Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In what analysts describe as a transformative intervention in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a bold N720 billion investment in 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for the direct delivery of fuel across the country—a move expected to disrupt traditional fuel distribution and save Nigerians over N1.7 trillion annually. The initiative, which will eliminate the role of middlemen and drastically reduce transportation costs, marks the first time a private operator is absorbing over N1.07 trillion yearly in logistics expenses—a cost burden that has historically inflated pump prices across Nigeria. Under the new system, beginning August 15,…

The Igbayiyemi Community Development Association (CDA), under the Adio Ajegunle axis in Soyoye, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Saturday, June 28, 2025, held its election and inauguration ceremony for a new set of executive members. The newly elected chairman, Mr. Lawal Kehinde Taoheed, was officially inaugurated alongside other executives during a well-attended event that attracted key stakeholders from the local government and community development circles. Performing the inauguration on behalf of the local government was Mr. Adelakun Adisa David, while other dignitaries present included Comrade Musiliu Adisa Anifowose, Chairman of the Ifelajulo Area Community Development Council…

The Egba Economic Summit Group has pledged robust support for the smooth take-off of the newly established Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta, following a strategic visit to the university’s temporary campus on June 25, 2025. Led by its President, Mr. Yinka Chris Coker, the summit delegation met with the university’s Governing Council, Vice Chancellor, and top management to explore avenues of collaboration. The visit, described as a historic moment in Egbaland, underscored the community’s commitment to the success of the federal institution. Speaking during the visit, the Vice President of the summit and head of its secretariat,…

Veteran Yoruba actor, Fatai Odua, popularly known as Lalude, has lashed out at the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its loyalists, accusing them of using and abandoning Nollywood thespians after they campaigned for President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the 2023 general elections. In an emotionally charged outburst on the YouTube talk show Behind the Fame aired on Saturday, the actor, famed for his iconic roles as a herbalist in Yoruba movies, said he and several others were mobilised for political campaigns by APC chieftain, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, but were never paid…

Several persons are feared dead and many others injured after a speeding tipper truck lost control and ploughed into a bustling market in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. The tragic incident occurred around midday on Saturday at the Mile 6 market, a popular trading hub, leaving the community in shock and mourning. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the truck, which was transporting sand, suffered a tyre burst while in motion. The driver, reportedly unable to regain control of the vehicle, veered off the road and rammed into traders and shoppers within the busy market. “It happened so fast,” said Musa Ibrahim,…

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old man, Muanaenye Chekwube Victor, for allegedly masterminding the abduction of his close friend and collecting a ransom of ₦5.3 million in dollars. The suspect, according to the police, connived with members of a kidnap syndicate to lure the unsuspecting victim into captivity before demanding and receiving the ransom in foreign currency. Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday, said Victor was apprehended on June 26 by operatives attached to the Uli Divisional Headquarters following a discreet investigation into the case. Ikenga disclosed that the…

The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, has renewed his commitment to raising awareness on cervical cancer prevention, declaring that promoting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among young girls is key to safeguarding their future and ensuring safe motherhood. Oba Matemilola made this known during a capacity-building programme held at his palace in Oke-Ago Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The event was organised by Pathfinder International, Nigeria, in partnership with the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB) and Family Health Initiative Ogun (FAHIO). The monarch, who is also a recognized HPV Mega Champion, described the campaign against…

Nigeria’s total public debt has climbed to N149.38 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a N4.72 trillion increase from the N144.67 trillion recorded at the end of 2024, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO). This marks a 3.3 percent rise in the country’s debt burden, which comprises both domestic and external obligations of the federal and state governments, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A breakdown of the figures shows that domestic debt accounted for N78.75 trillion ($51.2 billion), while external debt stood at N70.63 trillion ($45.9 billion). The federal government continued to shoulder the bulk of…

Chief ‘Kayode Aderemi has been elected as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abeokuta Branch, following a peaceful and well-coordinated election held on Thursday, June 27, 2025. The electoral process, which was supervised by a team led by Dr. Sherif Olayinka Rasaq, Esq., culminated in the announcement of results by Mrs. O. Ogundele. Aderemi, a respected legal practitioner, will lead a new executive team that includes Abimbola Akisanya as Vice Chairman; Tope Adekoya as General Secretary; Olatoye Adejola as Assistant General Secretary; Gabriel Agboola as Treasurer; and Abdulbasit Abolade Shuaib as Publicity Secretary. In his acceptance speech,…

The Ogun State Government has set an ambitious target to vaccinate over two million children as it flagged off the second round of the 2025 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) and the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week. Speaking at the official launch of the campaign in Sabo, Sagamu Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, urged parents and caregivers to seize the opportunity and protect their children against preventable diseases, especially polio and cervical cancer. Dr. Coker disclosed that the exercise aims to administer oral polio vaccines to under-five children and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)…