Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a groundbreaking announcement, the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) is set to require all prospective students to undergo drug tests as part of the admission process.  The Vice-Chancellor of UniAbuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah, unveiled this initiative during the university’s 27th pre-convocation briefing on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.  Collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), UniAbuja aims to combat drug abuse among students and provide rehabilitation where needed. Prof. Na’allah emphasized the importance of assessing students’ drug status to ensure a drug-free environment on campus. Remarkably, students found involved in drug abuse will not face expulsion but instead…

Daud Olatunji In a dramatic turn of events at the Senate’s plenary session on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, Balarabe Lawal, the ministerial nominee who slumped during his screening, has been officially confirmed as a minister.  President Bola Tinubu had forwarded Lawal’s nomination, along with those of two other candidates, leading to their thorough scrutiny by the Senate. Lawal, hailing from Kaduna State, was successfully confirmed as a minister, alongside Dr. Jamila Ibrahim representing Kwara State and Ayodele Olawande from Ondo State. Previously reported by The Star, Lawal’s screening was marked by his sudden collapse, which prompted a closed-door session.  However,…

Fawaz Adebisi In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a pregnant woman, and a tricycle operator met a tragic end during a high-speed pursuit involving a vehicle and officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). The incident unfolded yesterday in the Ago Okota area of Isolo Local Government Area, Lagos State, sending shockwaves throughout the community. According to eyewitnesses at the scene, the ill-fated chain of events began when a vigilant LASTMA official stationed at Okota roundabout signaled for a Toyota Sienna MPV to pull over, suspecting a violation of traffic regulations. The situation quickly escalated as the official,…

Fawaz Adebisi A Kaduna State Chief Magistrates’ Court handed down an eight-month prison sentence to teenager Kefas Dauda on Wednesday. Dauda, a resident of the Barnawa area in Kaduna, found himself in this predicament due to the theft of a laptop and two cellphones, which collectively amounted to over N700,000. Charged with trespass and theft, Dauda, upon entering a plea of guilty, faced the stern judgment of Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel, who left him with no option of a fine. Additionally, he was ordered to either compensate the complainant, Williams Timothy, with the sum of N237,450 or return the stolen phones.…

Fawaz Adebisi In a startling turn of events, the Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 36-year-old man, Jaafar Adamu, who stands accused of raping his neighbor’s wife in the Hong Local Government Area of the state. The official statement, signed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Yahaya-Nguroje, and released in Yola, the state capital, details the arrest, which took place on September 15. According to Yahaya-Nguroje, the suspect, while wearing a face mask, committed the heinous act against the 23-year-old wife of his neighbor in Angwan Diocese Kala’a in Hong town. However, according to the statement,…

Fawaz Adebisi The Jigawa State police have apprehended six individuals, including a 29-year-old Nigerien national, suspected of being involved in the illegal supply of firearms, acts of vandalisation, and motorcycle theft within the state. Assistant Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, officially confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Wednesday. The two primary suspects implicated in the illegal supply of firearms are Bilal Faraji, a 29-year-old citizen of Niger Republic, and Yusuf A. Yusuf, a 28-year-old native of Kazaure Local Government Area in Jigawa State. Both individuals have been identified as key suppliers of firearms and…

Fawaz Adebisi The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has extended a hand of collaboration to the State of Israel, focusing on bolstering agriculture and improving the security landscape in the nation’s capital. This was revealed during a cordial meeting at the minister’s office in Abuja, where the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michael Freeman, paid a visit on Tuesday. Wike, in his capacity as the Minister, emphasized the favorable agricultural conditions within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He unveiled plans for the establishment of farms in the region, aimed at providing gainful employment opportunities for the…

In a groundbreaking three-day convention, the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN) made an impassioned plea for the recognition of Sign Language as the official language for the Deaf in Nigeria. The convention, held under the theme “Sign Language Interpreting as a Catalyst for Socio-economic Inclusion of the Deaf,” brought together professionals, advocates, and Deaf individuals in a transformative and enlightening event. ASLIN, known for its commitment to professionalism and capacity building, organized the convention to keep its members updated on international standards and the evolving landscape of sign language development. The event was highly anticipated and set…

Daud Olatunji  Former High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, Sarafa Tunji Isola, was honored by the Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Michael Situ, for his outstanding service during Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary celebration.  Ambassador Isola received an Excellent Stewardship Award in recognition of his dedicated service to the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom. Former High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, was recently honored in a grand celebration organized by His Worshipful, The Mayor of the London Borough of Southwark, Cllr Michael Situ.  The event, which took place on Sunday, October 1st, 2023, at the Council Headquarters on Tooley…

In a recent revelation, the Federal Government has disclosed that 23 oil blocks, managed by a mix of international and local oil companies under Production Sharing Contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, failed to produce any crude oil in 2021.  This revelation comes from the latest Oil and Gas Industry Report for 2021, released by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), a federal agency. Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) are agreements in which contracted oil companies fund exploration, development, and production of petroleum in a concession area. If successful, these companies pay Petroleum Profit Tax, royalties, and other…