Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Top officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have been grilled by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of mismanagement or diversion of the N90 billion released by the Federal Government to subsidise the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Sources within the ICPC confirmed that the officials were apprehended in their offices after failing to respond to multiple invitations from the anti-graft agency.  They were subsequently taken to the ICPC headquarters, where they were subjected to extensive interrogation regarding the handling of the subsidy funds. A source at the commission, who…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate an investigation into the utilization of a $1.5 billion World Bank loan, which was allocated to Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for poverty reduction and social protection.  The organization is urging the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), along with relevant anti-corruption agencies, to thoroughly investigate how these funds were spent. In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP highlighted the necessity for any individuals found to have…

The  Senate has  rebuked former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his recent assertion that members of the National Assembly fix their own salaries and allowances. In a statement issued on Sunday, Yemi Adaramodu, spokesperson for the Senate, described Obasanjo’s claims as not only inaccurate but also uncharitable, stressing that the National Assembly has no role in determining its remuneration. On Friday, Obasanjo had criticized the practice of lawmakers determining their pay, labeling it as “immoral” and against the principles of good governance.  The former president emphasized that it is the exclusive duty of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC)…

The police command in Lagos State said a 25-year old contract worker whose name was not mentioned, allegedly jumped into an iron melting pot of his company and died. The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this on Sunday. Hundeyin said that the safety officer of the company, whose name also was not mentioned, reported the case to the Sagamu Road Police Division on August 3 at about 6.00 p.m. He added that the company was located at the Industrial Scheme of Odogunyan area in Ikorodu of Lagos State. He said that the safety officer reported that on the same…

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced the successful disbursement of N5 million each to 82.36 per cent of customers of the defunct Heritage Bank Plc, following the bank’s license revocation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).  In a statement released on Sunday by the Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Bashir Nuhu, the NDIC revealed that the disbursement commenced within just four days of Heritage Bank’s liquidation.  This swift action was made possible by the use of Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), which allowed the NDIC to identify and credit depositors’ alternative accounts in other banks without requiring…

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has refuted recent social media claims that corps members’ bank accounts are being upgraded in preparation for the payment of a new N70,000 minimum wage.  The agency clarified that no directive has been issued by any relevant authority to initiate such payments or upgrade accounts. In a statement released on Saturday, the NYSC’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, described the circulating report as misleading and entirely false.  He emphasized that the organization has not received any instruction from the government regarding the implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage for corps members.…

Daud Olatunji Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that, despite his advanced age, he remains committed to maintaining his fitness by playing squash three times a week.  The 87-year-old elder statesman made this known in a video posted by Noire TV on Friday, August 9, 2024. In the video, Obasanjo was seen walking briskly with his hands behind his back, accompanied by a male companion who expressed amazement at his vitality.  The companion, evidently impressed, remarked, “Old soldier never dies. Oh my goodness!” to which Obasanjo humorously responded, “They only fade away.” Obasanjo then shared, “I still play squash three…

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has attributed the persistent corruption in Nigeria to the failure of Christians to live up to their calling as “peculiar people.”  He made this assertion during the sixth day of the church’s annual convention, themed ‘Heaven,’ held at the Redemption City in Mowe, Ogun State. Addressing thousands of worshippers, Adeboye lamented that corruption has reached alarming levels in Nigeria because many Christians, who should stand out as moral exemplars, have compromised their values.  He emphasized that if Christians steadfastly refused to engage in corrupt practices, even…

By: Olanshile Ogunrinu As the officer in charge of the Sabo Primary Health Centre, Matron Akande Akinlabi has witnessed firsthand the transformation of the facility she has diligently served for years. However, the excitement of a recent renovation has turned into a troubling reality. “The renovation is a good one and I find it commendable, however, I think the government should look into the status now and help intervene so as to ensure our delivery of health services is better,” she said as she fanned herself with a paper. Sabo Health Care Centre was commissioned in 2004 by the then-governor…

The Nigeria Police Force has come under intense scrutiny following a viral TikTok video showing suspected bandits flaunting bundles of Naira notes and conducting a giveaway.  The footage, which quickly spread across social media, has led to widespread criticism of the police for their apparent inaction against these criminals. In the video, the bandits are seen parading with the ransom money they allegedly extorted, raising public outrage. Many Nigerians took to X (formerly Twitter), expressing their frustration over what they perceive as the police’s failure to curb such brazen displays of wealth by criminals. A notable post on X highlighted…