Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Former presidential adviser, Babafemi Ojudu, has challenged Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, over his claims on the status of federal road projects across the South-West, saying several roads listed as ongoing are either abandoned or in deplorable condition. Ojudu, a former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, specifically faulted the governor’s description of some federal roads in Ekiti State as being under construction. He made his position known in a statement on Monday while reacting to the list of federal road projects highlighted by Abiodun during the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of the 56.5-kilometre Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan…

Zainab Abioye A group of young Nigerian innovators is changing the way students pay institutional fees, with their digital platform, KwestPay, recording more than 7,000 successful transactions within its first year of operation. The platform was developed to address the difficulties students often encounter while paying campus-related fees, including long queues at banks, unreliable banking applications, complicated payment processes and the loss of physical receipts. KwestPay, according to its Chief Executive Officer, Oluwakoyejo Oyewole, was conceived as a digital payment solution tailored specifically to the needs of students. Oyewole, who spoke during an interview to mark the platform’s first anniversary,…

Daud Olatunji The Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland, Fodhilatu Shaykh Imam Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has commended the immediate past leadership of the Muslim Community of Oyo State for its sacrifices and contributions to the growth of Islam and the welfare of Muslims in the state. Akeugberu particularly praised the outgone MUSCOYS Chairman, Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni; Secretary-General, Alhaji Abidemi Siyanbade; and renowned Islamic scholar, Alhaji Dr Daud Amoo Alaga, describing them as committed servants of the Muslim Ummah whose years of service had left lasting footprints in the community. The Grand Chief Imam, in a statement issued on Monday…

Suliat Lawal & Oluwanifemi Ibikunle The Ogun State chapter of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria has called for a balance between the preservation of Yoruba traditional religion and culture and the protection of constitutional rights in Nigeria. The call was made at a symposium on culture, tradition and human rights organised by the association at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, with the theme, “Yoruba Traditional Religion and Human Rights: Balancing Cultural Heritage, Religious Freedom and Constitutional Rights in Contemporary Nigeria.” The symposium brought together traditional rulers and custodians, Ifa practitioners, lawyers, government officials, security agencies,…

Zainab Abioye At least five people, including three commercial bus drivers and two passersby, are feared dead following a violent clash between suspected rival political thugs at Naira and Kobo Garage in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State. The incident occurred on Monday amid an alleged struggle for control of the motor park, barely days after the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election. Sources said the clash created panic in Ikire as suspected political thugs engaged one another, forcing motorists, traders and residents to flee the area. A witness who spoke about the incident said the confrontation…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has warned that political manipulation, brazen corruption, undue delays and excessive reliance on technicalities are undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary. Fubara spoke on Saturday at the 66th annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt, where he challenged judges and lawyers to strengthen the justice system and protect democracy through integrity and courage. The governor said the judiciary remained a critical pillar of democracy and good governance, stressing that the courts must remain accessible to every citizen, irrespective of status. According to him, courts should not only resolve disputes but also serve…

Daud Olatunji Senator Ali Ndume has urged opposition parties and their presidential aspirants to stop dwelling on President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials and instead present Nigerians with clear alternatives to the policies of the Federal Government. Ndume, a former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, said opposition politicians should focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify. The lawmaker made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday. According to him, continued controversy over Tinubu’s certificate would only distract Nigerians from the substantive issues that should shape the next presidential…

Daud Olatunji Tears flowed freely in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as family members, colleagues, friends and fans gathered to bid a final farewell to veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo. The 66-year-old actor was buried in his hometown in accordance with Islamic rites, barely 24 hours after his death was announced. The funeral drew several prominent figures from the Yoruba film industry, including veteran actors Jide Kosoko, Yinka Quadri, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin and Toyosi Adesanya. Others who attended the burial included Ireti Osayemi, Bisi Omo Logbalogba and Bola Oyin-Adejobi, among other colleagues, relatives…

Daud Olatunji The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit has uncovered new tactics allegedly being deployed by terrorist financiers to conceal the identities of individuals controlling illicit funds, including the use of women’s bank accounts, pre-registered SIM cards and telephone lines linked to deceased persons. The disclosure was contained in the NFIU’s 2025 Annual Report, which identified weak customer identification systems, disconnected SIM-Bank Verification Number linkages and proxy accounts as emerging channels facilitating financial crimes and terrorist financing in Nigeria. According to the report, some terrorist financiers exploit gaps in the connection between mobile telephone identities and bank accounts by using SIM…

Zaianb Abioye The Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) has honoured four prominent Nigerians for their contributions to humanity and the development of society. The awardees are the former Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Prof. Abd’Semii Adewale Musa-Olomu; former Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Ogbomoso, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abd’Femi; former Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Yekeen Balogun; and Alhaji Abd’Waheed Amoo. The recipients received the Award of Meritorious Service on Sunday at the MUSCOYS Secretariat, Samonda, Ibadan, during the community’s Annual General Assembly and inauguration of its new executive council. The…