Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Police Command in Kaduna State said its operatives arrested an armed robbery suspect while two others were still at large. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Kaduna. Hassan said, on April 1, Police operatives at Narayi Division at about 0200hrs received  a distress call from a good samaritan of Bilyaminu street in Narayi area in Chikkun Local Government Area of the state. “That some miscreants, numbering three suspects, alleged to be armed robbers with lethal objects, invaded an apartment belonging to Alhaji Muhammad and carted…

Jelili Gbadamosi The Federal Government, acting through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has given the green light to a staggering 340% surge in electricity tariffs for customers falling under the Band A classification.  This decision was officially announced by NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, during a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday. Under the approved adjustment, Band A customers, who currently pay N66 per kilowatt-hour, will now be required to pay N225 per kilowatt-hour.  Band A customers are distinguished by their access to a generous 20 hours of electricity supply daily, making up 15% of the…

By Chief (Dr.) Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf THE world’s longest reigning paramount monarch, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona was 64 years on the throne yesterday. A patriot and nationalist of the highest order, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, was officially crowned on April 2, 1960, six months before the country’s attainment of independence. His coronation including the presentation of the staff of office was performed by the Governor of Western Region, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, and witnessed by an unprecedented crowd including Nigeria’s Leader of Opposition, Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo and Ijebu notables. A monarch like no other, he…

Daud Olatunji Amidst mounting financial strains within Nigeria’s electricity sector, the Presidency has articulated a compelling case for the necessity of increasing electricity tariffs, with a focus on alleviating the burden of subsidies.  The Federal Government has unveiled plans to eliminate electricity subsidies for 15 percent of consumers, a move projected to yield substantial annual savings of approximately N1.1 trillion,   The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy,Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in an interview with Bloomberg. Onanuga emphasized the imperative nature of the proposed tariff adjustment, attributing it to the exorbitant costs associated with sustaining the current subsidy framework.  He…

Daud Olatunji The People Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has launched scathing criticism against Governor Dapo Abiodun, accusing his administration of neglecting its duties and allowing the state to deteriorate into a haven of crime. In a statement released by the state Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Bankole, titled “Ogun Becoming Haven of Crimes As Abiodun Resumes Voyage of Slumber,” the PDP highlighted a surge in criminal activities, particularly violent cult killings, since the governor’s reelection was affirmed by the Supreme Court on January 19, 2024. The opposition party lamented the sorry state of road infrastructure across the state, alleging that…

The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) has called upon the governors of the six South-West  states to establish O’odua Airlines. The  concerned states are : Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun  states . The group said the airline must be dedicated to both local and international routes, citing its high potential for success. In a statement released on Tuesday, the AYDM, through its General Secretary, Mr. Popoola Ajayi, emphasized the viability of the initiative, stating that it would complement existing private endeavors, leading to reduced air travel costs, job creation, and advancements in tourism and agriculture within the…

The Katsina State Police Command has announced the safe return of the 28 girls who were abducted while gathering firewood at Kasai village in Batsari Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. The girls were taken captive on the outskirts of their village on Monday in what has become a recurring threat in several LGAs across Katsina state, including Batsari, where bandit attacks have become increasingly common. According to a statement released on Tuesday by Abubakar Aliyu, the police spokesperson in the state, the girls were freed at approximately 10:40 pm on the same day they were abducted. “On the…

The Zamfara State Government says it is set to recruit 2,000 teachers for English Language and Science subjects in the state. The state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Wadatau Madawaki, said this in Gusau, the state capital, on Tuesday. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the commissioner spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting on ‘Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project’ in the state. NAN reports that AGILE is a World Bank-assisted project through the Federal Ministry of Education to facilitate secondary education opportunities for adolescent boys and girls aged between 10 and 20 years. The commissioner, represented…

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has pledged its commitment to mitigating the potential devastation of flooding in Nigeria as the country braces for the onset of the 2024 rainy season. In a statement issued by NEMA Director General Zubaida Umar, she emphasized the agency’s proactive approach, which includes deploying early warning alerts aligned with Seasonal Climate Predictions. Public awareness campaigns will also be intensified to educate citizens on preventive measures against flooding and its associated risks. Umar made these assurances during a courtesy visit by the Head of Office, Nigeria, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reiterated the enforcement of approved guidelines as a condition to enjoy the new retirement age, 65 years old and length of service, 40 years for teachers in the state’s public schools. This is contained in a circular issued by the state Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina, on Tuesday in Osogbo, the state capital. The circular noted that all those interested in enjoying the new increased retirement age must comply with the guidelines as stipulated. In the guidelines for teachers to benefit from the scheme, he or she must be within the education cadre…