Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji  The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop Matthew Kukah, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address at the 3rd annual national public lecture, shedding light on the challenges faced by many Nigerians who lack the means to travel abroad.  The lecture was themed, “The Nigerian Question: Survival of the Federation in the Throes of Increasing Economic Challenges.” In his address, Bishop Kukah expressed empathy for a significant portion of the Nigerian population who, due to various challenges, find it difficult to travel outside their immediate environments, let alone explore other parts of Africa or the world. He…

 The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, has categorically denied any casualties during the recent two-day protests in the state over the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.  This statement comes in response to a distressed family’s plea for the release of their missing son’s remains. CP Nwonyi addressed journalists on Friday at the Police Command headquarters in Port Harcourt, refuting claims of any fatalities during the protests. The commissioner’s stance contradicts the anguish of the Ugiri family, who continue to search for their missing 27-year-old son, Onyekachi Ugiri, allegedly struck by a bullet to the head and…

Daud Olatunji In a bid to combat the ongoing menace of marauding elephants devastating farmlands in Borno State, the House of Representatives has taken decisive action.  Hon. Zainab Gimba (APC, Borno) brought a motion of urgent national importance to address this issue during a recent plenary session. These elephants, believed to be from Waza National Park in neighboring Cameroon, annually traverse Ngala and Kala-Balge local government areas of Borno State, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake as they trample crops and other agricultural produce. Hon. Zainab Gimba expressed grave concern that the continuous destruction of farmlands by these…

In a significant development, the French Government has revealed its decision to return $150 million of the late General Sani Abacha’s ill-gotten wealth to Nigeria.  General Abacha served as Nigeria’s military leader from 1993 to 1998 and was known for accumulating substantial assets abroad through corrupt means. The announcement was made by France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, during her visit to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. Minister Colonna emphasized that she had informed President Bola Tinubu of the forthcoming return of the seized funds. What sets this restitution apart is that the stolen funds will be repatriated to…

 Daud Olatunji Three individuals have been arraigned at the Plateau State High Court in Jos, facing a series of grave charges related to the alleged organ theft of a housewife, Kehinde Kamaru, in the Nasarawa Gwom area of Jos North Local Government Area.  This shocking case has captivated the local community and raised concerns about illegal organ trafficking. The suspects, identified as Noah Kekere, the owner of Murna Clinic and Maternity; Dr. Philip Bwede Dachung, a medical doctor; and clinic staff member Yusuf Abdullahi, appeared before Justice Gidelia Fwomyon at High Court 9, charged with multiple offenses stemming from the…

In a troubling revelation, the Katsina State Government has reported the closure of 123 schools and the non-functioning of 58 healthcare facilities across the state. These disruptions are primarily attributed to the activities of bandits and criminal elements causing havoc in the region. The Special Advisor to Governor Dikko Radda on Victims of Banditry and IDPs, Sa’idu Ibrahim Danja, disclosed this alarming information during the launch of the Project Steering Committee for the International Organization For Migration’s “Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation in Northwest Nigeria.” One of the most concerning aspects of this crisis is the severe impact on the…

Daud Olatunji In a heartwarming show of respect and gratitude, the governing council and management of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu, led by Prof. Rahman Bello, gathered to pay a poignant condolence visit to the family of the late Chief Mrs. Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson. Chief Mrs. Lawson, known as the Iyalode of Egbaland and Yorubaland, had passed away at the age of 72, leaving a void in the hearts of many who had known her remarkable contributions. Speaking at her residence in Abeokuta, Prof. Bello who is the pro-chancellor of the university, described Chief Mrs. Lawson’s legacy as…

Agency Report The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has notified the public that the recalled G Fuel brand Energy Drinks by T&E Imports and GPAE Trading Corp contains high levels of caffeine. The notification of this product is contained in a public alert with No. 034/2023, issued to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye. Adeyeye said that the agency was equally notified about the recall of the product by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The NAFDAC boss said that the consumption of…

Daud Olatunji Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State had emphasized the unwavering commitment of his administration to the development and progress of the state.  The governor said this during the Egba Division Town Hall meeting, a pivotal event in preparation for the 2024–2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the 2024 Appropriation Bill. The meeting took place at the Cultural Center in Kuto, Abeokuta.  Abiodun, represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, underlined that the impressive growth and development experienced in the state in recent years were integral to the realization of his administration’s “Building Our Future Together Agenda” and embodied…

Daud Olatunji  In a groundbreaking development set to redefine Africa’s energy landscape, the much-anticipated Dangote Refinery, with a daily capacity of 650,000 barrels, is poised to kickstart operations next month.  The project, backed by Africa’s wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, is expected to revolutionize oil trading in the Atlantic Basin and alter the course of fuel exports from Europe and the United States to the African continent. Sources with insider knowledge of the matter have disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is prepared to supply up to six shipments of crude oil to facilitate the crucial test runs…