Author: Platform Times Newspaper

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…

The federal government has announced plans to completely privatise all the country’s oil refineries, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s oil sector reforms. This development was disclosed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, through a reforms tracker shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account. The tracker highlights key milestones achieved by the Tinubu administration in the oil sector, focusing on strategies to enhance local refining capacity and eliminate fuel scarcity. “Full privatisation of Port Harcourt, Warri, Kaduna refining in the works. “Local oil refining and production to peak steadily with Dangote and…

A young woman from Akwa Ibom State has taken to social media to express her heartbreak after her fiancé called off their wedding due to an exorbitant bride price list issued by her family. The distressed lady, whose identity remains anonymous, shared her ordeal with social media influencer Kelvin Onovo, who subsequently posted screenshots of the bride price list on Facebook. PLATFORM TIMES reports that in her message to Onovo, she wrote, “Keep me anonymous. “This nightmare was collected on the 9th Nov. 24. It’s disheartening because since my guy saw the list he has changed and he’s not picking…

The Federal Government has launched an intensified effort to identify and penalize civil servants who continue to draw salaries despite relocating abroad. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this during an event in Abuja marking her 100 days in office. She reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate fraudulent practices in the civil service payroll and ensure accountability. Walson-Jack revealed that the investigation, initiated five months after President Bola Tinubu’s directive, relies on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to track irregularities. The system has been instrumental in identifying cases where public funds…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dealt a decisive blow to terrorists operating in the Lake Chad Basin, with airstrikes on November 23, 2024, that led to the destruction of a major food depot and the neutralisation of several terrorist fighters. The operation, executed under the auspices of Operation Hadin Kai, targeted Jubillaram, a notorious enclave in the Tumbuns area, known for its strategic importance to the insurgents. Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, confirmed that the airstrike was the result of meticulous intelligence gathering. The strategic location, which had served…

Immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and his wife, Dolapo, are celebrating 35 years of marital bliss. Osinbajo, in a heartfelt message shared on social media on Saturday, praised his wife for her unwavering love, devotion, and selflessness, describing her as a gift from God. Marking the special occasion, Osinbajo reflected on their enduring partnership, highlighting Dolapo’s sacrifices and commitment to their family and community. He said, “Every year of these 35 years, you’ve proven that true love is not a myth or a fanciful phrase—through your sacrifices for me and our children, your generosity with your…