Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Abedamola Joshua, uncle of former world boxing champion Anthony Joshua, has condemned what he described as the “lackadaisical attitude” of emergency services following the tragic accident that claimed the lives of two of the boxer’s friends. Speaking on the incident, Adedamola said he was distressed by the treatment of victims at the scene, including Joshua himself, who reportedly had to cross the median after the crash instead of being attended to on a stretcher. “It is shocking and unacceptable,” he said. “When someone is in such trauma, every effort must be made to minimise stress. “Joshua should have been put…

Zaynab Otiti-Obanor, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has spoken for the first time about her decision to marry the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume. Now known as Zaynab Ngohemba, she tied the knot with Akume in a private ceremony in 2024. The marriage, recently made public, has sparked widespread attention, largely due to her high-profile personal history. In a statement released on Wednesday through her media aide, David Adeoye, and published by ThisDay, Zaynab described her union with Akume as one “rooted in maturity, shared purpose and mutual understanding.” She…

Former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, has issued a stern warning to Nigeria’s national football team ahead of their Round of 16 clash with Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Speaking on his podcast, Oliseh stressed that the knockout stage represents a completely different challenge compared to the group phase. “We’re starting the Round of 16. What changes here now is that if you lose, you go home,” he said. The Super Eagles were the only team to win all three of their group fixtures, scoring eight goals and conceding four under the guidance of head coach…

 The people of Awka have reaffirmed the legitimacy of the recent crowning of His Imperial Majesty Obi Dr. Austin Ndigwe as Ezeuzu III, warning the Anambra State Government against attempts to discredit the traditional institution. In a statement released yesterday, leaders of the Awka community, including the Oha Awka (Council of Elders) and the Ndichie (titled men), described the selection of Obi Dr. Ndigwe as a product of “deep consultations, rituals, and affirmations that honour our heritage.” “Elements of our identity, passed down through generations, remain the sole domain of the indigenous sons and daughters of Awka. It is we…

The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that 2026 will witness consistent, accessible, and sustainable electricity supply nationwide. The assurance was given in a New Year message delivered to Nigerians and residents of Oyo State, through his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications, Mr Bolaji Tunji, in Abuja on Friday. Adelabu said the government’s focus this year would be on strengthening the national grid, expanding transmission infrastructure, and improving service delivery through closer collaboration with Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos). “Looking ahead, our focus remains unshakable: to deliver reliable, accessible, and sustainable electricity to power our homes, industries, and…

… Faction Withdraws From January 20 Rally, Calls For EFCC Probe …Protest Hijacked By Political Interests, Say Leaders Daud Olatunji A planned nationwide protest against Nigeria’s new Tax Reform Laws, slated for January 20, 2026, has been thrown into disarray following allegations that the leadership of the movement collected a ₦300 million bribe. The controversy has split the group into rival factions, with one wing calling for an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). On Friday, a breakaway faction led by Mustapha Abdulahi announced its withdrawal from the protest, accusing the organisers of turning the movement into…

Gunmen who abducted a traditional ruler in Kwara State, the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, his son, Olaolu, and eight other residents have demanded a total ransom of N450m for their release, PLATFORM TIMES has learnt. A palace source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed on Friday that the abductors demanded N150m for the release of the monarch and his son, a member of the National Youth Service Corps, while an additional N300m was fixed for the eight villagers earlier kidnapped in Adanla-Irese, a community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. Confirming the development, the Coordinator…

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) loyal to Nafiu Gombe has released a comprehensive timetable and guidelines for the conduct of its congresses and national convention for the 2025/2026 political year, as part of efforts to strengthen internal democracy and reposition the party ahead of future elections. The guidelines, contained in a circular personally signed by Gombe, outlined a structured roadmap for party activities beginning in January and culminating in a National Working Committee convention in February 2026. The development came barely 24 hours after the faction disowned reports of the defection and registration of former Labour Party…

The driver of the Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle involved in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of two close associates of former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has been arraigned before a Sagamu Magistrate Court in Ogun State, with the case adjourned till January 20, 2026. The Ogun State Police Command said the driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, appeared in court on Friday following his arrest over the accident that occurred on December 29, 2025, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed in a statement issued in Abeokuta that…

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has taken a swipe at political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, over his comments dismissing the possibility of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accepting a vice-presidential slot in the emerging opposition coalition. Momodu criticised Utomi in a post on his official X handle on Friday, following Obi’s recent defection to the ADC. Utomi had, during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, warned that he would withdraw his support for Obi if the former Anambra State governor accepted to run as a vice-presidential candidate in the proposed opposition alliance ahead…