Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji  The Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University has sacked the institution’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu.  The decision was communicated through a letter made available to reporters on Saturday. Professor Ikechebelu, who previously served as the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), was appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor in early June following the expiration of Professor Charles Esimone’s tenure on June 3.  No reason was provided for Professor Ikechebelu’s abrupt removal from office. The letter announcing the sack was signed by Gregory Mbadiwe, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council.  In the same letter, Mbadiwe announced the appointment of Professor Carol…

By Kunle Somorin In a rare moment of recognition and celebration, Nigeria’s literary giant, Wole Soyinka, was on Wednesday honored in his home state of Ogun. The occasion marked a significant milestone in the life of a man who has spent decades speaking truth to power and championing the causes of justice and equality. The grandeur of the occasion was akin to a floodwater that threatened to drown the very man it sought to honor. Despite facing persecution and exile, Soyinka has remained steadfast in his commitment to the Nigerian people and the pursuit of a better society. The reception,…

Parenting, simply put, is the process of raising and educating a child from birth until adulthood. Raising a child is one of the most taxing yet fulfilling, frustrating and rewarding tasks any human can attempt. Children really need love. What human organization requires most for its development is a nutriment of love, the source of virtually all health is in the experience of love. Children suffer serious crippling effects when exposed to an inadequate diet of love. Living in loveless, selfish world, therefore, strains family bonds and eventually bounces back on the children who are usually at the receiving…

By Aisha Ademigbuji Reading is a complex skill that opens doors to knowledge, imagination, and lifelong learning. For young learners, mastering the foundations of reading is crucial. This process can be distilled into five big ideas, each playing a vital role in helping children become proficient readers. Understanding these concepts is essential for educators, parents, and anyone involved in early childhood education. 1. Phonemic Awareness Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds—phonemes—in spoken words. It’s the foundation of reading, as it prepares children to understand that words are made up of these sounds. Activities like…

The Director-General of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign for the 2023 election, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has accused the party’s candidate, Peter Obi, of betraying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to pursue his own presidential ambitions.  Okupe stated this in a viral video circulated on social media on Friday, clarifying his reasons for withdrawing support from Obi. According to Okupe, Obi’s decision to contest the 2023 presidential election led him to break ranks with Atiku, who had initially brought Obi into national politics by selecting him as his vice-presidential candidate in the 2019 election.  Okupe vehemently denied allegations…

Daud Olatunji In a bid to tackle the moral decline and rising societal ills plaguing Nigeria, the Dawah Front Ummu Forum , Abeokuta chapter, recently organised a thought-provoking session.  The event, headlined by some experts include ; the lead discussant, Dr. Muibat  Shittu from the Federal University of Agriculture,Abeokuta, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, the Administrator of Al-Ma’ruf Academy, Mr Maknun Adekunle and a young female advocate, Kabirah Indarabi, all shared their thoughts on the theme “Intentional Parenting: Youth Reformation.” The session drew insights from Islamic teachings to propose effective parenting strategies aimed at raising morally…

Daud Olatunji  Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has opened up about the perilous times he faced during the regime of the late Nigerian military dictator, General Sani Abacha.  Reflecting on his experiences as he marks his 90th birthday, Soyinka described his survival through that era as “a bit of a miracle.” In an interview, the  playwright and activist recalled the intense scrutiny and danger he faced from Abacha’s government, which he characterised as driven by madness and obsession.  “Abacha was mad. He was obsessed. He was really obsessed with me,” Soyinka stated, highlighting the personal vendetta the dictator harboured against…

 Daud Olatunji The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, has shed light on the stark realities faced by many Nigerians in accessing healthcare.  Speaking at the fifth legislative summit on health in Abuja, themed “Improving Legislative Stewardship and Accountability for Universal Health Coverage,” Pate  said the significant barriers to medical care is primarily affordability. During his address on Friday, Pate said  that many Nigerians rely on public facilities for their healthcare needs, with a considerable number not seeking medical care at all due to cost constraints.  He drew the  revelation  from a comprehensive survey involving…

Daud Olatunji A women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State, Aisha Abubakar, has confessed to serving as an informant for bandits.  Abubakar admitted to receiving a meagre N5000 from a N9 million ransom and a motorcycle paid to secure the release of kidnapped individuals. Abubakar’s confession emerged in a viral interrogation video where she detailed her involvement in the kidnapping of five family members of the Tsaiyaya Ward APC chairman.  According to her, she played a crucial role in providing information that led to the abduction of Alhaji Sanusi, his two wives, and three children…

The police in Katsina State have arrested a 13-year-old boy, suspected to be providing information to armed bandits. ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the Public Relations Officer of the command , made this known in Katsina. “On July 3, the command, in collaboration with members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC) attached to Dansoda village, Dandume Local Government Area (LGA), succeeded in arresting the 13-year-old boy. “He resides in Sheik Abdullahi quarters of Dandume town. He  was arrested in connection to a suspected case of aiding and abetting armed banditry. “The suspect was arrested following the intelligence tips…