Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a recent initiative to address the pressing issue of drug abuse, Retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), asserted that the rising tide of drug abuse significantly contributes to the prevailing insecurity in Nigeria.  Marwa made these remarks during a sensitization and advocacy program in Abuja, specifically targeting women and youths. Collaborating with Dr. Aminu Gusau under the WADA platform, the program aimed to shed light on the perils of drug abuse, focusing particularly on the vulnerable demographics of women and youths.  Dr. Ngozi Madubuike, the Director of Drug Demand Reduction at…

In a recent announcement, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State affirmed his stance against approving extensions of tenure for retiring permanent secretaries.  The clarification, made by the Governor through his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, addresses concerns raised by recent reports alleging the elongation of service personnel tenure. Governor Adeleke emphasized his commitment to ongoing civil service reforms aimed at ensuring career progression and satisfaction for all personnel.  The statement highlights the Governor’s role in launching reforms that facilitated the proper placement of top officials, leading to the appointment of substantive Permanent Secretaries who had previously lost hope of reaching the…

The  President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Akinwumi Adesina, has identified youth unemployment and poverty as the factors driving insecurity and migration on the continent. Adesina, in a statement issued by the bank on Friday, said this at a Diplomatic Luncheon he hosted for Ambassadors in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. He said: “Youth unemployment and poverty are among the factors that drive insecurity as well as migration. The AfDB is tackling this issue through its Jobs for Youth in Africa strategy. “I do not believe that the future of Africa’s youth lies in Europe, USA, Latin America, Asia, or…

In an incident in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Friday, some residents took advantage of their grievances towards alleged price hikes by BUA company and blocked a moving truck carrying foodstuffs.  The situation escalated when a group of youths, claiming the company was among those raising prices without considering citizens’ financial hardships, intercepted the truck in the Dogarawa area. Confirming the incident, a resident informed SaharaReporters about the looting of numerous noodle cartoons from the BUA company’s truck.  The residents saw this as an opportunity to acquire essential food items, rushing to seize the loaded noodles. Despite attempts to seek clarification…

A widow, Rabi Abdullahi, on Friday filed a direct criminal complaint at the Chief Magistrates Court in Zaria, Kaduna State against an Upper Shari’ah Court judge, Ibrahim Inuwa, and Hajiya Saadatu Mohammed. The complainant through her counsel Mr A.Y. Ladan of Messr Zaitun Chambers said the direct criminal complaint was hinged on criminal conspiracy, acting contrary to law by a public officer, and mischief. Ladan in the suit alleged that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 58, 59, and 312 of the Penal Code, Laws of Kaduna State. “As a judge, he caused the demolition of the house of…

Daud Olatunji Chief Imam of Saadatul Abbadiyyah Organisation of Nigeria, Imam Ismail Abdul Lateef has warned  against the call to halt radio and TV Ramadan programmes and Hajj Sponsorship due to the country’s hunger. The cleric said this in  a Friday Jumaat service held  in Abeokuta.  During his address, the cleric dismissed the social media-driven advocacy to redirect funds from Hajj and media programmes to aid the less privileged, deeming it unnecessary. PLATFORM TIMES reports that some people were advocating stoppage of both  paid media programmes on radio and TV stations during Ramadan and sponsorship of Hajj exercise . The…

In a significant legislative move, the Senate approved on Thursday the second reading of a bill aimed at amending the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Act. Spearheaded by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, the bill seeks to enhance the effectiveness of the corporation, ensuring its independence and autonomy in alignment with contemporary needs. Senator Abiru, during the bill’s debate, emphasized the necessity of addressing issues raised by stakeholders.  He highlighted a key proposal empowering the President to directly appoint critical positions, deviating from the current Act that relies on…

Renowned Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, has made the difficult decision to cancel his 67th birthday celebration due to the prevailing economic challenges in the nation. In an announcement shared via his Instagram page on Thursday, K1 De Ultimate expressed his concern about the hardships faced by many Nigerians. Wasiu, who is currently 66 years old, will be marking his 67th birthday on March 3rd of this year. His birthday was always celebrated elaborately by friends both in Nigeria and abroad. However, instead of celebrating his birthday as usual, he stressed that many people are…

Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, recruited in 2007/2008 to serve in the Traffic Warden Service, express dissatisfaction over their stagnant careers, highlighting that they have experienced only two promotions in the entire 16-year period. These officers lament the demoralizing situation where their counterparts in the general duty department, recruited alongside them in 2007, have achieved multiple promotions, reaching the rank of Inspector, while they remain relatively unchanged. Established in 1975, the Traffic Warden Service, a section of the Nigeria Police Force, was tasked with enforcing traffic rules. A member of the 2007 recruits, speaking anonymously, suggests a perceived deliberate…

In a commendable move, the Nigeria Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced the successful reimbursement of depositors from 179 microfinance and four mortgage banks that faced liquidation nationwide. Dr. Bello Hassan, the Managing Director of NDIC, conveyed this significant development during the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair’s NDIC Special Day. Represented by Hauwa Gambo, the NDIC’s Deputy Director of Communication, Hassan emphasized the corporation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding depositors’ funds in distressed licensed banks. Hassan outlined the corporation’s proactive measures, including the implementation of the Single Customer View framework to expedite payments to depositors affected by the liquidation of banks.  Furthermore,…