Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a significant financial update, data from StatisSense has revealed that the 137 local government areas across the six South-Western states of Nigeria collectively received a substantial sum of N659.51 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) over the past year. According to the data, the period under review spans from June 2023 to May 2024.  PLATFORM TIMES obtained this information from the StatisSense website on Saturday. Breaking down the allocations, Lagos State’s 20 local government areas received the largest portion, securing a total of N258.26 billion out of the N659.51 billion distributed.  Following Lagos, Oyo State’s…

By Luqman Soliu, The landmark judgment on local government autonomy made on July 11, 2024 by the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming its original jurisdiction as contained in Section 232 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended) is a good score against dictators and usurpers of power who have caged and retarded the local government councils in Nigeria for decades.  The executive at the Federal Government (FG) level having noticed State Governors’ overbearing and exploitative actions on the local government (LG) in Nigeria, took the bull by the horn in May 2024 and challenged the…

The Adamawa State Police Command has apprehended eight suspected members of a syndicate involved in the theft of food supplies.  The group, which includes personnel from the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) and militia members, was detained following a meticulously executed sting operation. According to a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the police acted swiftly on a tip-off about the planned robbery.  The suspects were apprehended at a warehouse in Limawa ward, Yola North Local Government Area, just hours after executing their plan.  Among the eight arrested, three are ADSEMA officials, while the remaining…

A tragic incident occured on Friday in Jigawa State when a suspected smuggler killed an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).  The incident occurred during a stop-and-search operation on the Daura-Kano Road, resulting in the death of Inspector Hamza Elenwo, a member of the Federal Operations Unit Zone B. According to Isah Sulaiman, the spokesman for the Federal Operations Unit Zone B of the NCS, the suspect, attempting to evade arrest, struck Inspector Elenwo with a vehicle believed to be smuggled into the country.  Inspector Elenwo, born on April 15, 1985, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, joined the Nigeria…

Judiciary workers in Anambra State have announced an indefinite strike set to begin on Monday, a move that will effectively shut down all court operations in the state.  This decision arises from the state government’s alleged failure to honour agreements made in 2011 and 2015, according to a letter obtained by journalists in Awka on Saturday. The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), in a press conference held in Awka, expressed deep frustration with the state government’s non-compliance with previously negotiated terms, particularly the implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUS).  JUSUN leaders, Chairman Mr. Henry Ezeoke and Secretary…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has indicted 86 tertiary institutions, including the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Chrisland University, and Crawford University, for conducting admissions outside of its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) during the 2022/2023 admission session.  This revelation emerged from an analysis of data on the admissions conducted in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions. JAMB declared that admissions conducted outside of CAPS are illegal, null, and void.  Introduced in 2017, CAPS was designed to centralise and automate the admission process between candidates and their chosen institutions.  Despite JAMB’s repeated warnings…

A fire outbreak in the early hours of Saturday has destroyed a section of the Gidan Rumfa palace, the residence of the 16th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.  The incident, which occurred around 11 pm on Friday, is suspected to have been caused by yet-to-be-identified persons. Sources disclosed to Daily Trust that the fire seriously affected the part of the palace located at Kofar Kudu, where the Emir holds court sessions every Monday.  The blaze resulted in significant damage, including the destruction of the throne, air conditioners, and other valuables. “It was the palace at Kofar Kudu.…

The Baale of Idiya Community in Abeokuta, Chief Quadri Kudaisi has been arrested and charged to Court over allegation of land grabbing. The police arrested the traditional ruler after multiple petitions were submitted to the Ogun State Land Grabbing Committee and the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at the State headquarters of the Nigerian Police, Eleweran. The police arraigned the Baale on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at the Magistrate Court, Isabo for charges related to allegation of land grabbing in violation of Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Law. While appearing before the court, magistrate Sotayo granted Chief Kudaisi…

Fatai Adiyeloja  It is with great joy that we the thespians plying our trade in our dear Country and beyond receive the news of the naming of the National theatre after Kongi the pathfinder.  Kongi stands tall in the pantheon of deities of the theater who worked tirelessly to bequeath the highest standard of theatrical tradition both in theory and practice. He exemplifies and promotes our rich cultural heritage in most if not all of his writings.  How can we forget the pioneering efforts of this pathfinder, who with Rockefeller foundation combed major states and cities unearthing the diverse cultures…

Chrisland University, Abeokuta, has made a notable addition to its academic team with the appointment of retired Commodore Adekunle Olawunmi as an Associate Professor.  The promotion, which takes effect from October 1, 2023, was ratified by the University’s Governing Council, chaired by Distinguished Professor Ayodeji Olukoju. Commodore Olawunmi, a former Deputy Director of Defence Administration at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja and ex-Commandant of the Defence Intelligence College, Nigeria, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.  He is currently serving as the Head of the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Chrisland University. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Chinedum Babalola…