Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Judicial workers in Ogun state have initiated a five-day warning strike starting Monday, citing the non-payment of their 40 percent peculiar allowance.  The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) Ogun chapter closed down the state high court and magistrate court in Isabo, Abeokuta, leaving litigants and lawyers stranded as judges were unable to perform their duties. JUSUN state chairman, Olarenwaju Ajiboye, explained that the strike was a result of the state government’s refusal to meet their demands, despite a 21-day ultimatum.  Ajiboye warned that if the government fails to address the issue by March 18, 2024, the union will escalate…

 Daud Olatunji In an exclusive investigation by PLATFORM TIMES, a high-ranking police officer, choosing to remain anonymous, has revealed a disturbing alliance between certain police officers and notorious land grabbers wreaking havoc on landowners in various parts of Ogun State and beyond. While some police officers diligently combat this menace, our investigation exposes that a faction within the police force, specifically in Abuja, zone 2, and Alagbon, strengthens the ranks of these land grabbers by offering them support. Shockingly, some policemen may even be on the payroll of these criminals. Ogun State, the gateway state in Nigeria, has been under…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed a startling revelation that over 80% of Nigeria’s crude oil is being stolen, amplifying concerns over the country’s economic stability.  Obasanjo made these revelations during the launch of ‘Court and Politics,’ a book authored by Dr. Umar Ardo, in Abuja. The former president, represented by Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger State, pointed to the rampant theft of crude oil as a primary cause of the nation’s economic struggles.  He highlighted that unlike other oil-producing countries with transparent records of oil production, Nigeria is unable to account for a significant portion of its crude…

Fawaz Adebisi Families of the hostages abducted in the recent Abuja attack by bandits have launched a desperate plea for assistance from fellow Nigerians as the situation grows increasingly dire. Among those held captive is Abdulazeez Bako, taken from his residence in the Kuduru extension of Bwari, Abuja, alongside six other community members on December 27, 2023. The bandits, demanding a hefty ransom, initially requested 100 million naira from the families, later reducing it to 70 million naira. Despite the families’ efforts to negotiate and meet their demands, the kidnappers remain resolute. Tragically, on February 23, one hostage, Olayinka Ogunyemi,…

In response to a drastic surge in the prices of packaged water, Nigerians are resorting to unclean water sources, raising concerns among health experts about potential outbreaks of water-borne diseases. Health experts, including Dr. Roland Aigbove, former Chairman of Association Resident Doctors (ARD), FCT Chapter, and Dr. Ken Ozoilo, former President of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), warn of the looming public health crisis due to the increased consumption of unwholesome water. The recent strike by the Abuja chapter of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) resulted in a 200% price hike for water, attributing it…

In a united front, a coalition comprising over 80 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the umbrella of Lagos People’s Assembly (LPA) has earnestly pleaded with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and other groups contemplating protests in response to the current economic challenges in the country.  The coalition, emphasizing the need for constructive engagement, believes that protests and strikes are not the solution to the prevailing economic hardship. The coalition, representing a diverse range of interests including public interests, self-determination groups, and small businesses, expressed their ongoing struggle to recover from the aftermath of the EndSARS protest and the lingering effects…

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic approach and has called for a shift towards the reform-oriented strategy employed by Argentina’s new leader, Javier Milei. In a statement titled “Argentina’s Javier Milei approach to reforms should serve as a lesson for Tinubu,” Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), highlighted the contrasting responses of both leaders to their struggling economies in 2023. Abubakar praised Milei’s “comprehensive stabilization plan,” emphasizing the focus on reducing government spending, attracting foreign investment, and streamlining processes. In contrast, he criticized Tinubu’s “ad hoc” reforms and…

In a recent statement, Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, led by Sir Reuben Fasoranti, has advised the Yoruba-speaking populace not to participate in the planned protests against the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Fasoranti, the National Leader of Afenifere, addressed the nation, acknowledging the current challenges faced by Nigeria.  He emphasized the importance of understanding the broader context of the economic measures initiated by President Tinubu’s administration.  According to Fasoranti, these measures, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the Naira, aim to restore economic prosperity and stability. While recognizing the immediate hardships caused by these…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have made significant progress in dismantling an organized criminal network responsible for the recent smuggling of two containers containing illicit drugs, arms, and ammunition from Durban, South Africa, to the Tincan seaport in Lagos State. NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed on Sunday that key members of the syndicate have already been apprehended.  Among those in custody are Falowo Samuel Kayode, a clearing and notify party for the two containers; Anjorin Idowu, a dock worker; and Uzairu Ahmed Iguda, who oversees the Five Star terminal at the port.…

Daud Olatunji In a dramatic turn of events, a high-stakes clash has erupted between former President Muhammadu Buhari’s minister, his associates, and Special Investigator Jim Obazee, who is leading the charge in probing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under its former governor, Godwin Emefiele.  The confrontation intensifies as the Special Investigator prepares to extend the scope of the investigation to other government businesses. Reports suggest that the unnamed former Minister and his four colleagues, fearing exposure of their alleged wrongdoings during their time in government, have initiated what is described as a “massive and ferocious media war.”  PLATFORM TIMES…