Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), a leading environmental NGO dedicated to nature conservation and biodiversity resources management, is gearing up to host its 22nd annual flagship policy and advocacy lecture.  The event, known as the Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 28th May 2024. With the theme “Carbon Credits: Opportunities and Pitfalls,” this year’s lecture aims to delve into the complexities surrounding carbon credits and their role in combating climate change.  Mr. Kevin Juma, Africa Climate Director at The Nature Conservancy in Nairobi, Kenya, has been enlisted as the distinguished speaker for the occasion.…

The Niger State Police Command has apprehended four soldiers suspected of involvement in the fatal stabbing of an officer from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The suspects  Identified as Sani Munzani, Abubakar Auwalu, Abubakar Sani, and Muazu Hassan, reportedly  hail from various regions across Nigeria. The revelation surfaced through a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, stationed in Minna.  According to Abiodun, the grim incident unfolded on March 9, 2024, at approximately 1820hrs, when a team of vigilant NDLEA officers conducted a routine stop and search operation at Ramat Junction, Bida.…

The serene town of IgboGila in Ogun State has been engulfed in a tumultuous struggle for the throne of the Olu of IgboGila following the passing of HRH Oba Ebenezer Osungbade Olanloye.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that what initially seemed like a customary transition has spiraled into a bitter feud, implicating prominent figures and tarnishing the community’s tranquility. Residents, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shed light on alleged manipulations by the Olanloye and Akinlolu of Kaatola Royal Family, allegedly in cahoots with the Oshin Family, the late Kabiyesi’s immediate kin. PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that the move was reportedly to…

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has revealed the staggering $25 billion annual expenditure on petrol importation. The Vice President  called for transformative reforms in the nation’s energy sector.  Addressing attendees at the Vanguard Economic Discourse in Lagos, Shettima emphasized the imperative of revitalizing Nigeria’s dormant refineries and reducing reliance on foreign imports. He said despite possessing three state-owned refineries, Nigeria has long struggled with operational inefficiencies and neglect, resulting in continued dependence on imported petroleum products.  During his address, Shettima  said  the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to implement policies aimed at mitigating these challenges and enhancing the welfare…

The Labour Party finds itself embroiled in a heated controversy as accusations fly between party officials and Peter Obi’s campaign spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko.  The Julius Abure leadership of the party has leveled serious allegations against Tanko, accusing him of colluding with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to seize control of the party. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, on Friday, Tanko was accused of attempting to manipulate the party’s leadership for personal gain.  The statement pointed out Tanko’s history within the National Conscience Party, where he allegedly used his position as…

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday, released a report, estimating that nearly 13 million lives were claimed by the COVID-19 pandemic within just two years since its emergence.  The study, which analyzed global mortality trends, underscored the profound impact of the virus, which swiftly ascended to become the leading cause of death in the Americas, while ranking as the third highest cause of mortality worldwide in 2020, subsequently climbing to second place in 2021.  According to WHO. Between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy plummeted by 1.8 years, effectively regressing to levels last seen in 2012.  Similarly, healthy life…

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat is facing a major scandal following allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement by its Director-General, A B Okauru.  The accusations were detailed in a petition submitted to the Forum’s Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara State, by Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the NGF Director of Media and Public Affairs. In the petition dated May 17, Bello-Barkindo outlined numerous instances of alleged fraudulent activities and financial impropriety under Okauru’s leadership.  He called for a forensic audit of the NGF’s financial records spanning the last 15 years, emphasizing the need to expose the depth of the alleged corruption.…

In a sweeping move, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has terminated the employment of over 200 officials, adding to the  list of ongoing retrenchments within the institution.  This latest round of layoffs follows the earlier dismissal of 117 staff members between March 15 and April 11, 2024.  The recent terminations affect a broad spectrum of positions including directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, principal managers, senior managers, and lower-ranking staff. Sources within the bank confirmed the sackings on Friday, highlighting that the affected individuals include older directors who had previously escaped retrenchment.  A  source said  “It is true and confirmed.”…

A magistrate court sitting in Ilaro, sentenced two cable thieves ; Hussain Waziri, 36, and Mustapha Aliyu, 33 to one year imprisonment. The convicts were arraigned on Tuesday,  before Magistrate M.T. Otayemi Osikoya with  two counts of  conspiracy to steal and the theft of armoured cables from Dangote Cement Company. The convicts pleaded  guilty to both charges. The court sentenced them to one year imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. Operatives of  the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Ogun State Command  had apprehended two notorious cable thieves targeting critical infrastructure at the Dangote Cement Factory…