Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In a sensational turn of events on Wednesday, Ibadan witnessed intense arguments among three men vying for the paternity of two children, both claiming to be married to the same woman, Taiba Raman. Raman, at the center of the controversy, admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with all three men simultaneously.  The root cause of the dispute traces back to the men fulfilling Raman’s mother’s condition of settling her debts before becoming her lawful husbands. According to the conflicting accounts, each man asserted that he cleared Raman’s debts, thereby rightfully marrying her.  Complications arose when two men…

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has unveiled the hitherto undisclosed contributions of the late Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe to Nigeria’s unity and progress.  The Sultan, also the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), expressed deep sorrow over the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, and son Herbert Jnr on February 9, 2024, in the United States. In a condolence letter delivered by a high-powered delegation led by the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Bambado II, the Sultan praised Wigwe’s patriotism, highlighting his role in fostering…

In a recent development, three individuals operating as illegal bureau de change (BDC) operators have been handed a three-year jail sentence in Kano.  Identified as Umar Ibrahim, Muhammad Abubakar Yakubu Garba, and Muhammad Tijjani, the trio pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in foreign currency dealings without the required license. The sentencing was carried out by Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Kano on February 28, 2024.  The charges against them, as stated by Justice Yunusa, outlined their illegal activities under Section 57(5) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020. Upon pleading guilty in…

In a recent initiative to address the pressing issue of drug abuse, Retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), asserted that the rising tide of drug abuse significantly contributes to the prevailing insecurity in Nigeria.  Marwa made these remarks during a sensitization and advocacy program in Abuja, specifically targeting women and youths. Collaborating with Dr. Aminu Gusau under the WADA platform, the program aimed to shed light on the perils of drug abuse, focusing particularly on the vulnerable demographics of women and youths.  Dr. Ngozi Madubuike, the Director of Drug Demand Reduction at…

In a recent announcement, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State affirmed his stance against approving extensions of tenure for retiring permanent secretaries.  The clarification, made by the Governor through his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, addresses concerns raised by recent reports alleging the elongation of service personnel tenure. Governor Adeleke emphasized his commitment to ongoing civil service reforms aimed at ensuring career progression and satisfaction for all personnel.  The statement highlights the Governor’s role in launching reforms that facilitated the proper placement of top officials, leading to the appointment of substantive Permanent Secretaries who had previously lost hope of reaching the…

The  President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Akinwumi Adesina, has identified youth unemployment and poverty as the factors driving insecurity and migration on the continent. Adesina, in a statement issued by the bank on Friday, said this at a Diplomatic Luncheon he hosted for Ambassadors in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. He said: “Youth unemployment and poverty are among the factors that drive insecurity as well as migration. The AfDB is tackling this issue through its Jobs for Youth in Africa strategy. “I do not believe that the future of Africa’s youth lies in Europe, USA, Latin America, Asia, or…

In an incident in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Friday, some residents took advantage of their grievances towards alleged price hikes by BUA company and blocked a moving truck carrying foodstuffs.  The situation escalated when a group of youths, claiming the company was among those raising prices without considering citizens’ financial hardships, intercepted the truck in the Dogarawa area. Confirming the incident, a resident informed SaharaReporters about the looting of numerous noodle cartoons from the BUA company’s truck.  The residents saw this as an opportunity to acquire essential food items, rushing to seize the loaded noodles. Despite attempts to seek clarification…

A widow, Rabi Abdullahi, on Friday filed a direct criminal complaint at the Chief Magistrates Court in Zaria, Kaduna State against an Upper Shari’ah Court judge, Ibrahim Inuwa, and Hajiya Saadatu Mohammed. The complainant through her counsel Mr A.Y. Ladan of Messr Zaitun Chambers said the direct criminal complaint was hinged on criminal conspiracy, acting contrary to law by a public officer, and mischief. Ladan in the suit alleged that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 58, 59, and 312 of the Penal Code, Laws of Kaduna State. “As a judge, he caused the demolition of the house of…

Daud Olatunji Chief Imam of Saadatul Abbadiyyah Organisation of Nigeria, Imam Ismail Abdul Lateef has warned  against the call to halt radio and TV Ramadan programmes and Hajj Sponsorship due to the country’s hunger. The cleric said this in  a Friday Jumaat service held  in Abeokuta.  During his address, the cleric dismissed the social media-driven advocacy to redirect funds from Hajj and media programmes to aid the less privileged, deeming it unnecessary. PLATFORM TIMES reports that some people were advocating stoppage of both  paid media programmes on radio and TV stations during Ramadan and sponsorship of Hajj exercise . The…

In a significant legislative move, the Senate approved on Thursday the second reading of a bill aimed at amending the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Act. Spearheaded by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, the bill seeks to enhance the effectiveness of the corporation, ensuring its independence and autonomy in alignment with contemporary needs. Senator Abiru, during the bill’s debate, emphasized the necessity of addressing issues raised by stakeholders.  He highlighted a key proposal empowering the President to directly appoint critical positions, deviating from the current Act that relies on…