Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A heated altercation erupted at the Senate on Thursday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central protested against an unexpected seat change in the chamber. The drama unfolded when Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was moved from her designated seat in the second-to-last row of the minority section to the last row, without prior consent. The senator immediately resisted the change, insisting on returning to her former seat, which clashed with Senate regulations that require senators to sit in designated seats in order to be recognized. The situation escalated when the Senate Chief Whip,…

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday reflected on a pivotal moment when he boldly confronted former military leader, General Ibrahim Babangida, over what he described as a missed historic opportunity for Nigeria. The incident occurred during Babangida’s rule from 1985 to 1993, a period when Tinubu, then newly elected as a senator for Lagos West, faced a political standoff with the government. Speaking at a book launch in Babangida’s honour, Tinubu recounted the tense moment when he challenged the former military president for repeatedly postponing the inauguration of newly elected officials, including himself. “I’ll never forget,” Tinubu began. “You were…

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has reiterated its unwavering commitment to protecting depositors’ funds and ensuring the stability of the nation’s financial sector. This declaration was made by the corporation’s Managing Director, Bello Hassan, during the NDIC Special Day at the 46th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Thursday. Hassan, represented by the Kano Zonal Controller of NDIC, Ahmed Umar, emphasized the corporation’s key role in safeguarding bank customers, especially the most vulnerable. “For over three decades, the NDIC has played a critical role in protecting depositors and strengthening the financial system,” he stated. He highlighted the agency’s core responsibilities,…

Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, better known as Evans, the notorious billionaire kidnap kingpin, has sought a plea bargain before the Lagos State High Court, Tafa Balewa Square, claiming a complete transformation during his incarceration. The convicted criminal, who is serving time for multiple kidnapping charges, now asserts that he is no longer the man he once was—declaring himself a teacher of fellow prisoners at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre. In an emotional application before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, Evans revealed that he had earned a diploma in Economics from Yewa College of Education while in detention and had taken up teaching responsibilities for other…

Daud Olatunji Thirty-two years after the presidential election was annulled, former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida has admitted in his long-awaited autobiography that he was wrong in annulling the June 12, 1993 presidential election. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the election which he now acknowledges was won by the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Abiola. Babangida’s admission was made public on Thursday, during the unveiling of his autobiography titled A Journey in Service; An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the latest development sent ripples through the political landscape, re-opening discussions around one of Nigeria’s most controversial elections. Speaking…

It is wrong to write your surname before your first name because your first name is more important. Have you ever heard people call TINUBU BOLA or better still TRUMP DONALD? No, it has never happened. Rather, you’ll read BOLA TINUBU or DONALD TRUMP. Most times, when filling some documents, instructions may have it that surnames should be firstly written, that does not justify the rationale behind writing the surnames first. Such a thing is done for official purposes which is best known to the office involved. In the same vein, it is wrong to address a person with their…

A Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has granted controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, bail in the sum of N2 million with a surety of the same amount. However, Magistrate O.L. Oke issued a stern warning, emphasizing that Portable risks losing his bail if he discusses the court proceedings on social media or causes trouble in any way. “If you leave this courtroom and, for any reason, go to any social media platform to say anything about the court, you will lose your bail,” Magistrate Oke warned. “If you leave and foment trouble or cause problems…

Lafarge Africa Plc, a leader in innovative and sustainable cement production, has concluded a successful three-day capacity-building training program for Geoscientists and Mining Engineers at its Ewekoro Training Center in Ogun State. The event, which was held in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, aimed to equip participants with essential technical knowledge and hands-on experience to enhance their skills in the mining sector. The training brought together 25 participants from diverse sectors, featuring expert-led sessions that focused on mining best practices, safety protocols, raw materials management, community engagement, and sustainability initiatives. Attendees were also given…

Daud Olatunji The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has vehemently denied accusations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding Boko Haram or any other terrorist groups. PLATFORM TIMES reports that Mills made the clarification following a meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum in Abuja on Wednesday night. He addressed concerns raised by Congressman Scott Perry on February 13, who alleged that USAID funds were being used to support groups like Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. During a congressional hearing, Perry stated that USAID was involved in funding terrorist activities, a claim that sparked immediate…

The Federal Government has filed a suit seeking $79.51 billion and N231 million in compensation from Binance Holdings Limited, accusing the global cryptocurrency exchange of causing significant economic losses in Nigeria. In a case brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on February 11, the government claims that Binance deliberately operated in secrecy despite its substantial economic footprint in Nigeria. The suit, which is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1444/2024, alleges that Binance violated numerous financial and tax regulations, including the Companies Income Tax Act, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Establishment Act, and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Regulatory Framework for Mobile…