Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji  In a proactive move to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral process during the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun  has convened a significant meeting with key stakeholders in Kogi State. The Force Public Relations Officer,ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the  gathering, held in the state capital, Lokoja, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including political leaders, representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, electoral officials, traditional and religious leaders, youth leaders, and security agencies.  Adejobi said the  central aim of this…

Daud Olatunji A 43-year-old Nigerian villager, Muhammadu Ali, lost his life in Bauchi State while undergoing a test of a traditional “gun medicine” or bullet-proof charm.  The tragic incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with such beliefs and practices in Nigeria, where charms with supposed magical properties are commonly used. The unfortunate incident took place in Nigeria’s north-eastern Bauchi State, as Ali was being subjected to a test of the “gun medicine” by a traditional healer. The healer, who used a locally made gun for the test, has since been apprehended by the authorities.  Two other suspects have…

Daud Olatunji The city of Abeokuta and its surrounding communities are set to bid a final farewell to Chief (Mrs) Taiwo Durojaiye, affectionately known as Iya Londo, a prominent political grassroot mobilizer and leader of various women organizations.  The beloved matriarch’s burial ceremonies are scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 9th, 2023, and Friday, November 10th, 2023. Chief (Mrs) Taiwo Durojaiye’s son, Olamiji Durojaiye, issued a release detailing the arrangements for the ceremonies.  He said that the  series of events to honour her memory will begin with a Christian wake-keeping service at Nawir U Deen Grammar School in Obantoko…

…. “Out Of Over 50, We Have Just 5 Houses Left” …. Residents Bemoan Deplorable Road Conditions, Impact On Healthcare Access … “This Community Has Been In Darkness For Over 100 Years” Fawaz Adebisi  On a sunny Saturday morning, this reporter embarked on a journey to Tonawo, a secluded agrarian village nestled within the Obafemi Owode local government of Ogun State. The mission was to unearth the challenges faced by the village residents due to their geographical isolation and the desperate need for better infrastructure. The trip, however, was far from a smooth ride. Upon approaching the village, it…

Daud Olatunji In a gathering convened by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, foreign airlines operating in Nigeria disclosed that a significant portion of their $783 million in trapped funds remains unpaid, making it difficult for them to operate effectively in the country. As of August 2023, Nigeria accounted for a substantial $783 million of airlines’ blocked funds, according to data from the International Air Transport Association. Despite recent efforts to alleviate the situation, foreign airlines are still grappling with financial constraints. Mr. Chima Kingsley, Chairman of International Airline Operators, highlighted that while some funds were received…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully saved a staggering N1.45 trillion from the removal of subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, between June and September, as reported by the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). According to FAAC allocation documents obtained from the Nigeria Governors Forum and the National Bureau of Statistics, a breakdown of the figures revealed monthly remittances to the Non-Oil Revenue (Savings) account of the government.  In June, the account received N696.93 billion, followed by N389.7 billion in July, N71 billion in August, and N289 billion in September. This substantial financial accomplishment came…

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has issued a warning, urging Nigerians to disregard ongoing social media messages promising free registration of business names and companies. The commission issued the warning in a statement on X (formerly Twiter) on Tuesday, adding that such could not have emanated from them. “Please, disregard any SMS or WhatsApp message asking you to enrol for free CAC registration, as it is not from us! Thank you,” CAC posted. The Registrar General/CEO of the commission, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), vowed to remove encumbrances to staff performance when he visited the Lagos office of the CAC in…

In a concerning revelation, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has disclosed that due to the refusal of state Governors to sign death warrants, approximately 5,000 inmates who are supposed to face the death penalty by hanging are still occupying space in correctional facilities.  This revelation was made by the Controller-General of the Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, during a recent event organized by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) focused on access to justice and the launch of two critical projects: “Court Administration and Case Management” and “Reforming Pre-trial Detention in Nigeria Phase II.” The controller-general expressed his deep concern…

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that the South-West governors have implemented  a significant development for the Oodua Investment Company Ltd. Abiodun said the development was  a non-interference policy implemented  to revamp the conglomerate and eliminate political interference and mediocrity in its operations.  Abiodun made this announcement during a meeting with the board and management of Oodua Investment, headed by Group Chairman Otunba Bimbo Ashiru.  He expressed his satisfaction with the recent accomplishments of the company, applauding the new management team’s creativity, direction, and commitment. Abiodun emphasized the need for a professional and purpose-driven approach in managing the…

Aminat Gusanu On Tuesday, members of the Fish and Seafood Sellers Association of Nigeria in Abeokuta gathered outside the Governor’s office, holding placards and voicing their concerns through anti-government songs.  They were expressing their frustration with the continuous rise in fish prices. Owolabi Onajobi, the state chairman of the Association, lamented the relentless surge in fish prices, which has forced many of their members out of business. He stressed that the escalating prices were negatively impacting their livelihoods, and customers were holding them responsible for the arbitrary hikes. Onajobi appealed to the government to address the economic hardship caused by…