Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, has found herself in hot water as leaked documents reveal the transfer of N585 million from the ministry to a private account.  The leaked letter, dated December 20, 2023, and titled “Mandate for Payment of Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun States Respectively,” instructs the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, to transfer the funds to the UBA account of Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola. According to the document, the funds were allocated as follows: N219,429,750 for Akwa Ibom, N73,828,750 for Cross River, N219,462,250 for Lagos,…

Daud Olatunji In a significant breakthrough against cyberstalking and blackmail, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has apprehended three individuals linked to the notorious Gistlover blog. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Friday, disclosed that the arrests followed  a petition by Hon. and Dr. Mrs. Seye Oladejo, highlighting the blog’s involvement in conspiracy, cyberstalking, and threats to life. Adejobi said the suspects—Adebukola Kolapo, Nnedum Micheal Somtomchukwu, and Isaac Akpokighe who were members of the Gistlover family, have been integral to the daily operations of the microblogging platform known for its cyberstalking, incitement, and…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo engaged in a closed-door meeting with key Ohanaeze chieftains on Friday, addressing matters of shared concern and significance.  The rendezvous took place at the residence of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretary General, Okey Emuchay, disclosed to the media that the meeting was symbolically important, emphasizing that fruitful discussions transpired during the closed session. While specifics of the discussions were not disclosed by Emuchay, he conveyed that “issues of mutual interest” were on the agenda.  During the courtesy visit, Emuchay stated, “The Ohanaeze PG informed Chief Obasanjo that Nigeria…

In anticipation of the 2023/2024 main pilgrimage to Rome and Greece, the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission has disclosed the financial details for the upcoming religious journey.  As conveyed in a statement by Celestine Toruka, the Director and Head of Media and Public Relations, the pilgrimage is set to commence at the end of this month. The statement, dated December 28, 2023, and addressed to the chairmen and secretaries of all the States Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, reveals that the pilgrimage cost to Rome and Greece has been fixed at N3,000,000 per pilgrim.  This comprehensive amount is designed to cover return…

Amidst the aftermath of a recent Boko Haram attack in several communities of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, a group of protesting women set fire to the residence of the district head of the affected town, Michael Adanchi.  The attack left over 100 people dead in 17 villages across Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos Local Government Areas on Christmas Eve, displacing more than 10,000 individuals who sought refuge in various places, including churches, mosques, schools, and private residences. The incident, which occurred around 12.30 pm on Friday, unfolded after the arrest of community members suspected of involvement in the…

In a startling revelation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised a red flag over a growing crisis among youths in Borno State, who are resorting to consuming highly unconventional substances as an alternative to traditional hard drugs. Commander of Narcotics in Borno State, Iliyasu Mani, disclosed this alarming trend in a statement issued in Maiduguri, highlighting the prevalent abuse of psychoactive substances among the youth.  He expressed deep concern as youths were found consuming fermented human urine preserved over 10 days, lizard dung, camel urine, Lipton soaked in gin, Mentholated spirit mixed with soft drinks, and even…

Daud Olatunji In a bid to rejuvenate Nigeria’s struggling power industry, the federal government has revealed that electricity companies in the country require an infusion of approximately N2 trillion ($2.5 billion) in new capital.  An energy adviser to President Bola Tinubu,Olu Verheijen highlighted the over-leveraged and under-capitalized state of power firms, emphasising the urgent need for new investors to breathe life into an industry struggling to meet the demands of its 200 million residents. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the nation currently generates and supplies a modest 3,500MW to 4,500MW of power across its 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,…

Daud Olatunji In a significant stride against crude oil theft, the Nigerian Navy (NN) revealed yesterday that its operations in 2023 resulted in the apprehension of 23 ships, over 233 suspects, and 690 wooden boats engaged in the illicit trade.  Additionally, the Navy reported the destruction of 703 illegal refining sites, marking a crucial blow to criminal activities in the maritime domain. Rear Admiral A.O. Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Information, disclosed that the crackdown extended beyond vessels, with tens of barges, 82 vehicles, and tanker trucks seized during the operations.  The confiscated crude oil and petroleum products, valued at over…

Oyo governor Seyi Makinde has approved the release of 10 inmates in Correctional Centres in the state and commuted four death sentences to life imprisonment. The State Controller of Correctional Service, Mr Abdulraheen Salami, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Olanrewaju Anjorin, in Ibadan and made available to newsmen on Thursday. Salami stated that 15 additional inmates had their sentences reviewed downward, while another four were granted conditional release under the governor’s signed clemency order. He said that the four inmates granted conditional release were undergoing degree programmes in the National Open University at…

Two Police Inspectors attached to the Zonal Command Headquarters Onikan Lagos, Sunday Adetoye and Ogunleye Stephen, have been dismissed for allegedly conspiring with three civilians to rob two men of their valuables at Obada-Oko in Ogun. The two inspectors will also be charged to court alongside the civilians involved in the robbery of the two men, the Zonal Public Relations Officer, SP Tunni Ayuba said in a statement issued on behalf the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Ari Muhammed on Thursday. According to the statement, the AIG ordered the dismissal of two Police Inspectors…