Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji  Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) have sent shockwaves across the nation with their resolute declaration to stage a nationwide strike on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.  This action comes in response to their long-standing demands for financial autonomy for State Assemblies and the evident lack of progress. PASAN, representing the interests of parliamentary staff across the country, had issued a stern 21-day ultimatum back in September to draw attention to their concerns.  Central among these demands is the immediate implementation of financial autonomy for State Assemblies, as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution. In a letter…

In a significant move to address humanitarian crises and poverty alleviation in Nigeria, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has granted approval for the establishment of a Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund.  The announcement was made by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, during a press briefing held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. The newly established trust fund is poised to facilitate the Federal Government’s swift response to critical humanitarian situations that arise within the country.  This initiative comes as part of a broader strategy to ensure the well-being of vulnerable populations and…

Seven market women lost their lives as a boat carrying 28 passengers, predominantly market women and children, capsized in the riverine community of Gelegele, located 35 kilometers from Benin City, Edo State.  The incident occurred last Thursday, sending shockwaves through the local area. The ill-fated boat, which initially carried passengers, rammed into oil barges owned by Dubri, a multinational oil exploration company, that were reportedly improperly parked.  The boat had stopped in Gelegele to drop off some passengers and refuel. During the refueling process, a strong water current pushed the boat against the barges, leading to the tragic…

Israel Adeleke On Monday, Google Doodle honored the 60th birthday of Rashidi Yekini, the legendary Nigerian footballer known for his goal-scoring prowess and nicknamed the Goalsfather. A Google Doodle is a special, temporary alteration of the logo on Google’s homepages intended to commemorate holidays, events, achievements, and notable historical figures. Yekini, who was born on October 23, 1963, in Kaduna, Nigeria, overcame a challenging early life marked by homelessness and poverty to become a football star. Yekini, who had a passion for football, worked as a welder and mechanic before catching the eye of scouts. He joined his first football…

Fawaz Adebisi A 45-year-old woman, Oluchukwu Nwosu, has been arrested by the Anambra State Government for allegedly selling her three-month-old grandchild for N50,000. The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, who confirmed the arrest on Sunday, said the baby was rescued after a month-long investigation. She said the ministry acted on a complaint by the baby’s mother, Ijeoma Nwosu, who accused her mother of selling her baby without her consent. According to Obinabo, four suspects were involved in the illegal transaction and they would be handed over to the police for prosecution. She expressed concern over the…

…Foreign Investors Sam Iwuajoku, Herbert Wigwe Allegedly Brought In To Acquire Airport Daud Olatunji In a bombshell revelation, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State is under a glaring spotlight for his administration’s remarkable expenditure of over N80 billion within a mere two-year period, all funneled into the controversial Agro Cargo Airport project. This eye-watering allocation of public funds which was ‘just to provide infrastructure” has ignited a firestorm of debate, leaving citizens, watchdog organizations, and the opposition clamouring for transparency and accountability in a state that desperately needs it. The staggering saga begins with the initial disbursement of N29.6…

Daud Olatunji The Association of Electricity Distributors of Nigeria (ANED) has emphasized that without electricity subsidies, the majority of Nigerians would be unable to afford the actual cost of power supplied to them.  ANED’s Regulatory Specialist, David Adeyeye, discussed the importance of continued government support for the power sector during a recent live television interview. Adeyeye highlighted the challenging economic conditions, particularly the exchange rate, as a major factor.  He pointed out that with the current exchange rate of about N1,150 to a dollar, imposing the actual cost of electricity on Nigerians would be unsustainable.  He argued that the government…

Daud Olatunji Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has addressed recent speculations surrounding his October 3 meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman.  In a statement delivered during a meeting with the leadership of the Abuja National Mosque Management Board, Wike categorically denied taking sides with Israel against Palestine, emphasizing that he does not possess the constitutional authority to determine Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with other nations. Wike asserted, “I have read from various social media platforms that we had a meeting and that we are doing this and that with Israel. ” I am here with…

Daud Olatunji Kogi State, Nigeria – In a surprising turn of events, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has vehemently denied the reported assassination attempt on his life.  This denial came shortly after his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, issued a statement claiming that gunmen in military uniforms had waylaid the governor’s convoy and opened fire. Fanwo’s statement, released on Sunday, described how assailants dressed in military attire targeted Governor Bello’s convoy while he was en route from Lokoja to Abuja for official engagements.  The alleged attack occurred at three different points on the Lokoja-Abuja highway, with the…

Daud Olatunji In a bid to address the overcrowding crisis in correctional facilities, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, recently announced a plan to pay N500 million in fines imposed on over 4,000 convicts across Nigeria.  This initiative garnered attention and commendation from various quarters, but it has also faced scrutiny from human rights lawyer Femi Falana. Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB), has called on the Interior Minister to reconsider the N500 million payment plan.  Falana suggested that the allocated funds should be redirected…