Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed United States President Donald Trump’s allegation of religious persecution in Nigeria, saying the claim is rooted in a “15-year-old, outdated report” that does not represent the country’s security realities. Trump had recently redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” accusing the government of ignoring attacks on Christians and failing to protect religious minorities. But speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio said the National Assembly had not formally debated the issue because it is a sensitive foreign policy matter requiring alignment with the executive arm of government. “We have not discussed the issue of…

The Ogun State chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has kicked against the proposed demolition and rebuilding of the Commissioners’ Quarters, Legislative Quarters and the Kobape Mechanic Village, describing the plan as a “wasteful, anti-people project” designed to benefit political cronies. In a statement on Tuesday, signed by the state chairman, Comrade Funmilayo Onifade, and secretary, Comrade Ali Adesina, the rights group alleged that the project, packaged as a “Housing Regeneration Scheme” by the state Ministry of Housing, was a ploy to forcefully relocate occupants and privatise strategic government lands. CDHR claimed the move fits into…

Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines and veteran broadcaster, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against visiting former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing the move as “politically insensitive and diplomatically unnecessary.” Farounbi issued the warning during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5FM, Ilese-Ijebu. His comment followed Trump’s recent remark labeling Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christians — a classification that could attract sanctions and restrictions on military cooperation and foreign investment. Trump had also hinted Nigeria could lose U.S. aid if insecurity and religious killings are not…

… Judge Adopts Confidential Agreement …Case Ends After Months Of Heated Courtroom Clash Daud Olatunji  Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, on Monday settled its long-running legal dispute with the Nigerian government over a $32.8 million data protection fine, opting for an out-of-court resolution after months of intense legal hostilities. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) had, on February 18, imposed the multi-million-dollar penalty on Meta, accusing the tech giant of violating Nigeria’s Data Protection Act through unauthorised data transfers, behavioural advertising without user consent, failure to file mandatory audit reports, and targeting minors, among other alleged infractions.…

The chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, has announced that low-income Nigerians and small businesses will benefit from 50 tax exemptions when the new tax laws come into effect on January 1, 2026. Oyedele disclosed this in a series of posts on his verified X handle, saying the reforms were designed to reduce the tax burden on the masses and boost economic participation for small-scale earners. According to him, individuals earning the national minimum wage and those with annual gross income of up to ₦1.2 million will be exempted from Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax…

An undergraduate of the Bola Ajibola College of Law (BACOLAW), Crescent University, Abeokuta, Mujeebat Moyosore Idris, has emerged winner of the 7th Alao Adavise National Essay Competition on privacy and data protection. Idris beat over 300 contestants across Nigeria to clinch the top prize in the essay contest organised by Lawyard in partnership with Tech Hive Advisory Africa. Her entry, titled “The Invisible Audience: Can Online Platforms Safeguard Youth Privacy?”, was selected through a blind review process, ahead of first runner-up, Chiamaka Patrick. The award presentation ceremony held at the New Moot and Mock Court, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo…

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, on Monday declared human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, wanted for allegedly inciting public disturbance during protests against building demolitions in Oworonshoki. Jimoh, who addressed journalists at the community, accused the Sahara Reporters founder of coming to Lagos to “instigate unrest” following the demolition exercise carried out by the state government. Trouble began earlier in the day when police fired teargas canisters to disperse residents protesting the demolition of their houses, leaving several people injured. Some demonstrators were also arrested as security operatives attempted to restore order. According to the police…

…Déby Orders Troops, Armoured Vehicles To Border …Move Follows Trump’s ‘Religious Persecution’ Remark On Nigeria Daud Olatunji Chad has shut its land border with Nigeria and deployed heavy military presence along key entry points amid rising diplomatic tension and speculation over possible international military intervention in Nigeria. PLATFORM TIMES gathered on Monday that the Chadian government took the decision after intelligence reports suggested that armed groups in northern Nigeria were planning to cross into Chadian territory to escape potential conflict. The development comes barely days after  United States President, Donald Trump, classified Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Interest” over…

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has opened up about his religious journey, revealing that he converted from Christianity to Islam in his pursuit of truth and spiritual clarity. Speaking during an interview with digital personality, Playboymax, the Afrobeats star explained that his continued study of religious texts has left him more confused than enlightened about spirituality. “Growing up, I was a Christian and then I converted to Islam. It’s like I’ve studied it all, but I’m still out here trying to find out what is really going on, you know? The more I research, the…

A fresh wave of crisis has rocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday forcefully took control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, installing Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting National Chairman amid a deepening leadership tussle. The Wadata Plaza headquarters witnessed heavy police presence as rival factions battled for control following the suspension of key party officials on both sides. Umar Damagum, the party’s National Chairman recognised by the National Working Committee (NWC), had earlier suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and other Wike-aligned officials. In a swift counter-move,…