Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The vigilant operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted illicit drug consignments cunningly concealed in seemingly innocent items, uncovering a web of drug smuggling activities at various locations in Lagos. In a significant operation, NDLEA officers seized a consignment of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, meticulously hidden within tins of tomato paste.  The intercepted skunk, weighing a substantial 20.00 kilograms, was discovered at the SAHCO export shed of the bustling Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State. This operation took place on Friday, September 8, 2023. Simultaneously, NDLEA authorities uncovered another sinister plot…

Daud Olatunji In a world often clouded by cynicism and self-interest, the remarkable story of Yusuf Suleiman emerges as a testament to the enduring values of honesty, responsibility, and love for family.  At the age of 32, Yusuf, a diligent businessman hailing from the Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria, found himself facing a moral dilemma—one that would not only define his character but also touch the hearts of those who would hear his story. Yusuf’s pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources from the Cambridge International College, Britain, Sudan Campus, was driven by his…

Daud Olatunji In a significant boost to the healthcare sector, the Ogun State Government has officially confirmed the appointment of 321 medical and health personnel who were recruited by the Ogun State Hospitals Management Board (HMB) over the past two years. These appointments aim to reinforce the state’s existing healthcare workforce. The Permanent Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Yinka Elemide, disclosed this during a confirmation ceremony held at the Board’s Conference Room in Abeokuta.  The Information Officer, Hospitals Management Board, Femi Osipitan,disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. Osipitan said of the newly confirmed personnel, 174 belong to…

Daud Olatunji In a saga of political tensions and power plays, the rift between former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and the current Governor Dapo Abiodun has reached new heights, culminating in the demolition of a building intended for Daniel’s senatorial office. The turbulent feud between these two political heavyweights began well before the last elections and escalated significantly afterward. Central to the discord was the accusation that Daniel had actively worked against Abiodun’s bid for a second term. Both Abiodun and Daniel hail from the Ogun East Senatorial District, a region where the governor faced a substantial setback,…

The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has delivered palliatives worth N15 billion to the six states in the North-Eastern region, which include Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba states. Vice President Kashim Shettima presented these food and non-food items to the governors of the respective states during a ceremony held in Maiduguri on Saturday. Shettima commended the NEDC for its responsible management of limited resources, revealing that the destruction in the six states due to various crises amounted to nine billion dollars. He particularly highlighted that Borno alone accounted for 6.8 billion dollars in damages. During the ceremony, Shettima also…

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has revealed that approximately 238 mining companies owe the Federal Government a total of N1.06 billion in annual service fees, as outlined in its Industry report for the Solid Minerals Industry in 2021. According to the report, “From the Internal Audit (IA) review of Mining Cadastre Office’s (MCO) records of mineral title holders, it was observed that 238 companies holding 289 valid licenses had outstanding payments of N1.06 billion for annual service fees.” This amount represents an increase from N654.28 million in 2020. The report further stated, “As of December 31, 2020, records…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has introduced the Africa Climate Risk Insurance Facility for Adaptation (ACRIFA) to safeguard countries against the devastating effects of climate-related events. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the AfDB, announced this initiative during the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. ACRIFA will expand the AfDB’s existing Africa Disaster Risk Insurance Program, focusing on developing insurance solutions to help African nations, particularly their agricultural sectors, prepare for, adapt to, and build resilience against climate change’s adverse impacts like flooding and drought. The facility aims to raise an initial $1 billion in concessionary high-risk capital and grants, catalyzing…

In a shocking incident that sent shockwaves through Gombe State University (GSU), a female student, whose identity remains unknown at this time, threw her newborn baby boy from a three-story building yesterday morning. Sources close to the situation revealed that the young woman had given birth to the child out of wedlock and had made the harrowing decision to end the infant’s life by tossing him from the school hostel. Mohammed Abubakar, the Public Relations Officer of the university, confirmed the heartbreaking event. He stated that the case had been handed over to the police for further investigation. Mahid Muazu…

An Owerri magistrate court, presided over by Barr Uche Stella Chukwu, has handed down prison sentences to four men who pleaded guilty to the heinous crime of sodomizing three young adults in Imo State. Chibuzor Peter, aged 37, was accused of engaging in unlawful carnal knowledge of three boys, aged 18 and 19 years, through the use of force, threats, and intimidation. He has been sentenced to seven years in prison for conspiring with three others, namely Sunday, Chimezie, and Oparaugo, to forcibly sodomize these three young men. The magistrate determined that their actions constituted an offence contrary to unnatural…

Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed deep concern on Saturday in Maiduguri, revealing that the enduring Boko Haram insurgency has inflicted staggering damages of $9 billion in the North-East region. The Director of Information at the Office of the Vice President, Mr. Olusola Abiola, conveyed Shettima’s remarks as he inaugurated the distribution of palliatives in the North-East.  He also marked the official commencement of the 22.5km Jere Bowl road network project, covering Jere and Mafa Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno.  This critical infrastructure initiative is being undertaken by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC). The event coincided with the 8th meeting…