Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a significant stride towards fostering agricultural development and reducing poverty, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has successfully implemented the Agriculture For Food and Jobs Creation Programme (AFJP).  This initiative, operating under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Scheme of the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, aimed at uplifting vulnerable smallholder farmers in the South West and South South regions of Nigeria. The comprehensive training and empowerment of 3,000 farmers occurred concurrently across the 12 states in these regions.  The selection process, overseen by the respective State Ministry of Agriculture and validated by…

Ayomide Awe & Ayomide Shoboyejo Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde,has vowed to prosecute three ‘persons of interest’  identified in connection with the cause of the tragic  explosion at Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija in Ibadan, the state capital. The governor who received an official report of the explosion on Tuesday, said the identified persons would  face the full wrath of the law based on the investigation carried out. Five persons have lost their lives while   77 others sustained injury and  55 houses were damaged during the explosion that rocked Aderinola Street, Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan. PLATFORM TIMES gathered  that…

Daud Olatunji In a recent revelation by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria stands as the third-highest country globally in terms of the number of girls and women affected by Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).  The UN agency highlighted that approximately 10% of the estimated 200 million girls and women worldwide who have undergone FGM hail from Nigeria, reaching a staggering 19.9 million individuals. UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, brought this alarming statistic to light during the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.  The event, organized by the wife of Kwara State governor, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq,…

In a revelation that underscores the economic challenges facing Nigeria, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Yemi Cardoso, has attributed the  nation’s depreciating currency to the burgeoning foreign exchange expenditure on Nigerian students studying abroad and medical tourism.  Cardoso highlighted the staggering foreign exchange demand, revealing that expenditures on education and healthcare alone amounted to almost $40 billion over the past decade.  The CBN governor addressed the House of Representatives, on Tuesday,  attributed the deepening foreign exchange crisis to the country’s heavy reliance on imports for 99 percent of cars and textiles, coupled with a decline in…

Awe Ayomide In a shocking turn of events, the death of Abdul-Rahman Sanusi, a JSS1 student of a private primary school in Obada-Oko, has left the school management and the local community questioning the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.  Sanusi reportedly  took his own life shortly after being scolded by his parents for arriving late from school, as exclusively reported by PLATFORM TIMES last week. The unfortunate incident occurred when Sanusi, along with his elder brother and junior sister, returned home late, a routine that, according to school head Mrs. Olusesi Taiwo, was not uncommon for the siblings.  Mrs. Taiwo…

In a bid to address the escalating challenges of insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping in Nigeria, the Boiling Point Arena is set to host a pivotal discussion featuring esteemed speakers.  A statement released by the convener, Dr. Ayo Arowojolu stated that the event which is  scheduled for Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 8 pm via Zoom, will also be broadcast live on SWEET 107.1FM for a two-hour duration. The distinguished lineup includes the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof Saka Matemilola, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Leye Oyebade, and Brig-Gen, Olumuyiwa Okunowo (rtd).  The focal point of the discussion is “Insurgency,…

In a daring operation, the operatives of the Department of Federal Intelligence-Investigation Response Team (DFI-IRT) have  successfully thwarted a potential kidnapping attempt in the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).  Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives received information regarding the whereabouts of a notorious bandit group under the leadership of Isa Dei-Dei. At approximately 10:15am, the specialized team swiftly moved to the identified hideout, aiming for the apprehension of the criminal mastermind, Isa Dei-Dei, and his accomplices.  As the operatives closed in on the location, the bandits detected their presence and attempted to evade arrest.  A high-stakes pursuit ensued,…

Daud Olatunji In a devastating turn of events on Monday evening , Lafenwa Market bore witness to a fierce fire that engulfed over 10 shops located at the rear of the market.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the incident, which unfolded around 8:00 pm, resulted in the destruction of goods worth millions of naira. According to eyewitnesses, including Muinat Akinfenwa, a market woman with a shop opposite the affected area, the fire originated from a dumpsite behind the shops.  Allegedly, in response to an excess of refuse, an individual set fire to the dumpsite in the evening, assuming the flames would…

Daud Olatunji Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has expressed deep sorrow following the demise of the revered Pa Jimi Solanke, a master storyteller, veteran actor, legendary poet, and folk singer.  PLATFORM TIMES had exclusively broken the news of Pa Solanke’s  passing away on Monday, 5 February, 2024, at the age of 81, leaving an indelible void in the hearts of admirers across the nation. Senator Amosun, known for his passion for the arts, paid homage to Pa Solanke as an illustrious indigene of Ipara-Remo, Ogun State.  In a statement  issued from Senator Amosun Media Office and signed…

A wave of shock and grief has swept through Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, following the tragic demise of a 400-level female student identified as Adaze Doris Jaja.  The 31-year-old student reportedly took her own life in a hotel room, leaving behind a community grappling with sorrow and unanswered questions. According to the Police Spokesman, Omolola Odutola, the incident unfolded on January 27, when the Director of Be-Happy Hotel in Ago Iwoye, Hon. Oduniyi Adelaja, reported to the Divisional Police Officer that a distressing discovery had been made in one of the hotel rooms.  A staff member, Adebayo Israel,…