Author: Platform Times Newspaper

…Says Illicit Mining Fuels Insecurity, Arms Smuggling Across West Africa President Bola Tinubu has called on African and global leaders to recognise the theft and illegal trade of mineral resources from the continent as an international crime, warning that such illicit activities threaten regional peace, stability, and development. Tinubu made the call on Tuesday while declaring open the Annual General Meeting of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) at the ECOWAS Secretariat, Abuja. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President said it was time the world treated mineral resource…

The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into what it described as “incessant and arbitrary deductions” from customers’ bank accounts by commercial banks across Nigeria. This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Tolani Shagaya (APC–Kwara) during Tuesday’s plenary, amid growing complaints from Nigerians over unexplained charges and multiple bank deductions. Shagaya, who led the debate, lamented that despite clear regulations issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on approved bank tariffs, several financial institutions continue to impose unapproved or duplicated fees on customers. “Many Nigerians are being shortchanged through exploitative practices such as multiple SMS…

The biological father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa, has revealed that he personally appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant a presidential pardon to his daughter-in-law, Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for the murder of her husband in 2017. Isa, who spoke in Abuja alongside Maryam’s father, Alhaji Garba Sanda, described the clemency as a welcome relief, saying his quest to secure Maryam’s freedom was purely humanitarian and rooted in forgiveness and faith. According to him, executing Maryam would not bring back his late son, but sparing her life would ensure their two…

… Dispute Over Who Can Appoint Party Counsel Throws Proceedings Into Confusion … Judge Forced To Stand Down Proceedings As Leadership Feud Stalls Convention Suit Daud Olatunji A dramatic disagreement played out at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), openly clashed over who had the authority to appoint a lawyer to represent the party in a pending suit. The disagreement occurred during the hearing of a case filed by some PDP chieftains seeking to halt the party’s…

Kabirah Sodunke Over 200 secondary school prefects from Ogun and Lagos States converged on the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, on Tuesday for a youth leadership clinic aimed at nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of leaders. The event, themed “Leaders in Uniform,” was organised by the Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC) of the University of Abuja, in collaboration with its TETFund Centre of Excellence in Public Governance. It brought together key stakeholders in education, governance, and youth development — including the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; House of Representatives member, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka; and top academics from the University…

A recent study has revealed that a large number of women on death row in Nigeria continue to suffer deep psychological, social, and systemic injustices, with many describing their experiences as shaped by gender bias within the justice system. The report found that a significant number of the female inmates expressed confusion during investigations and trials, claiming that their cases were negatively influenced by a male-dominated legal structure. Many said they lacked fair representation or understanding of the legal proceedings that sealed their fate. Beyond the courtroom, the stigma of incarceration has left lasting scars. Many of the women reported…

The Head of Community for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Project Management Institute (PMI), Adeola Akande, has hailed the Dangote Refinery as a shining example of visionary leadership, excellence in execution, and Nigeria’s growing capability in project management. Akande, who led a PMI delegation to the refinery, described the multi-billion-dollar facility as a testament to Nigeria’s potential to deliver world-class infrastructure through effective project management practices.  “The Dangote Refinery represents the best of Nigeria’s capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure and demonstrates how effective project management can transform not just organizations but entire economies,” she said. She also commended the Dangote Group…

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has attributed his emergence as the 44th Olubadan to divine intervention rather than financial influence, declaring that no amount of money could have secured the throne for him. The monarch stated this on Tuesday while hosting the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Peter Leenknegt, at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. Ladoja, who succeeded the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, said his ascension was a fulfilment of divine purpose and not a product of manipulation or wealth. He said, “My ascension to the throne of Ibadanland is…

Recently, there have been fictitious stories circulating in the media about Chief Razaq Okoya CON and Chief (Mrs.) Shade Okoya MON, and their company RAO Investment Property Company Ltd. These reports are entirely untrue and malicious fabrications, clearly designed to create confusion regarding an open case, intimidate and damage the reputation of the Okoyas. The truth is that these are two completely separate issues which have been twisted together to create a sensational and misleading story for dubious and fraudulent reasons. 1. The property in question, a 16 unit 3 bedroom flats fully belongs to Chief Razaq Okoya CON registered…

The Federal Government has announced a major policy shift in admission requirements into Nigerian tertiary institutions, declaring that mathematics is no longer compulsory for students in the arts and humanities streams. According to the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, released by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) on Tuesday, arts and humanities students will now be admitted into universities and polytechnics without the need for a credit pass in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by WAEC and NECO. The statement, signed by Folasade Boriowo, the ministry’s spokesperson, noted that the reform…