Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), issued a stern warning to Nigerians intending to travel abroad without proper documentation, emphasizing the growing challenges faced in many countries.  The caution came during her visit to a shelter in Brampton, Canada, where she expressed sympathy for those in difficult situations. In a statement released on Thursday through the commission’s official handle on X, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit at NIDCOM, highlighted Dabiri-Erewa’s strong message.  The NIDCOM boss discouraged individuals from attempting to travel to Canada without adequate documentation or…

Daud Olatunji  Chief Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu of Ogun State has  revealed that no fewer than 2,800 defendants have been freed to alleviate  prison congestion.  The Chief Justice, speaking at the maiden Bondsmen Stakeholders Forum,on Thursday,  expressed concern over the perversion of justice as fraudsters and touts presented fake documents to stand surety for defendants.  Established in 2020, the Bondsman Scheme aims to revolutionize the bail process, ensuring both the expeditious delivery of justice and the decongestion of correctional facilities.  The forum became a platform for Justice Dipeolu to underscore the vital role of bondsmen, emphasizing their responsibility in maintaining the…

Daud Olatunji In a landmark initiative, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Ford Foundation are championing climate justice by sponsoring seven members of the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance (NCJA) to attend the 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai. The partnership, announced by Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director General of NCF, underscores a commitment to amplify the voices of civil society organizations (CSOs) advocating for climate justice in Nigeria.  This move aligns with the objectives set forth in July 2023 during the launch of NCJA in Abuja, aiming to strengthen CSOs’…

Daud Olatunji A recent report shedding light on the increasing interference of the tobacco industry in Nigeria has sent shockwaves through public health advocates, revealing a significant jump in the industry’s meddling from 53 to 60 points in 2023. The report was  according to findings released by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies through the Centre for Good Governance. Nigeria, having ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s Article 5.3 guidelines in 2005, has faced a stark escalation in challenges related to tobacco control measures.  Despite enacting the National Tobacco Control…

Daud Olatunji In a gut-wrenching tale of loss and brutality, Funmi Soyinka, the grief-stricken mother of 13-year-old John, has spoken out after her son’s life was violently cut short, his body mutilated in a horrific incident that has left the community in shock. Enrolled as an apprentice in a barber salon two years ago to channel his energy away from playful antics,  Soyinka, a teenager with dreams of a brighter future, was also entrusted with a POS by his boss in Abeokuta. A recent incident, however, took a dark turn when John was accused by his boss, Dare, of absconding…

Daud Olatunji In a bid to address the recent uproar and speculations surrounding the Kano Governorship Election dispute, the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Umar Bangari, stepped forward on Tuesday to provide clarity on the situation. Contrary to widespread interpretations, Bangari emphasized that a typographical error within the judgment did not compromise the integrity or alter the findings of the court. The controversy erupted following the appellate court’s decision to uphold the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s ruling, which nullified the victory of Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the March 18 Governorship…

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, announced during a courtesy visit to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and 14 other influential Senators that Nigeria is poised to emerge as a net exporter of petroleum products in 2024. Kyari expressed confidence in a robust supply plan for petroleum products, assuring the nation of a seamless fuel supply until the following year. Highlighting the NNPCL’s substantial presence, occupying over 30% of the downstream business, he dismissed concerns of fuel shortages, attributing any queues at NNPC fuel stations to the lowered cost of their fuel. However,…

Daud Olatunji Suspected political thugs stormed the premises of the Ondo State Oil Development Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) on Wednesday,allegedly  instigated  chaos and brutally assaulting Commissioner Kehinde Akinrotoye, widely known as ‘Bonsue Aketi.’  The targeted attack disrupted the scheduled bursary and scholarship award ceremony organized by the interventionist agency. Pandemonium erupted in the vicinity as the hoodlums, arriving in hired vehicles, unleashed a barrage of gunfire, compelling both staff and students attending the award ceremony to flee in fear for their safety.  The indiscriminate shooting not only marred the event but also raised serious concerns about the security protocols in…

Daud Olatunji In a scathing critique, former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has taken aim at the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, asserting that he is unfit for the prestigious office he holds.  Ezekwesili’s criticism, expressed on Wednesday via a tweet, contends that Akpabio’s occupancy of the Senate President position is a stain on Nigeria’s democracy, attributing it to the compromised state of the country’s judiciary. The former minister alleges that the Court of Appeal, entrusted with upholding justice, has forsaken prudence and allowed itself to be swayed by corrupt and decadent politicians.  Ezekwesili pulls no punches in her assessment,…

Daud Olatunji The American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Legal Attache in Nigeria, Mr. Jack Smith, praised the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  During a visit to the EFCC’s headquarters on Wednesday, Smith commended Olukoyede’s impressive credentials and expressed delight in the Commission’s reform agenda. Smith, in his statement, acknowledged conducting personal research on Olukoyede’s background and qualifications, affirming that the appointment was well-founded.  “I came to congratulate you on your appointment. I did my homework and research, and I discovered that your appointment is right,” he stated.…