Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has vehemently denied the widespread rumor of his demise, asserting that he is in no rush to meet his maker.  The 88-year-old Gowon was reported to be in London at the time when the unfounded rumor began to circulate rapidly throughout Nigeria. This refutation came through a brief message conveyed to the media by his personal aide, Adeyeye Ajayi. In the statement, Ajayi quoted Gowon as saying, “I am still around and well. I am not in a hurry.” The rumor of General Gowon’s passing sparked a frenzy on social media platforms,…

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has unveiled a comprehensive suite of financial solutions designed to empower Nigerians in their pursuit of wealth and financial well-being.  These exclusive offerings span the entire spectrum of wealth creation, from accumulation to preservation, covering target and premium savings, wealth and investment management, pensions, and estate planning (Wills and Trusts).  Additionally, FCMB provides a range of value-added services, including education, travel, advisory services, and diaspora account management. The target and premium savings plans cater to upwardly mobile professionals and entrepreneurs, providing a solid foundation for financial growth.  Meanwhile, wealth and investment management services are tailored…

In a significant stride towards improving Nigeria’s electricity supply, the Federal Government, in partnership with the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), has successfully increased the power capacity of the national grid from 13,000 megawatts to an impressive 14,000 megawatts.  This remarkable achievement was announced by Dr. Joy Ogaji, the Executive Secretary of APGC, during the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria’s 2023 annual international strategic conference. The cornerstone of this power capacity expansion was the commissioning of the state-of-the-art $1.3 billion Zungeru hydroelectric plant, located in Niger state, in the second quarter of the year.  Dr. Ogaji highlighted the…

In a groundbreaking revelation, Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has unveiled ambitious plans for Nigeria’s energy sector. Speaking at the PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit 2023 in Abuja, Kyari projected that Nigeria is poised to transform into a net exporter of petroleum products by the year 2024. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Kyari emphasized that as a resource-dependent nation, Nigeria cannot continue exporting 100 percent of its crude oil production.  He stated, “Today, we export 100 percent of our productions, no resource-dependent country does this, and that is why…

Daud Olatunji In a shocking turn of events, a 48-year-old man named Ishioma Ordu, originally from Oshimil North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been apprehended by the Edo State Police for allegedly orchestrating a robbery that resulted in the tragic death of a petrol station supervisor, Eze Emmanuel, in Benin City. Ordu, who had recently been suspended by the petrol station owner, confessed to devising the robbery plan alongside two accomplices who remain at large.  His motivation stemmed from what he perceived as unjust treatment by his employer. However, Ordu claimed that their initial intent did not involve…

Daud Olatunji Over 100 farmers, affected by the construction of the Ekiti cargo airport, voiced their frustration today at the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti.  Holding placards, these farmers from communities including Igbogun, Afao, Araromi Obo, Aso Ayegunle, and Igbemo Ekiti protested the state government’s failure to compensate them as promised.  Despite assurances given during a June 2023 meeting with the governor, Chief Awe Ojo, the spokesman for the farmers, claimed that no action has been taken, sparking suspicions of corruption among government officials.  The situation has dire consequences, with 11 reported deaths and numerous others struggling to pay medical…

Daud Olatunji In a shocking and emotionally charged verdict, the High Court of Akwa Ibom State in Eket has delivered justice by sentencing a trusted medical doctor, Nwaopara Uche, to a two-year jail term for committing the unthinkable act of stealing hospital beds from Immanuel General Hospital and Immanuel Psychiatric Hospital, both situated in the heart of Eket Local Government Area. This criminal act, which has left the community reeling in disbelief, saw these stolen beds callously converted for use in Uche’s private clinic. The disheartening saga of betrayal unfolded as Uche was found guilty alongside his accomplices, 28-year-old Kubiat…

In the midst of Nigeria’s $1.21 billion foreign borrowing to bolster capital importation in the first half of 2023, the nation witnessed a stark divide, with 28 states failing to attract foreign investments, as revealed in a report by the National Bureau of Statistics on Nigeria’s Capital Importation. During this period, Nigeria experienced a notable 30.42% year-on-year decline in total capital importation, dropping from $3.11 billion in the first half of 2022 to $2.16 billion in 2023. Factors like insecurity and a challenging business environment have continued to hamper foreign direct investments into Nigeria, leading the nation to increasingly rely…

In its latest weather forecast, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has raised concerns about the possibility of dust haze and thunderstorms sweeping across the nation from Monday to Wednesday.  The agency’s Weather Outlook report, released on Monday, reveals a detailed overview of the weather conditions expected in various regions. The Northern region is expected to experience dust haze with visibility ranging from 1km to 3km, along with localized visibility of 1,000m or less on Monday. Thunderstorms are also anticipated, particularly in parts of Taraba state. For the North Central states, suspended dust is likely to reduce visibility to 2km to 5km,…

Aminat Gusanu In a significant development, the Adamawa State Police Command has taken swift action by apprehending two young men involved in the theft of armored cables within the capital city of Yola. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the suspects were nabbed for allegedly vandalizing a power line and stealing armored cables supplying electricity to a water treatment plant in Boronji, a residential community near the Government House, Yola. A statement from the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, named the suspects as Yohanna Suleiman, 25, and Emmanuel Joseph, 17. The statement said the two were arrested by police…