Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji A non-profit organization, Peace Initiative Network, has stated that it will empower between 30 and 50 repentant cultists in Ogun State.  The founder of the group, Dr. Michael Sodipo, said the foundation would partner with the Ogun State Police Command to fully engage the ex-cultists to become useful members of society.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that about 48 cultists renounced their membership of various secret cult groups in the Sagamu township area of the state last month.  Sodipo stated this on Thursday while speaking at a press conference held to herald a two-day peace summit between Monday and Tuesday…

Daud Olatunji Residents of the terror-battered Shiroro Local Government Area of  Niger State have again  repeatedly fled  their homes as soldiers reportedly  withdraw from the Allawa axis following a deadly terror attack. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  withdrawal comes on the heels of the loss of two army officers to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the region, further exacerbating fears among locals already grappling with the persistent menace of terrorist groups operating in the area. It was learnt that the  exodus of soldiers from the Allawa axis, a known hotspot for terrorist activity, has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting…

The scramble to recapture fleeing inmates from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre in Niger State continues as authorities report that 14 of the escapees have been apprehended.  However, the pursuit remains ongoing for the remaining 105 inmates who are still at large following the devastating aftermath of a severe downpour on Wednesday night. Confirming the latest developments, Adamu Duza, the Spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, disclosed that concerted efforts involving intelligence officers, armed squadron officers, and collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and other security agencies have led to the re-arrest…

The  Oyo State Government has approved over N332 million for   the renovation of the Governor’s Lodge located in Lagos State.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that this was  disclosed in a statement released after the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday. In addition to the lodge renovation, several other crucial projects were approved during the meeting, reflecting the government’s commitment to infrastructural development and welfare enhancement across the state. Among the notable approvals was the regularisation of employment for 129 workers at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, aimed at ensuring they receive the full benefits entitled to civil…

Two Chinese men Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi and their company, Ebuy Concept Limited have been dragged  before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin,.Kwara state  over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  Chinese were arraigned by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday. The Chinese were arraigned on one-count bordering on possession of solid minerals without licence and non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law. The charge reads: “That you, Ebuy Trading Worldwide Nig.LTD, Duan Ya Hong, Xiao…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on Thursday,broke silence on the  reason for persistent fuel scarcity in some parts of the country. PLATFORM TIMES reports that there were queues in many parts of the country while many marketers were selling fuel at the rate between  N660 and N700 per litre contrary to the official process of N580 per litre .  NNPCL, in a statement issued by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, said the tightness in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was as a result of logistics issues. The company said the issues had been resolved. It…

Daud Olatunji Police operatives in Edo State have apprehended two suspected  fake policemen, Alex Akaeze (39) and Kadiri Hassan (45), alongside three other individuals for the unlawful possession of 1,080 kg of ICE, a hard drug with a street value of ₦20 million. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  operation, conducted by operatives of the Command’s Intelligence and Rapid Response Squad, led to the arrest of the suspects at a guest house operated by one of them, Ovie Samuel, located at No 5, Colobus Street, off Upper Mission Extension Road, Benin City. Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, labelled…

 Daud Olatunji A strong indication has emerged that telecoms operators including MTN, Airtel and Globacom have pushed for cost-reflective tariff in view of extant economic realities.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the telcos gave the hint in  a statement jointly released by the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on Thursday.  The statement was co-signed by ALTON’s Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo; and ATCON’s President Tony Emoekpere. The telcos called upon the government to take decisive action in addressing the numerous challenges confronting the telecommunications industry. The telecoms said telecommunications infrastructure development…

The Lagos State government has refuted  a widely circulated report claiming that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has increased the minimum wage in the state to N70,000. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the governor through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement on Thursday, said he was erroneously quoted. He said, “The Lagos State Government has not increased the minimum wage, contrary to the impression in some media reports, which emanated from the unveiling of Eko Cares – the umbrella for the various interventions to protect the poor against the effects of the prevailing economic hardship. “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu…

Daud Olatunji Former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has empowered 150 Owu Indigines through the Owu Empowerment Foundation (OEF). The former governor however, received royal blessings from the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, for the empowerment which was described as strategic and helpful to the communities in the kingdom. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the empowerment was organised by the foundation as a way of alleviating poverty in the Owu communities and Ogun State at large. Amosun, has through the empowerment  extended support to communities, health centers, and over 150 indigenes of Owu Kingdom. The Owu…