Author: Platform Times Newspaper

…Scholars identify poor communication, unrealistic expectations, marital illiteracy as drivers of divorce …Conference launches eight-week Islamic pre-marital studies programme Zainab Abioye Islamic scholars, legal practitioners and marriage experts have called for a fundamental shift in the way Muslims approach marriage, urging couples to place greater emphasis on responsibility, compassion, accountability and mutual understanding rather than focusing primarily on marital rights. The experts spoke at the National Conference on Islamic Marital Reform organised by Insight Institute, Mahdul Baseerah, in collaboration with the Shariah Arbitration Committee, Ogun State, at the Bola Ajibola Auditorium, Crescent University, Abeokuta. The conference, which brought together Islamic…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to disclose how it intends to spend the $5bn financing facility secured from First Abu Dhabi Bank, warning that Nigerians and future generations will bear the cost of the loan. Atiku’s demand followed comments by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, that the government would not publish details of how the facility would be deployed. Oyedele had said the transaction was not different from other government financing arrangements and that it had already passed through the required approval processes, including consideration by the National Assembly.…

….Former Minister Links Poverty To Vote-Buying, Short-Term Electoral Inducements …‘They Don’t Know They Are Voting For Four Years’ — Ex-World Bank VP Daud Olatunji Former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, has raised the alarm over the depth of poverty in Nigeria, saying about 145 million Nigerians are poor and many now see elections as an opportunity to make money rather than a process for choosing leaders who will govern them for four years. Ezekwesili said the pervasive economic hardship had altered the attitude of many citizens towards elections, making immediate financial inducements more attractive than long-term governance issues. The…

Suliat Lawal The need to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions, protect judicial independence and restore public confidence in the rule of law dominated proceedings on Saturday as the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2026 Annual General Conference opened in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” brought together senior lawyers, judges, political leaders, traditional rulers, security chiefs and other stakeholders to examine the challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy and justice system. Declaring the conference open, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, challenged legal practitioners and judges to resist conformity and ensure that the judiciary remains capable of holding governments accountable. Fubara said courts…

Zainab Abioye The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has threatened legal action against journalists and social media bloggers who publish what he described as false or defamatory reports about him and the Olubadan stool. The monarch, through his Media Aide, Chief Adesola Oloko, issued the warning following reports on social media alleging that the monarch had become partisan after receiving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at his palace in Ibadan. Oloko, in a statement on Sunday, said Yilwatda’s visit was purely a courtesy call and had nothing to do with partisan politics.…

Ayomide Awe Nigerian TikToker, Nsikak Abigail, popularly known as Mirabel, has returned to social media months after her controversial false rape allegation and subsequent rehabilitation under the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Mirabel announced her return in a series of TikTok posts on Saturday, marking her first known public activity on the platform since the controversy that began in February. In one of the posts, she wrote, “I survived, so I’m awaiting your hate comments,” while another carried the caption, “Out of therapy but not healed.” She also posted, “Made peace with my mental health since…

Daud Olatunji Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died after a battle with stage-four cancer. The 66-year-old actor’s death was confirmed on Sunday by multiple sources, including his daughter, Kaira Taiwo, who was seen mourning her father during an Instagram Live session. The founder of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi, also announced the actor’s death in a social media post, saying, “Taiwo Hassan Ogogo is dead. He finally lost the battle of life.” The development came barely days after the actor’s daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, appealed for medical assistance for their father, revealing that…

Mujeeb Akindoyin The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has given the Independent National Electoral Commission seven days to disclose political parties’ finances, campaign expenditure records and limits on individual donations ahead of the 2027 general elections. SERAP also demanded that INEC explain how it intends to monitor and enforce compliance with political-financing rules, warning that opaque funding and the increasing monetisation of elections could undermine the credibility of the 2027 polls. The organisation made the demands in a Freedom of Information request signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. SERAP specifically…

Daud Olatunji The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 101-year-old woman, identified as Esther Ogunmabo, for allegedly dealing in cannabis in Ilisan, Ogun State. The NDLEA said the centenarian was arrested on Saturday, August 15, with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in small sachets for alleged retail distribution. According to the agency, Ogunmabo told investigators that she turned to the illicit trade after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire. She allegedly disclosed that one of her daughters, who resides in Lagos, supplied her with the cannabis every four days, which she subsequently sold…

Zainab Abioye Gunmen have invaded Igbesi community in Oke Onigbin, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting the Oba Onigbesi of Igbesi Land and several residents. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has heightened tension across parts of Kwara South, where communities have increasingly faced attacks by suspected bandits and kidnappers. The monarch, identified as the Kabiyesi Onigbesi of Igbesi Land, was reportedly taken away by the attackers after they gained access to the community. A source familiar with the incident told PLATFORM TIMES that the gunmen stormed the community in a fierce operation before fleeing with the traditional…