Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In the past six years, Nigeria has incurred a staggering expenditure of N3.06tn on pharmaceutical imports, as revealed by a comprehensive report from the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC). This alarming trend has sparked concerns among members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, who warn of a potential public health crisis if urgent measures are not taken to curb the nation’s reliance on imported pharmaceuticals. According to the RMRDC report, the financial outlay for pharmaceutical imports witnessed a sharp increase over the years.  In 2016, Nigeria spent N126.1bn, followed by a marginal reduction to N118.9bn in 2017. However,…

The Federal Government says the use of Atmosfair Save80 Clean Cookstoves, a climate friendly device, will help to address challenges of climate change and reverse environmental degradation in northeast states. Director-General of National Council on Climate Change, Dr Salisu Dahiru, who disclosed this during a one-day sensitisation program in Maiduguri,Borno State, said the stoves will curtail use of firewood by 80 percent. According to him, one of the major causes of deforestation in Nigeria is the widespread use of firewood, which results in cutting of trees, hence the need to involve women to save Nigeria’s ecosystem. “Women, especially those in…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Thursday seized expired pharmaceutical products worth N15 million from a pharmacy in Jos, Plateau State. This is as the agency also confiscated unregistered alcoholic beverages worth more than N30 million from shops in Jos and in the nearby Bukuru metropolis of the state. The Director of the North Central Zone, NAFDAC, Mr Shaba Mohammed who disclosed this said the agency had earlier received reports that the pharmacy sold expired drugs. According to him, the pharmacy tampers with expiry date markings on pharmaceuticals to revalidate their shelf lives. Mohammed explained…

Daud Olatunji .In a shocking revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Christ High Commission Church in Araromi-Ugbesi, Ekiti State, the founder, Pastor Noah Abraham, stands accused of a grave betrayal – allegedly snatching and impregnating the wife of his trusted choirmaster. The church’s choir coordinator, Dare Ikuenayo, brought the startling allegations to light in an interview with Vanguard, recounting a tale of deceit, manipulation, and heartbreak within the confines of the sacred institution. According to Ikuenayo, the betrayal unfolded when Pastor Abraham, who leads the Christ High Commission Church, approached him with a revelation about his wife possessing the…

Daud Olatunji In a shocking turn of events, a dismissed Inspector of the Niger State Police Command, Inspector Yahaya Mohammed, has been sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in the theft and sale of an AK-47 magazine and ammunition to suspected armed bandits within the state.  Mohammed, who previously held the position of second in command in charge of the armory at the Niger State Police Command headquarters, faced charges of criminal conspiracy and theft, as well as unlawful dealing in the sale of arms. The court heard that Mohammed conspired with Ndaman Gana, another officer in…

Daud Olatunji Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), issued a stern warning to Nigerians intending to travel abroad without proper documentation, emphasizing the growing challenges faced in many countries.  The caution came during her visit to a shelter in Brampton, Canada, where she expressed sympathy for those in difficult situations. In a statement released on Thursday through the commission’s official handle on X, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit at NIDCOM, highlighted Dabiri-Erewa’s strong message.  The NIDCOM boss discouraged individuals from attempting to travel to Canada without adequate documentation or…

Daud Olatunji  Chief Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu of Ogun State has  revealed that no fewer than 2,800 defendants have been freed to alleviate  prison congestion.  The Chief Justice, speaking at the maiden Bondsmen Stakeholders Forum,on Thursday,  expressed concern over the perversion of justice as fraudsters and touts presented fake documents to stand surety for defendants.  Established in 2020, the Bondsman Scheme aims to revolutionize the bail process, ensuring both the expeditious delivery of justice and the decongestion of correctional facilities.  The forum became a platform for Justice Dipeolu to underscore the vital role of bondsmen, emphasizing their responsibility in maintaining the…

Daud Olatunji In a landmark initiative, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Ford Foundation are championing climate justice by sponsoring seven members of the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance (NCJA) to attend the 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai. The partnership, announced by Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director General of NCF, underscores a commitment to amplify the voices of civil society organizations (CSOs) advocating for climate justice in Nigeria.  This move aligns with the objectives set forth in July 2023 during the launch of NCJA in Abuja, aiming to strengthen CSOs’…

Daud Olatunji A recent report shedding light on the increasing interference of the tobacco industry in Nigeria has sent shockwaves through public health advocates, revealing a significant jump in the industry’s meddling from 53 to 60 points in 2023. The report was  according to findings released by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies through the Centre for Good Governance. Nigeria, having ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s Article 5.3 guidelines in 2005, has faced a stark escalation in challenges related to tobacco control measures.  Despite enacting the National Tobacco Control…

Daud Olatunji In a gut-wrenching tale of loss and brutality, Funmi Soyinka, the grief-stricken mother of 13-year-old John, has spoken out after her son’s life was violently cut short, his body mutilated in a horrific incident that has left the community in shock. Enrolled as an apprentice in a barber salon two years ago to channel his energy away from playful antics,  Soyinka, a teenager with dreams of a brighter future, was also entrusted with a POS by his boss in Abeokuta. A recent incident, however, took a dark turn when John was accused by his boss, Dare, of absconding…