Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Former Governors of Ekiti and Lagos States, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Akinwunmi Ambode, say Nigeria needs audacious and sacrificial leaders to rise beyond the current despondency, especially among youths. They spoke on Nigeria’s leadership at the 2024 Leadership and Economic Summit and Unveiling of ST.RACHEAL’S People Consulting Limited in Lagos on Thursday night. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was “Economic Prosperity- Secrets of Audacious Leaders”. In his remark, Fayemi, also a former Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said that audacious leadership must be idealistic and determined about reforms that would meet people’s…

Daud Olatunji Controversial Nigerian artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has sent  a strong message to his fans, advising them  against participating in the upcoming protests against economic hardship in Nigeria. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  protests, organized by various groups, are set to take place from August 1 to 10, with the aim of addressing the rising cost of living and other economic challenges facing the nation. In a video posted on his social media platforms on Thursday, Portable expressed his reluctance to join the demonstrations, emphasizing his satisfaction with his current success.  The singer urged his fans…

Oba Oluwambe Mofolorunso Reuben Sogaolu has been  formally installed as the new Olu of Orile Imo, marking the end of a prolonged Obaship tussle in the Orile Imo, Obafemi/Owode LGA, Ogun State.  The installation ceremony, held at Orile Imo, also saw the presentation of the staff of office to Oba Sogaolu by Ogun State Governor,  Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Oladunjoye Hamzat. The Governor congratulated the people of Orile Imo on the installation of their new monarch, highlighting the calibre and potential of Oba Sogaolu to lead the community towards a…

Daud Olatunji  The Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities, along with its civil society allies, has expressed strong support for the recent amendments proposed to the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act of 2007. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the National Assembly, particularly the House Committee on Solid Minerals, has been lauded for its efforts in revising the legislation to enhance the equitable distribution of benefits from Nigeria’s mining sector. In a press statement released on Friday, July 25, 2024, the federation emphasised the necessity of aligning the amended act with the Nigerian Constitution’s provisions, particularly those concerning the exploitation of natural…

The Kano State Police Command has announced the arrest of Magaji Yellow, a suspect wanted in connection with the murder of his brother, Gausu Umar Sadam, six years ago.  The arrest was made following a directive from the State Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo Garba, who ordered a special squad to apprehend the fugitive. Magaji Yellow, a resident of Kunya village in Minjibir Local Government Area of Kano State, had been on the run since August 10, 2018, after conspiring with Rabiu Sarki Lots and Nasiru Adamu Namade to kill his brother.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  motive behind the…

By: Joshua Fagbemi Conversations about the living conditions of Nigerians have intensified since the removal of the fuel subsidy. The economic hardship that followed is exacerbated by the consistent devaluation of the naira, inflation, increasing taxes and tariffs, and food insecurity, all of which submerge millions of Nigerians into extreme and multidimensional poverty. Recent calls for an increase in the minimum wage have portrayed it as a panacea to the pervasive economic hardship in the country. After months of industrial actions and long-hours meetings, Labour conceded to N70,000, a 133 percent increase from the current N30,000 approved in April 2019. …

  President Bola Tinubu has allayed fears of manipulation by any interest group in the ongoing economic reforms by his government. He said his campaign was self-sponsored, without strings, or indebtedness to any individual or institution. The President, who received a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the State House on Thursday, said his victory at the polls was purely by divine intervention, careful planning and diligence in getting support from Nigerians. ”I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point,…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has sounded a note of caution regarding the upcoming nationwide protests in Nigeria, scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10.  The security agency claims to have identified the sponsors behind the protests and warns that the event could be hijacked by criminal elements, potentially leading to widespread chaos and violence. In a statement released by Dr. Peter Afunanya, the DSS spokesperson, the agency highlighted concerns over the political motives behind the planned protests.  According to the DSS, the protests appear to be a strategy to destabilize the government and possibly instigate a…

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen who misuse funds allocated from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).  Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), announced the government’s position on Thursday at the 17th-anniversary annual lecture event of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) in Abuja. Fagbemi  stressed  that LGA chairmen are not protected by the same immunity that governors enjoy and, as such, are liable to face legal consequences if found misappropriating public funds.  The minister highlighted that the absence of immunity for LGA officials…

The Department of State Security Services (DSS) has apprehended Alhaji Nasir Lawal, the Special Adviser on Infrastructure to Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, along with several state government officials and traders.  They are accused of diverting rice palliatives intended for vulnerable residents of the state. The DSS’s operation led to the impoundment of 2,000 bags of rice at the Central Market in Katsina.  The consignment was allegedly linked to Alhaji Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development.  An additional 800 bags were also seized, with authorities currently interrogating other officials to trace their origin. The action…