Author: Platform Times Newspaper

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…

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested four individuals, including a suspected terrorism financier, in connection with the supply of military uniforms to armed bandits in the state. The command spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this during a briefing at the command headquarters on Monday. He said the arrests were made during a routine patrol along the Yantumaki and Kankara highway, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and banditry in Katsina. According to Sadiq, the first suspect, Aminu Hassan, 25, was apprehended on November 19, 2024, in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state. The suspect, who hails…

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has disclosed that 70 percent of the state’s six million population consists of idle young men and women, a challenge he said he inherited upon assuming office. The governor made the revelation during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, on Tuesday. Lawal lamented that despite Zamfara’s abundant natural resources, the benefits have not been equitably distributed. He, however, expressed optimism about the progress his administration is making in reversing the narrative. “Zamfara is one of the few states in Nigeria blessed with abundant natural resources, but the question is to…

By Misbahu Shehu It is no longer news that by 2050, Nigeria will be the most populous country after India and China; according to Statista, Nigeria’s population will hover around 410 million people. The Journey to the 2050 population figure is already at play today as Nigeria currently has one the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, and it’s the 3rd highest in Africa. Since 2017, Nigeria’s mortality rate has increased by 14% from 917 per 100,000 live births to 1047 per 100,000 live births in 2020. This, combined with the high fertility rate of 4.8(NDHS 2023-24) and low…

Abeokuta Sports Club, one of Africa’s foremost sports institutions, is marking its 120th anniversary with a week-long celebration featuring activities aimed at honouring its rich history, promoting sports excellence, and contributing to community development. Addressing the press in Abeokuta, the President of the club, Prince Seni Ogunyemi, revealed that six eminent members, including legendary footballer Chief Segun Odegbami, would be honoured during the milestone event. Prince Ogunyemi highlighted the club’s enduring role as a stress-relief hub for chief executives, industrialists, retirees, and sports enthusiasts of all ages. He outlined the lineup of activities for the celebration, which began on December…

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) says it  has recorded significant strides in Nigeria’s fight against corruption, recovering over N50 billion since 2019 and saving the Federal Government an additional N10 billion in 2024 alone. The Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the close-out ceremony of the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)’s Open Contract Reporting Project (OCRP) and its journalism awards. Dr. Aliyu lauded the ICIR’s OCRP initiative for its impact on exposing irregularities in public sector procurement, noting that it has been instrumental in uncovering fraudulent practices and enhancing…

The Ogun I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the appointment of Deputy Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu as the new Acting Customs Area Controller. PLATFORM TIMES reports that this  transition follows the statutory retirement of Comptroller James  Ojo, who leaves behind a legacy of achievements in anti-smuggling operations and revenue generation. A statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hammed Oloyede explained that Deputy Comptroller Shuaibu, an officer renowned for his expertise in border operations, brings a robust track record to his new role. Oloyede in the statement said, before this appointment, he…

Retired Navy Commodore Kunle Olawunmi, a former Deputy Director of Defence Administration at the Defence Headquarters, has been honored with the prestigious Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award for Most Valuable Whistle-Blower. The award, organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), was presented during the 7th edition of the Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Awards (GFIIA) held at Shoregate Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Commodore Olawunmi gained national attention in 2021 when he publicly criticized the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He alleged that the State Security Services had intelligence on individuals funding Boko Haram but failed to act due to…

The Irepolere Ogunji Obantoko Area Community Development Committee (CDC) in Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State, has nominated Chief Dr. Mrs. Florence Mojisola Oni-Quadri, the Ibuso Aje of Egbaland and CEO of Oni Electronics, as its Life Patroness. This announcement was made in a statement issued by the CDC Chairman, Mrs. Adeoti Motunrayo Modinat, popularly known as Mama Africa. She described Chief Oni-Quadri as a notable, trustworthy, and invaluable figure whose contributions have been instrumental in driving development across the 44 Community Development Associations (CDAs) under the Irepolere Ogunji CDC. “Chief Dr. Mrs. Florence Mojisola Oni-Quadri has been an inspiration…

The Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (OGMPWB) has commenced the disbursement of refunds amounting to N75,617,040 to 1,238 pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia. The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Ajibola Taiwo, disclosed this development while addressing journalists in Abeokuta. A statement by the Press Officer,  OGMPWB,  Mariam Yusuf, disclosed that Taiwo explained that each affected pilgrim would receive N61,080 as reimbursement for services that were not fully rendered during the pilgrimage. Th statement added that the Executive Secretary, further noted that the funds had been released by the National Hajj Commission of…