Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Operatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have apprehended a woman identified as Precious Yusuf, who was caught attempting to smuggle drugs into the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja. Precious Yusuf was nabbed on Tuesday during a routine search by vigilant correctional officers.  Disguised as a visitor, Yusuf attempted to bring contraband into the facility, concealing the drugs in food packs.  Her actions were uncovered when the officers conducted a thorough inspection of her items, revealing substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other dangerous drugs hidden within a carton. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by…

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, has disclosed that 140,000 children under 14 were living with HIV as of 2023.  He also revealed that there were 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths among children in the same year. He said this while addressing the committee’s inauguration on Thursday.  Meanwhile, theFederal Government inaugurated the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatric AIDS Acceleration Plan Committee.  The initiative aims to drastically reduce mother-to-child transmission, eliminate HIV/AIDS, and enhance early testing and treatments for exposed infants. Alausa emphasised the government’s commitment to providing high-quality treatment and…

The emergency meeting called by President Bola Tinubu with the labour leaders on the new minimum wage concluded without a resolution.  The meeting, held at the State House in Abuja, was attended by representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The session was intended to address the pressing issue of implementing a new minimum wage, a topic that has been a significant concern for Nigeria’s workforce.  However, the talks ended inconclusively, with both parties agreeing to adjourn the discussions until next week.  This decision came after the labour leaders insisted on reporting back to…

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth N115.2 billion (approximately $75 million).  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  agreement aims to advance market transparency, and expand access to sustainable, reliable, and affordable power for millions of Nigerians. The signing ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, featured key representatives from both sides: Melissa Jones, USAID’s Nigeria mission director, and Mahmuda Mamman, the permanent secretary of the ministry of power, who signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations. The statement read “This agreement will facilitate the…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 12-count charge against Saleh Mamman, a former Minister of Power, over an alleged N33.8 billion fraud.  The Commission filed the charges  in the Federal High Court in Abuja,  The EFCC’s charge sheet, accuses Mamman of conspiring with officials from the Ministry of Power and several private companies to embezzle funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Projects.  According to the EFCC, Mamman and his co-defendants used various schemes to indirectly divert N33,804,830,503.73 from the projects’ budgets.  The funds were reportedly intended to develop these crucial energy infrastructure projects…

The House of Representatives on Thursday, resolved to establish an ad-hoc committee to investigate the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) regarding the conduct of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.  This decision followed the adoption of a motion presented by Mr. Mohammed Bio, the representative of Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency, Kwara State, during the plenary session held on Tuesday. The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Investigate the National Hajj Commission and the Federal Capital Territory Administration Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, their Agents, and Sub-Agents over Shoddy Arrangement and Treatment of Nigerian Pilgrims in the 2024 Hajj Exercise,” was brought to the floor…

In a landmark ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds intended for Local Government (LG) administrations. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the ruling is expected to bring significant changes to the financial autonomy and operational efficiency of the 774 local government councils in Nigeria. Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Emmanuel Agim emphasised that the refusal of state governments to grant financial independence to local governments has persisted for over two decades.  He pointed out that local governments have been deprived of their rightful funds by state governors acting on their behalf,…

Daud Olatunji In a landmark judgment delivered on July 10, 2024, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) found Nigeria guilty of violating the human rights of Obianuju Catherine Udeh, Perpetual Kamsi, and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  ruling concluded that Nigeria breached several articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights during the #EndSARS protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State on October 20 and 21, 2020. The court identified violations of Articles 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11, which encompass the right to…

Daud Olatunji The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Ogun State, Tunji Odunlami, has emphasized the crucial role of town planners in government initiatives to ensure the creation of sustainable human living environments conducive to living, working, and raising families.  Odunlami made these remarks on Wednesday during the 25th edition of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program (MCPDP) of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP) held in Abeokuta. Odunlami  submitted that for governments’ projects to be sustainable, professional town planners must be involved. He however stressed the  need for town planners to exhibit diligence, competence, and transparency…

The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN),  Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the new Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin. The message followed the  coronation and the presentation of the Staff of Office by the Governor of Oyo State,  Seyi Makinde, on Friday, July 12, 2024. In a statement released by the Sultan’s media team on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Sultan Abubakar, who also serves as the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), emphasized the historical and strategic significance of Ibadan.…