Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Members of the organized labour have announced plans to shut down offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) across the country. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the move was  aimed at pressuring the Federal Government to reverse the recent electricity tariff hike.  The action comes in response to the commission’s decision to significantly raise electricity tariffs, which has been met with widespread disapproval from consumers. The controversy ignited when NERC implemented a staggering increase in electricity tariffs, raising rates from N65/kWh to N225/kWh for Band A users.  Despite a subsequent marginal reduction approved by the Federal…

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has  reaffirmed his retirement from party politics, asserting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains a part of his political history.  Obasanjo, speaking during his visit to Osogbo, Osun State, to commission the VIP lodge at the Government House, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his dual role as both a diligent worker and an enthusiastic dancer. “Some people once despised you for being a dancer, but I maintained that only happy people dance. You are my dancing partner,” Obasanjo expressed, acknowledging Adeleke’s vibrancy and commitment to governance. Reflecting on the complexities of governing Osun State,…

In a bid to revolutionize the landscape of cooperative societies in Nigeria, Wema Bank has unveiled CoopHub, a groundbreaking digital solution tailored to address the myriad challenges faced by these communities.  The announcement was made during the bank’s 79th-anniversary celebration on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the bank’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. CoopHub, described as the future of cooperative societies, is poised to transform the traditional framework by providing tailored solutions that alleviate common pain points such as manual recordkeeping, limited access to loans, poor communication, insecurity, and other operational restrictions.  Moruf Oseni, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer…

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has raised concerns over Nigeria’s federalism practice, describing it as “lopsided” and detrimental to the development of states.  He emphasized the need for a review of the revenue derivation formula to promote fiscal federalism and ensure equitable distribution of resources. Speaking at an event in Houston, Texas, where he was honoured with the “Icon of Unity and Social Justice” award by Ijaws in the United States of America and Canada, Governor Diri highlighted the challenges faced by resource-endowed states like Bayelsa.  He criticized the current practice where states in the Niger Delta region receive only…

The Police Command in Kaduna State said Its operatives have arrested a suspected kidnapper who allegedly abducted his cousin’s sister and killed her after she recognised him. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna. However, the PPRO did not disclose when the suspect was arrested. Hassan said, “On February 12, at about 100hrs, Mr. Saidu Dahiru, father of the victim and a resident of Angwan Juma’a, Zaria, reported to the Zaria City Police Station that his daughter, Aisha Saidu, a six-year-old female, went missing on her…

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a man for posting nude images of his four-year old daughter. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the father posted naked pictures of his daughter while calling on Nigerians to attend her birthday.  Force Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement said the content portrays the young child in inappropriate poses, akin to adult contents. The Police in strong terms condemned the exploitation of the vulnerable child. “Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the public outcry in response to disturbing images and videos involving a 4-year-old child with the Instagram handle @officialsarah_ig, circulating on…

A  domestic worker has been apprehended for allegedly stealing his employer’s car and attempting to sell it at a substantially reduced price.  The incident, captured on video and circulating widely on social media, has garnered widespread attention and raised concerns about security within residential estates. The suspect, who was shown in the video being held in handcuffs, faced questioning from his boss, who revealed that the accused had previously served as his security personnel.  According to the employer, the suspect absconded with his Lexus SUV, relocating the vehicle from his residence in Ajao Estate, Lagos, with the intention of selling…

In a bid to protect consumers from exploitation and ensure fair practices in the petroleum sector, the Anambra State Government has issued a stern warning to petroleum marketers regarding price hikes, product adulteration, and meter tampering. The Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Anthony Ifeanya, reiterated the government’s commitment to monitoring filling stations rigorously and taking decisive action against offenders.  Reports have surfaced indicating that some stations are selling petrol at exorbitant prices, reaching up to N970 per liter, while also engaging in illicit practices such as adulteration and meter tampering. The government has vowed to curb these activities through…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted three trailer loads of opioids, comprising 3,450,000 pills and 344,000 bottles of codeine syrup, at Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State on Thursday. The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed this in a statement on Sunday, highlighting the seizure as a major blow to drug trafficking syndicates operating within the country. The multi-billion naira consignments were discovered loaded into two 40-ft container trucks and another 20-ft truck at the AML bonded terminal, Abule-Osun, near the International Trade Fair complex.  The trucks were…

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwagwalada, Abuja has found Ramat Mba, a mother of five, guilty of forging the signature of the late Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari. The verdict, handed down by Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, followed a thorough prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Mba was convicted on counts of cheating and forgery, while being acquitted on one count related to felony. Mba’s fraudulent activities, as revealed during the trial, involved the creation of forged documents on the letterhead of the Office of the Chief of…