Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a bid to foster unity and camaraderie among security agencies, the 2024 edition of the ValueJet/SWAN Security Cup, organized by the Ogun State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), is set to feature at least seven participating agencies. The event will see these agencies competing for the prestigious trophy, with the tournament kicking off on Thursday. The defending champions, Police Machine, have been drawn in Group A alongside the Nigeria Customs Service,  Ogun State Fire Service, and debutants Federal Road Safety Corps. Group B comprises last year’s finalists, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps…

Daud Olatunji Wema Bank has unveiled a groundbreaking payment solution, ALATPay, designed to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria. In a statement released by the bank on Sunday, the back said the platform, launched recently in Lagos, offers a comprehensive and secure end-to-end shopping experience for customers, alongside instant settlement for merchants. The bank added that the new payment gateway aims to provide a fully integrated system for business owners.  It stated that with ALATPay, merchants can display their products and services globally on an online storefront, accept payments through various channels—including debit cards, credit cards, USSD,…

Daud Olatunji The Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo, has urged the new titleholder, Chief Mrs. Mojisola Oni-Quadri as the new Ibuso-Aje of Egbaland, to leverage her position to enhance the economic prospects of the region.  The event, held at the Ake Palace, drew a distinguished audience of dignitaries from both within the state and beyond. Alake said Chief Mrs. Oni-Quadri, the Chief Executive Officer of Oni Electronics, was honoured with the title following her significant contributions to the local economy.  The monarch said her efforts in promoting Egbaland’s economic growth through her business ventures…

The Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Ademola Tayo, has raised alarms over the rising cost of electricity for higher institutions, describing it as a significant threat to the sustainability of quality education in the country.  This concern was voiced during the university’s 22nd convocation ceremony held on Sunday. Prof. Tayo revealed that in May, the university received an electricity bill exceeding N300 million from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Limited.  He stressed that this amount, which they were compelled to pay, does not necessarily reflect the actual consumption by the university.  He noted that despite…

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant arrests, including a woman supplying ammunition to bandits and multiple individuals involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs. In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Mr. Femi Babafemi revealed that a 32-year-old woman, Ubaida Aliyu, was apprehended with 573 rounds of 7.60 live ammunition along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.  Aliyu admitted that she was transporting the ammunition to bandits in Sokoto, highlighting the ongoing challenges of security and illegal arms trade in the region. In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the same highway arrested Godwin Udochukwu, 35, in…

The South West zone hunters,have raised serious allegations of victimization against certain police officers in Oyo State.  The hunters, under the banner of the Soludero Hunters Association, have called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the State House of Assembly to intervene and address their grievances. The National President of the Soludero Hunters Association, Oba Nureni Akintola Ajijola Anabi, expressed the frustration and disillusionment felt by his members.  He highlighted the invaluable role hunters have played in complementing police efforts to secure the state, often at great personal risk and with no…

The internal division within the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has taken a new turn as the Reuben Fasoranti-led faction publicly denounces support for a planned national protest, distancing itself from the statements made by Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s camp.  The protest, termed ’10 Days of Rage,’ is scheduled to begin on August 1, with the aim of highlighting the economic hardships faced by Nigerians. In a statement released on Sunday, Abagun Kole Omololu, the National Organising Secretary of the Fasoranti faction, criticized the proposed protest, labeling it as “ill-conceived” and suggesting that it deviates from the principles of constructive engagement.  Omololu…

Daud Olatunji  Tensions escalated in Ikenne, Ogun State, as a clash erupted between local youths and security operatives over the celebration of the Oro festival.  The incident, which unfolded on Saturday, resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals and the impounding of two vehicles, according to the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu. The conflict arose from a ban on this year’s Oro festival, imposed by the Ikenne Local Government Area.  The decision was reportedly made to prevent a potential breach of peace amidst an ongoing royal dispute.  The Oro festival has been a point of contention in the…

Daud Olatunji A retired military officer, General Ishola Williams, has revealed the financial struggles he faced after leaving the Nigerian Army.  In an interview with Trust TV’s Reminiscences, General Williams, who served in the military from 1964 until his retirement in July 1993, shared his experiences and expressed a surprising preference for being born in a different country. Reflecting on his military career, General Williams, who held various key positions including Commandant of Army Signals and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, lamented that he left the army without any financial plans or savings.  “I think I left on November…

The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested five persons, including a couple, over their alleged involvement in selling a two-month-old baby. The Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests on Saturday in a statement in Lagos. Hundeyin said that detectives from the Oko-oba Police Division arrested the suspects following a report from the mother of the baby boy. According to him, the mother of the child reported that one of the suspects absconded with her son to an unknown destination on July 11. ”Detectives swung into action, which led to the arrest of one…