Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a startling revelation, the World Bank has disclosed that Nigeria incurred a colossal loss of over N7 trillion as a consequence of the devastating floods that ravaged the country in 2022.  The announcement was made by Nkem Joseph-Palmer, the Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank, during an interactive meeting held in collaboration with the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Joseph-Palmer, addressing the gathering, highlighted the severity of the 2022 floods, which tragically claimed the lives of over 600 individuals and displaced a staggering 1.4 million Nigerians.  He underscored the economic impact of the disaster,…

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Wale Abass, has handed over cheques totaling N110,484,291.91 to the grieving families of 36 police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.  The emotional event underscored the commitment of the police force to recognizing and honouring the sacrifices made by its officers for the nation’s peace and stability.  Abass, in a solemn address, emphasized the significance of the financial support being provided to the bereaved families.  “These cheques are issued on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and are part of the IGP Family Welfare and Group…

Daud Olatunji In response to Chief Bode George’s recent comments regarding the focus of Igbo people on developing their own states instead of Lagos, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, issued a statement on Monday, criticizing George’s remarks as “unstatesmanly and bigoted.” Chief Bode George, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed concern over the attention given to issues related to Lagos ownership amid the challenges facing the country. Ohanaeze, through its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, countered George’s assertions, emphasizing that the Igbo community in Lagos has lawfully acquired properties, supported by…

In a bid to enhance service delivery, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has fervently appealed to residents of Sango-Ota in Ogun State to settle outstanding debts totaling N28 billion.  Mrs. Busolami Tunwase, Lead Media Relation at IBEDC, reiterated this plea during a discussion with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ota, Ogun. Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Tunwase emphasized that the company’s ability to provide quality services, including improved and stable power supply, is contingent upon customers promptly clearing their outstanding bills.  The appeal follows an earlier disclosure by Tunwase during a stakeholders meeting on…

Daud Olatunji Barely a month after PLATFORM TIMES published a special report on the 250-bed hospital in Abeokuta, the state governor,Dapo Abiodun has broken his silence on his plans. The governor who assumed office since May 29, 2019 abandoned the multi-billion naira specialist hospital built by his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun with equipment running into N5 billion . PLATFORM TIMES had reported that the specialist  hospital has remained unused by Dapo Abiodun’s government for more than four years, despite reports of over N5 billion spent solely on its equipment. PLATFORM TIMES’s Editor, Daud Olatunji had made a  recent inspection of…

In a recent episode of the Boiling Point Arena, two distinguished finance experts, Mr. Ugo Onuoha and Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi, voiced their concerns over Nigeria’s current economic trajectory, highlighting issues such as bloated governance costs, fiscal crises, and a disconnect between monetary policies.  The experts, both Guest Speakers on the popular interview platform, expressed shared dismay over what they see as a lack of visionary leadership. Mr. Ugo Onuoha, a development expert and former Managing Director/Editor-in-chief of Champion Newspapers, initiated the discussion by attributing Nigeria’s challenges to a dearth of visionary leaders.  According to him, the country’s progress has been…

Daud Olatunji In a groundbreaking address at the 46th inaugural lecture of Babcock University, Professor Titilayo Aderibigbe, a distinguished professor of medical law, passionately advocated  the amendment of the Mental Health Act 2023 to integrate traditional mental health healers into the nation’s healthcare system. In her lecture titled “Engagement with the Human Body: Searching Through the Prism of Law to Shape the Future,” Professor Aderibigbe underscored the critical need to expand and enhance the nation’s healthcare system by recognizing the substantial contribution of traditional mental healers, who reportedly provide approximately 80 percent of healthcare services in Nigeria. While acknowledging the…

Daud Olatunji In a shocking and harrowing incident, Gboyega, also known as Oba, recently shared the terrifying tale of his abduction while commuting to work in Ibadan. Gboyega spoke on a popular  radio programme on Sunday anchored by Nigerian music producer, gospel singer, and radio presenter, Olayinka Joel Ayefele.  Little did he know that his routine journey would turn into a nightmare, as he found himself ensnared in a ritualists’ den situated between Ibadan and Ogun State. Gboyega recalls the dreadful moment when the vehicle he boarded bewitched him, leading to a loss of consciousness.  Upon awakening, he discovered himself…

Justice Tijjani Ringim of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced a widow, Sidika Ajisegiri, who attempted to smuggle cocaine from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, to two years imprisonment. Justice Ringim jailed Ajisegiri after she pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of unlawful dealing and exportation of the prohibited substance brought against her by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The prosecutor, Mrs Imaobong Irobochi, informed the court that the convict was arrested on November 13, 2022, with 400 grams of cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during the outward clearance of…

The Managing Director of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, has called for innovative financing solutions during the bank’s donor roundtable titled “Innovative Financing: Gender-lens and climate resilient solution,” held in Lagos over the weekend. The call was made in a bid to address the pressing challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the MD said that  despite being the largest employers of labour in Nigeria, MSMEs are grappling with various hurdles such as limited access to capital. He however, canvassed the need for critical managerial skills, market access difficulties, logistical…