Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Former Super Eagles star Ibrahim Babangida has tragically passed away in a fatal automobile accident along the Zaria road.  The incident not only claimed the life of the renowned footballer but also involved his brother Tijani, who served as the president of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN).  Tijani was traveling with his wife, son, and maid at the time of the crash. The news of Babangida’s demise sent shockwaves through the football community and beyond, as tributes poured in for the beloved athlete.  Babangida, known for his exceptional skills on the field, had left an indelible mark on…

Daud Olatunji  Nigerian government has expanded $1.12 billion to  service  external debt, 70 percent  of the total $1.61 billion expended between January and March 2024, according to data sources from the Central Bank of Nigeria. PLATFORM TIMES reports that Nigeria’s financial landscape bears the weight of escalating debt service obligations, with a staggering 70% of its dollar outflow directed towards servicing external debts during the first quarter of 2024.  Data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed that  this surge marks a notable escalation from the previous year, where debt service accounted for a comparatively lower 49% of…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has revealed that Nigeria has been grappling with a significant surge in Lassa fever cases, with a staggering 857 confirmed cases and 156 fatalities reported across 28 states of the federation from January to 28 April.  This grim statistic underscores the urgent need for heightened measures to contain the outbreak and mitigate its impact on public health. The latest Lassa fever situation report released by the NCDC highlights the severity of the situation, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.2 per cent recorded during this period, surpassing the 17.0 per cent CFR…

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi  has called  for a paradigm shift in research funding to confront Nigeria’s pressing issues. He stated this in a seminal address during the 89th Inaugural Lecture at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Prof. Akinyemi’s impassioned plea for a dedicated allocation of 500 million Naira by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) aims to bolster multidisciplinary projects across the nation. Delivering his lecture titled “Unraveling the Coupled Heat and Water Flow Phenomenon: My Non-Invasive Voyage into the Subsurface Domains,” Prof. Akinyemi underscored the urgency of fostering…

The Nigerian military’s Operation Hadin Kai has apprehended Lance Corporal Mubarak Yakubu for  suspected involvement in ammunition theft.  The soldier’s arrest, carried out by the 7 Division Military Police K9 Team during a routine search operation at the Borno express Terminal, marks a crucial step in efforts to combat insurgency and maintain security in the region. According to Zagazola Makama, a reliable security source, Lance Corporal Yakubu was intercepted on Thursday, May 9th, 2024, following intelligence reports.  Upon thorough inspection, the soldier was found to be in possession of 756 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and 4 x 36…

Christopher Oluchukwu, a commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has been convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment by Justice Abbas Bawale of Katsina State High Court 3.  This verdict follows a case brought against Oluchukwu by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), highlighting the grave consequences of employment fraud. Oluchukwu’s conviction stems from allegations of defrauding Nigerian citizens seeking employment opportunities for their children within the NSCDC.  The ICPC revealed that Oluchukwu was found guilty on all nine counts filed against him, relating to the fraudulent collection of funds totaling N900,000…

The Nigerian Senate has endorsed death as a penalty for trafficking in hard drugs and substances in the country.  This legislative move came amidst protests by some lawmakers during the passage of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Amendment Bill 2024. The bill, which also prescribes a maximum of 15 years imprisonment without the option of a fine for conviction on drug consumption, was passed following the adoption of the report by the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Drugs and Narcotics during a plenary session. Chairman of the committee, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), presented…

A 28-year-old housewife, Faith Felix, has been sentenced to eight months in prison by a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Gwagwalada, Abuja, for pouring hot water on her co-wife while she slept.  The incident, which occurred in Gosa Toge along the airport road in the FCT, resulted in the victim sustaining grievous injuries. The sentencing, handed down by Senior Magistrate N. A. Turkur, came after Felix was found guilty of criminal force, assault, and causing grievous harm.  Despite pleading for leniency, the court imposed a prison term without the option of a fine and cautioned Felix to refrain from such violent…

The Ogun State Customs Command, under the leadership of Comptroller James Ojo, has achieved remarkable success in intercepting contraband worth N380,370,911 within  23 days of assuming office.  This groundbreaking revelation was made during the maiden press briefing held at Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Comptroller Ojo highlighted the Command’s anti-smuggling exploits and other notable achievements. Assuming office on April 16, 2024, Comptroller Ojo wasted no time in hitting the ground running, swiftly initiating measures to combat illicit trade activities across the state.  Through intensive intelligence strategies and collaborative efforts with agencies such as the Customs Intelligence Unit and the Department of…

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is a federal agency that conducts entrance examinations into tertiary institutions in the country. Before it’s establishment in 1978 the few universities in the country then were admitting students based on the criteria they chose individually. The board has not failed in the performance of it’s primary duty since inception and it has been improving on it despite the myriads of problems facing it, just like any other government establishment. There has been a remarkable turnaround in its fortunes since the past seven years with a new man at the helm of affairs,…