Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Former Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ogun State Oladipupo Adebutu  has condemned the recent detention of his personal assistant, Gafar Asaolu, labeling it an abuse of political office. In a statement released on Thursday, Adebutu criticized the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly succumbing to political manipulation, accusing them of fabricating charges against Asaolu following the November 16 local government elections. “The detention of Gafar Asaolu was an unprecedented abuse of political office,” Adebutu said. “Despite obtaining Certified True Copies of statements from all actors involved, it is clear that Asaolu was not mentioned as…

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has expressed concern over the country’s annual expenditure of $480 million on importing three tonnes of rice, describing it as unsustainable. Nonye Ayeni, NEPC’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, disclosed this during a one-day technical support workshop for rice farmers and processors in Lokoja, Kogi State. Represented by Aliu Sadiq, a deputy director in the council’s policy and strategy department, Ayeni emphasized that urgent measures are being implemented to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on rice imports. “The continuous spending of $480 million on importing rice is unacceptable,” Ayeni said. She noted that boosting local…

The Labour Party (LP) has expressed strong disapproval of the recent defection of four of its members in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party has vowed to take legal action against the defectors while demanding that their seats be declared vacant. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the defections during a plenary session, identifying the lawmakers as Chinedu Okere, Mathew Donatus, Akiba Bassey, and Esosa Iyawe. The defectors cited alleged “internal crises” within the LP as their reason for switching allegiance to the APC. In a swift reaction, LP…

An Abuja-bound Max Air flight narrowly averted disaster on Wednesday when one of its engines caught fire mid-air, forcing an emergency landing at Maiduguri airport, Borno State. The incident, which occurred just 10 minutes after the flight’s departure, had over 70 passengers on board, including Borno State Deputy Governor, Usman Kadafur. Despite the harrowing experience, all passengers and crew members were unharmed. Reports suggest the engine fire was triggered by a bird strike during ascent, which caused the engine to malfunction. In a swift response, the pilot followed standard safety protocols by shutting down the affected engine and diverting the…

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has declared that the upper chamber of the National Assembly will not succumb to intimidation or pressure to halt deliberations on the controversial tax reform bills. Akpabio made this assertion during Thursday’s plenary, addressing speculations that legislative actions on the bills had been suspended. “The senate cannot be bullied. Any reform that we are convinced serves the interest of Nigerians will proceed,” Akpabio stated emphatically. Earlier this week, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin inaugurated a special committee to engage with a federal government delegation on the bills. However, reports circulated that the legislative process had…

A Jigawa State High Court has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a 30-year-old woman, Salamatu Musa, over allegations of witchcraft. The verdict was delivered by Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, after the court found the convicts guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. The convicted individuals—Hassan Isah (55), Adama Yahaya (42), Abdullahi Yahaya (35), and Maryam Daso Yahaya (28)—were accused of conspiring to kill the deceased, whom they blamed for the death of their son through alleged witchcraft. The tragic incident occurred in 2019 at Kwan-Dole Village in Mallam-Madori…

The Chairman of the Edo State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Dr. Richard Edosa, has identified traditional institutions, churches, and a lack of knowledge in the medical profession as major contributors to Nigeria’s alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality. Edosa, who represents Oredo West constituency, made this assertion during a visit by the National Population Commission (NPC) team, led by Dr. Tony Aiyejina, to the Deputy Speaker of the House, Maria Edeko, at the Assembly Complex in Benin City. Speaking on the NPC’s 2024 Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) programme, Edosa lamented the high maternal mortality rate in…

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has responded to the Kwara State Government’s decision to sanction Hajia Fatimoh Nike Hamzat, a school teacher who recently assaulted a female Corps member serving at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Kulende, Ilorin. NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed hailed the investigative panel set up by the state government for its objectivity and fairness in line with the Public Service Rules. Ahmed said the NYSC would not condone any form of maltreatment meted out on Corps members. He pointed out that as people who are on national assignment, and contributing to nation-building and the…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed strong opposition to the federal government’s student loan program, describing it as a burden that would further alienate the children of the poor from accessing higher education. The loan, which is being managed by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), has sparked controversy since its introduction, with critics alleging that it has prompted universities to significantly increase tuition fees. Speaking on  a Television programme  on Thursday, ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, argued that the initiative is counterproductive and called for educational grants instead. “Our issue with NELFUND is that in a…

Ayomide Awe The 1974 set of the Lisabi Grammar School Alumni Association, Abeokuta, has marked its 50th anniversary with a series of events aimed at giving back to their alma mater and the wider community. The celebration commenced with a press briefing in Abeokuta on Wednesday, attended by members of the association from Nigeria and the diaspora. Speaking at the event, the chairman of the set, Chief Dauda Sokeye, highlighted the milestones the group had achieved over the years. He emphasized that the anniversary was not only a time for celebration but also an opportunity to foster the welfare of…