Author: Platform Times Newspaper

…Varsity Grows Enrolment From 33 To Over 500 In Three Years Daud Olatunji Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has secured a full operating licence from the National Universities Commission, three years after obtaining its initial approval to operate, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s development. The university also announced plans to increase its student population to about 1,000 in the next academic session as it prepares for its maiden convocation ceremony and inaugural lecture scheduled for December 2026. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, disclosed these developments at a press conference held at the university’s Senate Chamber on Friday. Akinyemi…

Daud Olatunji The hospital management has promised a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the death of Taiwo Godwin, who reportedly suffered an asthma attack. The management of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a Post-Basic Nursing student, Taiwo Godwin, amid allegations of medical negligence by a colleague of the deceased. The hospital, in a statement issued on Saturday, expressed sadness over Godwin’s death, which occurred while he was receiving treatment at its General Medical Practice Unit. The development followed reports alleging that the nursing student died…

….Commission urges stakeholders to strengthen internet safety, privacy protection, child security Daud Olatunji The Nigerian Communications Commission has launched an Internet Governance Working Group to strengthen online safety, tackle emerging digital threats and promote accountability in the use of artificial intelligence. The initiative was unveiled at the inaugural NCC Internet Governance Symposium 2026, held in Lagos on Thursday, as the commission called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address challenges confronting Nigeria’s digital space. The challenges include online fraud, privacy violations, harmful digital content, artificial intelligence-related risks and the protection of vulnerable internet users, particularly children. Speaking at the event,…

Daud Olatunji The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has raised the alarm over an alleged increase in cases of parents and guardians facilitating the sexual exploitation of children for monetary gains, warning that perpetrators will face prosecution. The agency’s Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, said NAPTIP had received disturbing reports of parents and guardians allegedly handing over their children and wards to men for sexual gratification in exchange for money and other benefits. Bello described the practice as an extreme form of cruelty and betrayal of parental responsibility, warning that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in…

….Federal Polytechnics Get Degree-Awarding Powers …. Reform Targets Workplace Discrimination Daud Olatunji The Senate has amended the Federal Polytechnic Act to empower federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees in science, engineering and technology-related programmes. The amendment, adopted during plenary on Thursday, followed the Senate’s decision to reverse its earlier position on the legislation, which restricted federal polytechnics to awarding National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications. Under the revised provision, federal polytechnics will be able to award B.Tech. Hons. degrees to holders of ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma qualifications, subject to accreditation by the…

Daud Olatunji Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has said the late former President Muhammadu Buhari considered it immoral and distasteful for his former deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, to contest the 2023 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu. Lawal said Buhari’s position was informed by his longstanding relationship with Tinubu, whom he described as instrumental to the former president’s emergence as Nigeria’s leader. According to the former SGF, Buhari would have found it difficult to support Osinbajo against Tinubu, regardless of his personal assessment of the former vice-president’s capacity to govern the country. Lawal made the claims…

Daud Olatunji Operatives of the Department of State Services, the military and the police have arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State. The arrests followed intelligence-led operations conducted in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14, 2026, as security agencies intensified efforts to track down those behind the abduction. However, three other suspects reportedly escaped during the operations with varying degrees of gunshot injuries, prompting security operatives to launch a manhunt for them. The development represents a major breakthrough in the…

Firdaus Obiremi The priest was abducted along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road while returning to Otukpo, with the Catholic Diocese appealing for prayers for his safe release. The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a Catholic priest, Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache, and said efforts are underway to secure his release. Otache, the parish priest of St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in the Otukpo Diocese, was reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Aondongu Peter, confirmed the incident in a…

Daud Olatunji The Rivers State Police Command has removed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Abuloma Division and the officer overseeing the Abuloma Police Outpost following reports that suspected cultists renovated the facility and visited it to celebrate the completion of the project. The command also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident to establish the identities of those who financed the renovation, determine whether police officers authorised the project and ascertain whether any professional misconduct occurred. The development followed a viral social media report and a circulating video alleging that suspected cultists renovated the police outpost and…

Toyyibat Qasim President Bola Tinubu has nominated four national commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission, with the appointments subject to confirmation by the Senate. The nominations were announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, Tinubu has urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process in view of the forthcoming general elections scheduled for January next year. Among the nominees is Dr Bala Bila, who has been reappointed as the national commissioner representing the North-East geopolitical zone. Other…