Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a significant trend that underscores Nigeria’s pursuit of higher education, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that close to 100,000 Nigerian students embarked on academic journeys to the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2022. Speaking at the inauguration of the 2023 University of Lagos International Week, the minister highlighted the eagerness of Nigerian scholars to expand their horizons globally. Tunji-Ojo noted that over 100 Nigerian students received scholarships for postgraduate and PhD degrees each year, emphasizing the commitment to supporting their academic aspirations. He acknowledged the profound impact these students have by representing Nigeria abroad, fostering…

Daud Olatunji In response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a national state of emergency on food security, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is gearing up for an ambitious push into dry season farming, set to kick off in November 2023. Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made the announcement during a recent press conference in Abuja.  The minister highlighted the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu and assured the public that as the harvest season begins, food prices will start to decline. As part of the preparations for dry-season farming, Senator…

Daud Olatunji Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has taken action to address the concerns of labor unions in the state following the removal of fuel subsidy.  He inaugurated an 11-member committee, led by Prof Olanike Adeyemo, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), to review workers’ salaries and other labor-related demands. The committee, named the “Adhoc Inter-ministerial Committee on the harmonization of the various demands by the Labour unions in Oyo State,” includes key figures such as the Head of Service, Commissioners, and labor union representatives. The committee has been given a four-week mandate to submit its report and…

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has vehemently denied the widespread rumor of his demise, asserting that he is in no rush to meet his maker.  The 88-year-old Gowon was reported to be in London at the time when the unfounded rumor began to circulate rapidly throughout Nigeria. This refutation came through a brief message conveyed to the media by his personal aide, Adeyeye Ajayi. In the statement, Ajayi quoted Gowon as saying, “I am still around and well. I am not in a hurry.” The rumor of General Gowon’s passing sparked a frenzy on social media platforms,…

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has unveiled a comprehensive suite of financial solutions designed to empower Nigerians in their pursuit of wealth and financial well-being.  These exclusive offerings span the entire spectrum of wealth creation, from accumulation to preservation, covering target and premium savings, wealth and investment management, pensions, and estate planning (Wills and Trusts).  Additionally, FCMB provides a range of value-added services, including education, travel, advisory services, and diaspora account management. The target and premium savings plans cater to upwardly mobile professionals and entrepreneurs, providing a solid foundation for financial growth.  Meanwhile, wealth and investment management services are tailored…

In a significant stride towards improving Nigeria’s electricity supply, the Federal Government, in partnership with the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), has successfully increased the power capacity of the national grid from 13,000 megawatts to an impressive 14,000 megawatts.  This remarkable achievement was announced by Dr. Joy Ogaji, the Executive Secretary of APGC, during the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria’s 2023 annual international strategic conference. The cornerstone of this power capacity expansion was the commissioning of the state-of-the-art $1.3 billion Zungeru hydroelectric plant, located in Niger state, in the second quarter of the year.  Dr. Ogaji highlighted the…

In a groundbreaking revelation, Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has unveiled ambitious plans for Nigeria’s energy sector. Speaking at the PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit 2023 in Abuja, Kyari projected that Nigeria is poised to transform into a net exporter of petroleum products by the year 2024. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Kyari emphasized that as a resource-dependent nation, Nigeria cannot continue exporting 100 percent of its crude oil production.  He stated, “Today, we export 100 percent of our productions, no resource-dependent country does this, and that is why…

Daud Olatunji In a shocking turn of events, a 48-year-old man named Ishioma Ordu, originally from Oshimil North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been apprehended by the Edo State Police for allegedly orchestrating a robbery that resulted in the tragic death of a petrol station supervisor, Eze Emmanuel, in Benin City. Ordu, who had recently been suspended by the petrol station owner, confessed to devising the robbery plan alongside two accomplices who remain at large.  His motivation stemmed from what he perceived as unjust treatment by his employer. However, Ordu claimed that their initial intent did not involve…

Daud Olatunji Over 100 farmers, affected by the construction of the Ekiti cargo airport, voiced their frustration today at the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti.  Holding placards, these farmers from communities including Igbogun, Afao, Araromi Obo, Aso Ayegunle, and Igbemo Ekiti protested the state government’s failure to compensate them as promised.  Despite assurances given during a June 2023 meeting with the governor, Chief Awe Ojo, the spokesman for the farmers, claimed that no action has been taken, sparking suspicions of corruption among government officials.  The situation has dire consequences, with 11 reported deaths and numerous others struggling to pay medical…

Daud Olatunji In a shocking and emotionally charged verdict, the High Court of Akwa Ibom State in Eket has delivered justice by sentencing a trusted medical doctor, Nwaopara Uche, to a two-year jail term for committing the unthinkable act of stealing hospital beds from Immanuel General Hospital and Immanuel Psychiatric Hospital, both situated in the heart of Eket Local Government Area. This criminal act, which has left the community reeling in disbelief, saw these stolen beds callously converted for use in Uche’s private clinic. The disheartening saga of betrayal unfolded as Uche was found guilty alongside his accomplices, 28-year-old Kubiat…