Author: Platform Times Newspaper

By Israel Adeleke Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended 15 suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu, the state capital. The suspects were apprehended on Friday, October 20, 2023, following a tip-off from a reliable source. According to a statement by the EFCC, the suspects are Casmir Ibebuogu Chizaram, Emegbusim Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chinedu Nworji, Nzube Michael, Oranusi Chigozie Sylvester, Francis Mbaeri, Okoro Ugonna Prince, Stanley Amobi, Emegbusim Chukwuka, Nlemoha Kingsley, Ejiofor Franklin, Chidera Peter, Chidiebube Chukwula Peter, Innocent Chukwuka Peter, and Michael Eche. The EFCC reported that it recovered 30 mobile phones,…

Israel Adeleke The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has rejected the label of a terrorist group by the federal government and demanded that the government should appear in court to justify its proscription order. The group, in a statement on Friday, said it is a peaceful movement seeking Biafra’s restoration and had appealed the court’s proscription order since 2018, but the government had been avoiding the hearing. The statement, signed by the group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the group had been engaging in various peaceful rallies across the world, particularly in Biafra territories, and had no record of violence or…

By Israel Adeleke In a significant investment in agriculture, Ogun State has allocated a total of N135,047,220 to four vital projects throughout 2022, according to the state’s e-procurement website.  These initiatives aim to promote agricultural development and enhance the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen across the region. The projects unveiled by the Ogun State government encompass the establishment of a cotton market, the construction of market stalls in Ogun East and Ogun West Senatorial Districts, the procurement of fishing and fish farm inputs, and the renovation of a central feed depot. An investigation conducted by PLATFORM TIMES in October 2023…

Israel Adeleke A video of a woman crying uncontrollably on the floor after discovering that her OPay account had been emptied has gone viral on social media. The video, posted on TikTok by @brenda_koko, shows the woman in a state of shock and despair as she laments her loss. According to the caption, the woman lost all her money in her OPay account, which is a mobile payment platform that allows users to send and receive money, pay bills, and access other financial services. The video did not reveal the identity of the woman or the location of the incident,…

Israel Adeleke Residents of Lagos’s Borno Way in Ebute Metta are breathing a sigh of relief today as the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources took swift and decisive action to address severe flooding in the area.  The Ministry sealed off eight properties accused of dumping construction materials into drainage channels, exacerbating the flooding crisis. Kunle Adeshina, the Ministry’s spokesperson, made the announcement on Friday, October 27, 2023, through the Ministry’s official social media account.  In a post on the platform, he revealed that operatives from the Drainage Enforcement Department of the Ministry were hard at work removing…

Daud Olatunji In a bold move by both federal and state governments, 24 polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria have been transformed into full-fledged universities, with this decision sparking controversy among education stakeholders. Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and education reform activists have strongly criticized this transition, dubbing it a plan to “bury” the essence of technical education in the country.  Over the years, this expansion of universities has drawn scrutiny, particularly concerning its financial sustainability. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced concerns over establishing new universities amid financial constraints, which could strain the resources needed…

Daud Olatunji In a shocking incident that unfolded in the Kobiti area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, a dispute over an unpaid debt spiraled into a horrifying tragedy as Wasiu Oyekan reportedly beat his neighbour, Ibrahim Lateef, to death over a sum of N4,500. The incident, which transpired near the Kobiti Central Mosque, shook the local community to its core.  The dispute arose from an incident that occurred back in August when Oyekan accused the deceased’s son and another boy of damaging his PlayStation video game. Seeking compensation for the damages,  Oyekan demanded a total of N9,000 for the repairs.  The…

Daud Olatunji The Recycling Waste to Wealth (ReW) Challenge, an initiative aimed at turning waste into economic opportunities, is taking Ogun State by storm.  The project, which was initiated through the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Award and funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is gaining momentum as it expands to include a broader audience and a creative theme. In its inaugural year, the ReW Challenge concentrated its efforts on Government Science and Technical Colleges, resulting in the establishment of Entrepreneurship Clubs in all eight participating colleges.  The project has been…

Aminat Gusanu The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, has issued a call for a pandemic accord aimed at reinforcing the legal framework for a unified and comprehensive global response to pandemics. Dr. Ghebreyesus made this announcement through the official WHO Twitter account on Thursday, 2023. In his statement, he highlighted the profound impact of inequities, vaccine nationalism, shortages of critical medical supplies, and the remarkable efforts of healthcare workers who often lack adequate protective equipment.  Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized that the Pandemic Accord’s purpose is to prevent the recurrence of these distressing scenarios and ensure a…

Fawaz Adebisi Nigeria is among the top 20 worst countries for women to live in, according to a new report that measures women’s rights and well-being across the world. The 2023 Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Index report ranked Nigeria at the 162nd position out of 177 countries, showing a significant decline from the previous edition. The report, which was jointly published by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), evaluated 13 indicators related to women’s inclusion, justice, and security. These indicators include education, jobs, laws, and organized violence. According to…