Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a fervent plea for vigilance and national unity, Comrade Afiyo Elliot, the National President of the Northern Youth Leader’s Forum (NYLF), sounded the alarm regarding purported negotiations between the Nigerian government and foreign powers to relocate military bases to Nigerian soil. Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Elliot expressed grave concerns over the potential ramifications of such a move, particularly amidst what he described as surreptitious attempts to erode Nigeria’s democratic principles and institutions. Elliot accused the government of appeasement towards the United States and France due to Nigeria’s perceived inability to mobilize the…

In a bid to alleviate the financial burden on Nigerian Muslims undertaking the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, the Nigerian Government has reportedly subsidized the pilgrimage cost with a whopping sum of N90 billion.  Vice-President Kashim Shettima made this announcement during the inauguration of the 2024 National Hajj operation at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi. Shettima highlighted the challenges encountered in determining the final Hajj fare for 2024, citing fluctuating foreign exchange rates as a major obstacle. However, he praised President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to stabilize the local currency, which contributed to reducing the…

A suburb in Kubwa, Byhazin, witnessed scenes of chaos and violence as a group of hoodlums launched an attack on residents, leaving many injured.  The incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, stemmed from an attempted theft by scavengers, locally known as Bababola, who tried to steal a pot of food from a roadside restaurant at Millionaires Quarters. According to eyewitnesses, the restaurant owner raised the alarm upon sighting the scavengers, prompting passersby and customers to intervene and apprehend the suspects. Although the scavengers managed to escape being lynched, the thwarted theft angered them, leading to a retaliatory…

 The Yobe State government has adopted approach against  against the incessant destruction of electricity towers in some parts of the state by Boko Haram terrorists. PLATFORM TIMES reports that  the hoodlums  had been targeting the towers which connected Yobe and Borno states to the national grid in recent times. The state governor, Mai Mala Buni led a crowd of Muslim clerics to recite the Holy Quran and pray to God to punish the insurgents who destroyed the towers. PLATFORM TIMES learnt that the  towers are part of the Jos – Gombe grid serving Borno and Yobe states…

Daud Olatunji Negotiations over the National Minimum Wage between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Federal Government on Wednesday,  hit a snag. This development resulted  in the withdrawal of the labour unions from the negotiation table. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  stalemate arose from the government’s proposal of a reduced minimum wage of N48,000, a figure vehemently opposed by the unions. The unions in a statement released shortly after the botched meeting expressed deep disappointment. The NLC and TUC criticized the government’s perceived lack of seriousness in engaging in reasonable…

There is no regulatory force on the planet earth that can control the human nature. In this clime, we find it difficult confronting the origin of our problems brutally and thus the menace of yahoo boys and Ponzi-schemes of different coloration will keep emerging and repeating with intensive frequency and expanding scope. Every year, we harvest mass production of graduates in their thousands from the Nation’s tertiary institutions coupled with the population of scholars from diaspora without a systematic employment provision program except the one year mandatory NYSC scheme. The burden of the EFCC as an organization dedicated to anti-corruption…

A 28-year-old Shafi’u Aminu has reportedly  set fire to a mosque in Larabar Abasawa, a community in the Gezawa local government area of Kano state during the early morning ‘Subh’ prayer, Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing scene as Aminu poured fuel inside the mosque and then locked the doors, trapping worshippers inside.  The incident unfolded on Wednesday, leaving the community in shock and disbelief.Kamal, one of the victims, recounted his desperate attempts to escape the engulfing flames but found the exit door securely locked.  He revealed that Aminu had a history of violent behavior in the village, including brandishing a machete…

Jelili Gbadamosi An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has criticised the Nigerian Police operatives over the arrest and detention of Lagos-based hip-hop singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, on grounds related to debt. The Lagos-based hip-hop singer was apprehended by the police for allegedly failing to settle a N14 million debt accrued from the purchase of a car. In a widely circulated video, the controversial music star was captured attempting to evade arrest by leaping over a gate on Tuesday. Another video depicted him being forcibly carried by four police officers into a waiting vehicle. In response to the…

Febe Falodun The Nigeria Army’s 6 Division has made a significant breakthrough in Rivers State, uncovering five reservoirs in the Odagwa Etche community, each brimming with 45,000 liters of crude oil. Major General Jamal Abdusalam, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigeria Army, led journalists on a revealing tour of the oil bunkering sites.  Represented by the Commander of the 29 Battalion of the Division, Lt. Col. Ishaya Manga, it was disclosed that residents in the area have been clandestinely engaging in crude oil refining, evidenced by crude oil boiling pots found in their homes. This recent discovery…

Jelili Gbadamosi An Ikeja Magistrates’ court has sentenced two men to 18 months’ imprisonment for stealing air conditioners valued at N350,000 belonging to a church. The convicts are Jubril Karim, 27, and Augustine Ogbor, 47, who both live in the Ayobo area of Lagos and faced charges of conspiracy and stealing.  They pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. The Magistrate, Mrs. O. O Fagbohun, delivered the verdict, stating it would serve as a deterrent to others. According to the prosecutor, the theft occurred on April 15 at Christ Embassy Church in Fatolu, Ipaja, Lagos.The defendants were apprehended…