Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Six commercial banks in Nigeria ramped up their investments in information and technology (IT) by 44.66 percent, reaching a total of N205.34 billion, as electronic transactions gained momentum, according to a report by BusinessDay. The surge in IT spending corresponded with a 43.73 percent increase in income from electronic transactions, totaling N331.61 billion, as revealed in the banks’ financial statements. This highlights a significant shift in the country’s payment landscape towards digital transactions. Access Holdings Plc, the parent company of Access Bank, led the pack with the highest IT expenditure of N78.05 billion in the past year. Other major players…

Joshua Rogers, a reporter for Channels Television stationed in Rivers State,has  shared snippets of his traumatic 24-hour ordeal after being abducted by unknown assailants near his residence in Port Harcourt. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident occurred  on Thursday when Rogers was forcibly taken from near his home, only to be released from captivity around 11 pm on Friday. During his captivity, Rogers’ abductors reportedly contacted his wife, demanding a staggering N30 million ransom for his safe return.  However, it remains unclear whether any money exchanged hands to secure his freedom. In a Facebook post shortly after his release, Rogers…

No fewer than 23 inmates of the Enugu Custodial Centre bagged Masters, first degree and Post Graduate Diploma of the National Open University of Nigeria on Saturday. While five of them bagged Master’s degrees, 17 bagged their first degrees, and one got a Post-Graduate Diploma. The 23 are products of NOUN’s Study Centre at the custodial facility that completed their various courses within four or five years. State Coordinator of NOUN, Nigerian Correctional Service, Mrs Jennifer Nwonyi, presented the degrees and diploma to the graduates at a virtual convocation held at the Enugu Custodial Centre. She noted that the graduates…

The Federal Government has assured  that approximately 85% of Nigerians still benefit from electricity subsidies, despite the recent announcement of a tariff hike by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) This revelation comes amidst widespread reactions from citizens following the increment in electricity tariffs, particularly for Band A customers. According to the statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, a significant portion of the Nigerian population continues to enjoy subsidized electricity rates under various categorizations of the new electricity supply regime.  The Minister, speaking as a guest on the radio programme “Hannu Da Yawa” in…

In a swift response to an attempted invasion, security personnel apprehended 20 suspected Yoruba nation agitators at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan.  The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso disclosed this in a statement. He said the  suspects, dressed in military camouflage and armed with weapons including cutlasses, pump action rifles, and cartridges, were swiftly subdued by law enforcement officers.  According to him, the Deputy Commissioner of Police led  a high-powered investigation team that was deployed to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.  Osifeso added that the suspects’ actions were described as criminal and unpatriotic, with…

Moruff O. Balogun, FIMC, CMC, CMS Introduction: The recent sentencing of a cross dresser known as Bobrisky whose real name is Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju has ignited several reactions even among the legal practitioners in Nigeria. Without doubt, Bobrisky was not the first Nigerian to abuse naira notes in contravention to the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] Act, 2007, but it should be noted that there is always a place for scapegoat in law; purposely to serve as deterrent to others and even the would-be offenders. During his trial, he pleaded guilty to the offence bordering on the…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that a total of 188 terrorists have been  neutralized, and 330 suspects were apprehended within the span of one week by the  troops during  countering insurgency and enhancing security nationwide.  The  troops also executed successful rescue missions, freeing 133 kidnapped hostages from captivity.   Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Buba said this . He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the armed forces to decisively tackle terrorism and restore peace and security across the country.  He emphasized the importance of safeguarding citizens and halting the activities of insurgents. Additionally,…

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reassess  the cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, citing the current economic climate as a pivotal factor. He said this  during the grand finale celebration of the 2024 Eledumare Festival in Ifako, Lagos,   He emphasised that the exorbitant budget for the project must be reconsidered to align with the nation’s financial reality. Highlighting the economic significance of the coastal route, Adams envisioned its potential to bolster commercial activities from Calabar to Cameroon, underscoring its importance for the southern region’s prosperity. Furthermore, Adams advocated …

In the past three months, the nation has been rocked by a string of tragic road accidents, claiming the lives of 83 individuals and leaving 102 others injured, according to a recent report.  The incidents which occurred  between January and March 2024, were predominantly attributed to high speed and blatant disregard for traffic regulations by motorists.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that from fatal collisions on major expressways to harrowing accidents on local roads, the toll on human life has been devastating. One such tragedy unfolded on January 2, when a multiple-vehicle crash on the Kaduna-Zaria expressway resulted in six fatalities and…

The Lagos State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has disclosed that seven individuals have tragically lost their lives to accidental drowning in various parts of the state within a span of just one week.  Hundeyin stated this  in a statement issued on Friday, shedding light on the heartbreaking incidents that unfolded at hotel swimming pools, a beach, and even the iconic Third Mainland Bridge. Highlighting the severity of the situation, Hundeyin emphasized that these fatalities occurred in different settings, indicating a widespread concern for water safety across the region.  Specifically, he detailed the locations where the…