Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a bid to address growing concerns and tensions among the Igbo community in Lagos State, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos, has appealed to Igbos to cooperate with the state government and respect the “owners of the land.”  The monarch made this call during a meeting with the President-General of Ohanaeze, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, at his palace yesterday. Recent outcry from some Igbo residents in Lagos highlighted their distress over the demolition of their properties and shops by the state government.  Allegations of ethnic profiling were leveled against the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Oba Akiolu, in addressing these…

In a major victory against drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully secured the forfeiture of a multi-million-naira mansion in Victoria Garden City (VGC) estate, Lekki, Lagos. This luxurious property was exposed as a clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine, operated by the convicted drug baron, Okenwa Chris Nzewi. Okenwa, along with his associate Sunny Okeh Ukah, was apprehended on July 30, 2022, leading to their subsequent arraignment on four counts at the Federal High Court in Lagos under charge number FHC/L/527C/2022.  On July 17, 2023, both individuals pleaded guilty and were sentenced to four…

Daud Olatunji The Peoples Democratic Party  in Ogun State, has issued a damning assessment of the state’s governance, claiming a lack of good leadership and criticizing the incumbent administration’s approach to key issues. The Publicity Secretary of the party, Akinloye Bankole, while acknowledging the governor’s demonstrated qualities of humility, maturity, inclusivity, and purposefulness, expressed deep concern about the overall state of governance in Ogun. The Publicity Secretary of the PDP spoke in an interview with The Punch extracted by PLATFORM TIMES on Sunday . He accused a select group of individuals within the administration of engaging in frivolous activities, stating, “Unfortunately,…

In a poignant testimony at the Islamic Movement in Nigeria’s (Shi’ites) 8th-anniversary commemoration of the Zaria massacre, Hajiya Jummai Karofi, a survivor, shared the harrowing details of losing five children during the tragic incident in 2015.  The event, themed ‘The Site of Memory: An Ardent Resistance of Our Fallen Heroes,’ took place in Abuja this Saturday. Karofi, a mother of nine, revealed the extent of her family’s devastating ordeal. “I lost five in the Zaria massacre—three biological children and two adopted,” she lamented.  “My experience was traumatic. It was terrible. I saw more corpses that I never thought I would…

In a jubilant and spiritually uplifting gathering, Christians from various denominations converged at the Christ Gospel Mission International, Abeokuta District 2, to commemorate the birth of Christ during a Christmas Carol service titled “Born to Save.” The church auditorium on Liadi Opebiyi Street, Sabo, Abeokuta State, echoed with joyous Christian songs, fervent bible study, captivating drama, and soul-stirring worship songs. Christians from different churches showcased their diverse languages in worshipping and celebrating the significance of Christ’s birth. The Music Director of Abeokuta 2, Deaconess Alabi Oluremi, delivered a warm welcome message, urging Christians to embrace the commandments of God, abstain…

Daud Olatunji In the heart of Abeokuta, Ogun State, a routine day took a harrowing turn for Ahmodu Afeez Adewale, a 38-year-old businessman and father of one. On that fateful Friday morning, at the busy Oke-Ilewo area, Adewale’s life hung in the balance as he narrowly escaped death when police stray bullets shattered his car windscreen. The incident unfolded during a routine stop-and-search exercise conducted by men of the police attached to Zone 2. As they attempted to halt a Lexus ES car in front of their station, tensions escalated when the driver allegedly ignored their commands. Adewale, innocently navigating…

A staggering 16,000 families in Lagos State bore the brunt of the 2022 floods, with the repercussions extending to 6,000 farmers who faced substantial losses in seedlings and farm produce, as disclosed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).  The grim statistics were released by Ibrahim Farinloye, the Coordinator of NEMA in Lagos, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of the flooding on the community. In a statement sent to TheNewsZenith on Saturday, Farinloye highlighted the multi-faceted impact of the 2022 floods on various sectors of the economy, prompting NEMA to address the situation through a strategic initiative in collaboration with the…

In a concerning development, the leadership of the Hausa communities across the South West region of Nigeria has sounded an alarm over the possibility of nationwide violence if the ongoing political crisis in Kano State is not swiftly addressed.  This urgent call comes just days before the Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict on the disputed governorship election in the state. The Arewa Community, represented by the South West Hausa Traditional Rulers Association of Nigeria, emphasized the need for immediate intervention by the federal government to prevent the Kano State political crisis from escalating into a situation that…

In a surprising move, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the freezing of the accounts belonging to the 18 local government areas and 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) within the state. The directive, conveyed through a letter to the local councils, mandates the suspension of all spending and expenditure from the local government accounts. According to the letter addressed to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs), the Acting Governor emphasized a strict adherence to the directive, stating, “No signing of cheques, no change of signatories, no withdrawal of any sort until further directive.” Expressing…

Daud Olatunji Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has refuted the characterization of the National Assembly as a ‘rubber stamp,’ asserting that such labeling is inappropriate and diminishes the essential role of the legislative body.  Fashola made these remarks during his presentation at the annual lecture organized by the Honorary Members’ Forum (HMF) of the Nigeria Air Force Officers’ Mess (NAFOM) in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday. Addressing a diverse audience, Fashola delved into the dynamics of political parties seeking a majority in the legislature to advance their policy agendas seamlessly.  He highlighted that the very purpose of aspiring…