Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed grave concerns over the state of traditional rulership in Nigeria, lamenting that criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers have infiltrated royal institutions. Obasanjo made this assertion in his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, which was unveiled last week. According to the former president, the rapid proliferation of traditional rulers, many of whom lack the required training and moral standing, has led to the deterioration of the institution. He bemoaned the abandonment of the traditional training and apprenticeship system that once upheld the dignity of royal offices, warning that this…

The United Kingdom’s Home Office has revoked the visas of several Nigerian nurses under investigation for alleged examination malpractice, ordering them to leave the country, Nursing Times has reported. The affected nurses, who are still awaiting the outcomes of their appeals, have reportedly received letters directing them to depart the UK starting next week. The deportation directive follows an ongoing probe by the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) into suspected irregularities at the Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State. The investigation, which began in 2023, was triggered after the NMC detected “anomalous data” in the computer-based test…

A 25-year-old woman, Emmanuella Ogochukwu, has been arrested alongside her younger brother, Ogbuka Tochukwu, 22, for allegedly orchestrating a robbery against her lover, carting away three iPhones and Bitcoin worth N15 million. The Lagos State Police Command apprehended the siblings after the victim, whose name was withheld, reported the incident. Investigations revealed that Ogochukwu allegedly conspired with Tochukwu and other yet-to-be-identified accomplices to carry out the crime. According to a police signal obtained by SaharaReporters, the case was initially reported at the Okota Police Station before being transferred to a specialized unit for further investigation on February 17, 2025. “Upon…

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old teacher, Musa Wada, for allegedly beheading his 14-year-old pupil, Bashir Adamu, and mutilating his genitals in a desperate attempt to cover up the boy’s death during punishment. Police authorities said Wada, who teaches Almajiri students in Jikas-Dabaja village, Gwaram Local Government Area, killed the teenager after he collapsed while being disciplined for absenteeism. To divert suspicion, the suspect allegedly staged the killing to appear as a ritual murder by severing the victim’s head and genitals. Confirming the arrest on Saturday, police spokesperson, SP Lawan Shiisu, said detectives apprehended Wada following a…

The Kano State Government has dismissed concerns that the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal invalidated the reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano, clarifying that the court only granted a temporary stay on its judgment pending an appeal before the Supreme Court. The appellate court had earlier overturned a Federal High Court decision that nullified the state’s repeal of the 2019 Emirate Council Law, which paved the way for Sanusi’s return as Emir. However, in its latest ruling on Friday, the court restrained the execution of its January 10 judgment, stating that the status quo…

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has revealed that he and other political figures were aware of the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s academic records at Chicago State University but still supported him in the 2023 elections due to his perceived governance strength. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, el-Rufai stated that despite concerns over Tinubu’s educational background, they backed his candidacy based on his performance as Lagos State governor and the hope that he would replicate similar success at the national level. “What pains me is that the government we supported, and had confidence in, has not met…

Despite being previously targeted by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel restrictions, Nigeria has been left off a new draft list of 43 countries facing visa bans and restrictions under his expanded immigration policy. The proposal, developed by U.S. State Department and security officials following Mr. Trump’s directive upon his return to the White House in January, categorizes countries into three tiers: total travel bans, strict visa restrictions, and a probationary period for compliance. Nigeria’s exclusion from the list has raised eyebrows, especially considering Mr. Trump’s history with the West African nation. During his first term, Nigeria was among the…

The management of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) has dismissed three employees for gross misconduct, including sexual harassment, result manipulation, and neglect of duty. The decision was ratified during the university’s 171st regular meeting on March 12, 2025, according to the institution’s spokesperson, Ismail Yauri. Yauri stated that the disciplinary measures align with UDUS’s “zero tolerance” policy against unethical conduct, reinforcing its commitment to academic integrity and student safety. “The affected persons have already been served notice of the dismissal,” Yauri confirmed. He emphasized that the university remains steadfast in ensuring a conducive learning and working environment, warning that any…

Former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has intensified his attacks on his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, declaring that the governor is already “2-0 down” in the ongoing political battle and should expect more setbacks. Speaking to a large crowd of supporters in Rivers State on Saturday, Wike mocked Fubara over recent Supreme Court rulings that ordered the governor to re-present the 2025 budget to the factional Speaker Martin Amaewhule and reconduct local government elections. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory accused Fubara of surrounding himself with individuals who once vied for the governorship position but were rejected. According to him,…

Daud Olatunji Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his successor, Muhammadu Buhari, have clashed over the controversial state pardon granted to two convicted former governors in 2022, reigniting debates on corruption and governance in Nigeria. Obasanjo, in his newly released book Nigeria: Past and Future, accused Buhari of enabling corruption during his tenure, particularly through the pardon of Joshua Dariye, a former governor of Plateau State, and Jolly Nyame, a former governor of Taraba State. The two former governors had been convicted of massive fraud, with Nyame serving a 12-year jail term for diverting N1.64 billion, while Dariye was sentenced to…