Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The World Bank has cautioned that the economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government have yet to improve the lives of millions of Nigerians, warning that 139 million people still live in poverty. Matthew Verghis, the bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, gave the warning on Wednesday during the launch of the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) in Abuja. Verghis commended the government for what he described as “bold and historic” reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market. He said the measures had stabilised Nigeria’s economy by boosting revenue, improving debt indicators, and helping…

Engr. Abolore Sodrudeen  Ayodeji, popularly known as ASA, on Tuesday officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta South Local Government, Ogun State. Ayodeji was received into the ruling party at Ward 11, Kenta, by prominent APC leaders including the Ward Chairman, Chief Ridwan Odesanya; member of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Alhaji Muideen Shoremekun; former Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters to ex-Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Alhaji Moshood Akinyele (aka Americo); and Hon. Dolapo Ajala, a ward leader, among others. While presenting the party symbol to the new entrant, Shoremekun described Ayodeji as…

The Lead Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church International (VLBC), Abeokuta, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, has officially unveiled “Christmas on The Rock”, an annual carol brand designed to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with grandeur and compassion. The 2025 edition, themed “The Manger and His Majesty,” is scheduled to hold on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Victory City, opposite Ogun State Television, kilometre 12, Ajebo Road, Abeokuta. According to the organisers, the event will feature a blend of spirituality, entertainment, and charity, including songs of hymns, red carpet reception, orchard and Father Christmas show, empowerment schemes, a carnival with cuisines,…

The trial of the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, on allegations of $4.5 billion fraud suffered a setback on Tuesday after a heated clash between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the defence team over the forensic examination of a mobile phone presented as key evidence. At the resumed hearing before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Division, Lagos High Court, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), accused the EFCC of deliberately obstructing the court-ordered forensic analysis of an iPhone marked “Exhibit E.” Ojo told the court that the joint forensic process…

Lawmakers in the Enugu State House of Assembly have raised alarm over their worsening financial plight, alleging that Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has withheld their salaries and allowances for two months. Investigations  revealed that the affected arrears cover August and September 2025, with lawmakers confirming that the delay has crippled the smooth running of the Assembly. This is not the first time the legislators have faced delayed payments. Records show that their salaries for January and February 2025 were not cleared until March, while a similar delay occurred in May and June, with payment only made in July. A visibly…

The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill that seeks to revoke the passports of citizens convicted of crimes in foreign countries for 10 years, in a move aimed at safeguarding the nation’s global image. The bill, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Bello (Niger North), proposes an amendment to the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, stipulating that any Nigerian who serves a sentence abroad would have their passport withdrawn for a decade after completing the jail term. Leading the debate on Tuesday, Senator Onawo Ogwoshi (Nasarawa South), who spoke on behalf of the sponsor, said the amendment was long overdue, stressing that it…

… Protesters Storm National Assembly, Accuse Officials Of Exploitation … Call For End To Contributory Pension Scheme, Demand Justice Tension heightened on Tuesday in Abuja as widows of retired and fallen Nigerian police officers stormed the National Assembly, alleging that officials demand sexual favours before releasing their late husbands’ gratuities. The protesters, who marched alongside their husbands and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, decried what they described as years of humiliation, neglect, and injustice meted out to families of those who served the nation in uniform. One of the aggrieved widows, fighting back tears, said: “before they even call us…

The Commander of the Osun State Amotekun Corps, High Chief Dr. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, on Monday night narrowly escaped death after unknown gunmen ambushed his vehicle and later raided his residence in a coordinated attack. The incident occurred around 10:05 pm along Ikirun Road, near Kobo, beside Charity Hotel, Osogbo, shortly after Omoyele closed from duty at the Amotekun headquarters. Narrating the ordeal from his hospital bed, Omoyele said he was driving home in his private car when masked gunmen in a moving vehicle pulled up beside him and opened fire. “I had left the office heading home when a…

A Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, has been confirmed dead after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him ablaze during a domestic dispute at the Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The tragic incident reportedly occurred on September 22, 2025, during a heated quarrel between the couple. Sources told PLATFORM TIMES that Mrs. Haruna, in a fit of rage, allegedly poured petrol on her husband and set him on fire. Lt. Haruna, who was also a medical doctor and the Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) attached to the 6 Battalion, was rushed…

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested three Egyptian nationals for allegedly assaulting security personnel at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). The suspects — Mohammed Ayan, 24; Mohammed Mohammed, 40; and Ahmed Mohammed, 20 — were apprehended on Monday after reportedly attacking a female security officer who confronted them for hawking household items inside the hospital premises, an activity prohibited within the facility. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident occurred around midday when the three foreigners gained access to the hospital premises with the intention of selling goods. A hospital source said the suspects were first cautioned…