Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A mother, Chinyere, has explained why she presented her son, Promise Okoro, with a live goat during his sign-out ceremony at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State. The unusual gift sparked reactions on social media after a video showing the mother arriving at the institution with the goat for her son went viral. But Chinyere said the gesture was not a publicity stunt or an impulsive decision, explaining that it was a promise she made to her son before he commenced his tertiary education. Speaking during an interview with BBC News Pidgin, she said she had promised to reward Promise…

…Adeleye says recognition reinforces commitment to inclusive governance Daud Olatunji Ogun State has been named the Best Performing State for Women and Children, earning a national Award of Excellence for its interventions in women’s empowerment, child protection, social inclusion and family development. The award was presented to the state at the ongoing 26th Regular National Council on Women Affairs, Child Advancement and Social Development in Jalingo, Taraba State. The award was received on behalf of the Ogun State Government by the former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development and All Progressives Congress candidate for Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Motunrayo Adijat…

Daud Olatunji The Celestial Church of Christ has commenced an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nollywood Yoruba actress, Temitope Osoba, amid allegations linking her death to her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko. Osoba, aged 40, reportedly died on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, shortly after publicly celebrating her survival from breast cancer. Her death has triggered widespread reactions, particularly over the circumstances surrounding her passing and allegations concerning Onadeko, a shepherd of the Celestial Church of Christ. Reacting to the controversy, the church said it was deeply concerned that the allegations had dragged its name into the matter,…

Today on Platform Times Newspaper, 12th August, 2026. Visit www.platformtimes.com.ng for many more stories.

Ameedah Abdfatah The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2027 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has raised fresh concerns over the technology underpinning Nigeria’s electoral accreditation process, alleging that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System is operating on an outdated Android operating system. Atiku, a former Vice-President stated this in a  statement signed by his  Media Office in Abuja on August 11, 2026., He warned that the alleged use of Android 10 on the BVAS could expose the electoral system to cybersecurity and operational vulnerabilities ahead of the 2027 elections. Atiku  consequently called for an independent and comprehensive audit…

Daud Olatunji About 3.5 million children under the age of one in Nigeria’s South-West remain without birth registration, putting them at risk of becoming invisible in government planning and limiting their access to essential services, the United Nations Children’s Fund has warned. The UNICEF Chief of Lagos Field Office, Céline Lafoucrière, disclosed this on Monday during a two-day media dialogue on birth registration organised by the National Population Commission in collaboration with UNICEF. Lafoucrière said the absence of birth registration could have consequences far beyond childhood, warning that children without legal identity could encounter difficulties accessing education, healthcare and social…

The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has questioned the management of more than ₦650 billion reportedly received by the state from the Federation Account Allocation Committee over the past three years, saying the funds have not translated into infrastructure and development commensurate with the resources available to the government. Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, made the allegation during an Arise TV Town Hall Meeting in Osun, where he challenged the financial record of the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke and disputed claims that the current government inherited an almost empty treasury from the immediate…

….N267bn Intervention Funds Remain Unutilised As N65bn Counterpart Contributions Await Access …Commission Challenges States To Move Beyond Accessing Funds To Delivering Result Daud Olatunji The Universal Basic Education Commission has raised concerns over the failure of states to fully access and utilise about N332bn earmarked to improve basic education, saying billions of naira released for the sector have yet to translate into tangible improvements in schools. The commission disclosed that while N267bn in previously released intervention funds remained unutilised across the states, another N65bn in counterpart funding was yet to be accessed. The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, made…

Oluwanifemi Ibikunle The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued five children allegedly being trafficked from Kebbi State to the Benin Republic under the guise of securing better educational opportunities for them. The children were intercepted in Edo State while a suspected trafficker, identified as Pastor Ayuba, was allegedly transporting them towards the Benin Republic. The Kebbi State Commander of NAPTIP, Misbahu Iya Kaura, disclosed this on Monday night when the agency handed the rescued children over to the Kebbi State Government at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi. Kaura said the suspect claimed that the…

A 22-year-old man standing trial in the United Kingdom has admitted attempting to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) after being influenced by videos he watched on YouTube and TikTok. Mohamed Mohamoud, a Somali-born man who moved to Bristol in 2020, made the admission while giving evidence at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday. Mohamoud is on trial over allegations that he prepared acts of terrorism between October 1, 2024, and March 5, 2025. According to the BBC, Mohamoud admitted that he travelled to Somalia in January 2025 in an attempt to join ISIS but denied intending to…