Author: Platform Times Newspaper

At least seven people have lost their lives and six others sustained injuries following a violent clash between cocoa farmers and suspected produce thieves in the Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State. The conflict, which erupted last Thursday at Madotti farm camp, escalated over the weekend as gunmen launched attacks on seven farm settlements within the area. Police authorities confirmed the death toll as of Sunday night, though local residents fear the actual number could be higher. The affected communities, comprising farmers from diverse ethnic backgrounds including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Benin, include Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola…

A tragic incident has occurred at the Ekoli Creek in Yenagoa, as a 200-level Chemical Engineering student of the Federal University, Otuoke, reportedly drowned while attempting to swim across the river in fulfillment of a N300 bet. According to sources familiar with the situation but who preferred anonymity, the unfortunate event took place on Sunday morning. Despite efforts by onlookers, the body of the deceased, whose identity remains undisclosed at this time, has yet to be recovered. Witnesses revealed that the student engaged in a wager with fellow classmates, each contributing N300 to the bet. The challenge involved swimming across…

Daud Olatunji The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has re-elected Titlayo Akibu as its Ogun State Chairman and Tiwalade Akingbade as Secretary for a second term of five years. The election, held at the RTEAN Secretariat on Monday, was overseen by national president Musa Maitakobi and the national executive council. In his post-inauguration speech, President Musa Maitakobi highlighted RTEAN’s commitment to enhancing road safety through collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The partnership aims to establish a specialized driving training school in Ogun State, responding to the FRSC’s initiative to mitigate road accidents by improving driver…

Ayomide Awe In a remarkable display of academic excellence and institutional growth, the Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa, celebrated its 6th combined Convocation Ceremony, graduating a total of 9,320 students. PLATFORM TIMES reports that among them, 178 students distinguished themselves with top honours, while an additional 2,138 achieved upper credits across various disciplines. Speaking at a press conference held on Monday ahead of the convocation, Dr. Abiodun Oluseye, the Rector of OGITECH, highlighted the institution’s significant strides under his leadership. “Since assuming office, we have expanded our accredited programmes from 36 to 46,” Dr. Oluseye announced. He stressed…

In response to escalating political tensions in Osun State, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a directive urging all local government area workers to cease operations until further notice. The decision, announced by Christopher Arapasopo, Chairman of the Osun NLC, underscores deep-seated safety concerns within the workplace. “The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress reaffirms its commitment to the safety and well-being of our members,” stated Arapasopo in a released statement. “Given the current political upheaval within various local government workplaces, it is imperative that we prioritize the security of our workforce.” The directive follows recent turmoil…

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), threatening a nationwide strike if outstanding bridging claims totaling N100 billion are not settled within the next seven days. Despite previous negotiations and demands, IPMAN asserts that the NMDPRA has failed to honour its financial obligations. Abdul Ibrahim, the Gombe depot chairman of IPMAN, highlighted the severe repercussions of the unpaid claims on northern depots such as Jos, Gusau, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri. These facilities, critical for fuel distribution, have faced operational challenges, including…

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu withdrew his ministerial nomination, contrary to speculations that the National Assembly rejected him. El-Rufai made this known on Monday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time. The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory explained that Tinubu had initially encouraged him to stay close after leaving office but later decided against his ministerial appointment. “The President changed his mind on my nomination after publicly asking me not to be far from him after I left office,” he stated. El-Rufai’s nomination was among those sent to the Senate…

Morenikeji Adebayo  The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State has taken decisive action by suspending four of its prominent members in the National Assembly over allegations of engaging in anti-party activities. PLATFORM TIMES reports that, the NNPP Chairperson in Kano, Hashimu Dungurawa, on Momday, cited recent actions by the lawmakers that were deemed contrary to the party’s core principles and objectives. The affected lawmakers include Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South in the Senate; Abdullahi Sani Rogo, representing Rogo Federal Constituency; Abdullahi Rurum, representing Rano/Kibiya; and Ali Maadakin Gini, representing Dala Federal Constituency. According to Dungurawa, these legislators,…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the federal government to direct federal funds exclusively to “democratically elected” and “judicially certified” local government officials in Osun State. This statement follows the contentious local government elections held recently, which saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinch victory across all 30 LGAs and 332 wards amidst a backdrop of legal disputes and security concerns. The buildup to the election was marked by a series of legal battles and controversies, with the APC challenging the reinstatement of previously sacked local government chairpersons based on a February 10th court ruling from the Court…

In a bold assertion, Justice Abdurraheem Sayi, the Qadi of the Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Kwara State, has declared that Southwest state governments lack the authority to obstruct the establishment of Shari’ah arbitration panels by Muslims in the region. Addressing concerns during a lecture at the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni’s 30th Pre-Ramadan Lecture, themed “The Transformative Power of Ramadan,” Justice Sayi labeled objections to Shari’ah panels in the Southwest as “legally baseless” and reflective of “Islamophobia syndrome.” Asserting that Shari’ah arbitration operates on a contractual basis, Justice Sayi clarified, “Arbitration is a matter of contract and does not require…