Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The newly sworn-in sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to restore peace and stability to the crisis-ridden state. Ibas, a retired vice admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff, was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers. The move also saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state’s legislature. The political turmoil in Rivers has been fueled by a prolonged power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister…

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has declared that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that newly formed political parties cannot govern Nigeria. Okpebholo made this assertion on Wednesday in Benin City while addressing chairmen of the 17 local government councils who had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to him, the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election has already commenced in Edo State, and his administration is fully committed to ensuring Tinubu’s continued leadership beyond 2027. “There is no vacancy in 2027…

Despite the temporary halt in naira transactions, the refinery assured that it remains committed to serving the Nigerian market and would resume sales in the local currency once it receives crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited in naira. “As soon as we receive an allocation of naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPC, we will promptly resume petroleum product sales in naira,” the company affirmed. The suspension of sales in naira comes against the backdrop of complications in the naira-for-crude arrangement. The NNPC had previously halted the deal until 2030, stating that it had already forward-sold all its…

Former governor of Rivers State and ex-Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara along with members of the state assembly for six months. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Amaechi condemned what he termed as a “brazen and unilaterally reckless” action by President Tinubu, asserting that it constitutes a flagrant violation of Nigeria’s Constitution. He emphasized that the Constitution does not grant the President the authority to unilaterally remove a democratically elected governor, citing Section 188 as the legal…

In a devastating incident early Wednesday morning, a fierce fire engulfed the Kwalema Small Scale Rubber Recycling Industries at Dakata, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, reducing over 200 factories to ashes. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the extensive damage and financial losses estimated to be in the millions of naira. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported. Chairman of the industries, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar, confirmed the tragic destruction of all factories in Sections B and C of the market. “Everything is destroyed; only wreckage remains,” he lamented. Abubakar speculated that an electrical fault or spark may have triggered the blaze,…

By Dr Abayomi Arabambi( MNCPP) Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, widely known as Yayi, has carved a unique path in Ogun State’s political landscape by fostering unity and compassion across religious lines. Despite being a Christian himself, Senator Yayi has endeared himself to both Muslim and Christian communities through his inclusive initiatives during significant religious periods like Ramadan and Lent. Ramadan Outreach During the holy month of Ramadan, Senator Yayi exemplified generosity and solidarity with the Muslim faithful across Ogun West. His initiative included distributing 20,000 bags of rice, provisions, and cash grants to support Muslims in observing their fast with…

Daud Olatunji Operatives of the Benue State Police Command’s Operation Zenda Joint Taskforce have neutralized seven armed bandits during a fierce gun battle in Buruku Local Government Area of the state . However, the operation came at a cost, as a police inspector, Terfa Anyiatse, was killed in the exchange. A statement by the Force Public Relations, ACP, Muyiwa Adejobi said the encounter occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, March 19, 2025, when the task force was en route to a criminal hideout in Agwabi, Tombo Ward. He explains that the operatives walked into an ambush set by the…

Daud Olatunji The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has revealed that the federal government may approve the release of Rivers State’s seized funds following the appointment of a sole administrator. Speaking on the ongoing political crisis in the state, Fagbemi explained that the emergency rule had disrupted the normal governance structure, making it necessary to reconsider the state’s access to its withheld funds. “When the administrator comes, he may request these funds, and to me, it will be in order to release them, because the extraordinary situation has brought the state out of…

A former Head of the Department of General Studies at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Dr. Lucky Aikabeli, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the 2025 World Poetry Day Lecture organized by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Ogun State Chapter. According to a statement by ANA Ogun Chairman, Dr. Chris Omotosho, the lecture will take place on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the University of Ibadan Centre for Degree Programme, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, starting at 10 a.m. Dr. Aikabeli, a publishing consultant, poet, and prolific writer, will speak on the theme: “Poetry as a Bridge for…

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salisu, has urged Nigerian youths to embrace digitalisation for career advancement Salisu made the call while receiving the Leadership Award of Excellence in Digital Transformation and Cyber Security on behalf of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, at the 2025 Cyber Security Workshop held at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo. He stressed that digitalisation, which represents the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is crucial for individuals, businesses, and government agencies seeking growth. He added that Governor Abiodun’s technology-driven policies have improved service delivery in Ogun State. “The Ogun State government will continue…