Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the renaming of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) to Yakubu Gowon University in honour of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), who recently marked his 90th birthday. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday during the 14th council meeting of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Addressing journalists after the meeting, Idris noted that the proposal for the renaming would be forwarded to the National Assembly for formal approval to give it legal backing. “This renaming is in recognition of General Yakubu Gowon’s…

The Federal Government  in collaboration with 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, is set to validate the first phase of the Strategic Catchment Management Plans (SCMPs) under the Agroclimatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) project. The validation session, scheduled for Wednesday in Abuja, follows extensive consultations across participating regions and marks a major step in Nigeria’s efforts to address climate resilience challenges. Funded by a $700 million World Bank loan, the six-year ACReSAL initiative aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change in northern Nigeria. The project’s scope focuses on tailored investments in water management, environmental sustainability, and…

A former Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has criticized what he described as the “dangerous cabal” within President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming they are more sophisticated than those in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. Speaking during an episode of Seun Okinbaloye’s podcast, Mic On, Dalung alleged that the cabal surrounding Tinubu has entrenched itself deeply within the corridors of power, effectively shielding the president from the realities of the country. “Tinubu’s cabal is a more sophisticated group of people who have been in power for a long time. “They know power, they are informed, and so they are…

A Nigerian man identified as Johnson has been arrested in Delhi, India, for allegedly defrauding an Indian woman from Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district of approximately ₦9.1 million through a fraudulent marriage proposal. The Rajnandgaon police disclosed that Johnson, who had overstayed his visa and passport, lured the victim through a fake matrimonial profile, posing as a UK-based businessman intending to expand his business into India. According to the police, Johnson gained the woman’s trust before orchestrating a scam with an accomplice. The duo reportedly claimed Johnson was stranded at Delhi airport and required money to exchange UK currency, convincing the victim…

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed concern over the underdevelopment of Northern Nigeria, emphasizing the region’s lagging progress in education and agriculture. Sanusi made the remarks on Saturday during the 50th anniversary of the visit of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, founder of Faidha Tijjaniyya in West Africa, held in Jos, Plateau State. Speaking as the guest lecturer, the Emir criticized the North for failing to harness its significant population and vast agricultural potential to foster development. “The North is grossly underdeveloped, especially in the areas of education and agriculture, which are crucial for progress. “A large percentage of…

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reported that it recorded 339 cases of alleged human rights violations in Gombe State in 2024. NHRC spokesman, Mr Ali Alola-Alfinti, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe. Alola-Alfinti said that majority of the cases were on parental neglect where fathers abandon their children and wives, citing economic hardship and poverty as reasons for their actions. He said the cases were on the increase due to sustained enlightenment campaigns on human rights violations in the state. According to him, the commission engages civil society organisations, media,…

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted dust haze and cloudiness from Monday to Wednesday across the country. NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja envisaged dust haze on Monday in the northern region with visibility ranges of 1km to 3km. It anticipated localised visibility of less than 1km throughout the forecast period. ”The North Central and inland cities of the South are expected to be in dust haze with visibility ranges of 2km to 5km throughout the forecast period. “Hazy atmosphere with patches of clouds is anticipated over the coastal parts of the country throughout the forecast period,” it…

Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and stop Vice President Kashim Shettima from engaging in unwarranted verbal attacks against Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Conservative Party. In a statement released on Sunday, Igboho expressed concern over Shettima’s criticism of Badenoch, who had recently commented on the widespread corruption in Nigeria while affirming her Yoruba identity and distancing herself from Northern Nigeria. Igboho, who signed the statement personally, emphasized that Shettima should redirect his focus to tackling Nigeria’s critical issues rather than engaging in disputes. He…

Work has  reportedly  commenced on the long-awaited 107-kilometre Ilara-Ijoun-Eggua-Oja Odan-Ilase road, a major infrastructure project in Ogun West Senatorial District. A statement issued by Chief Kayode Odunaro, Media Adviser to Senator Adeola on Sunday and made available to PLATFORM TIMES revealed that contractors have begun construction on Section 1 of the road, which  he said has been a longstanding priority for Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West), who facilitated its inclusion in the 2024 federal budget. The statement further read that the  road cuts through four local government areas—Imeko Afon, Yewa North, Ipokia, and Yewa South—and is a crucial…

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade have arrested a suspected notorious bandit leader and arms dealer, Bako Wurgi, also known as Baka NaGarba, who is allegedly connected to the abduction and murder of Isa Bawa, the late Emir of Gobir in Sokoto State. The arrest, which followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, took place on December 14 around 10 p.m. in Shinkafi town, Zamfara State. Wurgi was reportedly receiving treatment for injuries sustained during a clash with a rival group. The troops intercepted him at a hospital, where he was found with multiple cuts and gunshot wounds. The…