Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A young man, suspected of attempting to steal money from a church, found himself in a precarious and humiliating situation after getting stuck while trying to flee the scene. The incident, which quickly went viral after being shared online, shows the suspect trapped in a church window, crying out for help as a crowd gathered to witness the unusual spectacle.  According to eyewitness accounts, the man snuck into the church with the intent of stealing money. After completing his mission, he tried to escape through a window but found his arms hopelessly caught in the burglary bars. Footage of the…

The National Open University (NOUN) has scrapped its law programme, putting the careers of over 1000 students at risk.  The decision, ratified by the University’s Senate in January 2023, affects final-year students who are nearing completion of their projects. Concerned law students have written to the House of Representatives seeking intervention, and a meeting was held between student representatives and university management in November 2023.  However, no meaningful progress has been made. Students are lamenting the lack of communication from the university, with many learning about the development on social media.  They allege that the university has neglected to address…

The Anambra State Local Government Service Commission has uncovered over 300 ghost workers fraudulently receiving salaries without fulfilling their job duties.  This discovery, spearheaded by the Commission’s chairman, Emeka Ezeaka, reveals a widespread scheme involving deceased persons, retirees, and individuals who have relocated or taken other jobs. The investigation found that 59 deceased persons, 40 retirees, and 222 unidentified workers were still drawing salaries from the state.  Among the most egregious cases was a former local government employee who had secured a job at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and continued to receive both her pension and salary from the local…

A  Federal High Court in Ibadan dismissed an application filed by five Oyo kingmakers to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from probing them. In five separate judgments, Justice Ekerete Akpan held that it was impossible to restrain the EFCC from carrying out its constitutional duty which was an investigation of suspected financial crime. Akpan added that mere interpretation of EFCC’s intention especially as it bordered on N15 million bribery allegation when the antigraft body invited the applicants for interrogation did not amount to harassment. He, therefore, dismissed the application on grounds of incompetence. Counsel to the applicants,…

The Commander and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Cdr. ‘Seni Ogunyemi, has firmly reminded officers of their duty to uphold integrity by rejecting bribes and extortion.  This directive was given during a one-day symposium themed “Legality of Traffic Management: An Overview of the TRACE Law of Ogun State,” held at the Staff Development Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. Addressing officers from the Ogun Central Command, Cdr. Ogunyemi emphasized the importance of efficiency and responsible conduct in traffic management.  He urged the officers to be passionate about their duties, maintain a positive attitude, and adhere…

_… As FUNAAB’s Governing Council Holds Inaugural Meeting in Abuja_ By Olasunkanmi Olajide_ The Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on July 4, 2024, officially inaugurated the newly-appointed Chairmen and members of the Governing Councils of Federal Tertiary Institutions. During the ceremony, the Honourable Minister urged the appointees to focus on generating increased internal revenue for their respective institutions. “You are responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing transparent and responsible financial management of the sector, and ensuring the overall performance of these institutions to achieve the national goals and expectations of tertiary institutions,” Prof. Mamman stated. Speaking also…

Daud Olatunji The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) and the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) have renewed their call for the Federal and state governments  to declare Muharram 1, the first day of the Islamic calendar year, as a public holiday. This appeal coincides with the commencement of the new Islamic year, Hijrah 1446 A.H., on Sunday, July 7. The call for recognition of Muharram 1 as a public holiday is timely as the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO) prepares for a commemorative rally on July 7, 2024, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar. In a…

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Showunmi’s Political Movement has launched a compelling 15-minute re-orientation radio drama designed to educate the public. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the move was to  alter  the voters’ perceptions regarding vote procurement, political apathy, and other societal vices. It was also gathered that the  creative initiative aims to deepen participatory democracy and promote sincere service delivery. In a statement issued from  the office of Showunmi, the docudrama, set in a fictional town called Jangbalajugbu, highlights various societal abnormalities in Nigeria, emphasising the importance of cultivating a positive attitude towards…

Daud Olatunji Not less than 71 international companies have fled Nigeria’s shores due to the loss of $150 million to internet fraudsters, popularly called Yahoo Yahoo.  The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, decried the severe impact of internet fraud on Nigeria’s economy. Addressing the gravity of the situation, Olukoyede revealed that numerous international companies were compelled to cease their Nigerian operations due to substantial financial losses incurred through local wire fraud.  Speaking at the Global Peace Movement International awards ceremony, where he was honoured as the Man of the Year, Olukoyede disclosed  the alarming…

 Daud Olatunji The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has said that 148 local government areas (LGAs) across 31 states are at high risk of flooding. PLATFORM TIMES reports that NIHSA’s 2024 Annual Flood Outlook contained the revelation .  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  affected states include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Kebbi. Others are Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe. Speaking on the development, the  federal government has warned states and local government areas to brace…