Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a recent revelation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) disclosed that a staggering N8.79 trillion was disbursed to the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and the 774 local government councils in 2020 and 2021 as Federation Account allocations. The Fiscal Allocation and Disbursements Audit (FASD) report, released last week, delineated the allocation composition, encompassing gross statutory allocations, value-added tax, and the 13 percent derivation for mineral-producing states. Unveiling the geographical distribution of allocations, NEITI highlighted the South-South region leading the pack with N2.59 trillion, constituting 29.53 percent of the total revenue shared among the federating…

Daud Olatunji In a surprising turn of events at the Assemblies of God Church in Ehere, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia state, Reverend Eze Ogba made a controversial decision to cancel the wedding ceremony of Mr. Isreal Kennedy and Miss Rose.  The upheaval arose when a pregnancy test, mandated by the church, confirmed the bride’s pregnancy. The couple, along with their families, had gathered at the church for the ceremony, scheduled after the church service. The revelation of the bride’s pregnancy led to the abrupt cancellation of the wedding, sparking confusion and distress among the attendees. Despite pleas from the families…

The UK’s first human case of swine flu strain H1N2, very similar to what has been circulating in pigs, has been detected, the UK Health Security Agency said on Monday. Routine surveillance in general practitioner surgeries picked up the case after the person suffered a mild illness. The UKHSA said it is now carrying out contact tracing to prevent further spread of the virus. It is not known at this stage how transmissible the strain is or if there could be other cases in the UK. It is also too early to say if the strain could have pandemic potential.…

Daud Olatunji In a solemn announcement, the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, headquartered in Port Harcourt,has confirmed the recovery of a soldier’s body following a tragic boat accident in Bolo, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State.  The unnamed soldier, part of a mission safeguarding critical national assets in the Niger Delta waterways, lost his life on Saturday, November 25, 2023, when the gunboat he was aboard succumbed to turbulent waves. Maj. Danjuma, the acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, conveyed the unfortunate incident in a statement issued on Monday.  The soldier was initially declared missing, prompting a…

Daud Olatunji Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed discontent with the progress of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), which he established 19 years ago, lamenting its failure to fully realize its potential under current management. During this year’s Founder’s Day celebrations, Atiku revealed that his primary goal in founding AUN was to contribute to society, not to gain political office.  In his address, titled “AUN in the Age of Socio-Economic Crisis and Emerging Disruptive Technologies,” he indirectly criticized leadership transitions and managerial challenges that hindered the institution’s development. Despite investing personal funds without seeking financial returns, Atiku emphasized the…

Daud Olatunji The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the remand of prominent Lagos hotelier Joseph Umezugha, widely known as Agbara, in Ikoyi Prison. Agbala, the proprietor of De Jessica Hotel, is facing allegations of a staggering N627 million fraud, accused of swindling three businessmen with eerily similar tales of partnership in his hotel venture. The court, currently presiding over one of the cases with suit number FHC/L/239C/2023, has denied Agbala bail, emphasizing the need to avoid impeding ongoing investigations The charges against Agbala include the forgery of a Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy, allegedly used to obtain…

Daud Olatunji In a decisive move to uphold the integrity of the Public Relations profession, the Compliance and Enforcement Committee of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle unlicensed practitioners.  Chaired by General Chris Olukolade (Rtd), the committee is set to establish NIPR Tribunals, signaling a robust crackdown on individuals practicing Public Relations without proper certification. This was disclosed in a  statement issued by the Barr. Paul Abraham, Assistant Secretary NIPR Act Enforcement & Compliance Committee on Monday. According to the statement, during the inaugural meeting, General Olukolade, a former Director Defence Information,…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has committed to providing Nigeria with a $134 million loan, a crucial component of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and AgroPocket (NAGS-AP) Project.  The initiative aims to enhance the capacity of farmers involved in cultivating essential staples such as rice, maize, cassava, and wheat across the nation. The announcement was made by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, during the launch of this year’s Wheat Dry Season farming in Jigawa State over the weekend.  Kyari emphasized that the loan would contribute to a projected 20% increase in crop yield compared to the…

Daud Olatunji In a bid to foster progress and empower higher education institutions, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has  announced the government’s contemplation of reintroducing the Policy of University Full Autonomy.  The move, disclosed by Minister Abubakar Momoh at the University of Benin’s 48th convocation ceremony, reflects the government’s belief that university autonomy will pave the way for individualized development. Tinubu expressed confidence in the proposed policy, emphasizing that it would shift the responsibility of performance directly to the institutions, offering a remedy to the current uncertainties.  Acknowledging concerns over months of unpaid salaries, Tinubu addressed the issue by announcing a…

ISRAEL ADELEKE writes on the ordeal and  agony  of the community that confronts  150 years of lack of  electricity, the ruinous effects of poor roads and the persistent absence of other infrastructural amenities. In the heart of Asha village, a community in the Obafemi-Owode local government area of Ogun State, faced with a myriad of challenges, life flows like the river that sustains them – unpredictable, challenging, and essential.  On a sunny Sunday afternoon, PLATFORM TIMES reporter embarked on a journey to Asha, an agrarian village with a rich history spanning over 150 years.  The mission  was to uncover the…