Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a significant shake-up of the Kano State cabinet, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has dismissed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Bichi, and the Chief of Staff, Shehu Sagagi, while reassigning Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam to a new ministry. Announcing the changes on Wednesday, the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, cited health concerns as the reason for Bichi’s removal. He also revealed that the position of Chief of Staff has been scrapped entirely as part of the administration’s reorganization efforts. Dawakin-Tofa noted that Abdussalam’s reassignment was aimed at ensuring effective governance and aligning responsibilities with the administration’s priorities.…

The Managing Director of Divine Kings Pharmaceutical Limited, Kingsley Ekeanyanwu, has been apprehended over allegations of distributing substandard Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg capsules, which have reportedly caused serious adverse reactions among patients. The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday. According to Adeyeye, the investigation into the substandard capsules, produced by Ecomed Pharma Ltd., began following reports from hospitals across Nigeria about patients experiencing adverse drug reactions. “If we see bad actors, we go after them, we shut them down. We…

The Nigerian Senate has issued a warrant of arrest against the management of Julius Berger, one of the country’s leading construction firms, for consistently failing to honor invitations to appear before its Committee on Works. The Senate’s decision, reached during Thursday’s plenary, followed a motion raised by Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West, who expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s repeated snubbing of the Senate’s summons. Ngwu highlighted the presence of numerous uncompleted projects awarded to Julius Berger across Nigeria, stressing the need for a thorough investigation into the company’s operations and contract handling. He accused the construction giant of undermining…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday destroyed expired, counterfeit, unregistered, and smuggled products valued at ₦10.9 billion in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The items, sourced from five South-West states excluding Lagos, as well as Kwara State in the North-Central zone, were incinerated at an approved dumpsite provided by the Oyo State Government to ensure minimal environmental impact. Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the South-West Zonal Director, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, emphasized that the exercise was a demonstration of the agency’s commitment to ensuring public health…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised an alarm over potential health risks after recalling a batch of Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg Capsules linked to severe adverse drug reactions. The affected batch, with lot number 4C639001, was manufactured by Eco-med Pharma Ltd and distributed by DevineKings Pharmaceutical Ltd. NAFDAC’s swift action follows reports of three severe reactions in patients who used the medication. A statement released by the agency on Wednesday via X (formerly Twitter) revealed that the cases were reported by a hospital, prompting Eco-med Pharma Ltd to alert NAFDAC to the situation. “This batch…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cautioned Nigerians against expecting a quick resolution to the country’s electricity challenges, citing the aging state of the national grid and decades-old power infrastructure as key obstacles. Tinubu made the remarks on Wednesday during the visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Nigeria, where bilateral discussions on energy and industrial development took center stage. Acknowledging the urgency of the electricity crisis, Tinubu emphasized ongoing reforms to decentralize power generation and distribution across the country. He revealed that German firms, in collaboration with local stakeholders, are exploring renewable energy solutions to enhance rural electrification and boost…

Daud Olatunji In a significant move to support education and community development, Dangote Cement Ibese Plant has awarded scholarships worth over N16 million to 120 indigent students from its 16 host communities. This gesture was announced during the 2024 Community Day Celebration held on Wednesday in Ibese, Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State. The Plant Director, Roy Uttam, explained that the scholarship initiative is part of the company’s commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence and mutual development with its host communities. Themed “Celebrating Resilience through Effective Partnership,” the event also included the empowerment of women, farmers, and elderly individuals, further…

Uthman Akinola The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Neuropsychiatric Hospital (NPH) Aro, Abeokuta, has held the fourth edition of the annual Dr. Taiwo Adamson Debate, focusing on mental health, wellness, and substance use. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the event, organised to honour the hospital’s former Provost, Dr. Taiwo Adamson, was themed, “Golden Hour for Drug Abuse Prevention Programmes: Primary or Secondary Education?” The debate, endowed by Dr. Adamson and hosted by the current Provost/Medical Director of NPH Aro, Dr. Paul Agboola, brought together stakeholders, students, and mental health advocates to address the growing menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.…

The APIN Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign for Ogun State has concluded its annual 16-day activism, leaving behind a trail of impactful stories and a call for sustained efforts against gender-based violence. Favour Ojo-Omoniyi, APIN’s Gender-Based Vocal Person for Ogun State, led the charge, emphasizing the need for community-driven, year-round advocacy to combat GBV. Speaking at the campaign’s closing session in Abeokuta, Ojo-Omoniyi highlighted the campaign’s progress. “We started this 16-day campaign on November 26 and concluded it today, December 10. This year, we reached eight schools compared to just one last year. It shows we are expanding our scope, creating…

The World Health Organisation has revealed that over seven million deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded globally in the past five years, with the actual death toll estimated to be at least three times higher. This was disclosed by the WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, during an online media conference on Wednesday. Ghebreyesus underscored the continued threat posed by the virus, noting its ongoing impact through acute cases, “long COVID,” and fatalities. “On average, 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 are reported to WHO each week,” he said. The WHO chief also highlighted other pressing global health concerns, including outbreaks of mpox in…