Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, has come under intense scrutiny from Islamic groups following his recent actions against the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Teliat Yunus Ayilara.  The conflict, which has sparked a broader debate on religious freedom and traditional authority, has led prominent Muslim organisations include No Dull Moment In Islam  to demand intervention from Christian leaders to address what they see as an overreach by the monarch. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  controversy began earlier this year when Oba Ghandi Olaoye issued a series of formal queries to Sheikh Teliat Yunus…

 Daud Olatunji Nigeria might be spending over $22 million annually on the maintenance of its presidential fleet, a recent report reveals.  According to The Sun, the extensive maintenance costs for the country’s ten aircraft, which support the President’s domestic and international travel, are drawing attention. The presidential fleet includes a diverse array of aircraft: a 19-year-old Boeing Business Jet (B737 BBJ) registered as 5N-FGT, a Gulfstream 550 (G550) under the registration 5N-FGW, a Gulfstream (GV) with registration 5N-FGS, two Falcons (FAL 7X) identified as 5N-FGV and 5N-FGU, a Bombardier Challenger (CL605) marked as 5N-FGZ, two AgustaWestlands 189 (AW189) with…

Fawaz Adebisi On September 18, 2023, PLATFORM TIMES reported the health crisis Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) students face, especially while trying to access toilet facilities in the school. The report highlighted how students resort to open defecation due to mismanaged school toilets. However, a recent report by Vanguard Newspaper revealed that on March 25, 2024, a newly built sanitary facility donated to the school, was commissioned. The donation was made by TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, in partnership with the Nigeria-Sao Tome & Principe Joint Development Authority (NSTPJDA). As gathered, this was part of their efforts to address challenges posed by…

 Daud Olatunji The presidency has dismissed recent political manoeuvres in the North as futile attempts to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections.  This response came after a significant private meeting between Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Nasir el-Rufai, a key figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the immediate past governor of Kaduna State. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  meeting, held at el-Rufai’s Abuja residence, was confirmed by one of Kwankwaso’s aides.  The source, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the discussions were fruitful and…

By Jelili Gbadamosi The residents of Agbooro, Olatunde, Olorode, Agbelu, Odedola, Akero, and Sagalu in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have accused the Olu of Obafemi, Oba Taofeek Owolabi Kayode, of unlawfully seizing their farmlands, totaling approximately 500 hectares.  The aggrieved communities voiced their grievances during a press conference held on Friday. The residents alleged that representatives of the monarch offered N200,000 per hectare to purchase the farmland, an offer they reportedly  rejected. Addressing newsmen on Friday, the Baale of Agboro, Chief Isaac Oguntoyinbo, and the Baale of Latunde, Chief Sunday Olatunde, emphasised that the land in…

…Gives Cash, Equipment to Trained Girls Daud Olatunji In a remarkable effort to combat poverty and empower young women, the Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi (MAM) Foundation has trained six out-of-school girls in Ogun State in various skills such as fashion design, catering, and hairdressing.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  initiative not only equips the girls with essential skills but also provides them with starter packs, equipment, and cash to establish their businesses.  Meanwhile, the  Foundation has inducted nine more individuals to receive similar training in the coming year. Dr. Mrs. Bolaji Fati, the Executive Director of the MAM Foundation, highlighted…

An Enugu South Magistrate Court, presided over by Justice E.D. Onwu, has sentenced Hon. Bright Ngene, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for Enugu South Urban state Constituency, to seven years’ imprisonment.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the case dates back to 2017, when Ngene and two others were arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu Command, in a matter involving community funds worth about N15 million.  This case, which had been dormant, was revived after Ngene’s victory in the March 18, 2023, general elections. Ngene’s win over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sam Ngene, led to a contested election result…

No fewer than 103 Nigerians who were deported from Turkey have arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday, June 28, 2024.  The deportees, who landed on a Southwind Airlines flight with registration number TC-GRB at approximately 6:45 pm, expressed deep frustration and anger over their treatment in the European country. The deportees disembarked at the pilgrims’ wing of the airport, where they were received by a coordinated team from multiple government agencies.  Representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the…

Former Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, has called on the Federal Government to suspend monthly allocations to states where governors establish caretaker committees for Local Government (LG) administrations.  Ogbeh said  the illegality of caretaker committees, referencing a Supreme Court ruling that deemed such appointments unlawful.  He suggested that funds should be withheld from states employing these committees until they comply with the legal requirement of elected LG administrations. Ogbeh aired his concerns during an appearance on “Inside Sources with Laolu Akande,” a socio-political program broadcast on Channels Television.  The 76-year-old ex-minister argued that the use of caretaker committees undermines the…

Aisha Ademigbuji The purpose of starting this column, as I mentioned in my first article, is to improve the reading culture for everyone. To encourage us to pick up a book and read something new at least once in a while.I remember having a conversation with one of my old friends who used to be an avid reader. Shortly after she gave birth, her reading frequency started dwindling until it was non-existent. Yes, we can all agree that taking care of a newborn is a full-time job; you won’t even have time for anything else because your focus will be…