Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a strong rebuke, Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has voiced serious concerns about the nationwide protest orchestrated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).  Ngelale alleges that the protest, initially aimed at addressing economic challenges, has been manipulated by individuals pursuing a political agenda. Speaking on Tuesday, Ngelale emphasized the perceived illegitimacy of the protest, pointing to the Trade Union Congress (TUC)’s decision not to participate as evidence.  He acknowledged the right of any labor union to address the concerns of Nigerian families but underscored the need to distinguish legitimate concerns from…

Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has  emphasized the need for more discerning oversight of Bureau De Change (BDC) operations, asserting that it should not be open to all. He disclosed that the apex bank is formulating “strict regulations” to cleanse the market of arbitrage activities. Speaking during the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Cardoso, who assumed office in September 2023, highlighted the challenges facing Nigeria, including rising inflation, food inflation, a forex crisis, economic hardship, and increased living costs resulting from the removal of petrol subsidy, triggering protests in various…

In a recent development, Ibrahim Egungboun, a prominent businessman in Ogun state, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, expressing concern over what he described as   a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation by a  popular Nigerian journalist, Fisayo Soyombo. Egungboun, commonly known as Dende, strongly disputes the findings presented in Soyombo’s investigative report titled “Undercover as a Smuggler.” The report, which implicated Egungboun as a gun runner who allegedly evaded security agents through bribery, was published on February 21, 2024, on both Soyombo’s media platform, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), and The Cables, subsequently discussed on…

In a significant move,the Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Ogun State, Titilope Akibu, popularly known as Efele, has revealed the association’s decision to partner with IAS Unique Homes & Properties Nigeria Limited for the Nigeria Immigrations Treasure City (NITC) project. During an inspection of the NITC in Ewekoro, Ogun State, Chairman Akibu expressed confidence in IAS Unique Homes, citing the company’s honest and commendable conduct as the primary reason for the RTEAN’s choice. He highlighted his long-standing awareness of IAS and the absence of any fraud allegations against the company or its Chairman,…

In a significant move towards government efficiency and streamlining, President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to scrap and merge several Nigerian agencies, as outlined in the 2012 Steve Oronsaye report. The directive, communicated through his Special Adviser Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, aims to consolidate functions, eliminate duplication, and enhance overall governance. This action follows in the footsteps of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s establishment of the presidential committee on government agency reform in 2011, led by Steven Oronsaye, which proposed reducing 263 statutory agencies to 161, abolishing 38, merging 52, and reverting 14 to departments in ministries. President Tinubu’s…

In a surprising turn of events, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has issued a public apology for his recent claim that N30 billion was distributed to each state government during a Senate session.  The apology, conveyed through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, expressed regret for the negative impact his words may have had on the governors. The statement clarified the context of Akpabio’s remarks during the presentation of a joint committee report on Finance, Agriculture/Food Sufficiency, Banking, and Insurance.  According to the released statement, Akpabio acknowledged misconceptions in the public domain and…

President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive for the full implementation of the Oronsaye report, a move that will result in significant changes to government agencies.  The report, established in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan and chaired by Mr. Steve Oronsaye, outlined a comprehensive plan for restructuring and rationalizing Federal Government parastatals, commissions, and agencies. Submitted in 2012, the extensive 800-page report identified 541 Federal Government entities, both statutory and non-statutory. Its recommendations included reducing statutory agencies from 263 to 161, scrapping 38 agencies, merging 52, and reverting 14 to departments in various ministries. President Tinubu’s directive encompasses the merging,…

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 51 suspected illegal miners and three telecommunication mast vandals in the territory. The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, said this while briefing newsmen of the arrest on Monday at the command’s headquarters. Odumosu said that the three suspected vandals were apprehended by the command’s intelligence and undercover operatives following a security tip-off of the dismantling activity at Giri area of the FCT. According to him, before the decommissioning of a mast, an approval must be obtained from the NSCDC, being the lead agency…

The Police Command in Taraba, says its men, in collaboration with local hunters have rescued 40 kidnapped victims in Yorro Local Government Area of the state. Mr  David Iloyanomon, the Commissioner of Police in the state said the success was achieved due to  strategic  use  of the local hunters, who were familiar with the terrain. The CP explained  that the kidnappers’ den was  located atop  the Gongomaliki mountain, from where the kidnappers  looked out for  security operatives from  afar, then launched  attacks on the security. “We deployed another strategy of using the local hunters and vigilante, who  dislodged them, neutralised…

In response to a fatal stampede at the NCS Old Zonal Headquarters in Lagos last Friday, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has temporarily halted the sales of seized food items nationwide.  The announcement was made in a press statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwa, the agency’s spokesperson, on Monday. The Customs initially declared its intention to dispose of seized food items on February 20, 2024, as a measure to alleviate the economic challenges and cost of living in the country.  The first phase of the disposal took place at the Yaba office last Friday, where food items were distributed in collaboration…