Author: Platform Times Newspaper

…Recounts Harrowing experiences  …Praises Gov Abiodun For Pardon …Govs, Amnesty, Monarchs’ Intervention Needed — Evangelist Wole Badejo Sodiq Mojibola  In a gripping tale of survival and resilience, Johnson Awoleye, once condemned to death for a crime he claims he did not commit, has finally tasted freedom after a harrowing ten years behind bars.  Awoleye, who served as an escort to former Governor of Ogun State, Senator  Ibikunle Amosun, narrated his ordeal in an exclusive interview with PLATFORM TIMES, detailing the overcrowded and dire conditions of Nigerian prisons. He said “I was accused unjustly,” Awoleye recounted, “and thrown into…

Daud Olatunji  The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has praised the Federal Government’s strides in agricultural mechanisation and its ongoing efforts to enhance food production nationwide.  This commendation came from the institution’s Governing Council, led by Pro-Chancellor and Chairman,Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi Odundun IV, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Head, Olasunkanmi Olajide. Speaking on behalf of the University, the 15th Aragbiji disclosed FUNAAB’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government to advance these significant initiatives. Highlighting recent developments, the monarch noted that the Federal Executive Council…

Daud Olatunji The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has identified Kogi, Oyo, and Bauchi states as the most severely affected by inflation in Nigeria.  This revelation comes from the NBS’s Consumer Price Index and inflation report for June, released on Monday. According to the report, Bauchi leads with a staggering headline inflation rate of 43.95 percent year-on-year, followed by Kogi at 39.91 percent and Oyo at 39.15 percent.  In contrast, Borno, Benue, and Katsina experienced the lowest increases in headline inflation, with Borno at 25.90 percent, Benue at 27.52 percent, and Katsina at 29.21 percent. On a month-on-month basis, June…

A Kwara State High Court has fixed August 2, 2024, for the judgement in the trial of six suspects linked to the notorious Offa bank robbery that occurred on April 5, 2018.  Justice Haleema Salman announced the date on Monday after adopting the final written addresses from both the prosecution and the defence. The trial, which has spanned six years, involves six suspects: Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, and the late Michael Adikwu, a policeman who died in custody.  The prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacob (SAN), and the defence, represented by Mathew Emeribe, presented their…

Daud Olatunji Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has issued a fresh warning to Fulani herders suspected of involvement in killings and abductions in Oyo State.  The notice was announced by his spokesperson, Oluyomi Koiki, in an audio message  on Monday evening. Koiki disclosed that Igboho has mobilised his men to raid forests in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State and expel Fulani herders residing there.  The activist accuses these herders of perpetuating abductions and killings in the region. Speaking in Yoruba, Koiki stated, “Today is the 15th of July, 2024. This breaking news is issued…

Daud Olatunji The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gbefwi, has revealed that Nigeria is losing approximately $9 billion each year due to illegal mining activities. Gbefwi made this disclosure on Monday during an investigative hearing organised by the committee in Abuja.  He lamented that only 3 percent of royalties from licensed miners are being paid into government coffers, highlighting the significant financial losses to the nation. At the hearing, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, shocked lawmakers and industry stakeholders by stating that illegal miners are highly connected and often boast…

Daud Olatunji The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has raised an alarm over the health risks posed by smuggled frozen poultry products from the Benin Republic, urging Nigerians to avoid their consumption. The Comptroller of the NCS, Ogun State Command Area 1, James Ojo, issued the warning during an interview on Monday.  He disclosed that these smuggled poultry products are preserved with harmful chemicals, which have been flagged by global health organisations as dangerous for human consumption. Ojo highlighted the severe health risks associated with the consumption of these chemically preserved poultry products, including potential organ damage.  He also called on…

Daud Olatunji Nigeria has lost approximately 619 million barrels of oil, valued at $46.16 billion (N16.25 trillion), due to oil theft as of 2022, according to the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Orji Ogbonnaya Orji. Orji, in an exclusive interview with The ICIR, highlighted that these losses surpass the nation’s entire foreign reserves and are nearly ten times the value of its excess crude account during the reviewed period. “Oil theft has inflicted significant damage on the oil and gas industry more than any other sector,” Orji stated.  “Nigeria lost about 619 million…

The multitude of beggars on the streets in parts of the country has been a source of concern to the authorities and members of the public. Some residents of Kaduna, Kano and Katsina have expressed concern over the increase in street beggars in urban centres in the states. A cross-section of the residents, who spoke in separate interviews, said the trend threatened social security and public health in the affected cities. They also decried the influx of people from rural areas to urban centres and called for collaborative efforts to address the menace. Begging for alms…

The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has halted all government expenditures by Governor Siminalayi Fubara until he presents his budget to the lawmakers. This action was taken during a plenary session on Monday, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to Governor Fubara to submit the 2024 budget.  The motion was raised by the House Leader, Major Jack, who informed the Assembly about the governor’s failure to comply with the deadline. In a unanimous decision, the House voted to shut down the Rivers State Consolidated Revenue Account, effectively preventing any financial transactions…