Author: Platform Times Newspaper

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…

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has officially signed into law a bill that paves the way for the establishment of 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within the state. The bill, which had received prior approval from the state House of Assembly, was presented to Governor Akeredolu for his assent during a brief ceremony attended by prominent legislative figures, including the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Landmark Olamide, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Prince Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan, Majority Leader Hon. Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, and Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Otunba Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju. With the governor’s signature, the bill now…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has taken into custody the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria responsible for Financial System Stability, Aisha Ahmad, amid an investigation into alleged fraudulent share acquisitions involving Polaris Bank, Titan Bank, and Union Bank. According to reports from NTA via their Twitter account, the detention is linked to Ahmad’s role in the acquisition of shares in the mentioned banks and the origin of the $300 million required to complete the Union Bank acquisition by Titan Bank. Aisha Ahmad assumed the role of Deputy CBN Governor on October 6, 2017, succeeding Sarah Alade,…

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Tunde Lemo, has painted a sobering picture of Africa’s largest economy, calling for immediate reforms to address its deteriorating condition.  Lemo emphasized that managing Nigeria’s economy in its current state is no easy task, as he highlighted several concerning issues such as a depreciating local currency, GDP growth below population growth, high inflation at 24%, soaring unemployment, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, and a substantial national debt burden. Speaking at a breakfast event hosted by the Lagos Business School, the former CBN Chief outlined crucial steps needed to reverse this economic decline.…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has taken decisive actions following the tragic murder of SP Bako Angbashim, the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer (DPO). Governor Fubara announced a N100 million bounty on the head of Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, commonly known as “2-Baba,” the prime suspect behind the heinous crime.  In addition, he indefinitely suspended the traditional ruler of Ahoada, His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Akoh II, for alleged complicity in allowing criminal activities to thrive in his territory. The governor’s stern measures come in the wake of the shocking incident where SP Bako and his team fell into…

The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, has affirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria, emphasizing the president’s determination to eradicate illiteracy nationwide. Prof Mamman made these remarks in Abuja during an event commemorating International Literacy Day, themed “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.” Highlighting the gravity of the problem, he disclosed that the challenge of adult illiteracy and the staggering number of out-of-school children rank among the top eight priorities discussed and resolved upon during the latest executive meeting.…