Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Hundreds of Nigerian ex-servicemen who defended the nation during the 1966 Civil War  have staged a protest in Ibadan, Oyo State, over 44 years of unpaid pensions. Armed with placards bearing poignant messages, the retirees expressed frustration at being neglected despite their sacrifices, questioning why they were left in anguish while those they fought against had been compensated.  National Coordinator Cpl. Babawande Phillip (retd) highlighted the painful disparity, noting that Biafran soldiers had received payments while they, with bullet wounds from defending the country, were left without pensions. Phillip lamented, “For the past 44 years, we have been deprived of…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to enhance the skills of twenty million craftsmen over the next five years to bolster the nation’s economy. Addressing the initiative at ITF’s headquarters in Abuja, the Director General, Afiz Oluwatoyin, highlighted the objective to ensure local craftsmen can competitively match their international counterparts. Oluwatoyin emphasized the administration’s commitment to counter the trend of foreign artisans occupying positions meant for domestic craftsmen, stating, “Nigerian artisans have operated at a disadvantage, but we aim to change that. We want standard artisans who can excel globally.” Acknowledging the challenges faced by…

In a startling revelation, Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has expressed deep regret and feelings of betrayal as he accuses Governor Godwin Obaseki of scamming him despite significant contributions in both naira and dollars to secure the PDP ticket. During an interview on Arise TV, Shaibu disclosed that despite bringing political value, financial support, and contributing his personal vehicles for the 2016 campaign, Governor Obaseki has refused to endorse his candidature in the upcoming 2024 governorship election. Shaibu, who initially hesitated to become the deputy governor, revealed that he accepted the role to add value to Obaseki’s ticket, bringing…

In a recent development, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted bail to Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.  Earlier, both Edu and her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, had their passports seized to prevent them from fleeing the country during ongoing investigations into alleged fraud. A source within the EFCC revealed that Edu, like her predecessor, will be required to report daily to the EFCC headquarters while the investigation unfolds.  Edu is under scrutiny for her involvement in the transfer of N585 million to a private account owned by Oniyelu Bridget, the alleged Project Accountant…

Renowned Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has expressed deep apprehension about the safety of former Minister of Power and Steel Development, Olu Agunloye, who was remanded in Kuje Prison following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the FCT High Court. Soyinka, in a statement released on Wednesday, alerted the nation and the government to the justified high-level concern for Agunloye’s safety.  Drawing attention to the tragic fate of Agunloye’s predecessor, the late Chief Bola Ige, who was assassinated in connection with the Mambilla scam, Soyinka emphasised the need for heightened security measures. Citing the unsolved…

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu,has  expressed concern over the marginalisation of the Igbo people in governance, resource allocation, and development in Southeast Nigeria. Iwuanyanwu who spoke in a recent interview on Arise News Television,emphasised the pivotal role played by the Igbo community in shaping the destinies of Lagos and Abuja, highlighting their significant contributions to the development of these key cities.  He lamented the current state of affairs, stating that Igbos are not only sidelined but also subjected to abuse and insults. Addressing the broader issue of Nigeria’s governance structure, Iwuanyanwu called for a return to…

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, refuted claims of engaging in a private conversation with former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the closed-door meeting with Ohanaeze chieftains in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Friday. In an interview on Arise Television, Iwuanyanwu clarified that there were no private discussions with Obasanjo, countering earlier speculations surrounding the closed-door meeting. During the meeting at the residence of the Ohanaeze President General, issues of mutual interest were reportedly deliberated upon. Secretary General Okey Emuchay confirmed that the discussions were symbolic and crucial, emphasizing the significance of the courtesy visit.  However, he…

Joseph Aloba, the father of the late Afrobeat sensation Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the ongoing police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his son’s death. In an exclusive interview with Trust TV on Wednesday, Joseph Aloba urged the government to intensify efforts in the probe until justice is served for his son’s demise. Expressing his discontent, Joseph stated, “I am not satisfied with the police investigation. A lot of things have been said outside which are not really right.  When I carried Mohbad’s body to the police station, my expectation was that they…

Cadbury Nigeria has taken a significant step to address its financial challenges by announcing plans to sell 402 million shares.  The move comes in response to the company’s inability to settle a $7.7 million (N7.03 billion) debt owed to Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Limited. Controlled by Mondel–z International Inc, Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Limited holds a substantial 74.97 percent stake in Cadbury Nigeria.  The indebtedness stems from a $23 million loan that Cadbury Nigeria had borrowed from Cadbury Schweppes.  This loan was initially utilized to settle third-party loans, which were obtained to finance raw material imports and other input costs. In a…

In a remarkable bid to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest individual cook-a-thon, Ghanaian chef Abdul Faila has accomplished a culinary feat by cooking continuously for an astounding 10 days. Faila embarked on her epic cook-a-thon on January 1, 2024, at the Modern City Hotel in Tamale. Originally planned to last for five days or a total of 120 hours, she surpassed expectations and successfully completed her challenge on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, clocking in at an impressive 227 hours and 10 seconds. The previous record holder for the longest individual cook-a-thon was Irish chef Alan Fisher,…