times Newspaper

… Chinese National identified As Index Case In Cross River … Govt Activates Surveillance, Urges Public Calm … WHO Raises Concern Over Lingering Global Risks Daud Olatunji Nigeria has recorded a new COVID-19 infection in Cross River State, marking the first confirmed resurgence of the virus in the state since 2022 and reviving public health concerns years after the global pandemic was largely brought under control. The Cross River State Ministry of Health confirmed that the index case involves a Chinese national who is currently receiving medical attention, while authorities have commenced contact tracing to prevent possible spread within the…

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed by Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party, affirming Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s legitimate leader. The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which recognised Usman as the National Chairman of the party and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to accord her due recognition. The three-member panel held that the leadership dispute had already been conclusively determined by the Supreme Court, which on April 4, 2025, nullified the convention…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, in a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, who cited an official memo signed by the SGF, George Akume. According to the memo, the President has appointed Taiwo Oyedele as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, while…

The crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress worsened on Tuesday as the planned national convention of a faction led by Nafiu Bala failed to hold, with the venue completely deserted. The convention, scheduled to take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, recorded no presence of delegates, party officials or organisers as of the stipulated time, raising fresh concerns over the deepening leadership rift within the party. Observations at the venue showed a total absence of activity, with critical sections of the stadium complex, including the velodrome, firmly locked. There were no signs of logistical arrangements or preparations typically…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has dismissed as false a viral video alleging a ₦50bn bribery scandal, describing it as fabricated and partly generated using artificial intelligence to mislead the public. In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, the commission said the video, which has gained traction on social media, bears no connection to the agency or any of its ongoing activities. The ICPC stressed that it had not issued any report or statement supporting the claims contained in the footage, including allegations linking unnamed individuals, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, lawyers,…

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and destabilise Nigeria. The suspects—retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani—are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Also named in the charge, but said to be at large, is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva. The charge, filed by…

Tragedy struck in Kano State on Tuesday as two intending pilgrims—a mother and her son—lost their lives in a road accident along the Rimin Gado–Kano City road. The victims, identified as Alkasim Ibrahim Walawa, 48, and his 73-year-old mother, Hadiza Garba, were said to be preparing for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage when the fatal crash occurred. The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Sulaiman A. Dederi. According to the board, the deceased were indigenes of Walawa Village in Kabo Local Government Area of the state. Alkasim was survived by…

The Society of Muslim Professionals (SMP), Abeokuta, at the weekend marked its 35th anniversary with a call on members and Muslim faithful to sustain excellence in both spiritual devotion and socio-economic engagement, stressing that gratitude to Allah must translate into continuous service to humanity. Speaking at the grand finale of the anniversary held in Abeokuta, the National President and Presiding Officer, Alhaji Rasheed S.A., said the milestone celebration was a testament to decades of commitment, sacrifice, and collective vision anchored on Islamic values. He noted that the society, founded on April 13, 1991, by pioneering members including Alhaji Sulaiman Osho,…

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested four suspected cultists over alleged armed robbery, assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and theft of an iPhone 14 Pro Max in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of the state. The suspects—Samson John (25), Olufowora Michael (28), Odeh Samuel Ejeh (25), and Olajide Jeremiah (28),were reportedly apprehended following a petition lodged at the Ilaro Divisional Police Station at about 11:30 p.m. on April 16, 2026. Confirming the arrest on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the operation followed a swift response by operatives after the complainant reported a…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Nigeria Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, alongside a special take-off grant of N15bn to fast-track infrastructure and academic development of the institution. The approval marks a major expansion of the academy beyond its existing campus in Wudil, Kano State, in line with ongoing reforms to reposition police training and manpower development in Nigeria. The Ogun campus is expected to serve as part of a broader multi-campus structure for the academy under the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, which provides…