Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, with immediate effect. President Tinubu, has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the financial transactions of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as its affiliated agencies. Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity),Chief Ajuri Ngelale disclosed this in a statement on Monday. Ngelale said the  suspended Minister is mandated to hand over responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and…

Daud Olatunji In a pivotal week for the Nigerian legal landscape, the Supreme Court is poised to hear  21 appeals related to disputes arising from the last governorship election.  The fate of notable figures, including Abiodun and Adebutu, hangs in the balance as the apex court schedules hearings from Monday to Thursday for cases spanning Ebonyi, Plateau, Delta, Adamawa, Abia, Ogun, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states. As the legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders anxiously await the court’s decision, especially concerning post-election governorship appeals on Kano, Lagos, and other states, which may be rendered on Friday. The Supreme Court’s schedule, disclosed…

Daud Olatunji Recent increases in tuition fees across state-owned tertiary institutions have sparked a concerning trend among female students in Ogun and other regions.  As PLATFORM TIMES investigates, a looming wave of dropouts is evident, with some resorting to unconventional means to secure funds for their education. The investigation reveals a grim reality as economic pressures, aggravated by the recent fee hikes, force many female students to consider alternative paths.  Some have already abandoned their education, while others are contemplating morally dubious avenues to finance their studies. PLATFORM TIMES sheds light on the coping mechanisms adopted by students, including frequenting…

In a recent development, details have surfaced surrounding the arrest of popular Abia-based on-air personality Mr Chigozie Anumudu, widely known as MC Manosky, who stands accused of defiling a 15-year-old boy. The 37-year-old radio presenter was apprehended by officers from the Abia State Police Command on December 31, 2023.  The arrest followed a formal complaint lodged at the Eastern Ngwa Police station by the victim’s father, whose identity remains confidential. The victim, providing a vivid account of the incident, claimed that MC Manosky lured him to a location near Addrexx Hotel in Aba, offering him bread, which he refused.  In…

A three-part documentary by the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC has exposed the covert lifestyle and instances of abuse, harassment, rape, manipulation, and staged miracles by late Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua, widely known as TB, Joshua, the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). BBC said it interviewed at least 30 former members and workers of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) for the documentary. The first segment documentary is slated for release on January 8. As unearthed in the documentary, the sexual exploitation by TB Joshua who passed away on June 5, 2021, of members of his congregation…

Human Rights Lawyer Femi Falana has called on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, to refrain from insulting Nigerians amid allegations of a N585 million scandal.  The controversy surrounds a leaked memo instructing the transfer of funds to a private account, prompting heavy criticism of the embattled minister. In the leaked memo dated December 20, 2023, Minister Betta Edu directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to transfer N585 million to an account owned by Oniyelu Bridget, purportedly serving as the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups.  The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation…

In a decisive move, the Federal Government, via the Federal Ministry of Education, suspended the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Republic of Benin and Togo last Tuesday.  This decision was prompted by an undercover investigation conducted by a Nigerian newspaper, revealing the existence of a degree mill in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The investigative reporter’s exposé detailed how a degree from Cotonou University was obtained within six weeks, along with participation in the National Youth Service Corps’ mandatory one-year scheme. In response to this alarming revelation, the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigeria’s regulatory agency for universities, has reaffirmed…

Daud Olatunji Babcock University has vehemently rejected what it called a baseless online post falsely implicating the institution in having fake professors. Director of Communication and Marketing,Joshua Suleiman, PhD, stated this in a statement on Sunday,saying the list, erroneously linked to the National Universities Commission, is not only malicious but also unfounded. Suleiman said the university Known for meticulous due diligence in the recruitment of academic staff, upholds a reputation for a thorough scrutiny. According to the statement, the institution is committed to providing a high standard of education, ensuring that its students’ futures are not jeopardized by the inclusion…

In response to the recent visit by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to its Lagos headquarters on January 4, 2024, the Dangote Group has issued a statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the visit and assuring stakeholders that no accusations of wrongdoing have been made against the conglomerate. The conglomerate disclosed that on December 6, 2023, it received a letter from the EFCC, requesting details of all foreign exchange allocations from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) between 2014 and 2023.  The Dangote Group, along with 51 other companies, received similar letters, prompting a response acknowledging receipt…

In a notable development, the federal and state governments have unveiled their 2024 budgets, allocating a staggering N17.04 trillion for recurrent expenditure.  Despite mounting concerns about the rising recurrent costs, both tiers of government are forging ahead with substantial allocations for non-capital spending. The federal government, accounting for a significant portion, plans to spend N8.27 trillion on salaries, subsidy transfers, and other non-capital expenses.  Simultaneously, the states have set aside N8.77 trillion for their recurrent expenditure, raising questions about productivity and GDP contribution. Within the comprehensive N44.93 trillion 2024 annual budget for both tiers of government, a noteworthy N17.38 trillion…