Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a meeting with members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) at the State House in Abuja on Friday, President Bola Tinubu expressed deep concern over the prevailing insecurity in the country.  He announced the government’s contemplation of deploying forest guards equipped with advanced training, modern technological gadgets, and weapons to bolster national security. President Tinubu highlighted divisiveness as a significant challenge facing the nation and urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to work towards healing and unifying the country.  Emphasising the importance of a collective national vision, he called on the governing party to channel energy and resources into…

Former Nigerian footballer Obafemi Martins has realized his ambition of owning a nightclub with the grand opening of his multi-million Naira Italian night club, “Cosa Nostra Patron.”  Five years after revealing his plans to friends and associates, Martins celebrated the launch of the upscale establishment located on 143, Olabode George Street, Victoria Island. Cosa Nostra Patron promises a premium nightlife experience, and entry is strictly by reservation, positioning itself to compete with renowned Lagos clubs like Quilox and DNA.  The nightclub, coupled with a hotel, officially welcomed the public on December 31, marking the start of a new entertainment era.…

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has revealed its decision to gradually discontinue Higher National Diploma (HND) Computer Science programs in public Polytechnics and monotechnics across Nigeria.  In an official statement released on Monday, the Board outlined that, starting from the 2024/25 academic session, no new admissions would be accepted for the HND Computer Science Programme. To facilitate a smooth transition, the NBTE has granted a grace period to institutions offering the programme, allowing them to graduate students who were admitted under the old curricula. The Executive Secretary of the Board, Idris Bugaje, conveyed this decision through a letter…

In a decisive ruling, the Supreme Court has upheld the election of Abba Yusuf as the governor of Kano State. The five-member panel unanimously declared that both the tribunal and the court of appeal were in error when they nullified Yusuf’s victory. The controversy surrounding Yusuf’s election unfolded after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner in March 2023, securing 1,019,602 votes against Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 890,705 votes. However, the Kano governorship election petition tribunal overturned Yusuf’s victory in September, deducting 165,663 votes due to unstamped, unsigned, and undated ballot…

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has affirmed Bala Mohammed’s election as the Governor of Bauchi State.  The apex court dismissed the appeal filed by Sadique Abubakar, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, upholding the findings of the Court of Appeal. Mohammed, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), secured victory in the March 2023 election with 525,280 votes against Abubakar’s 432,272 votes.  Despite Abubakar’s legal challenges, both the tribunal and the court of appeal had earlier validated Mohammed’s win. Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, reading the lead judgment, declared the appeal “devoid of merit,” resolving all six issues against the…

Daud Olatunji In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has solidified Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s position as the duly elected governor of Lagos State.  The decision came as an eight-member panel at the apex court dismissed the appeal brought forth by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election. Rhodes-Vivour’s primary contention centered around the eligibility of Kadri Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos, who was sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC).  The LP candidate argued that Hamzat, by allegedly renouncing his Nigerian citizenship in favor of the United States, was not qualified for the…

Daud Olatunji The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released a concerning projection, indicating that up to two million workers worldwide may face unemployment in 2024.  The ILO’s latest report, titled “World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024,” highlights the potential increase in the global unemployment rate from 5.1% in 2023 to 5.2%. While the report acknowledges a decline in joblessness and the jobs gap below pre-pandemic levels, it underscores the challenges posed by growing inequalities and stagnant productivity, raising concerns about the global employment landscape. The global unemployment rate had experienced a positive trend, decreasing for three consecutive years from…

Kabirat Sodunke & Saratu Adebayo In a heartfelt plea, Mrs. Ololade Busayo is seeking financial assistance totaling N20 million for her 15-year-old son, Umar Ololade, who is diagnosed with a heart condition that requires urgent medical attention. The mother disclosed that Umar has been diagnosed with electrophysiology, a condition requiring surgery at a specialist hospital in South Africa, with a hefty cost of N20 million. The journey into this medical crisis began when Umar started complaining of chest pain, initially considered a minor issue. Unfortunately, the condition worsened over time, leading to the teenager’s hospitalization. Mrs. Ololade explained that Umar…

Wema Bank has demonstrated remarkable financial growth, posting a Profit Before Tax (PBT) surge of over 130% to N21.76 billion at the close of the third quarter of 2023.  This significant increase from N9.46 billion in the corresponding period of 2022 solidifies the bank’s position as a leading financial institution in Nigeria. Analysis of the bank’s financials for the first three quarters of 2023 reveals a substantial 130% growth in PBT, reaching N21.76 billion.  Additionally, gross earnings witnessed a notable 61% increase, reaching N150.90 billion in Q3 2023 compared to N93.86 billion in Q3 2022. Wema Bank attributes its robust…

Daud Olatunji The United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) marked a significant milestone as it celebrated the sixth anniversary of Leo, its artificial intelligent digital assistant and Chatbot. The bank reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital banking in Nigeria through Leo’s transformative capabilities Launched on January 11, 2018, Leo has evolved into a groundbreaking assistant that has left an indelible mark on the Nigerian and African financial industry, setting a standard for quick transactions and efficient customer responses. UBA, as the pioneer in introducing a digital solution for enhanced customer transactions in Africa, has promised to expand Leo’s services further. …