Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed its commitment to contribute $25 billion to Africa’s Climate Fund to expedite the shift toward cleaner energy sources. Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, made this announcement during the ongoing African Climate Summit in Kenya. Dr. Adesina stressed the importance of utilizing Africa’s abundant renewable energy potential while also tapping into its vast natural gas resources to bridge the continent’s energy access gaps. He emphasized that action on climate adaptation at the national level is essential. He stated, “We cannot power Africa with potential. We must truly unlock Africa’s renewable energy…

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has stressed its advisory against night journeys for corps members in the wake of the recent abduction of eight corps members in Zamfara State. Eddy Megwa, the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, emphasized this precaution during an interview with Channels TV.  The abduction occurred on August 19 when the eight corps members were traveling from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, passing through Zamfara State as part of their mandatory national service. Megwa suggested that the abduction may have been prevented if the corps members had adhered to the NYSC’s warning…

A  middle-aged farmer and hunter, identified as Mr. Claude Tonworio, reportedly took his own life using the Dane gun he used for hunting in the forest. The Oloibiri Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State is grappling with grief following a tragic incident over the weekend According to local sources, Mr. Tonworio was in the process of transferring his harvested farm produce using a canoe when the incident occurred. The father of six, who also worked as a civil servant, is believed to have taken his own life on August 26. A family source shared details of…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has undergone significant changes, with the redeployment of two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to different states and the appointment of a new spokesperson. The commission announced the appointment of Sam Olumekun as the new National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC. He takes over as the spokesperson, succeeding Festus Okoye, whose tenure recently concluded. In his first official statement, Olumekun revealed that INEC has resumed the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states, in preparation for the November 11 Governorship Elections in those…

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has begun preparations for the 2024 Hajj, allocating pilgrim slots to participating countries worldwide.  As part of this allocation, Nigeria has secured 95,000 slots for its citizens to partake in the spiritual journey to the Kingdom next year, a significant allotment granted in recognition of Nigeria’s ability to fully utilize its allocation for the 2023 Hajj. The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made this announcement during an engagement with the heads of state pilgrims’ agencies and leaders of tour operators in Abuja. With the release of the national…

Fawaz Adebisi Operatives of the police command in Sango Ota area of Ogun state have arrested three suspected eiye confraternity members, Dakwo Micheal Jackson, Joel Obieva, and Oluwaseun Bamideke. This was revealed in a statement by the command spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, stressing that the arrest was made following a report at the Divisional Command at Sango Ota that some cultists were planning some illegal activities in the area. According to the statement, the anti-robbery team, led by CSP Saleh Dahiru made the arrest at a school in Joju, Ogun state. In his words, the suspects confessed they were part…

 Ogun State witnessed partial compliance with the two-day warning industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday, as a diverse range of workers reported for duty at various institutions. At some federal institutions, including the Federal Medical Center in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, only medical doctors and nurses were present to fulfill their responsibilities, with other workers who are members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) notably absent. The State Hospital in Ijaiye, Abeokuta, remained locked during the strike. However, the strike achieved full compliance at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), where members…

In a significant development, Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, has taken steps to mend fences with his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, by withdrawing the case he had filed to prevent his own impeachment. The discord between the Deputy Governor and Governor Obaseki arose when Shaibu publicly announced his aspiration to contest in the forthcoming governorship election in the state. In response to this, Shaibu initiated legal action by filing a case in a Federal Court in Abuja, where he secured an injunction to prevent any potential impeachment. The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023, named Governor Godwin Obaseki, the…

Fidelity Bank Plc, which has exhibited remarkable growth with a 204.4 percent surge in profit before tax in the first half of 2023, has revealed the date for the payment of interim dividends to its shareholders. In a statement presented by the company secretary, Ezinwa Unuigboje, the bank disclosed that the interim dividend will be electronically disbursed to shareholders on the 22nd of September.  Only shareholders whose names are on the register as of the 15th of September will be eligible to receive the dividend. This marks the second occasion when the bank will reward its shareholders…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced heightened security measures in the state to ensure the prevention of any potential lawlessness preceding the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) scheduled for Wednesday, September 6. In a statement personally signed by Governor Fubara, he expressed concern regarding reports of potential threats to public order by supporters of certain presidential candidates who may be dissatisfied with the PEPC’s verdict.  The Governor emphasized the significance of election petitions and their outcomes as integral to the nation’s democratic process, built upon the foundation of the rule of law and the…