Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has urged President Bola Tinubu to exercise caution in adopting the World Bank’s recommendations on economic reforms, warning of potential adverse effects on Nigerians. The warning was issued on Saturday in Ibadan by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, as the group expressed concern over recent advice from the global financial institution. Afenifere’s caution follows the World Bank’s recommendation to reduce government spending on social services, which the group fears could lead to further hardship for the populace. The statement comes in response to the World Bank’s call for Nigeria to sustain economic reforms over…

Daud Olatunji The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed strong disapproval over the religious imbalance in the selection of candidates for chairmanship positions in the upcoming local government elections in Ogun State. MURIC, through its Ogun State chapter, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of marginalizing the Muslim community by favoring Christian candidates. In a statement issued on Thursday, October 16, 2024, and signed by its chairman, Alhaji Jimoh Tajudeen Alao, MURIC revealed that out of the 20 candidates selected for the chairmanship elections, 16 are reportedly Christians, primarily affiliated with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG),…

The federal government, on Friday, said that it had expanded healthcare access to more than 2.4 million vulnerable Nigerians in the past year through the Vulnerable Groups Fund. The minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pat, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja. Mr Pate spoke during a ministerial oversight committee for the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), a quarterly meeting of the ministry. He said that the initiative was aimed at reducing maternal mortality and improving child health outcomes. According to him, it highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable healthcare, particularly for the poor and…

. The UK Metropolitan Police have released an image of a man, Anthony Chieke, following a spate of burglaries at mosques around the country. Mr Chieke is 55 years old. Large amounts of cash have allegedly been stolen from eight mosques, including one in Manor Park, Newham, east London, over the last year, according to a statement by the Met. Mr Chieke is described as being around six feet, eight inches tall, with a shaved, balding head and stubble, and goes by several names, including Abraham Jakoboits. Mr Chieke was last seen in Mitcham, south London, in May. He is…

Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has asserted that the future of Nigerian youths does not lie abroad but within Nigeria’s own borders. Adesina said this at a public lecture commemorating the 90th birthday of former military head of state Yakubu Gowon. He emphasized the urgent need for the nation to address the factors driving the significant outflow of its talented youth, particularly in the wake of the prevailing “Japa syndrome,” a term that captures the trend of young Nigerians seeking opportunities outside the country. Speaking to an audience gathered on Friday, Adesina pointed out that a…

In a significant move to address economic challenges faced by civil servants, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a new minimum wage of N85,000 for workers in the state. This development marks a substantial increase above the national minimum wage of N70,000 recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting between the governor, labour leaders, and senior government officials. The Head of Service of Rivers State, George Nwaeke, confirmed the decision, stating that the new wage policy would be implemented immediately. “He (Fubara) has announced a figure that is higher than…

SERAP Rejects N5 Billion Def InvasionThe Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has vehemently rejected a defamation lawsuit filed against it by the Department of State Services (DSS), following what it describes as an unlawful invasion of its Abuja office. The civil society organization, which has been at the forefront of advocating for accountability and human rights, made its stance known through a post on its official X handle (formerly Twitter) on Friday. In the statement, SERAP asserted, “We reject the baseless defamation lawsuit brought against us by the DSS, following the invasion of our Abuja office. We’re talking to…

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday awarded N70 million in damages to Margaret Achalla, a nursing mother who was shot by police officers in her home 23 years ago. The tragic incident occurred in 2000 when Achalla was bathing her newborn baby at her residence in Utako, Abuja. The police officers, whose identities were revealed during the trial, shot her, leaving her in a pool of blood, seemingly left for dead. The judgment, delivered by Justice G. Olotu, marks the conclusion of a lengthy legal battle that began in 2001, under the case file FHC/ABJ/CS/105/2001, with Margaret Achalla…

Febe Falodun Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North in the National Assembly, has revealed that his total monthly earnings as a lawmaker amount to N14 million. The former governor of Abia State made this disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, where he addressed several misconceptions about the lifestyle of Nigerian legislators. Kalu debunked the widespread belief that lawmakers live in excessive luxury while the masses struggle with poverty. He clarified that his monthly income of N14 million covers overhead costs, staff salaries, and other operational expenses tied to his role as a senator. “I…

Daud Olatunji The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has announced the distribution of N1.298 trillion in revenue for September 2024 to the Federal Government, States, and Local Government Councils. The figure, which marks a notable allocation for the month, was disclosed during the FAAC’s October 2024 meeting in Abuja. Despite the substantial disbursement, the revenue distribution was shadowed by a decline in gross statutory revenue, highlighting a continuing strain on Nigeria’s fiscal earnings. The total distributable revenue comprised various sources, including N124.716 billion from statutory revenue, N543.518 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), N18.445 billion from the Electronic Money Transfer…