Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Niger Republic has officially reopened its borders with Nigeria in the regions of Diffa, Tahoua, Maradi, and Dosso, marking the end of a closure initiated in the aftermath of the July 26, 2023 coup d’état and subsequent ECOWAS sanctions. The decision, communicated via a radio message broadcast on social networks by the Nigerien Ministry of Interior, instructed the governors of the border regions to authorize the reopening at precisely 12:00 midnight.  Additionally, the ministry emphasized the need for heightened controls and security measures along the 1,500-kilometer boundary. While Nigeria had reopened its border weeks earlier following the lifting of ECOWAS…

In a recent update, the Presidency has confirmed that negotiations for a new national minimum wage are currently underway.  Speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, shed light on the ongoing discussions. Ngelale emphasized that the administration is determined to establish a new minimum wage that all states across the federation can afford.  Moreover, the federal government aims to set a wage level that is sustainable over several years and is based on the long-term stability of the national currency. However, Ngelale…

Sixteen state governors have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police forces as a measure to combat the escalating insecurity plaguing Nigeria.  This endorsement came to light following the 140th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), which was conducted virtually. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, revealed this development during a briefing with State House Correspondents after the NEC meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.  While Bagudu didn’t disclose the names of the endorsing governors, he indicated that out of the 36 states, 20 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were yet to…

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick, through his company, Brownhill Investment Company, and popular musician David Adeleke, known as Davido, have reached an agreement to settle a N2 billion breach of contract lawsuit out of court. The dispute arose in October 2023 when Brownhill Investment Company took legal action against Davido and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited, for failing to perform at the 19th edition of the ‘Warri Again Concert’ despite receiving the agreed-upon fees. Pinnick’s company sought N2 billion in general damages from the defendants for the breach of contract, along with N150 million for…

A housewife in Jikowyi Abuja, Pauline Anthony, has asked a Customary Court in Jikwoyi, to dissolve her marriage because her husband, Mark is a chronic womanizer. Anthony who resides in Jikwoyi, told the court that her husband “chases women around”. ”He tells them he was not married. Since he started chasing women, he stopped providing for the family and beats me,” she said. Anthony also told the court that she moved out of the house for fear of losing her life. “My husband dumped our son in his girlfriend’s house. My son does not go to school. “I beg…

Traditional rulers in Ogun State have pledged unwavering support for the upcoming maiden edition of the Public Relations Week scheduled to take place from April 22nd to 26th in Abeokuta. The endorsement came from the Chairman of the Ogun State Traditional Council and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi.  He conveyed the monarchs’ support while receiving members of the NIPR National Planning Week Committee, led by the Bobakede of Oke Ona Egba, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, during a visit to his palace in Sagamu. Oba Ajayi expressed gratitude to the NIPR for selecting Ogun State as the host for…

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has responded to rumours regarding a potential 2027 faceoff with President Bola Tinubu, dismissing speculation over his recent interactions with officials of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), engaged in discussions with SDP officials, including the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, during recent encounters in Abuja. Gabam acknowledged El-Rufai’s political acumen and emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. In response to inquiries about the nature of his engagement with the SDP, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, clarified that…

A High Court in Ado Ekiti on Thursday sentenced a 28-year-old Ayodeji Alomoge to death by hanging for killing his wife’s lover. The convict was arraigned before Justice Jubril Aladejana in April 2023 on one count charge of murder. Delivering judgment, Justice Aladejana said:”to me, rivalry between men over the affection of a woman should not be grounds to justify provocation. “I consequently find the defendant guilty of murder charge against him and therefore convicted as charged. ”The judgment of this court upon you is that you, Ayodeji Alomoge shall be hanged by the neck until you die “. According…

The Kano State Government has officially confirmed a tragic outbreak of diphtheria in Minjibir Local Government Area, resulting in the loss of four young lives and the hospitalization of 28 individuals. According to Tasiu Yahaya Dadin-Duniya, the Information Officer of Minjibir Local Government, the distressing news was disclosed via a statement released to the media in Kano on Thursday. The statement elaborated on the grim situation, revealing that the affected villages, namely Kwarkiya, Kuru, Kunya, and Minjibir, have been grappling with the spread of the disease. “The Interim Management Officer of the local government, Muhammad Yakubu Kunya, has urgently appealed…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on  Thursday, re-arraigned a former governor of Adamawa, Murtala Nyako‎, and his son, Sen. Abdulaziz in the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged N29 billion fraud. They were re-arraigned on 37- counts of money laundering allegedly perpetrated while Nyako was governor of Adamawa. Others arraigned with them are Zulkifik Abba and Abubakar Aliyu. The firms allegedly used in laundering the funds – Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited were also joined as 5th to the 9th defendants respectively. The…