Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji  Nigeria’s external reserves have achieved a significant milestone, surpassing $35 billion for the first time since President Bola Tinubu assumed office.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that as of July 8, 2024, the reserves stood at $35.05 billion, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), analyzed by Nairametrics. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  recent increase marks the highest level of Nigeria’s foreign reserves since May 30, 2023, when the reserves were at $35.09 billion.  This period was notable as it occurred just 14 days before the introduction of the foreign exchange (FX) unification policy in June 2023,…

An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, has sentenced Olukayode Dayo, an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to life imprisonment for raping a minor.  The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, bringing a conclusion to a case that has drawn significant public attention. The 39-year-old officer faced a single charge of rape following an incident on December 25, 2021.  According to the charge sheet, Dayo sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in Ado Ekiti, in direct violation of Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.  He was arraigned on…

The Kano State Hisbah Board has distanced itself from Idris Ahmed Gama, an official who publicly supported LGBTQ rights.  Gama, head of the Hisbah medical unit, stirred public debate after a video surfaced in which he called for constitutional amendments to support LGBTQ individuals. The video, which went viral, showcased Gama sharing his personal journey and evolving perspective on LGBTQ issues.  Initially shocked by his encounters with the LGBTQ community, Gama expressed a newfound respect and understanding, stating, “They are people like me, human beings deserving of respect and dignity.” However, Gama’s comments have been met with significant backlash. Sheikh…

The Jos Wildlife Park in Plateau State has reportedly  recaptured a hyena that had earlier escaped from the facility, the Plateau State Tourism Corporation announced on Tuesday. The hyena was found alive after an intensive search and was immediately sedated and returned to its enclosure, according to the statement released by the Corporation, led by Chuwang Pwajok. The statement read, “The Management of Plateau State Tourism Corporation would like to inform the general public that after relentless search and rescue efforts, the missing hyena has finally been found, tranquilised, captured and safely returned to its enclosure. We deeply appreciate the…

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, has alleged that some of the university’s staff were serving as informants to bandits. Bichi, who disclosed this to newsmen in Katsina on Tuesday, said that the contacts of the suspected staffers were given to a security agency for further investigation. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the suspected bandits have been attacking the area, kidnapping students and staffers of the university as well as their family members. A recent attack that led to the death of one of the university’s staff prompted his colleagues to stage…

The  Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed that only three out of Nigeria’s 22 international and domestic airports are commercially viable.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  remaining 19 airports are heavily subsidised due to insufficient passenger traffic to cover operational costs.  She noted that several runways have surpassed their 20-year validity period and are due for upgrades, saying,FAAN plans to prioritise this year. “Economic activities in states where airports are built drive passenger traffic and not the construction of new airports,” Kuku emphasized.  She advised state governors to focus on enhancing manufacturing, trade,…

 The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has unequivocally stated that the SAMOA agreement does not mandate Nigeria to accept or recognize LGBTQ rights.  This clarification follows widespread speculation and misinformation regarding the stipulations of the $150 billion loan agreement. In a statement signed by the President of the NBA, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Yakubu Maikyau, the association emphasised that the agreement respects the local laws and sovereignty of the contracting nations, including Nigeria.  “The SAMOA agreement expressly acknowledges the supremacy of Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2023, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),”…

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced that Shaibu Yusuf, the man who climbed a broadcast mast in Abuja to protest economic hardship, will face prosecution if he is found mentally stable.  Yusuf  had on Monday, drawn  attention when he scaled the broadcast mast belonging to Aso Radio and Television in the Katampe area of Abuja.  His dramatic protest was aimed at highlighting the severe economic challenges, insecurity, and the crisis of out-of-school children in the country.  Yusuf had also  left a note on the ground before he climbed the last, declaring that he would only come down…

Daud Olatunji   The National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nathaniel Muhammadu Atebije, has highlighted the severe shortage of town planning professionals in Nigeria, drawing a stark comparison with developed countries.  Speaking at the 2024 Town Hall Meeting themed “Creating the Livable Environment We Need through Collaboration and Community Participation,” Atebije emphasised  the critical role of town planners in achieving sustainable development. “One of the significant challenges we face is the lack of professionals,” Atebije stated.  “We don’t have enough town planners, engineers, surveyors, quantity surveyors, or builders. In developed countries, the ratio of town planners to…

By: Joshua Fagbemi A 9-hour non-stop heavy rainfall in Lagos on Wednesday, July 3, caused devastating floods in various parts of the state including Sururele, Lekki, Ijesha, Isolo, Ikoyi, Okokomaiko, Ikeja, Oshodi, Ajah, and Greenland Estate, among others.    The floods submerged houses and swept away businesses worth millions. Many residents of Lagos had to abandon their houses and seek refuge in religious houses, in the streets, or with relatives. In the Jakande Estate area of the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos alone, about 2,000 residents were displaced from their homes by floods between May and June 2024, according…