Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a powerful demonstration, hundreds of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, have taken to the streets of Abuja on Wednesday to  protest the assassination of Iranian military officer Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi military leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis by the United States. This protest, marking the anniversary of the January 3, 2020, killings ordered by former US President Donald Trump, witnessed both men and women marching through major streets in the nation’s capital, causing significant traffic disruptions. In a potent display of anger, the Shi’ites burned the flags of the United States and Israel,…

In response to widespread speculations, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and fuel marketers have refuted claims of an imminent petrol price increase to N1,200 per litre in Nigeria. Reports earlier this week suggested a clash between fuel marketers, represented by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and NNPC concerning fuel subsidy.  In a statement, NNPC’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, clarified that the alleged clash did not occur and emphasized that the fuel subsidy has been completely removed. Soneye stated, “NNPC Ltd emphasizes that it has not clashed with any party. The publication sought confirmation on the alleged…

Nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have  expressed  distress over unbearable workloads and protest against promotion exclusion. Nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday,  sounded  the alarm on harsh working conditions, claiming that of some colleagues  collapsing on duty due to overwhelming workloads.  The protest, organized by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, highlights acute manpower shortages and claims of exclusion from the recent 2023 promotions within the institution. During the demonstration on the hospital’s premises, nurses called for the management to address issues such as promotion arrears,…

In a groundbreaking achievement, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta  has been recognized as the best University of Agriculture in Africa and clinched the 7th position globally in the prestigious 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR).  The announcement positions FUNAAB at the forefront of agricultural education and research on the continent. The 2024 WUR, employing the new 3.0 methodology, meticulously assessed 2,671 entries from 1,906 universities across 108 countries and regions.  This comprehensive evaluation involved 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators, scrutinizing institutions in key areas such as Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry, and International Outlook. What…

The National Union of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the Federal Government to review the suspension imposed on the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates obtained from neighboring Benin Republic and Togo.  This suspension, enacted on Tuesday, was in response to revelations about the rapid acquisition of a degree from a Benin Republic university within two months. NANS, represented by its Senate President, Akinteye Afeez, acknowledged the government’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of academic qualifications.  However, the student body emphasized the necessity of considering the impact on legitimate students who have diligently pursued their education in these francophone…

A  prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Daniel Bwala, has predicted that without a united front among opposition parties, President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are  poised to serve two consecutive terms, spanning eight years.  Bwala warned that such a coalition is crucial to unseating Tinubu and the ruling APC. He however disclosed that opposition parties are gearing up to forge a robust coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.  Bwala said this while appearing on Channels Television.  He expressed confidence in the strength of the forthcoming coalition, predicting it would absorb elements causing…

Former Governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba, revealed in an exclusive interview on Arise Television that President Bola Tinubu inherited an empty treasury from President Muhammadu Buhari, necessitating borrowing to fill the financial void. Osoba emphasised the severity of the economic challenges faced by Nigeria in 2023, asserting that the country was on the brink of collapse when Tinubu assumed office on May 29.  Despite the grim circumstances, Osoba commended Tinubu’s relentless efforts to alleviate widespread hardship and assured Nigerians of a potential improvement in the standard of living in 2024. As a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC),…

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has categorically denied the allegation that he had  a physical altercation with his Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi. Speaking on Tuesday, at the swearing-in ceremony of new Permanent Secretaries and Special Advisers at the Africa House wing of the Government House, Gov. Yusuf addressed the claims, stating, “No amount of propaganda will deter his Government from achieving its desired goals,” as reported by PLATFORM TIMES. This marked Gov. Yusuf’s first public response since Dr. Bichi’s recent medical trip to Saudi Arabia for advanced treatment. The Governor clarified the…

In a significant move, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has suspended the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Republic of Benin and Togo. This decision comes in the wake of an undercover investigation conducted by a Nigerian newspaper, exposing the illicit operations of a degree mill in Cotonou, a major city in Benin Republic. The investigative report revealed shocking details, with a journalist obtaining a degree from Cotonou University in a mere six weeks. Additionally, the journalist partook in the mandatory one-year scheme organized by the National Youth Service Corps, raising concerns about the…

In a disturbing turn of events, terrorists, locally referred to as bandits, have seized control of several communities in Niger State, Nigeria.  Notably, Dogon-Dawa, Kurege, Kangarewa, and Mangoro are among the areas now under the sway of these armed groups, who are essentially “governing” the regions by their own rules. Residents and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been subjected to a harrowing situation as the bandits enforce levies on both individuals and their belongings.  Free movement of goods and persons has been severely restricted, with people compelled to pay levies before traversing the affected areas. Sharing the grim reality, a…