Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A former member of the House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje, has voiced his concerns about the administration’s performance.  Bugaje who spoke on Tuesday,  described the government as a “tragedy” for Nigerians, accusing it of failing to address any of the nation’s problems and instead exacerbating them.  He criticized the administration for “groping in the dark” and lamented the lack of effective metrics to evaluate governance and hold leaders accountable for their achievements. Despite the criticisms, Buhari’s endorsement seeks to bolster the current administration’s efforts and encourage a united front in tackling the country’s issues.   Tinubu’s government continues to navigate its…

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, has called on Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration.  This appeal comes as Tinubu marks the completion of his first year in office, a period marked by significant socio-economic challenges. The statement from Buhari through his former aide, Garba Shehu, emphasized the importance of national unity and collective goodwill in navigating the country’s difficulties.  “Former President Muhammadu Buhari extends his best wishes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the completion of his first year in office,” the statement read.  “He appealed to all citizens to continue to strengthen the thread of national unity and…

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for urgent reforms within the Nigerian judiciary, addressing a strongly worded letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.  The group has voiced serious concerns over the ongoing judicial processes under his leadership, specifically highlighting the contentious prosecution of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu. In a statement released on Tuesday by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, the organization described the current state of the Nigerian judicial system as dire, necessitating the declaration of a state of emergency.  IPOB claims that the prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu has revealed significant flaws and biases…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major cocaine trafficking syndicate led by a Nigerian couple.  Bolanle  Dauda and his wife, Olayinka  Dauda, were apprehended while attempting to cross the border into Ghana.  The operation, which spanned Lagos and Ogun states, resulted in the recovery of multi-billion-naira worth of cocaine and other illicit substances The couple was arrested on Saturday, May 25, 2024, by NDLEA operatives from a special operation unit, with support from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  They were caught at Ibiye, along the Lagos-Badagry expressway, as they attempted to deliver a large…

Katsina State Government has  declared that it will not negotiate with terrorists, labeling such efforts as perilous and counterproductive.  Dr. Nasiru Danmusa, the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, made this announcement on Monday. He emphasised the urgent need for the Nigerian federal government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to bolster local security forces with advanced weaponry to combat the escalating threat posed by bandits and other criminal entities in the state. In a candid disclosure following an emergency security meeting chaired by Governor Malam Dikko Radda, Dr. Danmusa revealed that the state government has resolved to maintain…

The organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Tuesday rejected the Federal Government’s latest offer of a ₦60,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers.  This marks the fourth proposal from the government in approximately two weeks since negotiation talks resumed. The negotiations, involving the Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of a new minimum wage, saw the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) side propose a ₦60,000 monthly minimum wage on Tuesday, a slight increase from the ₦57,000 suggested last week.  This is in contrast to the ₦48,000 and ₦54,000 proposed earlier…

Sodiq Mojibola In its concerted efforts to forestall the excesses of drug trafficking in Nigeria, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have made significant arrests, including a 48-year-old Paris-bound businessman, Emmanuel Okechuku Orjinze, who ingested 111 wraps of cocaine. According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy for the NDLEA, Orjinze excreted the cocaine after days of observation in the agency’s custody following his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja. Orjinze, who claims to be a professional footballer in Europe, was detained on May 21 during the outward clearance of…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the Calabar Zone has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s newly introduced student loan scheme, labeling it as a calculated attempt to enslave Nigerian students by indebting them perpetually. Last Friday marked the official launch of the Federal Government’s student loan program, with the application portal opening to an overwhelming response—3,764 students from 126 institutions submitted applications on the first day alone.  The government asserts that the initiative aims to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent any Nigerian youth from pursuing higher education. However, during a press conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom…

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has called for the abolition of state independent electoral commissions (SIECs).  Fagbemi’s proposal was made during a one-day discourse held on Monday, which was organized by the House of Representatives under the theme “Nigeria’s Security Challenges and Good Governance at the Local Government Levels.” In his address, Fagbemi argued that the powers and responsibilities of SIECs should be transferred to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).  He highlighted that the existing structure of SIECs, as defined by the 1999 Constitution, has been manipulated by state governors to undermine the…

Ten major financial institutions in Nigeria  have amassed approximately N438 billion from digital transactions in 2023, marking a substantial 37.54% increase from N318.64 billion in 2022.  This surge shows  the growing adoption and reliance on digital banking channels among Nigerians. The significant rise in electronic business income can be attributed to the increasing popularity of mobile and online banking.  These platforms include a range of digital channels such as mobile applications, USSD channels, automated teller machines (ATMs), agency banking, internet banking, point-of-sale (PoS) payments, and credit and debit card transactions. Among the leading banks, United Bank for Africa (UBA) stood…