Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji The House of Representatives has voted to remove the controversial N5 billion presidential yacht allocation from the 2023 supplementary budget, opting instead to divert the funds to bolster student loans.  The move, which has been met with both praise and criticism, was announced by Abubakar Bichi, the chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriation. The supplementary budget, totaling N2.17 trillion, was passed by the House on Thursday following rigorous debates and negotiations.  One of the most notable changes to the budget was the removal of the presidential yacht allocation, a decision that reflects a shift in priorities for…

Daud Olatunji Cocoa farmers in the Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State are pleading for police protection as they face alleged attacks by suspected hoodlums.  The farmers’ distress began following a court order that restrained the state government and other defendants from taking any action on their land. The conflict revolves around an agro-allied company’s claim to the cocoa farmlands, asserting that they were leased to them by the state government.  However, the farmers maintain that a court injunction, issued in May this year, bars the company from any activity on the land. In a…

Daud Olatunji Fish sellers in Sagamu, Ogun State, have taken to the streets to protest the relentless surge in the price of fish, which has left their businesses in turmoil.  The demonstration, marked by placard-waving protesters and solidarity chants, culminated at the palace of the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, as traders expressed their growing frustrations. The heart of the issue lies in the skyrocketing costs of fish, which vendors claim are pushing their customers away, causing a devastating impact on their livelihoods.  The fish sellers, carrying signs that decried the price hikes, demanded immediate measures…

Daud Olatunji Nigeria’s Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a warning to the public regarding an imminent dust haze that is expected to reduce visibility in several parts of the country.  The agency has cautioned that this weather phenomenon poses health risks, particularly to individuals with respiratory ailments. In a statement signed by the General Manager of Public Relations, Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, NiMet highlighted the risk of dust haze propagation, particularly in Northern Nigeria.  Stations in the source region have reported visibility levels ranging from 800 meters to 6000 meters, with Chad expected to experience poor visibility in the next 24…

Daud Olatunji In the lead-up to the highly anticipated governorship elections scheduled for November 11, 2023, the governments of Kogi and Imo states have made waves with a controversial move.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that both states have sent letters to hotel owners and managers, requesting the exclusive booking of all hotel rooms in their regions during the period from November 4 to November 12, 2023. In Kogi State, the directive was issued in a letter dated October 31, 2023, and signed by Alh. Oricha U. Shuaibu, PhD, Director General, Government House Administration.  The letter, obtained by PLATFORM TIMES, addressed to…

Daud Olatunji Medical experts at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, are currently working tirelessly to save the right eye of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), following a confrontation with the Imo State Police Command.  The incident occurred during a protest in the state on Wednesday, leading to a viral video of Ajaero being rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri. The Imo State Police Command has given a different account of the situation, claiming that they were rescuing Ajaero from a hostile mob and placing him in protective custody.  However, the NLC officials…

Daud Olatunji In a shocking revelation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) disclosed that over $8.3 billion in revenue has gone unremitted to the Federation Account by privately owned oil companies and federal government agencies since 2011.  Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary/CEO of NEITI, made this alarming revelation during his testimony before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts. Dr. Orji, who was presenting a comprehensive report on the $74.386 billion spent on fuel subsidies by successive administrations since 2011, highlighted the extent of the revenue mismanagement within Nigeria’s oil sector.  The report compiled the actual amount…

Daud Olatunji In a significant policy shift, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has decided to halt nighttime sting operations in all its commands.  This decision comes as part of a broader reevaluation of arrest and bail procedures.  The move was prompted by a recent high-profile arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters in Osun State. Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the EFCC, issued the directive in Abuja on Wednesday, underlining the organization’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.  The statement was released by Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC.  It confirmed that…

A 61-year-old pastor told an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Wednesday that his tenant, Godwin Emmanuel defiled and impregnated his 16-year-old daughter. Lagos State government had arraigned Emmanuel before the court on a one-count charge of defilement to which he pleaded not guilty. The prosecution told the court that Emmanuel allegedly defiled the pastor’s daughter between April and July 2021 at Ajangbadi area of Badagry. Prosecution counsel said the offence contravened the Criminal Laws of Lagos State. Following his not-guilty plea, state counsel, Ms Abimbola Abolade invited the pastor to testify before the court. The witness…

Smugud Olatunji In a bold shift to evade the relentless enforcement efforts of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) along the nation’s borders, smugglers have increasingly turned to the waterways for their illicit activities.  This development comes as the NCS reveals that approximately 90 percent of illicit drugs entering Nigeria from the West African sub-region now flow through the country’s water routes. Investigations into this burgeoning trend have unveiled a complex network wherein contraband goods destined for Nigeria are initially shipped to neighboring countries within the sub-region. From there, smaller boats are employed to transport these illegal shipments discreetly into the…