Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Daud Olatunji In the heart of Abeokuta, Ogun State, a routine day took a harrowing turn for Ahmodu Afeez Adewale, a 38-year-old businessman and father of one. On that fateful Friday morning, at the busy Oke-Ilewo area, Adewale’s life hung in the balance as he narrowly escaped death when police stray bullets shattered his car windscreen. The incident unfolded during a routine stop-and-search exercise conducted by men of the police attached to Zone 2. As they attempted to halt a Lexus ES car in front of their station, tensions escalated when the driver allegedly ignored their commands. Adewale, innocently navigating…

A staggering 16,000 families in Lagos State bore the brunt of the 2022 floods, with the repercussions extending to 6,000 farmers who faced substantial losses in seedlings and farm produce, as disclosed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).  The grim statistics were released by Ibrahim Farinloye, the Coordinator of NEMA in Lagos, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of the flooding on the community. In a statement sent to TheNewsZenith on Saturday, Farinloye highlighted the multi-faceted impact of the 2022 floods on various sectors of the economy, prompting NEMA to address the situation through a strategic initiative in collaboration with the…

In a concerning development, the leadership of the Hausa communities across the South West region of Nigeria has sounded an alarm over the possibility of nationwide violence if the ongoing political crisis in Kano State is not swiftly addressed.  This urgent call comes just days before the Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict on the disputed governorship election in the state. The Arewa Community, represented by the South West Hausa Traditional Rulers Association of Nigeria, emphasized the need for immediate intervention by the federal government to prevent the Kano State political crisis from escalating into a situation that…

In a surprising move, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the freezing of the accounts belonging to the 18 local government areas and 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) within the state. The directive, conveyed through a letter to the local councils, mandates the suspension of all spending and expenditure from the local government accounts. According to the letter addressed to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs), the Acting Governor emphasized a strict adherence to the directive, stating, “No signing of cheques, no change of signatories, no withdrawal of any sort until further directive.” Expressing…

Daud Olatunji Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has refuted the characterization of the National Assembly as a ‘rubber stamp,’ asserting that such labeling is inappropriate and diminishes the essential role of the legislative body.  Fashola made these remarks during his presentation at the annual lecture organized by the Honorary Members’ Forum (HMF) of the Nigeria Air Force Officers’ Mess (NAFOM) in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday. Addressing a diverse audience, Fashola delved into the dynamics of political parties seeking a majority in the legislature to advance their policy agendas seamlessly.  He highlighted that the very purpose of aspiring…

Daud Olatunji  In a surprising turn of events, street-hop sensation Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, delivered an electrifying performance at the Celestial Church of Christ’s Goshen Land Cathedral on Friday night, despite prior criticism surrounding the church’s choice of artists for its praise event. The Celestial Church of Christ had faced backlash for inviting Portable and Fuji singer Pasuma to participate in its sacred praise night. Critics argued that the unconventional choice of artists contradicted the traditional nature of the church’s worship practices. Responding to the controversy, the church leader initially announced that Portable would no longer be part…

Daud Olatunji In a recent announcement, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning to motorists, declaring it a criminal offence to cover their vehicle number plates without a valid reason. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, conveyed this message through an official statement shared via his social media handle on Friday. Adejobi emphasized the importance of maintaining visible registration numbers at all times, condemning the prevalent practice of covering number plates without legitimate justification.  He stated, “It is a common thing to see many vehicle owners and drivers cover their number plates for no reason; this is…

Tajudeen Jimoh In a world where the pursuit of truth comes at a cost, journalists, preachers, and activists find themselves on the front lines, facing threats, intimidation, and persecution from governments and politicians determined to bury hard truths. Amidst adversity, these dedicated individuals rise to the occasion, displaying unwavering courage in their refusal to succumb to forces attempting to silence them. As the guardians of truth, journalists play a pivotal role in holding the powerful accountable through investigative work that uncovers systemic inequalities, corruption, and human rights violations. However, their commitment doesn’t go unnoticed. Journalists become frequent targets of assault,…

In a significant diplomatic move, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, is set to lead a high-level delegation to the 10th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, scheduled to take place from the 17th to 18th of December 2023 in Oran, Algeria. The Special Adviser on Media to the Foreign Affairs minister in a statement said the  seminar, also known as the Oran Ministerial Process, will be chaired by the Minister of foreign affairs in Gambia  H.E. Dr. Mamadou TANGARA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia. According…

Daud Olatunji In a terrifying incident recently, an unspecified number of kidnappers, heavily armed and disguised as security personnel, ambushed a commercial bus along the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road.  The assailants, positioned at Iyana Gedu near Onigaari Village, created a roadblock using large wooden beams, duping the unsuspecting passengers into thinking they were law enforcement officers. The victims, comprise  traders returning from the Oke Aje Market in Ijebu Ode, narrated their harrowing ordeal.  The abductors, wearing masks that only revealed their eyes, violently boarded the bus, demanding money and phones.  The passengers were subjected to physical abuse, including slaps, as the kidnappers…