Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The civic organization New Nigerian Voice has described  the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a period marked by severe hardship and increasing health crises among Nigerians.  The group’s Executive Secretary, Omokehinde Agbedina disclosed this on Friday, urging Tinubu to recognize and address the harsh realities faced by Nigerians, highlighting the detrimental impact of recent governmental decisions.  Agbedina questioned the ethics of leaders who, despite being elected by the people, have implemented policies that exacerbate poverty and suffering. “How can anyone with the faintest of conscience live a normal life with a reality whereby the same citizens who…

The Nigerian Ministry of Interior, under the leadership of Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has uncovered a significant security breach involving 2,400 foreigners attempting to obtain Nigerian passports using fraudulent National Identity Numbers (NINs).  Tunji-Ojo made this disclosure during a courtesy visit by President and Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria,Dr. Illiyasu Gashinbaki and his team. The visit, held on Wednesday, provided a platform for discussing the imperative of identity management in tackling identity theft and related crimes in Nigeria. In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ozoya Imohimi, Tunji-Ojo…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has called for urgent intervention by the Federal Government to address the mounting debt and non-payment issues plaguing the power sector.  According to the NERC’s latest report for the fourth quarter of 2023, the sector faces significant financial challenges due to unpaid debts by both local and international customers, alongside persistently low power supply. The report  by Channels Television reveals that electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and four international customers collectively owe the power sector ₦97.5 billion as of the fourth quarter of 2023.  Specifically, the 11 DisCos are responsible for ₦81 billion of this…

President Bola Tinubu has stressed  the critical importance of addressing the needs of rural areas to spur economic development in Nigeria.  The President urged the  state governments to enhance their focus on local communities, ensuring that the administration of local governments is both accountable and effective. He said this at  a recent meeting with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said “we are running a constitutional democracy. I will appeal to you to summon the governors. I am doing my very best to enhance the revenue base of the country.  “They must equally be…

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)has suggested sustainable practices to combat carbon emissions in Nigeria. Chairman, National Executive Council,Hon. Justice (Mrs.) Bukola Adebiyi, while speaking at the 22nd Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture held in Lagos, highlighted the critical environmental issues requiring immediate attention. Adebiyi who spoke on the theme “Carbon Credit: Opportunities and Pitfalls,” stressed the importance of individual and collective action in making a positive impact on the environment. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the event underscored the urgency of adopting sustainable practices to address the myriad of environmental challenges facing Nigeria and the broader African continent. Adebiyi in her…

By Jelili Gbadamosi A Nigerian lawyer, Barrister Ifashola Opeodu, has extended a strong warning to Nigerians about the dangers of jungle justice.  He also urged citizens to refrain from calling lawyers liars and to be law-abiding. Opeodu made these remarks at the official commissioning of his Iperu law office to commemorate his birthday, 21 years post-call, and in memory of his late father, Sir Oba T. A. Opeodu. He emphasized the responsibility of lawyers, stating that their duty is to uphold the principles of the rule of law. He asserted that the rule of law is vital to the Constitution…

Jelili Gbadamosi The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced approximately $176 million in humanitarian assistance for Nigeria, Mali, and other countries in West Africa. USAID stated that the aid aims to support communities in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria, which are facing significant humanitarian needs due to conflict, food insecurity, and displacement. In a statement on Tuesday, it was mentioned that the funds would be provided through the United Nations and partners, including the UN World Food Program, UNICEF, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. “These funds will allow…

Sodiq Mojibola The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has expressed deep concern over the alleged deportation of Nigerian students from Teesside University in the UK for defaulting on their school fees. This development was disclosed in a press statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocol at NiDCOM, Abuja, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Commission, announced that a delegation would visit the university’s management to address the issue. “A delegation, led by a representative of the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, Amb. Christian Okeke,…

Operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested five suspected illegal bureau de change operators on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The suspects were apprehended at the Borno State Hajj Camp, located at Sir Kashim Ibrahim College of Education in Maiduguri, following credible intelligence about their involvement in the sale of foreign currencies. In a related development, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, disclosed that the Commission secured 3,175 convictions and recovered N156,276,691,242.30 between May 29, 2023, and May 29, 2024. This announcement was made in Abuja on Wednesday, May…

Residents of Aba, Abia State, are gripped with fear following a violent attack by gunmen at Obikabia junction, which resulted in the deaths of several military personnel and the destruction of their vehicles.  The attack took place on Thursday, coinciding with Biafra Day—a day observed by Biafra agitators to mourn their fallen heroes. The horrifying event was captured in a viral video shared on Facebook by a user identified as De Finder.  The footage shows armed men attacking and setting fire to military patrol vans while terrified residents watched from the safety of their homes. In the video, a lone…