Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a significant move to support education and community development, Dangote Cement Ibese Plant has awarded scholarships worth over N16 million to 120 indigent students from its 16 host communities. This gesture was announced during the 2024 Community Day Celebration held on Wednesday in Ibese, Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State. The Plant Director, Roy Uttam, explained that the scholarship initiative is part of the company’s commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence and mutual development with its host communities. Themed “Celebrating Resilience through Effective Partnership,” the event also included the empowerment of women, farmers, and elderly individuals, further…

Uthman Akinola The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Neuropsychiatric Hospital (NPH) Aro, Abeokuta, has held the fourth edition of the annual Dr. Taiwo Adamson Debate, focusing on mental health, wellness, and substance use. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the event, organised to honour the hospital’s former Provost, Dr. Taiwo Adamson, was themed, “Golden Hour for Drug Abuse Prevention Programmes: Primary or Secondary Education?” The debate, endowed by Dr. Adamson and hosted by the current Provost/Medical Director of NPH Aro, Dr. Paul Agboola, brought together stakeholders, students, and mental health advocates to address the growing menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.…

The APIN Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign for Ogun State has concluded its annual 16-day activism, leaving behind a trail of impactful stories and a call for sustained efforts against gender-based violence. Favour Ojo-Omoniyi, APIN’s Gender-Based Vocal Person for Ogun State, led the charge, emphasizing the need for community-driven, year-round advocacy to combat GBV. Speaking at the campaign’s closing session in Abeokuta, Ojo-Omoniyi highlighted the campaign’s progress. “We started this 16-day campaign on November 26 and concluded it today, December 10. This year, we reached eight schools compared to just one last year. It shows we are expanding our scope, creating…

The World Health Organisation has revealed that over seven million deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded globally in the past five years, with the actual death toll estimated to be at least three times higher. This was disclosed by the WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, during an online media conference on Wednesday. Ghebreyesus underscored the continued threat posed by the virus, noting its ongoing impact through acute cases, “long COVID,” and fatalities. “On average, 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 are reported to WHO each week,” he said. The WHO chief also highlighted other pressing global health concerns, including outbreaks of mpox in…

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested four individuals, including a suspected terrorism financier, in connection with the supply of military uniforms to armed bandits in the state. The command spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this during a briefing at the command headquarters on Monday. He said the arrests were made during a routine patrol along the Yantumaki and Kankara highway, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and banditry in Katsina. According to Sadiq, the first suspect, Aminu Hassan, 25, was apprehended on November 19, 2024, in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state. The suspect, who hails…

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has disclosed that 70 percent of the state’s six million population consists of idle young men and women, a challenge he said he inherited upon assuming office. The governor made the revelation during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, on Tuesday. Lawal lamented that despite Zamfara’s abundant natural resources, the benefits have not been equitably distributed. He, however, expressed optimism about the progress his administration is making in reversing the narrative. “Zamfara is one of the few states in Nigeria blessed with abundant natural resources, but the question is to…

By Misbahu Shehu It is no longer news that by 2050, Nigeria will be the most populous country after India and China; according to Statista, Nigeria’s population will hover around 410 million people. The Journey to the 2050 population figure is already at play today as Nigeria currently has one the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, and it’s the 3rd highest in Africa. Since 2017, Nigeria’s mortality rate has increased by 14% from 917 per 100,000 live births to 1047 per 100,000 live births in 2020. This, combined with the high fertility rate of 4.8(NDHS 2023-24) and low…

Abeokuta Sports Club, one of Africa’s foremost sports institutions, is marking its 120th anniversary with a week-long celebration featuring activities aimed at honouring its rich history, promoting sports excellence, and contributing to community development. Addressing the press in Abeokuta, the President of the club, Prince Seni Ogunyemi, revealed that six eminent members, including legendary footballer Chief Segun Odegbami, would be honoured during the milestone event. Prince Ogunyemi highlighted the club’s enduring role as a stress-relief hub for chief executives, industrialists, retirees, and sports enthusiasts of all ages. He outlined the lineup of activities for the celebration, which began on December…

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) says it  has recorded significant strides in Nigeria’s fight against corruption, recovering over N50 billion since 2019 and saving the Federal Government an additional N10 billion in 2024 alone. The Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the close-out ceremony of the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)’s Open Contract Reporting Project (OCRP) and its journalism awards. Dr. Aliyu lauded the ICIR’s OCRP initiative for its impact on exposing irregularities in public sector procurement, noting that it has been instrumental in uncovering fraudulent practices and enhancing…

The Ogun I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the appointment of Deputy Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu as the new Acting Customs Area Controller. PLATFORM TIMES reports that this  transition follows the statutory retirement of Comptroller James  Ojo, who leaves behind a legacy of achievements in anti-smuggling operations and revenue generation. A statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hammed Oloyede explained that Deputy Comptroller Shuaibu, an officer renowned for his expertise in border operations, brings a robust track record to his new role. Oloyede in the statement said, before this appointment, he…