Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a resounding plea for public health reform, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged nations to implement increased taxes on alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to mitigate the staggering toll of 10.6 million lives lost each year.  This call, articulated in a press statement on Tuesday, emphasizes the critical need for proactive measures to address the dire consequences of alcohol consumption and unhealthy diets. The WHO’s statement revealed that 2.6 million people globally succumb to alcohol-related causes annually, with an additional eight million lives lost due to unhealthy dietary habits.  The proposed remedy lies in imposing taxes…

Daud Olatunji In the past three years, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and his aides have reportedly spent a staggering sum of N91 billion, according to financial statements obtained by PLATFORM TIMES from www.openstates.ng/Oyo. Breaking down the expenditures, Makinde allocated N32,744,535,080 in 2021, followed by N26,245,740,129 in 2022, and N31,202,700,662.46 in 2023 towards his office, personnel, and capital expenditures.  The report details that capital and recurrent expenditures in 2023 reached N15,015,144,985.24, with personnel costs accounting for N10,600,264,937.22. Further analysis reveals that in 2022, the governor spent N13,255,326,414 on capital expenditure and N12,990,413,715 on recurrent expenditure, including N490,413,715 as personnel costs…

A festive atmosphere is set to envelop the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta on December 14, 2023, as the Committee of Friends gears up for a warm welcome home reception for Chief Sarafa Tunji Isola.  The event, chaired by Chief Joju Fadairo and under the distinguished chairmanship of Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, promises to be a momentous occasion, exclusively welcoming an esteemed guest list by invitation only.  The community eagerly anticipates celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of the immediate past Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

In a bid to enhance healthcare services across Ogun State, the Ogun State Primary Healthcare Development Board (OGPHECADEB) has initiated a comprehensive training program for the 25 recently recruited Nurses and Midwives.  The training, centered around the theme “Essential Newborn Care Course,” aims to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to provide high-quality care for newborns, post-labour, and delivery. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s health sector by providing essential human and material resources.  The 5-day capacity training, held in Abeokuta, brings together healthcare professionals from various parts of the state,…

In a landmark ruling, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), sitting in Abuja, has directed the Government of the Republic of Benin to compensate Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, with a sum of 20 million CFA.  The court handed down this judgment on Tuesday, citing unlawful detention and violation of fundamental human rights. Sunday Igboho, along with his wife, Ropo, was apprehended in July 2021 in Cotonou, Benin Republic, at the behest of the Nigerian government.  The decision came following an application lodged by Adeyemo challenging his…

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, appeared before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Crimes to present the agency’s budget proposal for 2024, seeking an increase to the estimated N76.586 billion. During the budget defense, Olukoyede emphasized the necessity for additional resources to fulfill the agency’s mandates, highlighting the potential criticism from both the public and the parliament if performance expectations are not met. The proposed budget, representing a substantial 53.48% increase from the 2023 appropriation of N49.901 billion, outlines allocations such as N37.074 billion for personnel costs, N14.513 billion for overhead…

In the wake of the recent tragic incident in Kaduna State, the Arewa Action Group for Good Governance has urged President Bola Tinubu to demand the immediate resignation of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja or dismiss them over the bombing of unarmed civilians. PLATFORM TIMES previously reported that on Sunday, the Nigerian military conducted airstrikes that resulted in the loss of lives among Muslims celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad in Kaduna.  Despite the army’s assertion that the airstrikes targeted terrorists, the Arewa group strongly condemned the attack…

An Ilorin Magistrate’s Court in Kwara State has ordered the remand of Sultan Ojuwoni Atakoro, an Ibadan-based social media influencer and herbalist, along with his accomplice Olaitan Ibrahim Olalekan at the Correctional Service Centre Oke-Kura, Ilorin.  The duo faces charges of alleged rape and arson involving a 21-year-old victim, Firdaos Jimoh. The Kwara State Police Command brought Atakoro and Olalekan to court, presenting a First Information Report (FIR) that outlined the horrifying details of the case.  The FIR alleges that Atakoro serially raped and set ablaze Firdaos Jimoh in his shrine in Ibadan, Oyo State, with the involvement of Olalekan…

Daud Olatunji The Yobe State High Court in Potiskum has rendered a verdict in a case that shook the community—the murder of renowned Islamic cleric Sheikh Goni Aisami.  The court, presided over by Justice Usman Zanna Mohammed, sentenced a dismissed soldier, Lance Corporal John Gabriel, to death by hanging for his role in the heinous crime.  Additionally, Gabriel’s accomplice, Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, received a 10-year prison sentence. The tragic incident unfolded in the Karasuwa local government area of Yobe State on August 22, 2022, when Sheikh Aisami, a highly respected Islamic scholar based in Gashua, was brutally murdered.  Shockingly,…

 The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has brought charges against Mr. Suleiman Adavize, a civil servant from the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), accusing him of falsely signing off on an incomplete contract. Adavize faced a three-count charge related to false statements before Hon Justice Peter Kekemeke at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.  One count alleged that he made a false statement in a progress report, claiming a 100% completion of the construction of an ICT Centre in Gumel Local Government Area, Jigawa State. The charges assert that Adavize, being an architect at…