Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has announced a groundbreaking $100 million initiative called the “Safe Grid” plan in a significant stride to combat the persistent power shortages and blackouts caused by frequent national grid collapses. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the project is set to provide a dependable power supply to Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states, where KEDCO has reported receiving less than half of its allocated power from the national grid, affecting the company’s ability to deliver stable electricity to its franchise areas. According to Sani Bala Sani, Head of Corporate Communications for KEDCO, this shortfall has severely impacted…

The UNICEF Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) Public-Private-Youth-Partnership (PPYP) Platform yesterday convened its annual Steering Committee at the Airtel Headquarters in Lagos to celebrate three years of groundbreaking achievements and set ambitious targets for the future. This meeting reaffirmed GenU 9JA’s commitment to transforming the lives of millions of Nigerian children and youths by bridging the digital gap, enhancing the quality of learning and skilling to prepare them for the world of work and connecting them to livelihood opportunities. The meeting was attended by GenU 9JA partners from the Federal and State governments, private sector, civil society, development partners, and…

The Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that top security officials in President Bola Tinubu’s administration are working tirelessly. Speaking on Tuesday as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Tunji-Ojo noted that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa are all deeply committed, often forgoing rest in their efforts to restore peace and order across the nation. “Security is a major issue of national concern. Nobody is resting—not the NSA, not the Minister of Defence, not the Chief of Defence Staff, not even the DSS,” Tunji-Ojo stated, underscoring the…

Daud Olatunji In a fresh legal blow to the International School Ibadan (ISI) at the University of Ibadan, an Oyo State High Court has struck out the school’s second application for a stay of execution, upholding the right of female Muslim students to wear the hijab as part of their school uniform. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the ruling marks the second setback for the school on the issue within six months. Justice Moshood Isola delivered the ruling on Tuesday, rejecting ISI’s attempt to halt enforcement of an earlier judgement granted on May 22, 2024, which affirmed the hijab-wearing rights of…

As Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) prepares for its 16th Convocation Ceremony, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, is set to deliver the keynote lecture. The lecture, titled “From Classroom to Cloud: Leveraging Digital Literacy for National Development,” is scheduled for Thursday, November 28, 2024, at the university’s Ijagun Main Campus in Ogun State. Dr. Tijani, who has been a driving force in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy, will draw from his extensive background in technology and innovation to address how digital literacy can foster national growth. His leadership and vision have significantly impacted both…

Our Reporter Students at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) are raising alarms over a mandatory ₦10,800 tax clearance fee imposed as a condition for exam registration. Many argue that this fee is both unfair and financially oppressive, especially in light of the current economic hardship facing students and families. Despite some students presenting valid tax certificates obtained through their parents, MAPOLY administrators are reportedly rejecting these documents, insisting on fresh payments. This directive has left students frustrated and feeling financially burdened. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that some have taken to social media, decrying the policy as “unlawful,” noting it adds further financial…

In a strategic move aimed at expediting the payment of liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has launched an auction process for the sale of landed properties and chattels of the defunct Heritage Bank (In-Liquidation). This was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Communication and Public Affairs Department of the NDIC, Bashir Nuhu. Exercising its statutory authority as the liquidator of failed banks under Section 62(1)(d) of the NDIC Act 2023, the Corporation is conducting this auction to maximize asset recovery. This latest initiative follows a series of previous actions by the…

Daud Olatunji Lagos State stands at the forefront of health investment in Nigeria, allocating N71.4 billion to its health sector in 2023, which represents 4.79% of its total expenditure. The report, released by BudgIT, a civic tech organization specializing in public finance analysis, shows that while Lagos leads in financial commitment, states like Ogun face stark infrastructural deficits, impacting overall health outcomes. PLATFORM TIMES reports that there were significant disparities across other states, including Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun, where spending levels and health outcomes vary widely. The Lagos State Government directed N25.44 billion towards the construction and rehabilitation of…

The Nigerian Presidency has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of misunderstanding the country’s economic landscape and displaying jealousy over President Bola Tinubu’s position. This reaction follows Atiku’s recent public statement, “What We Would Have Done Differently,” in which he proposed alternative economic reforms and anti-corruption measures. In a statement signed by the presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described Atiku’s comments as “unfounded” and driven by a sense of entitlement. The former Vice President, who lost to Tinubu in the 2023 election after six unsuccessful bids for the presidency, has allegedly fixated…

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has decried the conduct of a few members within the judiciary, stating that while the Nigerian judicial system comprises many upright, hardworking, and knowledgeable judges, a minority of individuals are undermining its reputation. Justice Kekere-Ekun made this statement on Saturday at a public discourse in Lagos themed “Ethics, Morality and the Law.” The event, held in honor of Justice Habeeb Abiru’s elevation to the Supreme Court, saw Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasize the importance of personal accountability for those within the legal profession, reminding judges of their ultimate accountability to themselves and to…