Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The University of Ibadan (UI) has issued formal queries to four student activists, threatening them with expulsion for participating in a peaceful protest against a significant fee hike.  The protest, which took place on May 15, 2024, was in response to the university’s decision to increase fees from N20,000 to N400,000. The four students targeted for potential disciplinary action are Aduwo Ayedele, a 200-level student from the Department of History, Faculty of Arts, and Olamide Ghadegesin Iyanuoluwa, a 700-level student from the Institute of African Studies.  The other two are Nice Linus and Adeyeye Oluwafemi, the latter whom the university…

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has distributed 58,500 metric tonnes of milled rice across the nation. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the move was  to address rising food prices and bolster food security.  The  Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari announced this  during a ministerial sectoral update marking President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office. Speaking at the event in Abuja on Monday,  Kyari emphasized the ministry’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the enhancement of agriculture to achieve food security, infrastructure improvement, and better transportation.  He highlighted the government’s broader…

The Commissioner for Social Development,Afolashade Opeyemi has i expressed deep concern over the discovery of dangerous weapons, including guns, daggers, and charms among the  beggars in the state.  Opeyemi  reported a crackdown on suspected arm depots among beggars in Ilorin, resulting in the removal of 158 individuals believed to be involved in criminal activities.  She said this during a briefing held in Ilorin  She said “This discovery raises serious questions about their purported status as beggars.” Opeyemi highlighted that many of these beggars originate from Bauchi, Kano, and other northern states, posing a significant social threat, particularly in urban areas…

Tensions flared at the Edo State Secretariat of the Labour Party on Monday as party executives clashed with suspected thugs during a protest over the suspension of the factional National Chairman, Julius Abure. The conflict began after the Labour Party in Edo State suspended Abure from his Ward 3 in Arue-Uromi, located in Esan North-East Local Government Area, accusing him of anti-party activities.  The suspension was formalized in a letter dated May 14, 2024, signed by Ward Chairman Thompson Ehiguese and Ward Secretary Stanley Usiomoh.  This suspension was later ratified during a state executive committee meeting in Benin on Friday…

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has eulogized the late Chief Mrs. Ayoka Adebayo, former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, describing her as a true patriot committed to the progress of Nigeria. Chief Mrs. Adebayo, a respected figure in Nigeria’s electoral history, passed away on May 18, 2024, at the age of 89 after a brief illness. Her burial is scheduled for June 7, 2024, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. In a statement released by Kehinde Akinyemi, Special Assistant on Media to the former President, and Mrs. Moni Adebayo Abudu on behalf of the family, details…

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun  has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment that enables every child in the state to thrive and achieve their full potential.  This declaration was made during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta. The theme for this year’s celebration, “Enhancing the Total Well-Being of Nigerian Child Through Quality Education and Skills Development.” emphasises the need for the government to ensure quality education for Nigerian children.  Represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Abiodun stressed the importance of education in preparing children for…

A Real Estate entrepreneur, Ambassador (Dr) Babtunde Adeyemo has been appointed patron and leader of the Abeokuta unit of the Al-Huda Al-Mukhtariyah International Prayer Mission, an arm of the Muhammad Rasulullah Islamic Centre (MRIC) Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Reports have it that the group boasts of over 250,000 members cutting across social media platforms where they jointly hold prayer sessions worldwide. This was announced on Sunday, May 26, by the National Missioner of the group, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad Ibrahim Bukhari Al-Mukhtar, shortly after the group’s inaugural prayer hosted by Adeyemo at The Podium within Pelican Valley Estate Laderin,…

Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has opened up about the immense personal strain his father, the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti, experienced due to his numerous wives and concubines.  Speaking on the ‘Bahd & Boujee’ podcast, Seun disclosed that the weight of managing such a vast and complex household contributed significantly to Fela’s stress levels. Seun Kuti detailed that while Fela’s marriage to 27 wives on the same day is widely known, fewer people are aware of the additional 100 concubines who also resided at his Kalakuta Republic commune.  This revelation sheds light on the extraordinary personal life of the Afrobeat pioneer,…

Daud Olatunji Despite the dire state of primary schools in Nigeria, a significant amount of funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) went unclaimed by several states, including Ogun and Abia, between 2020 and 2023.  Data obtained by  PLATFORM TIMES from the UBEC reveals that during this period, a total of N54.90 billion in UBEC matching grants were not accessed, exacerbating the challenges faced by the country’s basic education sector. The unclaimed funds accumulated as follows: 2020: N1.43 billion; 2021: N2.84 billion ; 2022: N14.45 billion  and 2023: N36.17 billion These grants are intended to support the enhancement of…

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has  criticized the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly focusing on the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal and the unification of the exchange rate.  Obasanjo, spoke  through a statement by his  spokesman Kehinde Akinyemi at the Paul Aje Colloquium (tPAC) in Abuja, stated that while these decisions were necessary, their execution was flawed, resulting in economic hardship for Nigerians. Obasanjo emphasized the importance of production and productivity as the way forward for Nigeria’s economic progress, highlighting the need for belief and trust in government leadership.  He criticized the closure of the gap between…