Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Israel Adeleke The Navratri festival, a nine-night celebration of the Hindu goddess Durga, has claimed the lives of 10 people who collapsed while performing the Garba dance in Gujarat, India. The Garba dance is a traditional folk dance that involves spinning and clapping in a circle, symbolizing the cycle of life and the womb of the goddess. According to a local TV news channel, more than 500 ambulance calls were made in 24 hours as people felt chest pain, breathlessness, and dizziness during the dance. The government has issued an alert and asked the organizers of Garba events to take…

Israel Adeleke A Zimbabwean pastor of the United Methodist Church (UMC), Reverend Oscar Mukahanana, has taken his own life after an audio recording of his sexual encounter with a young woman from his church was leaked on a WhatsApp group. The reverend who was the District Superintendent of Harare East, was found dead on Friday, apparently after hanging himself. In the audio clip, which was widely circulated among church members, Mukahanana can be heard talking to the said woman about how much he enjoyed their session and how he was looking forward to seeing her again. He also mentioned that…

Israel Adeleke In a bid to save costs and prioritize development projects, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has announced a suspension of foreign trips for top government officials. The Governor also said that virtual meetings would be preferred for international business and investment events, unless there is an emergency situation that requires his approval. According to a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the Governor gave these directives at the State Executive Council meeting on Thursday, where he also outlined key policy guidelines for the governance of the state. The meeting, which was attended by all members…

Israel Adeleke The Katsina State Government has paid more than N640.6 million in scholarship allowances to about 47,935 fresh and continuing indigenous students of the state for the 2020/2021 and the 2021/2022 academic session. Governor Dikko Radda, announced this on Monday at a disbursement event, where he also reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of the students and ensuring timely payment of their scholarships in tertiary institutions. He said that his government would also sponsor some of the best students to study abroad, so that they could acquire the necessary exposure and skills to provide quality leadership for…

Fawaz Adebisi The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Saka Matemilola, has declared the commencement of the annual “Odun Omo Olowu” festival, a week-long celebration of the culture and heritage of the Owu people. The monarch revealed that the festival, which runs from October 23rd to October 28th, 2023, would feature various events and activities aimed at promoting unity, pride, and development in the kingdom. One of the highlights of the festival is the collaboration between the Olowu and the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to address the menace of substance abuse,…

Israel Adeleke In a concerning revelation, Dr. Azim Adekunle Ashimi, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ogun State, disclosed that a staggering 33 women in Nigeria develop cervical cancer daily, with 22 tragically losing their lives to the disease.  Speaking at the launch of the 2023 Physicians Week held at the Doctors’ House in Lukosi, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Monday, October 23, 2023, Dr. Ashimi shed light on the pressing issue of cervical cancer affecting Nigerian women. Dr. Ashimi emphasized that annually, Nigeria records approximately 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer, resulting in around 8,000 fatalities.  This…

In a landmark decision aimed at addressing the growing issue of poverty within Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the creation of a groundbreaking Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund.  The announcement was made by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, following the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa. The primary objective of this trust fund is to alleviate poverty in Nigeria, and the government has set an ambitious annual target of $5 billion for it.  This funding will be crucial in providing assistance to those in need and responding effectively to…

Daud Olatunji  Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) have sent shockwaves across the nation with their resolute declaration to stage a nationwide strike on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.  This action comes in response to their long-standing demands for financial autonomy for State Assemblies and the evident lack of progress. PASAN, representing the interests of parliamentary staff across the country, had issued a stern 21-day ultimatum back in September to draw attention to their concerns.  Central among these demands is the immediate implementation of financial autonomy for State Assemblies, as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution. In a letter…

In a significant move to address humanitarian crises and poverty alleviation in Nigeria, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has granted approval for the establishment of a Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund.  The announcement was made by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, during a press briefing held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. The newly established trust fund is poised to facilitate the Federal Government’s swift response to critical humanitarian situations that arise within the country.  This initiative comes as part of a broader strategy to ensure the well-being of vulnerable populations and…

Seven market women lost their lives as a boat carrying 28 passengers, predominantly market women and children, capsized in the riverine community of Gelegele, located 35 kilometers from Benin City, Edo State.  The incident occurred last Thursday, sending shockwaves through the local area. The ill-fated boat, which initially carried passengers, rammed into oil barges owned by Dubri, a multinational oil exploration company, that were reportedly improperly parked.  The boat had stopped in Gelegele to drop off some passengers and refuel. During the refueling process, a strong water current pushed the boat against the barges, leading to the tragic…