Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a significant legal development, a Federal High Court in Kano has issued a compelling order demanding that the Kano State Government pay a substantial compensation of N30 billion within seven days.  This verdict stems from a lawsuit brought forth by the Incorporated Trustees of Masallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders, who accused the government of unlawfully demolishing their shops without adhering to proper legal procedures. The judgment, initially delivered on September 29, 2023, had already mandated the Kano State Government to pay the same amount to the aggrieved shop owners.  However, the recent order by Justice Samuel…

Daud Olatunji In a heartwarming display of corporate social responsibility, PR Primus Magazine, Nigeria’s leading Public Relations publication, has extended a helping hand to four underprivileged students by granting them scholarships to support their educational pursuits.  This noble initiative took center stage at the 2023 “Your Image Awards” and Public Lecture event, held in Abeokuta.  The event was organized in collaboration with the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to recognize and honour six distinguished Nigerian icons for their significant contributions to the country’s development. During the ceremony, Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the State…

Daud Olatunji In a resolute commitment to fostering a thriving business ecosystem and uplifting small-scale enterprises, the Ogun State government is unwavering in its mission to maintain an enabling environment for businesses, ensuring the prosperity of its residents. Mr. Adebola Sofela, the Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment, reaffirmed this commitment during a media address in Abeokuta.  Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, and other top management staff of the Ministry, he led a tour of various agencies, markets, and the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) complex. The tour included visits to…

Aminat Gusanu Nigerians have voiced their concerns over the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and its recent call for President Tinubu to reduce the N6.9 billion car budget or face potential legal action. On Wednesday, SERAP used its Twitter platform to call on President Tinubu to promptly trim the extravagant N6.9 billion budget allocated for purchasing cars for the House House, First Lady’s Office, and the Presidential Villa, sparking a wave of reactions from netizens. Many Nigerians expressed their skepticism about SERAP’s ability to effect change through legal channels. @IfeanyiGod questioned the organization’s impact, noting the prevailing sense of…

Daud Olatunji The House of Representatives has voted to remove the controversial N5 billion presidential yacht allocation from the 2023 supplementary budget, opting instead to divert the funds to bolster student loans.  The move, which has been met with both praise and criticism, was announced by Abubakar Bichi, the chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriation. The supplementary budget, totaling N2.17 trillion, was passed by the House on Thursday following rigorous debates and negotiations.  One of the most notable changes to the budget was the removal of the presidential yacht allocation, a decision that reflects a shift in priorities for…

Daud Olatunji Cocoa farmers in the Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State are pleading for police protection as they face alleged attacks by suspected hoodlums.  The farmers’ distress began following a court order that restrained the state government and other defendants from taking any action on their land. The conflict revolves around an agro-allied company’s claim to the cocoa farmlands, asserting that they were leased to them by the state government.  However, the farmers maintain that a court injunction, issued in May this year, bars the company from any activity on the land. In a…

Daud Olatunji Fish sellers in Sagamu, Ogun State, have taken to the streets to protest the relentless surge in the price of fish, which has left their businesses in turmoil.  The demonstration, marked by placard-waving protesters and solidarity chants, culminated at the palace of the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, as traders expressed their growing frustrations. The heart of the issue lies in the skyrocketing costs of fish, which vendors claim are pushing their customers away, causing a devastating impact on their livelihoods.  The fish sellers, carrying signs that decried the price hikes, demanded immediate measures…

Daud Olatunji Nigeria’s Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a warning to the public regarding an imminent dust haze that is expected to reduce visibility in several parts of the country.  The agency has cautioned that this weather phenomenon poses health risks, particularly to individuals with respiratory ailments. In a statement signed by the General Manager of Public Relations, Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, NiMet highlighted the risk of dust haze propagation, particularly in Northern Nigeria.  Stations in the source region have reported visibility levels ranging from 800 meters to 6000 meters, with Chad expected to experience poor visibility in the next 24…

Daud Olatunji In the lead-up to the highly anticipated governorship elections scheduled for November 11, 2023, the governments of Kogi and Imo states have made waves with a controversial move.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that both states have sent letters to hotel owners and managers, requesting the exclusive booking of all hotel rooms in their regions during the period from November 4 to November 12, 2023. In Kogi State, the directive was issued in a letter dated October 31, 2023, and signed by Alh. Oricha U. Shuaibu, PhD, Director General, Government House Administration.  The letter, obtained by PLATFORM TIMES, addressed to…

Daud Olatunji Medical experts at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, are currently working tirelessly to save the right eye of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), following a confrontation with the Imo State Police Command.  The incident occurred during a protest in the state on Wednesday, leading to a viral video of Ajaero being rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri. The Imo State Police Command has given a different account of the situation, claiming that they were rescuing Ajaero from a hostile mob and placing him in protective custody.  However, the NLC officials…