Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Africa’s wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that his business conglomerates have invested over $25 billion in the oil, cement, and sugar sectors over the past seven years in Nigeria.  This significant investment, he said, is aimed at bolstering the country’s economy and inspiring confidence among other investors, both locally and internationally. Dangote made these remarks during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) held in the United States, where he engaged with global leaders and stakeholders on Africa’s development prospects. “We need to show the world that there is immense potential in Africa, and the sky’s the limit,”…

The Oyo State government says Governor Seyi Makinde mopped up to 20 per cent of out-of-school children back to the classrooms during his first tenure. The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Salihu Adelabu, said this in an interview with journalists in Ibadan on Monday. Correspondents observed an increasing number of school-age children roaming the roads and motor parks in Ibadan during school hours, begging for alms and not ready to say why they are not in school. Speaking on this development, the commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing the number of out-of-school children in…

. The state administration, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disbursed over N100 million in compensation, despite previous denials of a massacre at the protest site. A senior government official, speaking anonymously to Peoples Gazette on Monday, revealed that the compensation was paid in compliance with recommendations from the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution established to investigate SARS-related killings and the events at Lekki Tollgate.  According to the official, the state government’s actions were in line with the legal framework outlined by the panel, which recommended compensating victims and protest leaders. “What we gave as compensation was even more than…

An Abuja Federal High Court has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the upcoming local government elections slated for October 5, 2024. This ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on Monday, was in response to a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).  The court found that RSIEC acted unlawfully in fixing the date for the elections without adhering to mandatory legal requirements.  Specifically, RSIEC failed to issue the mandatory 90-day public notice required for the conduct of local government elections. Justice Lifu…

Popular social media influencer, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has issued an “unreserved apology” to renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, over recent derogatory remarks suggesting Falana’s involvement in a bribery scandal tied to cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, alias Bobrisky, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Appearing before the Nigerian House of Representatives on Monday, Otse made it clear that he does not believe Falana had any part in the alleged bribery accusations that were initially raised in connection with Bobrisky. “Apparently now, some people are taking advantage of what is going on to target Femi Falana,”…

The Julius Abure faction of the Labour Party has delivered a scathing assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, urging a comprehensive evaluation of his government’s performance.  In a press conference held in Abeokuta on Monday, the faction’s Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, rated the administration a mere 2.5 out of 10, emphasizing that Nigeria has failed to make significant progress under Tinubu’s leadership. “The bitter truth is that even under President Tinubu, Nigeria has not moved forward,” Arabambi stated, expressing concerns over the stagnant state of the economy and broader governance issues.  He attributed this stagnation to a “lack of political…

The Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Professor Adewale Musa-Olomu, has revealed that the hospital now handles 25% of all open heart surgeries conducted in Nigeria.  This achievement, he noted, is a testament to the facility’s upgraded medical equipment and the efforts of its highly skilled surgical team. Prof. Musa-Olomu made this disclosure during a courtesy visit by the Executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, led by its Chairman, Comrade Akinwale Olanrewaju.  The meeting took place at the FMC’s Idi-Aba, Abeokuta office on Friday. Speaking during the visit, Prof. Musa-Olomu emphasized…

As Nigeria celebrates its 64th independence anniversary, a prominent PDP chieftain and Egba traditional leader, Chief Toyin Amuzu, has called on the nation’s leaders to engage in deep reflection and critical thinking to tackle the multitude of challenges confronting the country. Speaking in Abeokuta, Chief Amuzu expressed concern over the crippling economic hardship and the stringent policies of the ruling party, which, he said, have left many Nigerians struggling.  He urged political office holders and citizens alike to work together in the pursuit of a better future for the country. “Our nation must do everything necessary to rise above its…

Daud Olatunji Nigerian professionals based in the United States have called for the implementation of diaspora voting, highlighting the significant contribution of over $20 billion annually by Nigerians abroad to the country’s economy.  This plea was made during a recent episode of the socio-political programme, Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, aired on Channels Television. The discussion featured four prominent Nigerians: Simon Ibe, Publisher of Global Patriot Newspaper; Kunle Deru, a New York Attorney and former President of the Nigeria Lawyers Association; Williams Ekanem, a Professor of Communications and Media; and Gbenga Omotayo, CEO of US-Africa Business Week.  They collectively argued…

Amid concerns over Nigeria’s rising debt profile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that government borrowing surged by N11.33tn in August, representing a 57.11% increase from the previous month.  Credit to the Federal Government stood at N31.15tn, up from N19.83tn in July, marking one of the largest monthly jumps in recent years. This sharp increase underscores the government’s growing reliance on the CBN to meet fiscal obligations, raising red flags among economists and financial analysts who warn that the nation may be spiraling toward a debt crisis.  The new figures were contained in the CBN’s latest Money and…