Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Rivers State is currently experiencing heightened political tension following the expiration of the three-year tenures of local council chairmen.  The tension escalated yesterday when 21 out of the 23 outgoing council chairmen refused to comply with Governor Siminalaye Fubara’s directive to hand over control to the top civil servants in the councils. Governor Fubara responded to the defiance by summoning an emergency state security council meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt.  The meeting, attended by heads of all security agencies in the state, was conducted behind closed doors.  In a subsequent press briefing, Governor Fubara emphasized the importance…

There are growing concerns that a lack of funds could jeopardize the development of modular refinery projects in Nigeria, which collectively aim to produce 200,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that out of 40 licenses issued to companies to operate modular refineries, only five are currently operational. The licensees are facing significant challenges in securing financing, prompting the federal government to consider revoking the licenses of those unable to progress with their plans.  The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) has 14 registered members, including the prominent Dangote Refinery. If all active licenses were operational,…

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate from the Labour Party, and other critics of the government’s plan to acquire new aircraft for the presidential fleet, of harbouring malicious intentions towards President Bola Tinubu.  The accusation was made in a statement signed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. MURIC’s allegations come in response to comments made by Peter Obi on June 17, 2024, where he criticized the federal government’s intention to purchase new planes for the presidency.  Akintola suggested that Obi’s opposition to the new aircraft stems from a desire to see harm…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has sharply rebuked Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State and the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), over his recent accusations.  Kwankwaso had claimed that the APC-led federal government was allegedly attempting to foster a new breed of Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents in Northern Nigeria. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka,stated this in  a statement he issued  on Tuesday.  Morka described Kwankwaso’s allegations as “grossly insensitive, unwarranted, and unacceptable,” criticizing the senator for making such serious claims without evidence. “Without any shred of evidence, he further…

Daud Olatunji Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam  Nasir El-Rufai has predicted  that the current Governor of the state, Uba Sani’s actions would eventually lead to his downfall. El-Rufai  expressed confidence that the ongoing investigation into his administration by the state House of Assembly would ultimately be ineffective.  Speaking to his associates during Sallah celebrations, El-Rufai appeared untroubled by the probe, suggesting that it would not achieve its intended outcome. El-Rufai’s comments  included a metaphorical warning about the behavior of current Governor Uba Sani.  He advised his followers to avoid direct confrontation with Sani’s aides,  “Support the governor and his cabinet…

A tragic incident has occurred at the 14 Brigade Headquarters at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barrack in Ohafia, Abia State. A soldier identified as Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Vitalis, serving under the brigade and attached to the 144 Battalion’s Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Ngwa High School in Abayi, Osisioma Local Government Area, reportedly committed suicide. CSM Vitalis, a senior non-commissioned officer from Okpuala in Ngor-Okpuala, Imo State, reportedly shot himself in front of the FOB gate.  The motive behind his decision remains unclear as no suicide note was found at the scene. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the unexpected suicide has…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned  Nigerians against  storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days.  The Director General of NAFDAC,Prof. Moji Adeyeye, stated thi in a statement on Tuesday. She said  the health risks associated with prolonged storage of cooked foods. According to Prof. Adeyeye, cooked food stored in the refrigerator for extended periods can become a breeding ground for disease-causing pathogens.  These pathogens are primary contributors to foodborne illnesses, which can sometimes be fatal.  The guidance aims to reduce the incidence of such diseases by encouraging better food…

Daud Olatunji The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured the public of the safety and security of the Nigerian airspace.  This declaration comes in response to recent reports from certain online publications claiming that the airspace is insecure due to a lack of radar coverage. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Acting Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, emphasized the authority’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of air safety.  He reaffirmed the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s (NAMA) position on the comprehensive radar coverage of the nation. Addressing concerns raised by the publications, Captain Najomo stated, “In…

Former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola has called for significant adjustments to workers’ incomes to counter the soaring cost of living.  Fashola, former Governor of Lagos State, emphasized the necessity for wage adjustments in his article titled “Minimum Wage Review – My Take Away.” Fashola argued that both the lowest and highest income earners are adversely affected by the current economic climate.  “When the cost of living rises as it has now, all income earners are impacted to varying degrees and therefore deserve reasonable adjustments, whether they earn wages or salaries,” he asserted. Critically, Fashola highlighted a flaw in the…

President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have been lauded for their various interventionist programmes aimed at providing relief to vulnerable and poor Nigerians amid the prevailing economic hardships. The commendation follows the presentation of hundreds of bags of rice, beans, and gari to community development councils (CDCs) across Lagos State.  The palliatives, intended to alleviate the suffering of the needy, were received by Pastor Olusegun Fayemi, Chairman of the Ojodu Community Development Committee (CDC) in the Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA). During the presentation ceremony, which saw participation from CDA chairmen, women, and other community leaders…