Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Controversies are trailing the arrest of a 21-year-old student of the University of Calabar, Anthony Oscar, for allegedly kidnapping a 17-year-old Araba Joy Temitope as a student of Elibest College of Education, Oba-Ile in Akure, the capital of Ondo State. Oscar was paraded at the Ondo headquarters of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Tuesday over the alleged abduction of the teenager. Oscar was arrested after collecting N50,000 ransom to release the girl after she was declared missing, Mr Oluyemi Ibiloye, NSCDC Ondo State Commandant, made this known while parading the suspects and two others on Tuesday in…

Nigerian Army on Tuesday, inaugurated a general court-martial to try 17 personnel who allegedly committed murder and other crimes. The general court-martial was inaugurated at the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos. Speaking during the inauguration, the President of the court-martial, Brig.-Gen. Liafis Bello said the court was conveyed by Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Armed Forces Act (Rules of Procedure) 1972, and other extant laws. ”The Nigerian Army thrives on discipline, regimentation, and utmost professionalism. ”Unraveling a court martial…

Daud Olatunji In a two-day protest organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the union emphasized that their primary motive is to combat hunger rather than solely pushing for a review of the existing minimum wage. Despite attempts at dialogue between the Federal Government and NLC authorities to prevent the protest, the discussions concluded without reaching a resolution, leading to the continuation of the protest. President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, clarified on Tuesday that the union’s focus extends beyond advocating for an increase in the country’s minimum wage of N30,000.  Ajaero highlighted the pervasive issue of hunger affecting both…

In a significant breakthrough against criminal activities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the police have successfully arrested the second most wanted suspected kidnapper, Samaila Wakili Fafa, widely known as Habu Ibrahim.  The arrest took place in Sardauna Forest, Toto, Nasarawa State, on February 24, 2024, at approximately 7:05 pm. FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the operation in a statement on Tuesday.  The suspect, Samaila Wakili Fafa, was one of the two individuals on the FCT Minister’s radar, with a staggering N20 million bounty placed on his head. In the statement, SP Josephine Adeh…

In a strong rebuke, Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has voiced serious concerns about the nationwide protest orchestrated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).  Ngelale alleges that the protest, initially aimed at addressing economic challenges, has been manipulated by individuals pursuing a political agenda. Speaking on Tuesday, Ngelale emphasized the perceived illegitimacy of the protest, pointing to the Trade Union Congress (TUC)’s decision not to participate as evidence.  He acknowledged the right of any labor union to address the concerns of Nigerian families but underscored the need to distinguish legitimate concerns from…

Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has  emphasized the need for more discerning oversight of Bureau De Change (BDC) operations, asserting that it should not be open to all. He disclosed that the apex bank is formulating “strict regulations” to cleanse the market of arbitrage activities. Speaking during the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Cardoso, who assumed office in September 2023, highlighted the challenges facing Nigeria, including rising inflation, food inflation, a forex crisis, economic hardship, and increased living costs resulting from the removal of petrol subsidy, triggering protests in various…

In a recent development, Ibrahim Egungboun, a prominent businessman in Ogun state, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, expressing concern over what he described as   a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation by a  popular Nigerian journalist, Fisayo Soyombo. Egungboun, commonly known as Dende, strongly disputes the findings presented in Soyombo’s investigative report titled “Undercover as a Smuggler.” The report, which implicated Egungboun as a gun runner who allegedly evaded security agents through bribery, was published on February 21, 2024, on both Soyombo’s media platform, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), and The Cables, subsequently discussed on…

In a significant move,the Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Ogun State, Titilope Akibu, popularly known as Efele, has revealed the association’s decision to partner with IAS Unique Homes & Properties Nigeria Limited for the Nigeria Immigrations Treasure City (NITC) project. During an inspection of the NITC in Ewekoro, Ogun State, Chairman Akibu expressed confidence in IAS Unique Homes, citing the company’s honest and commendable conduct as the primary reason for the RTEAN’s choice. He highlighted his long-standing awareness of IAS and the absence of any fraud allegations against the company or its Chairman,…

In a significant move towards government efficiency and streamlining, President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to scrap and merge several Nigerian agencies, as outlined in the 2012 Steve Oronsaye report. The directive, communicated through his Special Adviser Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, aims to consolidate functions, eliminate duplication, and enhance overall governance. This action follows in the footsteps of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s establishment of the presidential committee on government agency reform in 2011, led by Steven Oronsaye, which proposed reducing 263 statutory agencies to 161, abolishing 38, merging 52, and reverting 14 to departments in ministries. President Tinubu’s…

In a surprising turn of events, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has issued a public apology for his recent claim that N30 billion was distributed to each state government during a Senate session.  The apology, conveyed through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, expressed regret for the negative impact his words may have had on the governors. The statement clarified the context of Akpabio’s remarks during the presentation of a joint committee report on Finance, Agriculture/Food Sufficiency, Banking, and Insurance.  According to the released statement, Akpabio acknowledged misconceptions in the public domain and…