Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a bid to enhance the productivity of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide, the Federal Government is ambitiously working towards providing an uninterrupted eight-hour power supply by 2024.  Spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, this initiative will be executed in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), a key arm of the Federal Government. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, unveiled this plan during a special end-of-year program, “2023: Year Of Transition,” hosted by Channels Television.  Emphasizing the strategic partnership with the REA, Adekunle-Johnson outlined the concerted efforts to implement…

In an illuminating disclosure during Channels TV’s “2023: Year Of Transition” special end-of-year program, Bismarck Rewane, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, revealed that the national grid grappled with 12 collapses throughout the year. Addressing the nation’s energy challenges, Rewane emphasized this concerning pattern, citing the most recent system failure on December 11, 2023, which plunged the country into darkness at approximately 1 pm. Despite prompt efforts by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to restore functionality, this incident marked the third collapse in recent months, following disruptions in September. In a series of…

Daud Olatunji In a poignant reminder of the tragic events that unfolded on the first day of 2023, the Ibara area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, remains haunted by the brutal murders of Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye.  As the one-year anniversary approaches, residents intensify security measures to ensure the safety of their community. The couple, both accomplished professionals in their respective fields, met a horrifying end after returning from a New Year crossover church service.  The investigation led to the arrest of Lekan Adekanbi, a driver to the deceased family, who confessed to masterminding the murders over a rejected salary increment…

In a significant move, the House of Representatives has put forth a groundbreaking bill aimed at criminalizing the failure of employers across Nigeria to pay the salaries of their workers promptly.  The legislation, titled “The Employees Remuneration Protection Bill, 2023,” has successfully passed its initial reading and is sponsored by Wale Hammed, a representative from the Agege Federal Constituency in Lagos State. Under the proposed legislation, employees will have the right to demand payment from their employers by submitting a written claim. Section 7(1) of the bill expressly deems it unlawful for any employer to neglect or refuse to pay…

In a dramatic turn of events, thousands of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) supporters flooded the streets of Rogo Local Government Area in Kano on Saturday. The protesters were demanding a fair judgement from the apex court regarding the governorship dispute between Abba Yusuf and Nasir Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The demonstrators, fervently seeking divine intervention, commenced their protest with a prayer session before taking to the streets, brandishing placards adorned with various inscriptions.  However, the peaceful march quickly descended into chaos, with reports of a vehicle set ablaze amid the escalating tensions. In response to the…

The 10th House of Representatives, under the dynamic leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abba, has marked an unprecedented legislative accomplishment by passing a total of 1615 bills within the span of six months. This significant achievement was announced by Speaker Abba during a plenary session held in Abuja on Saturday, just before the House adjourned for the New Year break. The legislative matters addressed encompassed a wide spectrum, including 962 bills, 500 motions, and 153 petitions.  Speaker Abba, in emphasizing the House’s dedication to legislative excellence, reported that out of these, 120 bills have successfully passed the crucial second reading.  He…

In a stern declaration, Bishop Matthew Hassan-Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto revealed that the ongoing killings on the Plateau extend beyond herder-farmer clashes.  He asserted that the perpetrators harbor an ideological vision for Nigeria and urged the government to thwart their sinister agenda. The bishop vehemently condemned the horrific Christmas eve attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas, denouncing the assailants as “sons of Satan” determined to extinguish joy from the Plateau.  Kukah stressed that the strategic choice of locations and the mysterious identities of the attackers indicate a larger, more sinister plot. Highlighting a clandestine war…

Chairmen representing the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kano State have taken legal action against the state government’s plans to construct two flyovers in the city. The legal move materialized with the filing of a lawsuit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1733/2023 on December 29, 2023. The chairmen contest the state government’s decision to allocate 70% of their joint account funds for the construction of flyovers at Tal’udu and Danagundi. The plaintiffs, consisting of the 44 Local Government Councils and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano State chapter, are seeking a court…

The Labour Party  has called on the Inspector General of Police  and the Department of State Services (DSS) to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged failed attempted murder and kidnapping of its National Youth Leader, Comr. Eragbe Anslem.  The  party accused  former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata  and factional national chairman, Julius Abure,  of orchestrating the attack in Benin, Edo State. Expressing deep concern over the incident, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi at a  a press conference  condemned what he called  political intolerance and acts of terrorism directed at the…

Daud Olatunji In a monumental stride toward the preservation of Nigeria’s endangered species, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has partnered with the Wilder Institute, a renowned science-based conservation organization, to donate cutting-edge equipment valued at over 8 million naira.  A statement released by the foundation on Saturday said the gesture was  aimed at fortifying government’s  agencies and a tertiary institution, including the Cross River National Park, Cross River Forestry Commission, and the University of Calabar. The statement added that the focal point of this collaboration is to amplify the ongoing research project dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the…