Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday formally elevated three high-ranking chiefs in Ibadanland to the status of Obas in absentia, despite their absence at the official coronation ceremony held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan. The governor said the decision to proceed with the installation without the physical presence of the affected chiefs was necessary to prevent a vacuum and sustain the long-established structure of the Ibadan traditional system. Those elevated are Chief Kola Babalola (SAN), the Ekaarun Olubadan; High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin, the Ekerin Balogun; and High Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, the Ekaarun Balogun and Senator representing Oyo…

No fewer than 150 residents have been abducted by suspected bandits in coordinated attacks on communities in Zamfara State, deepening concerns over worsening insecurity in the North-West. The victims were reportedly kidnapped during late-night raids on Kurfa Ɗanya and Kurfan Magaji villages in Bukkuyum Local Government Area. The lawmaker representing Gumi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Suleiman Abubakar, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers stormed the communities around midnight on Thursday, catching residents off guard. According to him, the assailants carried out a coordinated operation, abducting scores of villagers while they were asleep. Residents said  that the attackers…

The Ogun State Police Command on Friday debunked widespread rumours alleging the presence of bandits in Lusada community, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, describing the claims as false and misleading. The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, moved swiftly to calm rising tension triggered by viral voice notes circulating on social media, particularly WhatsApp, which claimed that suspected bandits had relocated to the area. In one of the audio messages, a man who identified himself as an Islamic cleric warned residents in Yoruba to remain vigilant, alleging that criminal elements had infiltrated the community. Another voice note, delivered in English, reinforced the…

The mystery surrounding the death of 22-year-old Afro-Fuji artiste, Afeez Adesina, popularly known as Destiny Boy, has been laid to rest, as an autopsy report has identified drug toxicity as the cause of his demise. Destiny Boy, who died on January 17, 2026, had sparked widespread controversy following the emergence of disturbing videos showing his lifeless body being transported to a mortuary, with cotton wool placed in his nostrils and ears. The footage triggered outrage on social media and fueled speculations about possible foul play. However, findings from an autopsy conducted by the Ogun State Police Command have now revealed…

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on the South-East to deliver at least 80 per cent of its votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Umahi made the appeal on Thursday during the inauguration of a completed section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, where he highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects in the region under the current administration. Speaking with journalists, the former Ebonyi State governor said the road project, initially awarded under a tax credit scheme involving MTN Nigeria and Reynolds Construction Company, had stalled before the intervention of the Tinubu administration. He noted that the…

Troops of the Joint Military Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, have foiled multiple attacks in Plateau State, arresting two suspects and killing three others in separate operations across the state. The military disclosed that the operations were carried out in Jos North and Wase Local Government Areas following intelligence reports and distress calls from residents. The Media Information Officer of the task force, Captain Chinonso Oteh, in a statement on Friday, said troops responded swiftly to security breaches, preventing further destruction and loss of lives. He explained that in Dutse Uku community of Jos North, soldiers acted on a distress…

The Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto has dismissed a staff member, Malam Garba Ahmed, over his involvement in the illegal mobilisation of unqualified graduates for the National Youth Service Corps. The decision was approved at the institution’s 176th Governing Council meeting held on April 1, 2026, according to a statement issued on Friday by the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Ismaila Mohammed Yauri. Ahmed, who worked in the Registry Department, was found guilty of uploading the names of ineligible candidates for the NYSC scheme, an act the university described as a gross violation of its regulations and established NYSC…

Daud Olatunji The ancient city of Abeokuta, Ogun State, came alive with glamour, culture and creativity as Murphy Innovations staged its inaugural fashion show, Timeless Elegance, marking a bold entry into Nigeria’s competitive fashion and entertainment landscape. The event, held in partnership with Ankara Festival United Kingdom, drew fashion enthusiasts, industry stakeholders and dignitaries, all treated to a rich display of style, craftsmanship and cultural expression. Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Murphy Innovations, Moroof Popoola, described the showcase as the realisation of a long-held vision to build a globally recognised fashion brand rooted in Nigerian…

A  leading governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Iyabo Obasanjo, has called for stronger collaboration among political stakeholders to curb rising tensions and prevent electoral violence ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State. Obasanjo made the call on Friday, during a consultative visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Abeokuta, where she stressed the need for continuous dialogue among political actors to ensure peaceful elections. Speaking during the engagement, the former senator noted that fostering open communication across party lines would help address grievances early and reduce the likelihood of conflict during elections. She…

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria has announced plans to host the second edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Awards (TNBA) on April 8, 2026, in Abuja, as part of efforts to promote professionalism and reward excellence in the country’s broadcast industry. According to a statement issued on Thursday, the event will hold at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado, from 6pm to 9pm. BON said the awards, endorsed at its 74th General Assembly in Kano in 2021, were designed to celebrate outstanding contributions and encourage high standards in radio and television broadcasting. The organisers disclosed that the 2026 edition attracted 204 entries,…