Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Jelili Gbadamosi The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced approximately $176 million in humanitarian assistance for Nigeria, Mali, and other countries in West Africa. USAID stated that the aid aims to support communities in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria, which are facing significant humanitarian needs due to conflict, food insecurity, and displacement. In a statement on Tuesday, it was mentioned that the funds would be provided through the United Nations and partners, including the UN World Food Program, UNICEF, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. “These funds will allow…

Sodiq Mojibola The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has expressed deep concern over the alleged deportation of Nigerian students from Teesside University in the UK for defaulting on their school fees. This development was disclosed in a press statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocol at NiDCOM, Abuja, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Commission, announced that a delegation would visit the university’s management to address the issue. “A delegation, led by a representative of the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, Amb. Christian Okeke,…

Operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested five suspected illegal bureau de change operators on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The suspects were apprehended at the Borno State Hajj Camp, located at Sir Kashim Ibrahim College of Education in Maiduguri, following credible intelligence about their involvement in the sale of foreign currencies. In a related development, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, disclosed that the Commission secured 3,175 convictions and recovered N156,276,691,242.30 between May 29, 2023, and May 29, 2024. This announcement was made in Abuja on Wednesday, May…

Residents of Aba, Abia State, are gripped with fear following a violent attack by gunmen at Obikabia junction, which resulted in the deaths of several military personnel and the destruction of their vehicles.  The attack took place on Thursday, coinciding with Biafra Day—a day observed by Biafra agitators to mourn their fallen heroes. The horrifying event was captured in a viral video shared on Facebook by a user identified as De Finder.  The footage shows armed men attacking and setting fire to military patrol vans while terrified residents watched from the safety of their homes. In the video, a lone…

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday, met with National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.  The meeting, which took place at Ribadu’s office in Abuja, has garnered considerable attention due to its timing and context. While the specifics of their discussion were not disclosed, Governor Yusuf described the meeting as a “fruitful engagement.”  This meeting  occurs amidst a contentious battle for the Kano throne, a situation that has deeply divided the state’s political and traditional landscapes. The controversy began when Governor Yusuf dethroned Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano, reinstating Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi to the position.  This…

In a bid to address the persistent issue of land grabbing in Ogun State, a prominent legal practitioner, Moruff Balogun, has formally called on the Ogun State House of Assembly to combat menace of land grabbing. Balogun urged the Assembly to  amend specific sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice and Other Related Matters Law of Ogun State, 2017.  Balogun, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ijebu Ode branch, and Chairman of its Human Rights’ Committee, submitted a detailed letter to the Speaker of the House, Oludaisi  Elemide highlighting the urgent need for legislative action. In his letter,…

Daud Olatunji & Enoch Oyedibu Three states in the South West of Nigeria—Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo—have collectively received N2,459,298,807,953.19 from the Federal Account between 2019 and 2023.  During the same period, these states generated N5,085,208,261,206.21 through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Further investigation by PLATFORM TIMES revealed that Lagos topped the three states with a total of N4.34 trillion in IGR and N1.52 trillion in FAAC allocations over five years.  Ogun State followed with N429,208,261,206.16 in IGR and N276,944,533,233.19 from FAAC.  Oyo State, with the least among the three, received N480.3 billion from FAAC and generated N316.8 billion in IGR in…

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ogun State Council, has expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Ogun State,  Dr. Dapo Abiodun, for his recent approval of N2 billion for the payment of gratuities to state and local government pensioners.  This significant financial commitment aims to alleviate the backlog of unpaid gratuities, providing much-needed relief to the senior citizens of Ogun State. In an official letter addressed to the Governor, the Chairman of the Union, Comrade (Chief) W.O. Oloyede, along with the Executive Council, conveyed heartfelt appreciation on behalf of all members.  The union acknowledged the governor’s consistent support and compassion…

A physically challenged and a  resident of Ogun State, Omoyayi Abiodun Sheriff, has penned an  open letter  to the state governor,  Dapo Abiodun accusing  him of neglecting the needs of the disabled community in the state. The aggrieved resident who claimed to have represented  People Living With Disability (PWD) in the  State said the economic situation is threatening their marriages. He said the economic situation has led to crash of many marriages of  his colleagues, declaring that they are hungry. Sheriff in his  scathing assessment of the governor’s five-year tenure, also  accused  the Governor  of  failing to deliver on promises…

President Bola Tinubu has announced that passengers can enjoy free rides on the newly commissioned Abuja Rail Transport System until December 31.  The move was aimed at easing transportation challenges and fostering goodwill among residents. The announcement came on Wednesday during the inauguration of the metro rail project in Abuja, a key event marking President Tinubu’s one year in office. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several high-profile officials, including FCT Minister Nysom Wike.  Initially, Minister Wike announced that the Abuja light rail would offer free rides for two months starting from Tuesday.  However, in a spirited appeal, President Tinubu…