Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Ogun State, Tunji Odunlami, has emphasized the crucial role of town planners in government initiatives to ensure the creation of sustainable human living environments conducive to living, working, and raising families.  Odunlami made these remarks on Wednesday during the 25th edition of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program (MCPDP) of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP) held in Abeokuta. Odunlami  submitted that for governments’ projects to be sustainable, professional town planners must be involved. He however stressed the  need for town planners to exhibit diligence, competence, and transparency…

The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN),  Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the new Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin. The message followed the  coronation and the presentation of the Staff of Office by the Governor of Oyo State,  Seyi Makinde, on Friday, July 12, 2024. In a statement released by the Sultan’s media team on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Sultan Abubakar, who also serves as the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), emphasized the historical and strategic significance of Ibadan.…

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has openly mocked his successor, Governor Uba Sani, by sharing photographs depicting major areas of Kaduna littered with dirt.  The images, initially uploaded on X (formerly known as Twitter) by a user identified as Imran, showed major roads in Kaduna turned into dumping grounds shortly after Sani’s inauguration. Imran’s post carried a scathing caption: “They thought we were kidding when we said that in just a few months, Governor Uba Sani had changed Kaduna completely.   This sarcastic comment alluded to the deteriorating cleanliness and waste management issues in the state under the new administration.…

A  group of farmers in Ondo State, operating under the umbrella of the Oluwa Forest Reserve Farmers, has taken the state government to court over the alleged illegal sale of their farmlands.  The disputed land, spanning 2000.482 hectares within the Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area, was reportedly sold to a foreign company, leading to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy and the subsequent displacement of thousands of farmers. The suit, filed at the Ondo State High Court in Ondo town, names the Ondo State Government, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the state Ministry…

Two brothers, Ibrahim Yusuf, 62, and Samaila Yusuf, 48, have been remanded in prison custody for allegedly murdering their 85-year-old father, Yusuf Kwada.  The brothers confessed to the crime, accusing their father of practising witchcraft.  The tragic incident took place in Zah village, Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The Chief Magistrate Court in Yola, presided over by Bilkisu Tijjaji, ordered the remand of the brothers on Wednesday.  During the court session, the brothers admitted to killing their father by striking him on the head with a stick. According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), the incident…

Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu is largely inaccessible to key government officials, including some of his ministers.  Ndume stated this  during an interview with BBC Hausa on Tuesday. Ndume expressed frustration over the federal government’s apparent inaction in addressing the severe food scarcity and escalating cost of living that are currently afflicting many Nigerians.  He noted that members of the National Assembly have been unable to meet with President Tinubu to discuss the critical issues affecting their constituencies. “The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent…

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Tuesday sentenced three men to death by hanging for the murder of a corps member, Mukaila Adebayo. The convicted individuals, Jelili Kareem, a herbal seller; Oludayo Oludele, a commercial motorcyclist; and Muyiwa Awodeji, an electrician, committed the offence during a robbery operation in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  court found them guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder, following a series of hearings that began on October 8, 2020. According to court records, the tragic incident occurred on January 28, 2020, in the Omo West…

 Daud Olatunji The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has announced a comprehensive plan to crash food prices within 180 days.  Kyari unveiled these measures on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, outlining a series of strategic actions aimed at stabilizing the nation’s food market. Kyari stated, “Our administration has unveiled a series of strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently affecting our nation.  “These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days. “The outlined measures include the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of certain food commodities through land and…

Daud Olatunji  Nigeria’s external reserves have achieved a significant milestone, surpassing $35 billion for the first time since President Bola Tinubu assumed office.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that as of July 8, 2024, the reserves stood at $35.05 billion, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), analyzed by Nairametrics. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  recent increase marks the highest level of Nigeria’s foreign reserves since May 30, 2023, when the reserves were at $35.09 billion.  This period was notable as it occurred just 14 days before the introduction of the foreign exchange (FX) unification policy in June 2023,…

An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, has sentenced Olukayode Dayo, an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to life imprisonment for raping a minor.  The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, bringing a conclusion to a case that has drawn significant public attention. The 39-year-old officer faced a single charge of rape following an incident on December 25, 2021.  According to the charge sheet, Dayo sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in Ado Ekiti, in direct violation of Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.  He was arraigned on…