Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a bid to address the prevailing economic challenges faced by the residents of Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced a comprehensive N5 billion intervention fund spanning various sectors. The governor, speaking from his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, disclosed the phased initiatives designed to alleviate the economic burdens citizens are grappling with.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  measures include education support grants for students, a health insurance scheme, clearing backlog salary deductions for workers, and the distribution of food palliatives. Governor Abiodun acknowledged the nationwide protests triggered by rising food prices, the depreciation of the naira, and the removal…

On this day of remembrance for the late Head of State, Gen. Murtala Muhammed, the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) is calling on the government to revisit his policies and programmes as a source of inspiration to address the current socio-economic challenges in Nigeria. Dr. Aisha Muhammad-Oyebode, CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, in a statement commemorating the 48th anniversary of Gen. Muhammed’s death, stressed the importance of reexamining the policies of the former administration.  She urged the implementation of those relevant to addressing the current challenges faced by Nigerians. The first 200 days of Gen. Muhammed’s administration in 1975/76 witnessed…

In a startling revelation, Dr Martins Agwogie, an expert in drugs and narcotics, expressed concern over the unintended consequences of the government’s sweeping ban on dangerous substances.  Speaking at the inaugural stakeholders’ summit on drug abuse prevention and control in Ilorin, Kwara State, Agwogie disclosed a disturbing trend among drug addicts.  He revealed that, in their desperation for alternatives, addicts are now resorting to cemeteries, where they exhume corpses and grind their bones for sniffable concoctions. “Drug addicts have started going to the cemetery to exhume corpses, grind their bones, and sniff,” Agwogie stated during his keynote address. While acknowledging…

The Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria have issued a warning that they will commence a nationwide strike starting February 27 if the Federal government fails to honor the agreement reached in 2020.  The association emphasized the urgent need for the implementation of promised financial support palliatives as part of post-COVID-19 assistance for Small and Medium Enterprises, especially for bakers who have suffered a substantial membership loss exceeding 40%. In a statement delivered on Tuesday by Chief Gabriel Adeniyi, the Kogi State Chairman of the association, on behalf of the National President Alhaji Mansur Umar, said the decision to withdraw…

Civil society groups are calling on governments at all levels to instill confidence among the populace through timely interventions for a swift economic recovery.  The Youth Bureau (TYB), in collaboration with Civil Society Stakeholders, organized an interactive Town Hall meeting at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on Tuesday, 13th February 2024. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the gathering, convened by Razaq Olokoba, aimed to address contemporary socio-economic challenges faced by communities across the nation.  Olokoba emphasized the importance of a stable and peaceful political environment as a prerequisite for economic growth and prosperity. Highlighting the prolonged economic challenges resulting from decades…

In a bold move to address the heinous act of child abuse, Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has declared a N2 million bounty on Anambra-based lawyer Adachukwu Cukelu-Okafor. The lawyer is accused of brutally mistreating her 10-year-old house help in an incident that unfolded in the Onitsha North Local Government of Anambra State. During a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Minister Kennedy-Ohanenye emphasized her responsibility to intervene in matters concerning women and children in the country.  The accused lawyer allegedly inflicted harm on the child, employing objects such as a broken bottle, knife, and electric iron, purportedly in…

In a shocking incident at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA), a 21-year-old final year student, Olubodun Sanni, has been apprehended in connection with the alleged murder of 300-level student Miss Adekunle Adebisi Ifeoluwa.  The lifeless body of Adekunle was discovered on February 2nd, 2024, inside the one-room apartment she rented off-campus. Adekunle, a student in the Department of Economics, fell victim to a fatal stabbing, with the assailant reportedly making off with her iPhone.  Ondo Police Commissioner, Abayomi Peter Oladipo, revealed that the missing phone prompted an investigation, leading to the use of modern technology to trace it back to…

In a significant demonstration at the Olota Palace in Ogun State, employees of distillery companies voiced their discontent over the recent ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets imposed by the National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC).  The protesters, numbering in the thousands, gathered to condemn the move, asserting that it could push approximately five million families, dependent on the distillery sector for their livelihoods, into poverty. The workers expressed concerns that the ban would lead to the closure of numerous factories, severely impacting the economy of Ota town, known for housing a substantial number of distillery companies.  Monday…

Chika Nwoba, a former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi, has been remanded in the Correctional Centre by a Magistrate’s Court in Abakaliki.  The charges against Nwoba include conspiracy, false publication, and defamation. Appearing in court on Tuesday, Nwoba, known for his role as a social media handler, faces a three-count charge brought by the Prosecutor, ASP Chinagorom Eze.  The charges stem from an arrest made on Sunday, Feb. 11, following a petition lodged by Mr Oguzor Offia-Nwali, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ebonyi State. The Prosecutor, Eze, outlined the charges, stating that Nwoba and…

A renowned human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) has  cautioned the Federal Government against accepting offers from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Falana who spoke in  a recent interview on Arise Television emphasized, “Reject the prescriptions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.” Expressing further concerns, the senior lawyer advocated for the right of Nigerians to protest against injustice and unfavorable economic policies.  He urged the government to promptly address citizens’ grievances without attributing political motivations to their concerns. In the wake of these statements, Falana’s warnings underscore the need for the government…