Author: Platform Times Newspaper

 Daud Olatunji The high-profile case involving the Managing Director of Alliance Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Christopher Otabor, and three other members of staff reached a climax as the court overruled objections from the defense counsel.  A statement signed by Communication Officer of NAPTIP, Adekoye Vincent, explained that the case revolves around alleged organ (kidney) harvesting, with the defendants facing charges under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015. The statement further read that the  prosecution’s case gained significant momentum with the testimony of key witnesses, including Mr. Lanre Akande, an Abuja-based businessman, and Mr. Liman Yusuf Shehu, a…

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Ogun State Council, launched its 2024 Nurses Week with a resounding call for empowerment and recognition of the invaluable role nurses play in society.  Under the theme “Our Nurses Our Future, the Economic Power of Care,” the week-long event commenced with Chairman Comrade Nurse, Adejoke Bello highlighting the significance of celebrating Nigeria’s nursing workforce. In her address, Bello expressed gratitude to the association members for their unwavering dedication and emphasized the crucial role nurses play as the backbone of the healthcare system. She stressed the importance of diligence, empathy, and kindness…

Daud Olatunji  In response to recent misconceptions circulating on social media platforms, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has clarified its stance regarding the accessibility of student loans.  The management of NELFUND categorically refuted claims suggesting that the student loan programme is exclusively reserved for federal institutions, emphasizing its inclusion of state institutions. In a statement titled “Clarification: State Institutions Included in Student Loan Programme,” released on Tuesday, NELFUND debunked the misinformation and provided insight into the program’s structure. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Akintinde Sawyerr, reiterated during a Pre-Application Sensitisation Press Conference in Abuja that the initiative encompasses both…

Seven individuals were found dead inside a music studio in Bayelsa State on Tuesday after inhaling what is suspected to be generator fumes.  The studio, located along Transformer Road in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, the state capital, was operated by one of the deceased, identified as Akpos Barakubo. The victims were believed to have been working late into the night on Monday. Exhausted, they apparently fell asleep without turning off the generator, which led to the fatal accumulation of fumes. The lifeless bodies of six individuals were discovered in the morning, while a seventh person, initially found unconscious, was…

The Kano State House of Assembly is taking significant steps to amend the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, a move seen by many as a potential pathway for the restoration of the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, to his former position. This development comes amidst growing public pressure and calls for the return of Sanusi, who was controversially dethroned in 2020. The decision to amend the law was made during a plenary session on Tuesday, following a motion introduced by the Majority Leader, Hussien Dala, representing the Dala constituency. Dala highlighted the necessity of revisiting the…

Daud Olatunji  Negotiations for a new minimum wage in Nigeria has hit another snag as the Federal Government’s fresh offer of ₦54,000 was rebuffed by Organised Labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress. A closed-door meeting, held between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday. PLATFORM TIMES reports that this botched offer falls drastically short of the N615,000 proposed by the unions, setting the stage for further tensions between labour and the government. PLATFORM TIMES further reports that the  Tripartite Committee on the New Minimum Wage reconvened after…

Stanley Ogbonna, the General Overseer of God’s Spring Assembly, also known as Glass Church in Kubwa, Abuja, has come under intense scrutiny following allegations that he forcibly evicted his estranged wife, Chioma, and their six children from their home.  The accusations, which have garnered significant attention on social media, paint a troubling picture of domestic strife and alleged misconduct by the pastor. The allegations surfaced in a viral video clip posted on Tuesday, in which Chioma accused Ogbonna of infidelity and domestic abuse.  She claimed that their marital issues had culminated in a divorce, following which Ogbonna took drastic measures…

By Dr Aishah Fadila Adamu A vaginal discharge is one of the most common gynecological symptoms affecting women and a very common cause for seeking medical attention. The woman’s perception as to the cause of the discharge will influence her choice of medical attention. In many cases, the woman may have attempted self-treatment of the discharge with over-the-counter (OTC) preparations prior to consulting a doctor. This action often leads to an unsuccessful outcome, with the majority using OTC antifungals (like clotrimazole and fluconazole) inappropriately to treat gynecological conditions that are similar, but potentially more severe. Consultation is often delayed…

Flooding and insecurity in Nigeria have made the  Central Bank of Nigeria  to expend a substantial $2.13 billion expenditure on food imports in 2023. The data from CBN’s quarterly statistics reveals a consistent demand for imported food, a situation exacerbated by local challenges such as flooding and insecurity. PLATFORM TIMES  reports that the  surge in food import costs is reflected in the increase in the average price of imported commodities, which rose by 34% from April 2023 to April 2024. This trend contributes to the broader rise in food prices across sub-Saharan Africa, where many staple foods are imported. The…

A strong indication has emerged that rectors and provosts from polytechnics and other Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across Nigeria will convene on Tuesday, to discuss a significant proposal: replacing the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  proposal aims to address long-standing issues of discrimination and inequality faced by polytechnic graduates in the Nigerian workforce. It was further gathered that the  meeting, organized by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), comes in response to a letter signed by Lawal Hafiz, the Director of Human Resources…