Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a startling revelation that underscores the worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s border regions, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disclosed that its officers were recently forced to offer seized rice to bandits in exchange for their lives during an encounter in Katsina State. The National Coordinator of the NCS Border Drill, Sector Four, Northwest, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed, made the disclosure while briefing journalists in Katsina on Wednesday. Mohammed, who described the incident as one of the gravest risks his men had faced, said the operatives were on a routine operation in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area when they were confronted by…

The Senate has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to fully enforce the ban on high-strength alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and small plastic bottles by December 2025, warning that no further extension of the deadline will be tolerated. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong (Cross River South), who raised concerns over renewed lobbying by some manufacturers to push for another extension of the ban. Ekpeyong reminded his colleagues that the ban, introduced by NAFDAC in 2018 after extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and…

… Say “We Risked Our Lives For Nigeria But Can’t Feed Today” … “We Served 35 Years, Now We Beg To Survive,” Say Angry Pensioners … Retirees Demand Abolition Of Contributory Pension System For Police Daud Olatunji   Emotions ran high in Abuja on Thursday as hundreds of retired police officers, many frail and aging, besieged the National Assembly Complex to protest what they described as years of abandonment, unpaid pensions, and crippling hardship after decades of service to the nation. Clad in faded uniforms and holding placards that read “We Have Turned Beggars After 35 Years of Service” and “Pay…

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (KSJSC) has dismissed and demoted several judicial officers and staff over various acts of misconduct, in a sweeping disciplinary action aimed at sanitising the state judiciary. The decision, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, followed the adoption of recommendations from the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) at the Commission’s 86th meeting held on October 30, 2025. Among those sanctioned was Ibrahim Salim, Clerk of the Upper Shari’a Court, Rijiyar Lemo, who was dismissed for forgery, falsification of court records, and demanding bribes…

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to be transparent with Nigerians over the reported arrest of military officers allegedly involved in a coup plot, saying secrecy on such a sensitive matter would only fuel public distrust and anxiety. Falana, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, said the government’s silence and denials have only deepened speculation and suspicion around the alleged incident. “You know, a lot of conspiracy theories are going on, and as a lawyer, I can only speak on what is in the public domain,” the Senior Advocate of Nigeria…

The Chinese government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and efforts to maintain national stability, declaring opposition to what it described as foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs. China’s ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, made the declaration on Thursday following a meeting with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja. In a statement posted on X, the ambassador said Beijing would “continue to stand firmly with Nigeria” as it tackles security and development challenges, adding that China “opposes any interference under the pretext of religion or human rights.” “As a comprehensive strategic partner of…

Former Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called on African leaders to stop celebrating economic growth figures that do not translate into better living conditions for citizens, warning that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expansion without social justice is “hollow progress.” Speaking on Wednesday at the 65th anniversary of the Ford Foundation in Abuja, Osinbajo lamented that despite Africa’s status as the fastest-growing continent in GDP terms, most of its people still grapple with poor health services, inadequate education, and economic instability. “Africa has been the fastest growing continent in GDP terms for a while, yet it remains the continent…

Daud Olatunji The Ogun State Government has unveiled a major women empowerment initiative aimed at transforming the livelihoods of over 105,000 women across four Local Government Areas — Ifo, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, and Ado-Odo/Ota — under the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU). Speaking at the project’s official launch held in Akute, Ifo Local Government Area, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, said the initiative would deepen women’s access to finance, business skills, and social networks, describing it as a “bold step toward institutionalizing women’s economic empowerment across the Gateway State.” According to her, the…

By Olóyè Akolawole Shoremi (Being an Opinion Piece on Reproductive Health Rights in Ogun State) Despite growing awareness and advocacy on reproductive health right, many of the young people of Ogun State still face significant barriers in accessing the essential reproductive health services (RHS), which are unarguably basic rights. Ogun State has shown commendable foresight by developing a Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) Guideline. This policy document, which sets out to increase access to information and services, is a progressive step. However, a great distance remains between a well-written strategy on paper and its meaningful implementation in our communities and…

Dr E.A Ogunsola & Mrs Atolagbe R.E Background Maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, and unsafe abortion is widely recognised as a preventable contributor. The state government of Ogun has affirmed that the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (SToP) Guidelines will be implemented to ensure access to medically-supervised and legally-permitted abortion services to reduce maternal deaths. CSOs e.g Gender Development Initiative (GEDIN)) are calling for legislative amendment in the state to allow safe termination of pregnancy in cases of rape, incest, or medical condition that threatens woman health. There has been interventions to ensure deaths due to unsafe abortion are reduced and…