Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Janet Omotola Olaosebikan has joined the league of first-class graduates from the University of Ibadan, having successfully completed a degree in Library, Archival, and Information Science. Her academic journey, marked by hard work, resilience, and unwavering focus, is a testament to the power of determination.  In this interview with KOREDE BADMUS, she shares her experiences, challenges, and advice for students aspiring to achieve similar heights. Congratulations on graduating with a first-class! How does it feel to officially be a first-class graduate? It feels amazing. I can finally relate to the “stand up for the champion” song on my graduation…

No fewer than 96 residents were on Saturday arrested across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State for violating the state’s environmental sanitation laws. The Chief Prosecutor Officer of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Mohammed, disclosed this while briefing journalists shortly after monitoring the November sanitation exercise in Lafia, the state capital. Mohammed said the offenders were picked up for opening shops, running roadside businesses, and engaging in commercial activities during the period of the sanitation exercise — a clear breach of Section 9(2) of the Nasarawa State Environmental Sanitation Law. According to him, all those…

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 12 teenage girls abducted by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Mussa district of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The victims, aged between 15 and 18, were seized on November 23 while harvesting crops on farmlands in the troubled community. Sources were quoted to have said that the rescue operation was conducted on Saturday after days of intensified military surveillance and pressure on the terrorists’ hideouts. The counter-insurgency publication, Zagazola Makama, also confirmed the development through security contacts familiar with the operation. It remained unclear on…

A trending video has ignited nationwide outrage after a Katsina State lawmaker, Abdurrahman Kandarawa, was seen publicly praising a notorious bandit leader while announcing the release of 37 kidnapped residents of Bakori Local Government Area. Kandarawa, who represents the Bakori constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, was captured in the viral footage flanked by two figures: Isiya Kwashen Garwa — a feared bandit kingpin reportedly on the Defence Headquarters’ wanted list — and Abubakar Barde, Chairman of Bakori LGA. In the video, the lawmaker repeatedly referred to Garwa as the “commander of peace”, acknowledging him and other bandit…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent a fresh list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, barely one week after forwarding an initial batch of three names for confirmation. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while reading the President’s letters during plenary on Friday, said the new request comprises 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career ambassadors, with the Presidency urging lawmakers to give the nominations urgent consideration. The non-career list is populated by prominent political figures cutting across party lines. Those nominated include: Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun) Former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu Former…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), after an interrogation session at its headquarters in Abuja. Malami, who confirmed his release in a post on his X handle on Saturday, described the engagement with investigators as “successful,” adding that he has been scheduled for another round of questioning. “In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by the EFCC, I give glory to Allah for His divine intervention,” he wrote. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released, while on an appointment…

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its nationwide indefinite strike for four weeks following a series of marathon conciliatory meetings with the Federal Government and the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding. NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, confirmed the suspension late Saturday, describing the move as a “gesture of good faith” to allow the government implement critical outstanding items in the association’s 19-point demand. He noted that although the MoU captured “significant progress,” several issues remain unresolved, stressing that the four-week window would determine whether the doctors would resume their total industrial action. Suleiman said the government…

Aishah Waliyullah The Aare Mayegun of Owu Kingdom, Prince Kazeem Adeyanju Olanrewaju Bakinson, has launched a major youth empowerment initiative that has already attracted more than 125 participants—far above the initial target of 10—to be trained in drone mapping and related digital skills. Speaking during the onboarding session held at Owu Club, Abeokuta, Bakinson described drone mapping as a vital emerging industry with a “strong value chain” capable of transforming young people into highly employable specialists. “I am a GIS expert, and I’ve seen drone mapping as an area with enormous potential the youth can tap into,” he said. “We…

A consultant psychiatrist at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Dr. Folakemi Ogundele, has warned that the lifestyle choices people make in their youthful years heavily influence the peace, stability, and health they enjoy in old age. Dr. Ogundele gave the advice on Tuesday in Abeokuta while delivering a public lecture organised by the Beauty of Aging Initiative (BAI) in partnership with Infolite Books. The event, themed “Mental Health of Senior Citizens: Our Roles,” held at the Press Centre, Iwe Iroyin, drew participants from diverse sectors, including students from higher institutions. Speaking on the lifelong impact of early habits, Ogundele stressed…

Renowned historian and global African studies scholar, Professor Toyin Falola, has challenged African universities to reinvent their knowledge systems by breaking away from entrenched Western epistemic dominance and embracing a future built on indigenous intellectual traditions. Falola, the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities and University Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, issued the charge on Thursday while delivering the 17th Convocation Lecture of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, titled “The Future of Knowledge.” The event held at the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Faculty of Law Auditorium. Speaking before academics, students, and policymakers, Falola…