Author: Platform Times Newspaper

…Our Schools, Economy Crippled, Residents  … All-Season Bridge Vital For Flood-Prone Road, Communities Tell  Abiodun   Daud Olatunji  In the quiet and resilient community of Owode-Ketu, nestled within the serene landscapes of Yewa-North local government area in Ogun State, the people have borne a heavy burden for over three decades.  A tale of struggle, courage, and determination unfolds as 25 communities along the Tata (Abotokio)-Owode Ketu-Sunwa-Ayetoro Road  grapple  with the devastating consequences of a collapsing bridge and the relentless wrath of nature. For not less than 30 years, Owode-Ketu and its neighbouring communities have endured the recurring nightmare of bridges…

In a shocking and disturbing turn of events, Umar Ibrahim, the Village Head of Dan Gulam in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, is facing serious allegations of rape and the transmission of HIV to a young girl named Hanatu Yahaya.  The accused, a traditional leader, now finds himself at the center of a legal and public storm that is shaking the foundations of his community. The accusations came to light through a letter dated October 16, 2023, addressed to the Secretary of Dutse Emirate Council, Dutse Emir’s Palace, and written by Senior State Counsel Kabiru Abdullah Esq. from…

Daud Olatunji In a candid and concern-filled address, Brig. Gen. Dogara Ahmed, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has sounded the alarm over the growing influx of poor-quality graduates into the NYSC programme.  During his lecture titled “Harnessing the Potential of the Nigerian Youths for National Unity and Development” at the 5th convocation lecture of Edo State University, Uzairue, Brig. Gen. Ahmed brought to light various challenges affecting the NYSC scheme. Represented by the NYSC Director for the South South Zone, Ladan Baba, Brig. Gen. Ahmed revealed that the NYSC annually mobilizes an average of 350,000…

Tragedy struck as three Senior Secondary School (SS3) students in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra lost their lives on Saturday while playing football, when they were struck by lightning. An eye witness told NAN that the lightning struck nine male students who were playing football with their peers on the school’s pitch barefooted. “The students were practising on the football pitch with their coach preparatory to a football tournament. “The coach had ended the training session before the rain started, but some of the students stayed behind to continue playing football. “Lightning, accompanied by claps of thunderstorm suddenly…

Daud Olatunji In anticipation of the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States on November 11, 2023, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has taken significant steps to ensure the safety and security of the electoral process.  This strategic move includes the distribution of 220 operational vehicles and an array of security logistics. The announcement was made by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement posted on the official Nigerian Police Force’s Twitter handle on Sunday, November 5.  The statement highlighted the Inspector-General’s commitment to facilitating smooth election processes and intensifying security arrangements. The…

Aminat Gusanu In a major breakthrough, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized a colossal haul of 14,481,519 pills of Tramadol and bottles of codeine syrup, with an estimated value of over thirteen billion Naira, in a series of meticulously planned operations across multiple locations in Lagos. Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media & Advocacy of NDLEA, revealed these significant drug cartel busts in a press statement issued on Sunday.  The meticulously executed operations took place in Amuwo Odofin, Idumota, and the SAHCO shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. The series of actions began…

Daud Olatunji In the bustling streets of Mile 12, Lagos, Mrs. Oluwole Olufunke, a proud graduate of Accounting Education from Lagos State University (LASU), is defying the odds and demonstrating the indomitable spirit that resides within her.  Her story is one of trials, resilience, and unwavering hope, and it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many in Nigeria. Mrs. Olufunke’s journey into hawking was not a choice she made lightly; it was born out of necessity.  A widow and mother of three, she had been employed before the devastating wave of Covid-19 hit, leaving her jobless…

The manufacturing sector in Nigeria has witnessed a significant increase in its debt to banks, with a rise from N5.56 trillion in January 2023 to N6.98 trillion in June 2023, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Sectoral Analysis of Deposit Money Banks’ Credit.  This surge in debt is indicative of the challenges faced by the industry and its reliance on bank financing to sustain operations. Between January and June 2023, manufacturers in Nigeria borrowed a substantial sum of N1.42 trillion, further emphasizing the sector’s need for financial support to maintain growth and operations.  This increase in borrowing resulted in…

Daud Olatunji In a bid to address the ongoing strike and turmoil at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta (MAPOLY), the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Muslim Alumni (MAPAMA) has issued a press statement calling for a comprehensive solution to the institution’s problems.  The strike, which has led to the total shutdown of academic and non-academic activities for over a month, has raised concerns about the future of the once-prosperous institution. MAPAMA expressed distress over the fact that MAPOLY, which once birthed four other Information and Communication Technology (ICT) polytechnics in the state, is now mired in crises that have persisted for five…

Peculiar Tonkumoh In a significant development, the Illorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has successfully convicted a 26-year-old forex trader, Kolawole Joshua, and two other individuals, Abdullahi Isiak and Daniel Orji, for their involvement in internet fraud.  The EFCC made this announcement via their official social media handle, and the convictions were handed down by Justice Mahmoud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. Kolawole Joshua, Abdullahi Isiak, and Daniel Orji, who were arrested at different locations in the state, pleaded guilty to one-count separate charges related to internet fraud. Joshua’s charge involved…