Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a groundbreaking move, Hon. Comrade Sunday Dayo Asefon, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, has championed the call for automatic employment for first-class graduates from universities across the nation. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the Nigerian students’ flag and Renewed Hopen Agenda in Abuja on Thursday, Asefon emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in recognizing and rewarding academic excellence. He announced plans to introduce initiatives by March aimed at revitalizing hope among Nigerian students and encouraging them to align with the government’s agenda. Asefon expressed strong opposition to universities imposing fees for mandatory…

In a landmark moment for youth empowerment, Accurate Creative Minds Foundation (ACMF) has perfected  plans to unveil its highly anticipated Development Center in Kuto, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday, the 20th of January, 2024.   This eagerly awaited event promises to be a celebration of ACMF’s commitment to fostering positive change in the community through impactful initiatives. Media Consultant to the foundation,Jamiu Folarin in a statement described the founder, Babatunde Odedele, a distinguished medical entrepreneur, as a catalyst for positive change since its inception. He said the foundation’s journey, marked by impactful initiatives, is poised to reach…

In a decisive move, the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has instructed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investments to reimburse N75bn designated for COVID-19 intervention, following the ministry’s absence at the investigative hearing on the alleged mismanagement of pandemic funds. The motion, spearheaded by Bassey Akiba of the Labour Party from Cross River State, gained traction during Thursday’s sitting, prompting the committee to endorse the directive for the ministry to return the funds to the Federal Government’s coffers. The PAC had invited 59 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for an investigative hearing on the purported mishandling of…

Daud Olatunji In a grim revelation, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has disclosed that a staggering 351 individuals lost their lives in 839 auto crashes within Ogun State throughout the year 2023.  The disheartening announcement was made by Mr. Anthony Uga, the State Sector Commander of FRSC, during a press briefing with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota on Thursday. The toll extends beyond the fatalities, with 2,092 people sustaining varying degrees of injuries in the distressing incidents.  Uga attributed the majority of these crashes to drivers’ excessive speeding and other traffic violations. Wrongful overtaking, tire bursts, and…

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has approved the request of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, allowing him to travel outside of Abuja. Emefiele, represented by his lawyer, Matthew Bukka, SAN, sought a modification of the terms in his bail conditions.  On November 22, 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu had granted Emefiele bail amounting to N300 million with two sureties in a similar sum, specifying that the sureties must possess landed property in the Maitama District of the FCT.  Additionally, the former CBN governor was prohibited from leaving the court’s jurisdiction and required…

Daud Olatunji  In the aftermath of the harrowing explosion  that shook the Bodija area of Ibadan, the Da’wah Front of Nigeria (DFN) has conveyed  its deepest condolences and sympathies to the respected citizens of Oyo State. Addressing the community during this distressing period, the religious group said it stands  in solidarity with the entire Oyo State, offering heartfelt prayers and thoughts to those affected by this devastating incident.  Dawah Front in a statement jointly signed by Imaam & National Missioner, Prof. Imaam Taofiq AbdulAzeez and the National Coordinator, AbdulGafaar Musliudeen,said the  immeasurable impact of such a tragic event has left…

The leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo,has  criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to service chiefs, denouncing it as an inadequate response to the pervasive insecurity in Plateau State and across the nation. Speaking during a condolence visit to the Jos residence of late Chief Solomon Lar, a former Governor of Plateau State and the first National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adebanjo expressed concern about the security challenges faced by the country.  He cautioned against adopting the same approach as former President Muhammadu Buhari, highlighting that mere “marching orders” proved ineffective during Buhari’s tenure.…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced the Federal Government’s approval of an upward review in electricity tariffs.  NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba revealed in Abuja that the government is expected to spend between N120 billion to N130 billion monthly (N1.6 trillion) to subsidize electricity in the ongoing year. Garba clarified that the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) became effective from January 1, impacting different customer bands under various Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).  The non-maximum demand (MD) customers of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) band will maintain the N68.20 per kilowatt tariff, while the cost reflective tariff for the same…

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the election victory of Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, who represented the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives.  The lead judge, Abba Mohammed, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, January 17, declaring that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declaration of Ukpong-Udo as the winner violated the Electoral Act 2022 and Manual for Election Officials 2023. This decision upholds the earlier verdict of the Akwa Ibom Election Petition Tribunal, which had also invalidated Ukpong-Udo’s victory.  The tribunal had ordered a re-run in polling units where the election could not take…

In a surprising turn of events, the Kwara State Garment Factory had to close its recently opened job application portal intended for hiring 300 production workers.  The shutdown came as the factory received an astounding 8,373 applications within just 48 hours, surpassing expectations. The management of the new government-owned company, as stated in a release from the Government House, expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response, emphasizing the enthusiasm shown by the public to work with them.  Despite the excitement, they found it necessary to close the portal earlier than planned due to the unexpectedly high volume of applications. “We received…