Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in the Nigerian civil service, the federal government has suspended the salaries of 686 civil servants due to unverified records on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).  This action is part of a broader initiative to streamline the country’s payroll system and eradicate ghost workers. The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, revealed this development in a statement issued by Mohammed Ahmed, the director of Communication for the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, on Wednesday. Earlier in the year, 59,201…

Daud Olatunji A recent World Bank report has brought to light the alarming increase in poverty levels in Nigeria, with the number of poor people surging from 95 million in 2021 to a staggering 104 million in 2022. This revelation follows data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, indicating a steady rise from 82.9 million in 2019 to 85.2 million in 2020. The World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update titled ‘Turning the Corner: Time to Move From Reforms to Results’ underscores the critical need to sustain reform momentum. While acknowledging the Federal Government’s bold steps in implementing economic and fiscal reforms,…

In a strategic move by the executive management of Fresh FM Nigeria, a popular Broadcaster, Mr. Goke Babalola has been appointed as the new General Manager of Fresh 107.9 FM Abeokuta. The announcement comes as part of the station’s commitment to ensuring dynamic leadership and fostering growth within its ranks. Replacing Mr. Samson Akindele, who has been elevated to the substantive Group Head of Corporate Affairs and Publicity, Mr. Babalola brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His previous contributions as part of the Fresh FM team, coupled with his industry expertise, position him to lead Fresh 107.9…

In a tragic turn of events at a nightclub in the Bonny Island area of Rivers State, a yet-to-be-identified soldier allegedly stabbed a bouncer, Kingsley Abbey, to death during a routine search at the club’s entrance.  The incident unfolded when Abbey discovered a dagger on the soldier during the search and subsequently denied him entry. The deceased bouncer’s wife, Mrs. Diepreye Abbey, expressed her anguish, recounting the desperate search for her husband after hearing about the incident. She visited multiple hospitals until finally finding him at Macaulay, where he had already succumbed to his injuries. Mrs. Abbey, a mother of…

In a shocking revelation, the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) released a report on Tuesday disclosing that over 200 lives were lost due to boat accidents across seven states in Nigeria this year. The affected states include Kwara, Calabar, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Ondo. This grim statistic adds to the broader concern of thousands of deaths from road crashes reported nationwide. The disconcerting findings were presented at the institute’s 5th annual national summit in Abuja, themed “Emerging National Governance Challenges and Prospects.”  Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing the Federal Government, outlined the administration’s vision for reforming the country’s…

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has made significant strides in shaping the administrative landscape of the state by appointing a total of 162 aides, comprising 79 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), 73 Special Assistants (SAs), and 10 Technical Advisors (TAs).  The appointments, set to take effect on January 1, 2024, mark the initiation of the first batch of a two-phase roll-out, as announced by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode. In a statement, Governor Oyebanji congratulated the newly appointed individuals, emphasizing the importance of their roles in contributing to the state’s development agenda.  He urged them to view their…

In a shocking turn of events, armed robbers wreaked havoc in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Wednesday, launching a brazen attack on commercial banks that left numerous customers injured, with the precise death toll yet to be confirmed. Multiple videos received by SaharaReporters captured the horrifying scenes as gunshots echoed through the town, prompting residents and passersby to flee in fear for their lives. As of the time of this report, the full extent of the damage inflicted by the armed robbers on the banks remains unclear. However, eyewitnesses revealed that the social and business fabric of the town came…

In a significant development, the Nigerian Army has officially relieved Brigadier General Mohammed Gambo of his duties as the Commander of the 23 Armour Brigade, Yola. This decision comes in the aftermath of the midnight invasion of the Adamawa State Police Command Headquarters in November, during which soldiers, in a military armored carrier vehicle, attacked the facility, resulting in the tragic deaths of some policemen and a police inspector. Previously reported by PLATFFORM TIMES, witnesses and police sources recounted the harrowing incident, describing how troops launched an assault on the police headquarters around 11 pm, causing immediate casualties, including the…

In a tragic turn of events, the Enugu State Fire Service mourns the loss of Mr. Chigozie Ugwu, a dedicated mechanical engineer and senior fire officer, who succumbed to the aftermath of battling a midnight fire at the Enugu State Motor Spare Parts Market.  Ugwu led his team tirelessly as they fought to extinguish the flames that ravaged less than 10 shops, resulting in the destruction of goods worth millions of naira. Director of Enugu State Fire Service, Okwudili Ohaa, confirmed Ugwu’s passing, expressing grief over the loss of a committed worker who had 15 firemen reporting to him.  Ohaa…

At least 163 lives were tragically cut short, and the tranquility of Lagos was disrupted as 189 cases of robbery unfolded in the past year, according to recent police records.  The Acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Waheed Ayilara, revealed these alarming statistics during the 17th Town Hall Meeting on security organized by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF). In a detailed report, Ayilara highlighted that within the specified timeframe, 189 residential robberies were reported, with security operatives successfully thwarting 172 of them and apprehending 257 robbery suspects.  The crime situation in Lagos further revealed the recovery of 103 firearms,…