Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has withdrawn a controversial bill on indigeneship following a storm of public backlash and expert recommendations. Kalu, who also chairs the House Constitution Review Committee, pulled the proposed legislation after receiving what he described as “constructive feedback” from stakeholders and a critical analysis from the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Tuesday, Kalu explained that while the bill was originally intended to promote national unity, equality, and inclusiveness for all Nigerians regardless of state of residence,…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged Nigerians living in Ghana to remain calm amid rising tensions following a protest by some Ghanaian citizens who called for the deportation of Nigerians over alleged criminal activities. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) issued the call for restraint after a viral video surfaced online showing Ghanaians chanting slogans and accusing some Nigerians of engaging in crime and tarnishing the image of their host country. Reacting to the development on Tuesday, NIDCOM Chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned what she described as an “unfair and dangerous generalisation” of Nigerians as criminals. She said while a…

…We’ll Kill Them If Govt Fails- Residents Warn Daud Olatunji Tension is rising in Itasin, a remote village in the Imobi-Ogbere axis of Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, as enraged residents have vowed to hunt down and kill wild elephants following the gruesome death of a local farmer. The victim, identified as Mr. Yaya Kalamu, a farmer and  felling machine operator, was reportedly trampled to death by a herd of elephants while on routine farming activity in the creeks of Itasin village. Two other residents were also reportedly injured in the latest of several human-elephant encounters in…

The Babcock University Centre for Open, Distance and e-Learning (BUCODeL) has celebrated a historic milestone with the graduation of its pioneer students, marking a bold leap in Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive and tech-driven education. At the maiden convocation ceremony held recently, 54 graduates — comprising 42 Accounting and 12 MBA students — were formally conferred with their degrees in a vibrant academic gathering that showcased the promise of digital education in bridging Nigeria’s learning gaps. Top honours went to Oluseyi Ogunseitan (Accounting) and Rukiyat Sulaimon (MBA), who emerged as the best graduating students in their respective programmes. In recognition of…

Daud Olatunji Three years after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on joint security, including the deployment of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras on key interstate highways, Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State have met again—but were conspicuously silent on the status of the long-abandoned security measure. The two leaders, who had in February 2022 launched the Ogun–Oyo Joint Security Initiative to combat rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings, and farmers–herders clashes along their shared borders, reunited in Ibadan on Tuesday for a fresh round of talks. However, despite renewed concerns over highway insecurity,…

Former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has lashed out at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, describing the current state of the nation as a season of “renewed agony” rather than the promised “Renewed Hope.” Oyinlola’s stinging remarks come in the wake of a controversial endorsement of President Tinubu’s re-election bid by the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Governor Ademola Adeleke. Speaking on Frontline, a political talk show aired on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Tuesday, the retired army general distanced himself from the endorsement, calling it a mere political strategy devoid of…

…NULGE Declares Indefinite Strike, Secretariat Under Lock There was pandemonium on Tuesday at the Imeko-Afon Local Government Secretariat in Ogun State as eight councillors, led by the Leader of the House, Hon. Balogun Olajide, allegedly assaulted top council officials over the non-payment of sitting allowances. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the lawmakers stormed the secretariat in a coordinated protest, reportedly pouncing on four senior officers, including the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), Alhaja Shekoni Adebimpe Sekinat, and the Director of Water and Environmental Sanitation, Engr. Taiwo Opeyemi. Other victims of the alleged assault include another Director in the Water and…

The Ogun State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised concerns over the reported disbursement of nearly ₦2 billion to each senator for constituency projects, calling on federal lawmakers from the state to publicly account for the funds. The call follows a viral video in which a serving member of the House of Representatives revealed that senators now receive close to ₦2 billion each under the current budget cycle for constituency projects—a development that has sparked widespread debate over transparency in governance. In a statement signed by its State Chairman, Alhaji Jimoh Tajudeen Alao, and made available to…

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on Tuesday approved the immediate removal of the state’s Commissioner for Information, Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, and announced the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki as his replacement. The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa, and made available to journalists in Kaduna. According to the statement, Governor Sani thanked Professor Bello for his service to the administration, wishing him well in his future endeavours. “This follows the disengagement of Professor Muhammad Sani Bello from the Kaduna State Executive Council. His Excellency, the Executive Governor of…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has auctioned properties seized from convicted drug traffickers across Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun states in a move aimed at crippling illicit drug networks and reinforcing accountability in the country’s anti-narcotics crusade. The public auction, which was held at the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, was conducted in the presence of pre-qualified auctioneers, civil society organisations, media representatives, and other stakeholders. The agency disclosed that the properties, forfeited through court rulings, were either proceeds of drug trafficking or used as instruments in drug-related crimes. NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba…