Author: Platform Times Newspaper

… Says  Imprisonment Under Abacha Proved Price of Principled Leadership Daud Olatunji Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed circulating reports claiming he issued a notice of his death, describing the claims as “fabrications by never-do-wells.” The 89-year-old statesman while speaking  during his 89th birthday celebrations in Abeokuta, Ogun State, reacted on Wednesday to an article trending on social media and messaging platforms suggesting he had penned a final memoir signaling the end of his life. The report read in part: “Listen and read former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest memoirs… it’s just like a final memoir about life.” Addressing the rumours…

Former senator representing Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo, on Tuesday said her decision to join the 2027 governorship race in Ogun State was in response to sustained calls from residents who, according to her, want the “continuity” of her past achievements in public office. Obasanjo, daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, spoke at the 2026 Ramadan Lecture organised by the Ogun State chapter of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria in Abeokuta. The event, themed “Fasting Beyond Hunger: Sustaining Hope and Integrity in an Era of Economic Inflation,” was held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto. She said many…

… Pushes Decentralised Policing Nationwide …Vows Accountability, Human Rights Compliance Fawaz Adebisi The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated an eight-member committee to oversee the implementation of state police across the country, marking his first major policy move since his confirmation as the 23rd indigenous IGP. The committee, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, is expected to coordinate the framework for decentralised policing and drive the execution of the new police chief’s reform agenda. Disu formally engaged senior officers at the Force Headquarters days after the Nigeria Police Council unanimously ratified his appointment, paving the way for his swearing-in…

…Says Access No Longer Nigeria’s Main Challenge …Mass Literacy Agency Restored To Tackle 56m Illiteracy Burden …Medical Fellowships Now Recognised As PhD Equivalent Daud Olatunji The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country, declaring that access to tertiary education is no longer Nigeria’s major problem. The council also restored the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education to its full autonomous status and endorsed reforms recognising medical fellowships as equivalent to PhD qualifications. Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed the decisions…

Former Senator representing Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo, on Wednesday met with women groups and labour union leaders in Abeokuta, pledging to deliver credible, inclusive and continuity-driven governance if elected governor of Ogun State in 2027. The engagement, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, drew participants from professional women associations, artisan groups and civil society organisations across the state. Addressing the gathering, Obasanjo said sustainable development in Ogun could only be achieved through deliberate policy continuity rather than the abandonment of projects at every change of administration. She maintained that her governorship aspiration was anchored on consolidating existing gains in…

A medical practitioner, Bolaji Marie Odusina, has concluded plans to organise a two-day free medical outreach in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area and Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State as part of efforts to deepen access to grassroots healthcare. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the outreach, scheduled under the “Doctors Without Prejudice” initiative, will take place in Sagamu on March 17, 2026, at the School Field, opposite Awolowo Market, while residents of Ado-Odo/Ota will benefit from the exercise on March 18, 2026, at Oke-Ore, Olukade Compound. According to a statement made available to PLATFORM TIMES on Wednesday, the initiative is designed…

In the last few days, I have received calls, messages, and visits from leaders, friends, and associates across Ogun State. The question has been consistent and straightforward: Why Yayi? And why now? My alignment with Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, fondly known as Yayi, did not happen by chance, and it certainly was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. It is the outcome of reflection, conviction, and a careful assessment of leadership defined by performance. When I had the opportunity to sit with Senator Adeola, I was not looking for political promises. I was looking for clarity, direction, and sincerity. What I encountered was…

The world of traditional Yoruba textile artistry mourns the passing of Grandma Sikira Adunni Aladire, a revered master of the ADIRE craft, who died at the age of 90 on Monday, 2 March 2026, at her Ile Toki home in Ayeye, Ibadan. She was laid to rest the same day in accordance with Muslim rites. A statement signed by Alhaji Ganiyu Oladimeji, Head of Family stated that grandma Sikira, popularly known as Sikira Aladire, was celebrated for her exceptional skill in tie-and-dye, producing intricate patterns on fabrics that became synonymous with Yoruba culture. Her work, which dates back to pre-independence…

….Over 80% Of Workforce In Informal Sector Now Targeted Fairly …States To Follow Uniform Framework For Commerce Sector Taxation Daud Olatunji The Federal Government has officially prohibited the collection of taxes in cash and banned roadblocks by tax authorities nationwide, in a move aimed at modernising Nigeria’s tax administration and enforcing transparency. The Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), Mr Olusegun Adesokan, announced the new regulations during the signing of the Presumptive Tax Regulations and Guidelines on the Implementation of Tax Laws in Abuja on Tuesday. Adesokan explained that the reforms were designed to end informal, coercive, and…

Daud Olatunji A total of N783.78 million allocated for the construction of classroom blocks in three secondary schools in Ogun State between November 2024 and December 2025 has yielded no visible results, raising concerns over public fund mismanagement. According to records obtained from Tracka, a civic project monitoring platform, the allocations were as follows: N304.07 million to AKINKAS INTERBIZ LIMITED for a classroom block at Methodist High School (Junior), Arigbajo. N303.63 million to STILL EARTH LIMITED for a classroom block at St Peter’s College (Junior), Olomore. N176.08 million to STILL EARTH LIMITED for a classroom block at Abeokuta Grammar School…