Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Investigation Unit have apprehended four suspects for their alleged involvement in a criminal conspiracy, forgery of official documents, job racketeering, impersonation, and obtaining money under false pretenses. The arrest, announced in a statement on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, followed a complaint lodged by the office of the Special Assistant to the President. The suspects were accused of forging documents resembling those purportedly issued by the office of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the State House in Abuja. The suspects, identified as Khuzaifa…

Nigeria suffers an annual loss exceeding $1.1 billion to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to the economic burden of malaria, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, has disclosed. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN), Pate described malaria as not only a health crisis but also an economic and developmental emergency. According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, the minister emphasized that malaria drains productivity, increases healthcare costs, and deepens poverty in the country. “Nigeria accounts for…

Former presidential aide, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has asserted that Nigeria’s presidency will not return to the northern region in 2027, emphasizing the need to uphold the political power rotation arrangement between the North and South. Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday, Okupe referenced historical precedents, particularly the events that led to the election of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, as an example of national consensus to address regional tensions. Okupe highlighted the aftermath of the annulled 1993 presidential election, which was widely regarded as won by Chief MKO Abiola, and the subsequent need to placate the South-West.…

In a bid to curb the alarming rate of road accidents during the Ember Months, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Celebrity Special Marshals, Ogun State Unit, has launched a road safety jingle to promote safe driving practices and raise public awareness. The jingle, officially unveiled in Abeokuta, Ogun State, is part of a broader campaign by the Celebrity Special Marshals to foster road safety and minimize road traffic crashes, which often surge between September and December due to heightened vehicular activities. Speaking virtually at the launch, the National Head of the FRSC Celebrity Special Marshals Unit, Julie Chi-Nwaoha, highlighted…

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Chapter, has appealed to the Ogun State Government to expedite the process of appointing a new Rector for the institution. With the tenure of the current Rector, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, set to expire on December 5, 2024, the union emphasized the importance of ensuring a seamless leadership transition to maintain stability and foster progress. In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Comrade Tunde Abiodun, and Secretary, Comrade Olutosin Ogundeyi, SSANIP commended the Governing Council and other stakeholders for their diligence in the ongoing selection process. The union,…

A journalist and researcher with Rockcity 101.9 F.M, Dr. Jamiu Folarin, has been shortlisted alongside 14 others across West Africa for the maiden edition of the Excellence in Journalism Awards. The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) on its website announced the shortlist of the 15 outstanding journalists nominated for its inaugural Excellence in Journalism Awards. The 15 journalists who made the list, authors of 13 reports, were selected from a pool of 388 entries received from seven countries across West Africa. The award winners will be unveiled at CJID’s 10th-anniversary dinner and awards ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, November…

The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation has commended the Federal Government for releasing monthly allocations directly to Local Government Areas (LGAs) through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). The group hailed the initiative as a critical step towards enhancing grassroots governance and holding elected local government officials accountable. In a statement jointly signed by its President, Bolaji Are, and Secretary-General, Yomi Tokosi, the foundation expressed optimism about the impact of the decision on governance at the local level. “We can now hold the elected members of the LGAs accountable for their actions and failures. Some of us have been advocating for…

Deborah Hundenu Community leaders from Idofa, Kajola/Agberiodo, and Ilara wards of Zone 3 in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, Ogun State, have raised concerns over what they describe as long-standing political and administrative marginalization. In an open letter addressed to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the leaders are calling for immediate redress to ensure fairness and equity in political representation and appointments in the local government area. The leaders, under the banner of “Concerned Community Leaders,” stated that since the creation of Imeko-Afon Local Government Area in 1996, their zone has been consistently sidelined in critical political appointments and opportunities.…

Renowned journalist and politician, Dele Momodu, has revealed that a former presidential candidate distributed $23.22 million among 774 delegates during the 2023 presidential primary elections. This translates to $30,000 per delegate in a staggering display of monetized politicking. Momodu made the disclosure during an interview on the Key to Keys podcast while addressing his political aspirations and the challenges of contesting for the presidency in Nigeria. He ruled out the possibility of running for the presidency in 2027, citing the entrenched monetization of Nigeria’s political system. Asked about his future political plans, Momodu said, “No, experience is the best teacher,…

A 45-year-old marriage between Ilani Alhaji and Halima Ilani has been officially dissolved by the Shari’a Court in Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, following allegations of infidelity. Presiding over the case, Judge Malam Anas Khalifa upheld a single pronouncement of divorce made by the husband, Ilani Alhaji, after reconciliation efforts outside the courtroom failed. The complainant, Halima Ilani, had filed a petition seeking the termination of their marriage, citing longstanding accusations of infidelity by her husband. She revealed to the court that the accusations were often made in the presence of their children, leaving her deeply humiliated. Halima further lamented that…