Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji  In a bid to secure a prosperous and sustainable future for the state and its residents, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has reaffirmed his commitment to bolster the state’s economy. The goal is to improve its revenue base, enabling it to meet its projected expenditures effectively. Governor Abiodun stated this during the opening of the Treasury Board Meeting, which focused on the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the 2024 Budget.  The meeting took place at the Obas Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, with the Governor represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele. Represented by his deputy, Engr.…

Daud Olatunji President Bola Tinubu has intervened to stop the proposed electricity tariff hike, while simultaneously demanding that subsidies be maintained to alleviate the financial burden on consumers nationwide.  These announcements were made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday. One of the key issues addressed by the minister was the investigation into the legality of the five-year license extension granted to privatized power distribution and generation companies.  According to Adelabu, the operating licenses for these firms were set to expire on October 31, 2023. The decision to maintain subsidies and…

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, has disclosed that rotavirus, a highly contagious and deadly disease, is responsible for the tragic demise of over 330 African children under the age of five every day.  This revelation was made during the 14th African Rotavirus Symposium, which brought together experts, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers from across Africa and beyond in Abuja. Rotavirus, a leading cause of severe diarrhea in children, primarily affects those below the age of five, with most infections occurring before their second year of life.  The disease ranks among the leading causes of…

In anticipation of the upcoming gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, key political contenders have come together to sign a peace accord, promising to ensure a peaceful and violence-free election.  The event, held at the Lady Diama Memorial Event Centre in Yenagoa, the state capital, was facilitated by the National Peace Committee in collaboration with the Kukah Centre. Notable figures in attendance included Bayelsa State Governor and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party candidate, as well as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, along with 14 other candidates.  The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, presided over the peace…

Daud Olatunji Eighteen  political parties participating in the forthcoming Kogi governorship election, scheduled for November 11, have joined hands on Wednesday to sign a peace accord.  This pivotal event brought together key players in Nigerian politics, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Labour Party, and the Action Alliance. The signing of the peace accord took place in Kogi State and was presided over by the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd), who emphasized the importance of adhering to the agreement for a harmonious electoral process.…

In a dramatic turn of events, the Nigerian Senate has summoned the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Charles Igwe, to answer for alleged admissions racketeering.  The summoning comes after allegations of undisclosed admissions and unwholesome practices within JAMB, UNN, and other universities have surfaced. This significant development was the result of a motion presented by Deputy Whip, Senator Peter Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North), during a recent plenary session.  Senator Nwebonyi leveled accusations against certain JAMB…

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has reiterated Nigeria’s unequivocal ownership of Tongeji Island, putting to rest any lingering doubts about its sovereignty.   Abiodun made this assertion during a courtesy visit from Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The Governor stated that Tongeji Island and its residents are an integral part of Ogun State and have no affiliation with any other country.  He revealed that the President of Benin Republic has also acknowledged the island’s status as Nigerian territory, emphasizing that there is no contestation…

Daud Olatunji Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is rallying support for the PDP candidates in the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states, scheduled for Saturday, November 11.  In a heartfelt appeal shared through a three-minute video, Abubakar emphasized the importance of not giving up on democracy despite past disappointments. Abubakar acknowledged concerns about the transparency of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the previous general elections but stressed that these off-cycle elections provide a fresh opportunity to engage in the democratic process.  Quoting former US President James Monroe, he…

In a decisive and unprecedented move, aviation unions across Nigeria have ordered the suspension of all flights to Owerri, Imo State, with immediate effect.  This decision, which has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, comes as a response to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) directive regarding the alleged brutalization of NLC President Joe Ajaero in Owerri. The aviation unions involved in this bold stance include the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots…

 In a bid to address growing concerns about the legal status of both old and new naira banknotes, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed their acceptance as legal tender across the country.  This reassurance came in an official statement released on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, signed by Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN. The apex bank emphasized that it maintains an ample supply of currency notes to ensure the smooth functioning of economic activities within the nation. Dr. AbdulMumin stated, “We wish to restate that all denominations of banknotes issued by the Central Bank…