Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced an increase in the fare for the 2024 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, citing ongoing forex challenges in Nigeria.  Intending pilgrims now face a total payment of N6.8 million, following a hike of N1,918,032.91 from the initial fare of N4.9 million. According to Farima Usara, the spokesperson for NAHCON, intending pilgrims have until March 28 to complete their payments for the spiritual journey.  The commission attributed the fare adjustment to the persistent forex crisis plaguing the nation for several months. Usara explained that delays in remittances of Hajj fare contributed to the…

In a tragic turn of events, it has been revealed that a teacher who was abducted alongside the Kuriga schoolchildren in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State has died while in captivity.  Senator Uba Sani, the state governor, disclosed this heartbreaking news during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday’s Politics programme.  Despite efforts by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State to rescue all the abducted schoolchildren, the teacher succumbed to health complications during the ordeal. The Kuriga schoolchildren, who were abducted from Government Secondary and Primary Schools, Kuriga 1, Chikun LGA, on March 7,…

Daud Olatunji The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, emphasised the importance of unity and dialogue among Muslims during the Abeokuta Mega Ramadan Lecture organized by twelve religious organizations in the state. Addressing attendees as the distinguished guest of honour, Salako-Oyedele celebrated the diversity of Ogun State, highlighting its various tribes and cultures.  Despite the diversity, she noted the unity that binds everyone together.  She urged Muslims to promote the virtues of Islam and emphasized the significance of coming together as one ummah to foster unity not only within Ogun State but also beyond.  She encouraged  active participation…

A solemn atmosphere enveloped Bauchi State in Northeast Nigeria as reports emerged of a stampede during an almsgiving exercise, resulting in the loss of at least four lives. The unfortunate incident unfolded on Sunday morning at the premises of Shafa Holdings Company Plc along Jos Road. While the company remains silent on the matter, Ahmed Wakili, the spokesman for the Bauchi State Police Command, confirmed the incident, assuring that the situation had been brought under control.  Efforts to independently verify the incident by SaharaReporters were fruitless as Superintendent of Police Wakili declined numerous calls and had yet to respond to…

The family of Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, has reportedly entered negotiations with his abductors, who are demanding ₦500 million for his release. According to a family source who preferred anonymity, the abductors initiated contact with the family on Friday.  The source revealed this development to journalists in Benin City on Sunday. While details about efforts to raise the ransom remain undisclosed, it’s unclear whether the PDP, to which Aziegbemi belongs, is involved in assisting the family. When reached for comment, the spokesman for the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor,…

In the wake of a devastating ambush that claimed the lives of her husband and 16 other military personnel, Hauwa Ali, widow of the late Lt Col A.H. Ali, has made a poignant plea against allowing her children to join the military.  The harrowing incident unfolded on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in the Okuama community of the Ughelli South local government area in Delta state. During an exclusive interview with Daily Trust, Hauwa Ali recounted the shock and sorrow of losing her beloved husband in the line of duty.  “I did not know that the peace mission Ali and others…

Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos State has fixed May 30, 2024, as the start date for the trial of Christopher Jackson Edeh.  Edeh, a former employee of Fidelity Bank, faces nine charges including fraudulent false accounting and unauthorized access to computer systems. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Edeh allegedly tampered with customer account details, aiming to defraud and steal a total of N2.7 billion.  The charges include altering the accounts of entities like Dangote Cement Plc, Kano State Government, NNPC Trading Limited, and others. During the arraignment on February 28,…

In a major crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended several syndicates and seized a staggering 44.9 tonnes of cocaine along with other narcotics. The operation, which marks a significant victory in the fight against drug smuggling, underscores the agency’s unwavering commitment to combatting the scourge of narcotics trafficking in the country. The seized contraband, including cocaine and other illicit substances, represents a substantial blow to organized crime networks involved in drug trafficking and distribution. The NDLEA’s successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts in dismantling illicit drug syndicates and preventing the…

Police in Bauchi State have arrested three suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy, threat to life, criminal intimidation, and attempted kidnapping. SP Ahmed Wakil, spokesperson of the Command, said this in a statement on Sunday in Bauchi. He said the command, in the fight against kidnapping and other heinous crimes, continued to yield positive results. “On the 7th day of March 2024 at about 1400hrs, one Yahaya Adamu, of Badakoshi village Bauchi LGA, complained to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) domiciled in the Criminal Investigation Department of the Command. According to him, the complainant said on March 4, at about 2030 hrs,…

Prominent female scholars, activists, and leaders have come together to advocate for enhanced transnational dialogues and partnerships among women, emphasizing the potential for such collaborations to elevate the interests and well-being of women globally. This urgent call to action was underscored during the latest installment of the Toyin Falola Interview Series, broadcasted across numerous social media platforms, television networks, and radio stations worldwide.  The panel of esteemed discussants featured a diverse array of voices, including Professor Ousseina Alidou as the moderator, alongside renowned figures such as Professor Marame Gueye, Professor Fatima Sadiqi, Professor Simone A. J. Alexander, Dr. Zeinabou Hadari,…