Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed Sept. 25 for the arraignment of former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in spite of a case being filed in the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date after delivering a ruling on the application moved by Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, praying the court to stay proceedings following an appeal filed at the appellate court. The senior lawyer had told the court that the. defence had filed an appeal against the arrest warrant and other rulings earlier granted by Justice Nwite. Mohammed argued that the court could…

The Federal Government and organised labour have reached an agreement on a new minimum wage of N70,000, despite the initial demand of N250,000 by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  decision, approved by President Bola Tinubu, comes after extensive negotiations between the government and labour unions.  Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, explained the rationale behind accepting the N70,000 offer during a brief session with journalists following the meeting. Ajaero highlighted two main reasons for the unions’ acceptance of the reduced figure.  Firstly, he pointed to additional incentives attached…

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has voiced deep concerns over the pervasive corruption in Nigeria’s health sector, describing it as a profound and systemic issue. Speaking at a one-day conference organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with the theme “Corruption-free health care delivery for all,” Pate highlighted specific instances of corruption that underscore the severity of the problem. During the event, held on Thursday in Abuja, Pate recounted a recent incident where therapeutic food donated for children suffering from acute malnutrition was diverted.  “I recently dealt with a…

A 40-year-old man, Uche Nnoli, has  regained his freedom after being detained for seven years without trial at the Onitsha Correctional Centre, Anambra State.  Nnoli, who is from Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area, was initially incarcerated due to a community crisis. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that during his prolonged detention, Nnoli was transferred to the Ogwashi Ukwu Correctional Centre in Delta State before being returned to Onitsha, where he was ultimately released due to the intervention of the Human Rights Protection Service, an organisation based in Naples, USA. It was  further gathered that the  plight of Nnoli came to the…

The Police Command in Borno State arrested a 40-year-old woman for striking her husband with an axe leading to his death at Kautikari village of Chibok LGA. The police spokesman, ASP Nahum Daso, said Aji was arrested for striking her husband with an axe during a fight leading to his death at Kautikari village of Chibok LGA. “Lydia Aji struck her husband on his head with an axe and he died instantly. “Investigation further revealed that the couples had a misunderstanding over their daughter, Rachael Aji 13, who stole a goat and sold it to an unknown…

Daud Olatunji   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has agreed to a new minimum wage of N70,000.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the decision  was disclosed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following a crucial meeting between the government and organised labour. PLATFORM TIMES further reports that the meeting, which took place at the President’s office in Abuja, was attended by key labour leaders, including the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo.  It was further gathered that the  labour representatives arrived  at 2.15 pm. PLATFORM…

Emmanuel Oludare  The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set the cut-off mark for university admissions at 140, while polytechnics and colleges of education will have a minimum of 100 for the 2024 academic session. PLATFORM TIMES reports that this decision was made public on Thursday during the annual policy meeting on admissions held at the Body of Benchers, Headquarters, Abuja. The National Minimum Tolerable UTME Score (NTMUS), commonly referred to as the cut-off mark, was determined during this crucial meeting, which follows the successful administration of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that a…

Daud Olatunji  Members of the House of Representatives has cut their salaries by 50 percent for the next six months.  This move is aimed at mitigating the economic hardship and hunger currently afflicting many citizens across the country. During a session on Thursday, lawmakers unanimously agreed to the salary reduction as part of their commitment to support the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing the skyrocketing cost of living.  The resolution followed the adoption of an amendment to a motion’s prayer moved by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Okezie Kalu.  Kalu called for the sacrifice, emphasising the need for…

Daud Olatunji  Operational activities at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) have come to a complete halt due to protests by a faction of Eleme community youths.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the protest started since Tuesday, July 16, 2024, same day the the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) reaffirmed its commitment to commence crude oil refining at the Port Harcourt refinery by early August.  PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that the youths denied staff and contractors access to the facility, carrying placards and demanding significant changes in the company’s operations and community relations. The protest has reportedly  caused significant…

The Labour Party House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in the 2023 election, Tolulope Philips,has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.  The announcement was made during a large gathering at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital, where Philips was formally received by the party’s leadership, including Hon. Ladi Adebutu, the party’s former governorship candidate. Philips, accompanied by hundreds of his loyal supporters, expressed his intention to join forces with Adebutu to “liberate the state.”  Addressing journalists at the well-attended event, Philips lamented that his time in the Labour Party had not…