Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The rich cultural heritage of the Ibo people is set to take centre stage in Sevilla, Spain, as the 14th edition of the Ibo General Assembly (IGA) convention kicks off with a line-up of notable Nigerian figures, including Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho, diplomat Bianca Ojukwu, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Naomey Nwachukwu. The event, which promises a vibrant display of Ibo traditions, was confirmed by the Chairman of the Asociacion Cultural De Los Igbos En Sevilla, Frank Sam Chukwuemeka, during an exclusive interview.  He noted that the annual gathering is not only an opportunity for the Ibo community to…

Emmanuel Oludare The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), says it  is in deep mourning following the tragic murder of one of its students, Miss Christianah Idowu, a 300-level student of Pure and Applied Botany from the College of Biosciences (COLBIOS). PLATFORM TIMES reports that Miss Idowu was abducted in Lagos and subsequently killed in what the university described as a senseless act of violence that has left the entire community heartbroken. In a statement released by the institution’s Acting Head of Public Relations, Olasunkanmi Olajide, FUNAAB expressed profound sorrow over the brutal loss and extended heartfelt condolences to Miss…

Daud Olatunji Babcock University’s Inaugural Lecturer, Professor Adekunle Binuyo, has called for prioritising effective communication as a fundamental driver of organisational success, particularly in Nigeria’s current climate of rising business operational costs. Prof. Binuyo, the Head of the Business Administration department, highlighted the importance of communication in organisations during the University’s 50th inaugural lecture.  Themed “Unleashing Organizational Potential: Leveraging Management and Marketing Strategies for Sustainable Performance,” the lecture emphasized how communication fosters growth and sustains progress within organizations. “Organisations cannot progress steadily without effective communication, whether horizontal, vertical, or diagonal,” Prof. Binuyo stated.  He urged businesses to view communication…

Phebe Falodun The Ogun State government has admitted allocating nearly N1 billion to three non-operational ministries in its 2024 budget, explaining that the funds were set aside to ensure readiness for their eventual establishment.  This admission follows an exclusive report by PLATFORM TIMES, which revealed that the state had budgeted N922,169,997.11 for the Ministries of Energy, Mineral Resources, and Regional Integration, which do not yet exist. In response to the report, in a statement signed by Olaniyi Ajibola, Senior Special Assistant on Strategy Communications, the government admitted that it gave allocation to the purported Ministries. Apparently rattled by PLATFORM  TIMES,…

Emmanuel Oludare  Tragedy struck on Thursday morning when a suspected group of Yahoo boys rammed their car into a 24-year-old woman and her one-year-old daughter while they were walking along the pedestrian walkway at Kemta Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  reckless driving incident led to the death of the child, while the mother is reportedly battling for her life. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrific scene, stating that the group, who appeared intoxicated, were inside a grey Lexus ES350 with registration number APP429JN when the car lost control and veered off the road, hitting the pedestrians.  The woman,…

In a major call for reform, stakeholders within The Scout Association of Nigeria (TSAN) have demanded a comprehensive overhaul of the organisation’s governance structure, citing the need to enhance transparency and accountability.  This demand was made during a virtual stakeholders meeting, which drew participants from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. During the meeting, stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with the current leadership, accusing it of poor governance and failing to uphold international best practices and the policies laid out by the association.  The group, which comprised former and current National Board members, National Executive Committee members, State Scout Commissioners, and youth representatives,…

Daud Olatunji The Ogun State House of Assembly has summoned the immediate past Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government Area, Mr. Sikiru Adesina, following allegations of illegal sales of government land and properties within the council’s jurisdiction. This move comes after a petition was submitted by a group known as the ‘Concerned Citizens of Ewekoro Local Government,’ accusing the former chairman of engaging in unlawful land sales, neglecting public interest, and lacking accountability during his tenure. The petition, addressed to the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, was signed by the group’s Secretary, Aderibigbe Ajani Kolapo, and Alhaji Kashimu…

Daud Olatunji An investigation by PLATFORM TIMES has uncovered that Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has allocated close to N1 billion for three non-existent ministries in the state’s 2024 budget.  The ministries in question—Energy, Mineral Resources, and Regional Integration—do not currently operate within the state’s 21 existing ministries. Governor Abiodun signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill into law, marking a total budget of N703.028 billion under the theme, “Budget of Sustained Growth and Development.”  However, the investigation revealed that N922,169,997.11 has been allocated to the three phantom ministries in the budget uploaded on the open states.ng/Ogun  by the state government. …Budget…

..Offers Solutions to Nigeria’s Economic Problems By Dris-Kay The mega art collector and philanthropist, Prince Yemisi Shyllon has offered tips that can help Bola Tinubu government achieve optimal performance in the oils sector. Speaking in a media chat in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prince Shyllon advised government to change what he referred to as “endemically incompetent and corrupt top management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.” He lamented perpetual fuel pump price increase and subsequent hardship on the citizenry despite removal of subsidy announced by the sitting government over a year ago. He said ” their (NNPC) recent financial report that…

Daud Olatunji   The Senior Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has issued an interim injunction restraining the leadership of the Nigeria Scout Association from proceeding with their planned Annual General Meeting (AGM) amidst allegations of financial misconduct involving over ₦300 million in unaccounted funds. The court order, a copy obtained by PLATFORM TIMES on Thursday, was granted  by Senior District Judge Theresa Nten Otu on September 3, 2024, followed a motion filed by the claimants, members of the Scout Association, who accused the leadership of bypassing proper constitutional procedures in organizing the AGM.  The claimants, including…