Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Two students from Lagos State University (LASU) were reportedly  injured by stray bullets in the PPL area, a well-known student residential neighborhood near the campus, late Monday evening. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  incident occurred around 8 PM as the students were out purchasing food.  While the identities of the students and the shooter(s) remain unknown, eyewitness accounts and social media activity have shed light on the situation. A prominent LASU student, tweeting under the handle #belikebaddy, alerted the community: “Two students have been shot at PPL, Ojo, Lagos. Please, students of LASU, stay indoors and don’t go out.” Confirming…

The long-anticipated resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery is set to occur by the end of July, according to a statement made on Monday by Chief Ukadike Chinedu, the National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria.  This announcement marks the end of several delays that have pushed the refinery’s restart date multiple times. Chief Chinedu emphasized that the refinery’s reopening will have significant economic impacts.  “The development will stimulate economic activities, reduce the price of petroleum products, and ensure an adequate supply,” he stated, underscoring the broad economic benefits expected from the refinery’s operational…

Three persons  were arraigned on Monday,  before a magistrate’s court in the Isabo area of Abeokuta over an alleged assault on a medical doctor, Alexander Onochie, at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Aro. The incident, which took place last Friday, involved James Akode (57), Lekan Ajeigbe (35), and Rilwan Roheem (33). The trio appeared before Magistrate Mrs. D.O. Ogunbowale, facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, assault, and unlawful damage to property.  According to the prosecution counsel, ASP Matthew Famuyiwa, the accused committed the offence on May 17 at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta. Famuyiwa detailed that the defendants, who are…

The Nigerian Army has dismissed  three soldiers found guilty of engaging in armed robbery and kidnapping.  The dismissed soldiers, LCPL Abdul Musa, CPL Innocent Okwoli, and CPL West Isaac, were apprehended by the police during a joint operation with civilians. The soldiers, who were entrusted with upholding law and order, were discovered to be involved in a series of criminal activities, including robbing trucks and diverting valuable goods destined for warehouses. PLATFORM TIMES reports that they were implicated in the kidnapping of drivers and other individuals. It is alleged that these illicit operations were conducted in collaboration with civilians. Following…

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has highlighted significant obstacles faced by investors traveling within Africa, citing the need for 35 different visas on his Nigerian passport.  Dangote raised this issue during the Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, emphasizing the detrimental impact on business operations across the continent. Speaking at the summit, Dangote shared his frustration with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, pointing out that such visa requirements are nonexistent in Europe.  “I still complained to President Kagame. I told him that as an investor, I have to now apply for 35 different visas on my passport, and I…

Israel has firmly denied any involvement in the helicopter crash that tragically claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other senior officials on Sunday.  The crash, which occurred in mountainous terrain during adverse weather conditions, has ignited widespread speculation and accusations on social media. Despite the absence of an official cause for the crash, accusations have surfaced, particularly targeting Israel, which has been a long-standing regional adversary of Iran.  However, Iran itself has not made any official accusations against Israel.  This incident unfolds amidst already heightened tensions between the two nations, exacerbated by ongoing…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed deep concern over the escalating political tensions in Rivers State. He called on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to set aside their differences and work collaboratively for the betterment of the state. Speaking on Monday at the unveiling of the Trans-Kalabari Road, Jonathan emphasized the detrimental impact of ongoing conflicts between governors and their predecessors, a trend he noted is becoming increasingly common across Nigeria.  He stressed that such disputes do not benefit the residents of the states involved. “In the case of Rivers,…

Daud Olatunji The Ogun State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a strong call to the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, highlighting the urgent need to rehabilitate the deteriorated road leading to the Wole Soyinka Train Station in Abeokuta.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the road has become almost impassable despite the pleas of the residents of the area . Joining other people and groups that have called Abidoun’s attention to the road, MURIC in a statement jointly signed by its State Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, and the State Secretary, Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare, described the condition of…

Daud Olatunji In a heated exchange of accusations and counter-accusations, the political landscape of Ogun State has been rocked by a fierce clash between former governor Gbenga Daniel and incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun over the controversial Agro Cargo Airport project, amidst allegations of another  staggering N64 billion scandal. PLATFORM TIMES reports  that Daniel fired the first salvo when he granted an interview in a national newspaper and declared that despite the controversial Agro Cargo Airport being his initiative, he was not accorded the deserved accolades. This, expectedly, did not go well with Abiodun, who launched his response through his media…

Daud Olatunji Financial institutions in Nigeria faced a hefty sum of fines in 2023, with nine prominent banks collectively paying N678 million for flouting regulations, according to an analysis of their annual reports.  This figure marked a significant decrease of 89.25 percent from the N6.31 billion penalties imposed in 2022, indicating a trend towards enhanced regulatory compliance within the industry. The banks subjected to scrutiny included FBN Holdings, Access Holdings, Guaranty Trust Holding Company, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, and FCMB Group. Regulatory bodies such as the Central Bank of…