Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Aminat Gusanu In a harrowing revelation, the Maternal and Research Health Collective (MRHC) exposed a dire maternal mortality crisis in Nigeria.  The  report, released on Saturday, has unveiled a shocking statistic: an average of 225 women succumb to maternal mortality every day in the country.  This staggering number is three times higher than India’s maternal mortality rate, despite India’s population being five times greater than Nigeria’s, painting a grim picture of maternal health in Nigeria. The gravity of this situation has prompted the Founder and Chairperson of MRHC, Professor Bosede Afolabi, to take urgent action.  Speaking at an awareness and…

Daud Olatunji President Bola Tinubu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and former governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Iyalode Alaba Lawson, the former president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA). President Tinubu praised her as an enterprising, courageous, and distinguished businesswoman and leader. He added, “Iyalode Lawson epitomized enterprise, brilliance, and ingenuity. Her death is a very painful loss. May the Almighty God grant her eternal rest.” Governor Abiodun described her as a significant loss to the nation and highlighted her sterling contributions to Ogun State’s…

Daud Olatunji  In a major victory against wildlife trafficking and contraband smuggling, the Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a substantial haul of illegal goods with a total duty paid value of N680 million.  The operation took place in the south-south coastal waterways along the Ibaka-Bakasi Beach, and it signifies Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to combat wildlife trafficking and uphold its responsibilities under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Emmanuel Tangwa, the Public Relations Officer of the command, announced the successful operation in a statement issued on Saturday.  The…

Daud Olatunji In a significant move aimed at reducing the tragic loss of lives due to the neglect of gunshot and accident victims, the Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has issued a compelling directive to medical practitioners across Nigeria.  He emphatically calls on doctors to provide immediate and compassionate treatment to all victims of gunshots and accidents, with or without a police report. Egbetokun made this through a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officers,Olumuyiwa Adejobi . This directive aligns with the comprehensive enforcement of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act of…

Daud Olatunji In a concerning revelation, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Taraba State has raised the alarm about a severe shortage of doctors in the region.  The NMA is now imploring the state government to take swift action to address this critical issue in order to enhance healthcare delivery for the people. This urgent appeal was made during a press briefing marking this year’s physician’s week by the NMA’s chairman, Bako Ali.  Ali disclosed that there are currently only 201 doctors, both active and retired, available to serve a population of over three million in Taraba State.  This shocking…

In a decisive ruling on Saturday, the Adamawa State Governorship Election Tribunal confirmed the re-election of Umaru Fintiri as the Governor of the state following the contentious March 2023 governorship election.  The three-member panel, led by Justice Theodora Uloho, dismissed the claims of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, citing a lack of merit in her demands. The Tribunal’s judgment affirmed that Fintiri had met all the necessary requirements of electoral law to be re-elected, while the petitioners failed to substantiate their case. The 2023 Adamawa governorship election had extended into a supplementary poll, marked by…

Daud Olatunji The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has revealed that the ongoing quick-fix project at the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Limited is on track to be fully operational by December 2024.  This promising update was conveyed in an official statement posted on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s platform over the weekend. During an inspection tour of the Kaduna Refinery & Petrochemicals, where he assessed the progress of the ongoing quick-fix project, Lokpobiri expressed his confidence in the refinery’s timely restoration by the end of 2024.  He emphasized the remarkable progress observed during his…

Daud Olatunji In a somber moment of reflection, the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) community, along with the greater Yoruba nation, mourns the loss of a remarkable council member and esteemed educationist, Iyalode Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson.  She passed away at the age of 72 on the morning of October 28, 2023.  Lawson, a revered figure in the world of education and the Iyalode of Yorubaland, was a serving member of the TASUED Governing Council.  The University Registrar and Secretary to Council, Dapo Oke in a statement on Saturday said Lawson’s  contributions to both the university and the broader educational…

Daud Olatunji The Lamidi Apapa-led  Labour Party has expressed its jubilation over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent Supreme Court victory, affirming his legitimacy as Nigeria’s leader.  The party extended its hearty congratulations to Tinubu, lauding his  triumph as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Supreme Court’s decision effectively put to rest any lingering controversies stemming from the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.  The Labour Party spokesperson, Abayomi Arabambi in a statement on behalf of the party,  expressed its hopes for President Tinubu to exhibit magnanimity in victory by inviting the party’s leadership as partners in progress,…

The African Development Bank (AfDB), along with partners the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, have announced a substantial investment of $1 billion to establish 24 special agro-industrial processing zones (SAPZs) across Nigeria.  This development follows an initial commitment of $520 million aimed at creating eight SAPZs in the country. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, unveiled this significant investment during his address at the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, World Food Prize 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. The initiative aligns with the food security and diversification policy of Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu…