Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji The Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Chinyere Almona,has  voiced deep concern over the escalating departure of companies from the Nigerian market.  Almona said this at  a press conference held on Thursday, emphasizing that this trend is exacerbating unemployment and could potentially deter new investments. She lamented that over recent months, multinational corporations such as Unilever Nigeria, GlaxoSmithKline, Guinness Nigeria Plc, and now Procter & Gamble (P&G) have announced their exit from the Nigerian market.  Almona underscored the detrimental impact of such exits on the economy, especially at a time when efforts are…

Daud Olatunji In a momentous development for Nigeria’s oil industry, the eagerly anticipated $20 billion Dangote Refinery marked a significant milestone as it received its inaugural shipment of crude oil.  The arrival of the crude, transported by the OTIS tanker carrying a substantial 950,000-barrel cargo of Nigeria’s Agbami crude, has ignited excitement within the nation. The tanker, chartered by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), departed on December 6, en route to Lekki, the closest land port to Dangote’s offshore crude receiving terminal.  The estimated arrival time on Thursday, December 7, at 8 pm, marked the initiation of crude…

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to provide a detailed account of the dollar inflows from its operations.  Sanusi, known for his previous confrontation with the NNPC during his tenure, reiterated the importance of transparency in addressing fiscal challenges. Sanusi who spoke  at the 2023 Bank Directors’ Summit,also issued a warning against compromising the independence of the Central Bank, highlighting the potential dangers of subjecting it to political manipulations.  He expressed concern that such a move could have adverse effects on the economy, emphasizing the importance of preserving…

A state high Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos state capital on Thursday sentenced a Ward leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC in the Surulere Local Government Area of the state, Wahab Hammed, to one-year imprisonment for engaging in vote buying during the 2023 general elections. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Hammed had on Wednesday pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and bribery brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His guilty plea prompted the trial judge, Justice Ismail Ijelu, to fix Thursday for the review of the facts of the case by the…

In a startling revelation, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has acknowledged that the daily food budget for dogs guarding prisons surpasses that allocated for feeding inmates.  Controller General Haliru Nababa disclosed during a National Assembly hearing that each dog receives N800 per day, while inmates get a meager N750. Nababa emphasized that despite requesting a review to increase the inmate’s daily meal allowance to N3,000, pending approval, the current allocation remains grossly insufficient. With a national inmate count of 81,354 in 2023, including 53,352 awaiting trial, concerns were raised by the joint committee about the adequacy of the funds for…

In a solemn visit to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Vice President Kashim Shettima assured the victims and families affected by the recent Kaduna bombing that those found culpable will face punishment.  The tragic incident, resulting in the loss of 85 lives, has sparked both local and international condemnation, prompting the Federal and Kaduna State governments to order a comprehensive investigation into the deadly airstrike. Vice President Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to eradicating terrorism, expressed heartfelt condolences, emphasizing that every life lost is deeply mourned.  He affirmed the government’s support for the affected community and reiterated their dedication…

In a striking legal development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has taken decisive action, issuing a garnishee order to freeze 24 bank accounts linked to the Kano State Government.  This bold move is a response to a lawsuit initiated by the Incorporated Trustees of Masalachi Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association, who are seeking a hefty N30 billion in compensation for what they allege was the illegal and unjust demolition of their shops. Presiding over the case, Justice I. E. Ekwo delivered a pivotal ruling on November 28, 2023, affirming the attachment of funds totaling N30 billion.  The Certified…

Daud Olatunji In a response to the exclusive report by PLATFORM TIMES, the Ogun State government has initiated efforts to reconstruct a dilapidated school in Gbokoto-Ketu, a border community in the Yewa-North Local Government Area.  The school, which had faced a collapse, left children with no alternative but to travel to neighboring Benin Republic for education. A team comprising officials from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the local government recently conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the neglected community.  The visit comes less than 14 days after PLATFORM TIMES highlighted the community’s plight, shedding light on the…

In a remarkable display of community support, Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese, has generously contributed multi-million Naira worth of electrical supplies to neighboring communities surrounding its Ibese operations in Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State.  The donation aims to enable these communities to reconnect to the national grid and recover from months of power outage caused by issues with their distribution network’s High-Tension Lines. The management of Dangote Cement Plc took swift action to address the prolonged power outage in these communities, providing essential electrical materials.  The Ogun State House of Assembly promptly acknowledged and commended the Cement factory for its…

In a significant breakthrough, the Ogun State Police Command, led by Commissioner Abiodun Alamutu, has apprehended five suspects connected to recent robbery attacks, including the tragic incident at Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade.  The law enforcement team successfully recovered two stolen Lexus cars, underscoring their commitment to tackling criminal activities in the state. Commissioner Alamutu revealed these developments during a briefing on Wednesday, shedding light on the security situation across Ogun State. The arrests come in the wake of armed robbers invading Ipara, Isara, and Ode Remo communities, targeting students at Gateway Polytechnic and resulting in fatalities. Detailing the operation, Alamutu explained…