Author: Platform Times Newspaper

 Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, the immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, emphasized the need for media self-regulation instead of government control during the first-year anniversary celebration and project commissioning by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun Council. The event, which centered around the theme “Security and Media: A partnership for national development,” featured a lecture delivered virtually by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi. Adejobi highlighted the dynamic nature of challenges and opportunities in the partnership between security forces and the media. Ambassador Isola, who chaired the occasion, expressed concern about the pollution of both…

In a bid to address the growing concern of cultism in the region, Ogun State Governor,  Dapo Abiodun, has called on the State Directors of Security (SDS) to take a more proactive approach in identifying the root causes of this social menace. During the fourth Quarter of SDS Conference, South West Zone in Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun expressed his dismay over the increasing prevalence of cultism, highlighting the alarming involvement of diverse groups, including primary school children, vulcanizers, welders, artisans, and even the educated population. “Why are they killing each other? Is there something they are earning, some kind of reward?…

The Catholic Diocese of Yola, has made a significant impact by sponsoring the registration of 71 youths into various colleges and universities.  Each student received a generous amount of N100,000 to aid in their educational pursuits. Moreover, the initiative extended its support to 150 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from formal camps—St. Theresa, Fofure, and Malkohi. These individuals received essential starter packs for their businesses, fostering self-reliance and sustainability. Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, highlighted the comprehensive 14-month training undertaken by the beneficiaries. The training covered psychosocial and spiritual activities, accompanied by monthly stipends to support…

Ibrahim Abdullahi, a man recently convicted and sentenced to one year in prison for stealing N30,000 through fraudulent Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card swapping, has confessed to engaging in the illicit activity to fund his upcoming wedding. The Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought two charges of stealing against Abdullahi, who faced justice at the Bauchi State High Court. The conviction came after a statement released by the EFCC on Friday, revealing that Abdullahi had admitted guilt to both charges. The charges, one of which read, “committed theft of N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) by…

 In a swift response to the brazen attack on a bus transporting Christmas gifts intended for family heads (Mogajis) in Ibadan, law enforcement authorities have apprehended twelve suspects involved in the heist. The incident unfolded on Thursday in the Oja Oba area of the city, leaving the community shocked and concerned. The targeted bus, under the guidance of Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade from the Onilari compound, was ambushed by hoodlums during its journey from the Beere area to the Olubadan Palace at Oja Oba. The assailants seized the opportunity to strike, jeopardizing the festive spirit and the goodwill intended with the…

A 12-year-old girl has been recovered from the rubble after a one-storey building located at 122, Herbert Macaulay Way, Lagos Bus Stop, Ebute Metta, Lagos, collapsed, leading to a search and rescue operation.  The latest development reveals that a girl was discovered though her condition is suspected to be fatal. Earlier reports indicated the successful rescue of an adult female from the collapsed structure, bringing a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy. However, the situation took a somber turn as the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service provided updates on the ongoing operation. Initially, the Fire Service reported that three…

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) Kamo State,  has trained 50 repentant individuals, formerly associated with the notorious Boko Haram terrorist group. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  initiative marks a significant step toward their rehabilitation and integration into society. Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Usaini Gumel  commended the management team of the FFS for their role in training these individuals on fire safety techniques, transforming them into fire service ambassadors. These 50 individuals are part of a larger group of 623 former thugs who received repentance and amnesty after renouncing their involvement in criminal activities and surrendering their…

Daud Olatunji A 14- year- old girl (namewitheld) was allegedly abducted and  gang raped by two suspected cultists identified as Precious a.k.a Pere and Chidebere a.k.a B2K. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident occured  on December 20 at about 10am. The victim was reportedly taken  to an apartment in a three-storey building at National street, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt where they gang raped her. A source said the suspected cultists threatened the teenage girl that she would be killed if she told anybody. PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that the apartment where the teenage girl was gang raped was  being…

For students with disabilities in Oyo state-owned tertiary institutions, learning can be a torturous and distressing experience, considering the building structures and teaching approaches available. Oluwatobi Odeyinka writes.  Helen Samuel is a 40-year-old HND 2 student at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. And while her mobility disability couldn’t stop her from pursuing education to the tertiary level, it subjected her academic journey to a snail’s pace from attending a public primary school in Akoko village of Ondo State to The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Driven by a burning passion for education, Ms Samuel persists but describes her academic journey as “hell”. According to her, her legs have been paralyzed since she was a child and no exact…

Daud Olatunji In a significant development, France has declared its commitment to returning $150 million looted by former Nigerian head of State, Sani Abacha. This announcement was reiterated during the 10th Conference of the State Parties (CoSP) to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). This was disclosed in a Joint release issued by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/ Transparency International (TI) Nigeria’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rasfanjani, and TI France’s Head of Illicit Financial Flows Programme, Sara Brimbeuf. The statement read that the funds were part of approximately $500 million identified in a 2014 U.S. court judgment that…