Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Emir of Mubi in Adamawa, Alhaji Isa Ahmadu, has advised teachers to ensure proper upbringing of their pupils.
The emir gave the advice on Monday in Mubi at a student parade organised by Islamic schools, as part of the activities to mark the Eid-el-Maulud celebration.
He stressed the need for teachers to emphasis discipline for the good and moral upbringing of the pupils.
Ahmadu said, “The lack of discipline is largely responsible for the political and socio-economic problems in the country.
“We must emphasis discipline and morality to address the growing social vices in the society.’’
He also urged teachers to adopt more practical measures toward imparting knowledge in students and urged students to dedicate themselves to their studies.
Borno
The National Deputy Chairman of African Liberation Party (ALP), Alhaji Abba Kale has in Maiduguri called on Nigerians to support President GoodLuck Jonathan continuity bid.
· Kale in an interview with newsmen told the people to vote him in the April general polls.
· He said the Jonathan PDP led administration had initiated many developmental projects across the country and should be re-elected to complete them.
· He said an attempt to vote for any other party’s candidate would send Nigeria back to the starting point as the leadership will start all over again.
FCT
Chief Ambrose Owuru, the presidential candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP), says credible, free and fair elections will avert civil revolution in Nigeria.
He said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja and made available to the newsmen.
Owuru said that except the leadership of the nation was allowed to be determined by Nigerians through their votes, civil revolution might take place.
“There is a civil revolution now cutting across Africa. It might visit Nigeria if care is not taken,” he said.
Owuru, who is also the national chairman of the party, explained that credible, free and fair elections would oust bad leaders who had held the nation to ransom.
He attributed the socio-economic under-development of Nigeria to bad leadership.
Gombe
The Federal College of Horticultre, Dadinkowa in Gombe, has donated 265 books on enhanced farming techniques to farmers and secondary schools in Baure and Hinna towns.
At the presentation ceremony in Hinna, the Provost of the College, Dr Umaru Gurama, told representatives of the two communities the books would enhance the skills.
He identified areas the books would add value to the beneficiaries to include poultry, fisheries, livestock, vegetable, fruits and ornament production, among others.
According to him, if the farmers use those books as guide, their farm output will be enhanced, thereby boosting food production in the state and the country at large.
The provost said that his institution had assigned coordinators in each of the college’s outreach centres to assist farmers in comprehending the contents of the books for effective application.
Kaduna
The North-West zonal office of the PDP has declared that it recorded huge success at its presidential campaign in Kaduna.
The Tides source recalls that the PDP held its presidential campaign rally in Kaduna on February 10.
The zonal secretary of the party, Mr Baba Lawal-Aliyu, told the source in Kaduna that executives from the seven states, the NWC, the governorship, National and State Assembly flag bearers attended the rally.
“It is malicious and deliberate mischief by some idle minds that the rally was poorly attended.
“It is also a complete falsehood that the poor attendance cause feud between Gov. Patrick Yakowa and Vice President Namadi Sambo,’’ he said.
Kogi
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi has called on the state government to evolve a people-oriented tax policy that will lessen the burden on its workforce.
The Chairman of the association in the state, Dr Attah Ahmed, told newsmen that the state government should revert to the old tax policy and maintain the status quo to avoid further recourse to strikes and industrial unrest.
The chairman said that prior to the recent development, the state had been deducting one per cent of the workers’ net pay, which was about 10 per cent of the basic salary.
He explained that under the new tax regime, between 18 per cent and 20 per cent of the net pay of the workers, amounting to about 40 per cent of the basic salary, was being deducted monthly, adding that the implication was grievous.
Kwara
Twenty seven students from various tertiary institutions under the aegis of the National Association of Kwara State Students were recently arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court over ‘violent’ protest.
The 27 persons are also being accused of criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation, criminal force and assault on public servants.
The Tide’s source reports that other charges brought against them include mischief and disturbance of public peace, which run contrary to sections 97, 397, 267 and 113 of the Penal Code.
The source recalls that the students were arrested on Friday in the course of a protest for non-payment of their 2009/2010 bursary allowances by the Kwara Government.
According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), the students during the protest criminally conspired to destroy a Nissan Primera with registration number AL285 MUN and a Volkswagen Golf (AW693APP).
Lagos
Some financial experts have urged the Federal Government to adopt policies that would create the enabling environment to attract foreign investment.
The experts, who gave the advice in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos, called on the government to revamp ailing sectors, especially the power sector.
Dr Tunde Adeoye, a lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Lagos, said that the problem of epileptic power supply must be solved for the survival of ailing industries as well as generate employment.
“For Nigeria to be successful economically, the power sector must be given urgent attention to ensure stable electricity in the country,” he said.
Adeoye said that the government needed to fast track the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to end the challenges of power supply in the country.
Security is another critical area that the experts said needed to be tackled.
Niger
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger has urged people in the state to vote enbloc for President Goodluck Jonathan, during the April elections.
Aliyu made the call in Minna, at the inauguration of his campaign team tagged: “Talba-2011’’.
“We must vote for President Jonathan if we want to attract federal projects to Niger.
“If you vote for PDP all round, your Governor can walk to the Villa to ask for anything,” Aliyu declared.
He tasked the campaign organisation to ensure that the party got two million votes of the total 2.5 million registered in the state.
The governor re-affirmed his administration’s commitment to a hitch- free election.
Aliyu also called on the electorate to ensure a PDP-controlled House of Assembly, to ease governemnt activities.
Oyo
The Federal High Court in Ibadan, has vacated the interim injunction restraining INEC from listing Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala as a contestant in April polls.
The Tide’s source recalls that Alao-Akala was elected in the governorship primaries conducted by the ruling PDP on December 31, 2010 at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
Three aspirants, Chiefs Wole Oyelese, Yekinni Adeojo and Hazeem Gbolarunmi and 34 others, had on February 1, secured an injunction restraining INEC from listing Alao-Akala and others as the party’s candidates from the primaries.
In vacating the order, Justice Johnson Shakarho said that since the plaintiffs and Alao-Akala were seeking elective posts in the PDP, they should go to INEC to harmonise their positions.
Plateau
Striking medical and health workers in Plateau, have suspended their industrial action for two weeks.
Mr. Richard Gbawuan, Secretary, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), disclosed this to newsmen in Jos.
He said that the suspension was to make room for negotiations with government.
The Tide’s source reports that the latest action, which took effect from February 14, followed series of meetings with the various groups involved.
“We also took into consideration the effect of the protracted industrial action on the citizens of the state,’’ Gbawuan said.
The source reports that health workers are seeking a harmonised salary structure and the Consolidated Health salary scale (CONHESS).
Yobe
The Coalition of Political Parties in Yobe has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide helicopters for timely delivery of materials and supervision at the Nigeria-Niger border areas during the April elections.
Malam Bala Mohammed, the Chairman of the coalition, told newsmen in Damaturu that the provision of the helicopters was necessary in view of the difficult terrain of such areas.
He said the helicopters would not only facilitate the transportation of materials but also stem the problem of non-participation of citizens in the elections as well as ensure safety of poll materials, officials and observers.
Zamfara
National Assembly PDP caucus from Zamfara, on Tuesday called for peaceful campaigns in the state towards the April general elections.
Senator Sahabi Yau (PDP-Zamfara) who spoke on behalf of the group at a news conference in Abuja, said that the security situation in the state was worrisome.
He blamed the current insecurity situation in the state on the dangerous activities of some politicians.
“We, therefore, call on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service and other security organs to take note of these issues we have raised,’’ he said.
The Head of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Port Harcourt’s College of Health Sciences, Prof Gabriel Sunday Oladipo, has underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to develop a comprehensive forensic science infrastructure, warning that the nation’s ability to investigate and solve crime is being hampered by lack of scientific data and systems.
In his inaugural lecture titled, “Man: Fearfully Different, Wonderfully Made,” delivered as part of the 207th Inaugural Lecture Series of the university, Prof Oladipo highlighted that while no two individuals are exactly the same, the country currently lacks the robust systems needed to collect and manage biological and anthropometric data that could support criminal investigations.
He explained that the natural variations among humans — from fingerprints to physical measurements — form the foundation of personal identification in forensic work. These biological differences, he said, are essential for distinguishing one person from another, especially in the context of criminal investigations where clarity of identity can mean the difference between justice and impunity. Without this scientific foundation, he argued, law enforcement agencies lack a critical tool in the fight against crime.
Experts have noted that Nigeria’s forensic science capacity has historically lagged behind needs, with only a few forensic facilities available and many law enforcement agencies struggling to access or use scientific evidence effectively. One review of the state of forensic investigation in Nigeria found that outdated facilities and limited adoption of modern forensic methods have left many cases unsolved or poorly investigated, even as crime rates rise across the country.
In Lagos, efforts to improve forensic capabilities have focused on DNA analysis, with the Lagos State DNA Forensic Centre — the first of its kind in West Africa — providing critical support for criminal investigations and helping to identify human remains, link related cases, and assist with paternity testing. However, such initiatives are yet to be replicated at a national scale, leaving many regions without access to these vital scientific tools.
Prof Oladipo’s lecture went beyond academic theory to propose concrete actions. He called for the establishment of a National Institute of Forensic Science responsible for creating and managing a nationwide anthropometric and forensic data bank. This repository, he stressed, would significantly enhance Nigeria’s capacity to track crime, assist law enforcement agencies, and improve the administration of justice by providing reliable scientific evidence for investigative and legal processes.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening research and training in forensic science. Many Nigerian universities currently lack the funding and infrastructure to offer complete undergraduate or postgraduate programs in areas such as forensic anthropology, DNA analysis, and crime scene investigation, a gap that forces aspiring experts to rely on collaborations with institutions abroad. By fostering a research-friendly environment and securing greater support from both government and private sectors, Nigerian institutions could produce homegrown experts capable of advancing forensic science in the country.
Awareness of forensic science’s role in criminal justice remains low among the general public and even among some security professionals. Studies have shown that a significant portion of Nigerians are unfamiliar with basic forensic concepts or the existence of tools such as DNA profiling and national forensic databases — tools that are common features of criminal justice systems in countries like South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Prof Oladipo also urged regular training and retraining programs to keep forensic practitioners updated with evolving scientific methods. According to him, continuous professional development is critical in a field where technological advances — from biometric databases to digital forensic tools — are transforming how crimes are investigated and solved.
The lecture was attended by academics, students, and professionals drawn to the intersection of science, identity, and justice, all of whom heard the professor make a compelling case for scientific innovation and institutional reform as central to Nigeria’s effort to contain crime and strengthen its justice system.
The event not only showcased Prof Oladipo’s expertise in human anatomy and forensic psychology but also positioned forensic science as a strategic national priority — one that could bring clarity to investigations, support victims and their families, and ultimately enhance public safety across Nigeria.
The University of Port Harcourt Women Association (UPWA) on Thursday staged a vibrant and memorable edition of its Annual Inter-House Sports Competition at the University of Port Harcourt Sports Village, drawing an impressive turnout of pupils, parents, staff and invited guests.
The event, organised by the UPWA International Group of Schools, brought together children from the pre-nursery, nursery and secondary sections in a colourful celebration of youth athleticism, discipline and teamwork. The arena came alive with cheers and excitement as pupils, clad in their various house colours, marched in a ceremonial parade before proceeding to compete in a wide range of track and field events, relays, novelty races and other team-based activities designed to promote physical fitness and healthy competition.
Declaring the competition open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill, commended UPWA for sustaining a tradition that continues to nurture young talents beyond the classroom. He noted that sports remain a critical component of holistic education, helping to build resilience, confidence, leadership skills and social interaction among children.
In her remarks, the President of UPWA, Professor Udeme Georgewill, expressed appreciation to parents, teachers and members of the organising committee for their dedication and sacrifice in ensuring the success of the programme despite prevailing economic challenges. She described the event as a reflection of unity and collective effort within the school community.
“This is the first time White House is emerging overall winner, and that shows remarkable improvement and great sportsmanship,” she said. “We all had fun. It is not easy putting an event like this together considering the economic situation, but we are grateful to the parents for being part of this journey. The excitement everywhere is truly heartwarming.”
The competition featured spirited participation from the various houses, including Purple House, San Chicago Red House and White House, with pupils demonstrating strength, speed, coordination and teamwork. Parents and supporters filled the stands, cheering enthusiastically and adding colour to the spectacle, while teachers ensured orderliness and safety throughout the proceedings.
Professor Georgewill emphasized that the true essence of sports lies not merely in winning trophies but in participation and personal growth. “Sports is not just about winning. It is an avenue for growth, discipline and opportunity. The fact that a child is able to participate is already a win. Losing this year does not mean you cannot win next year. Keep trying,” she encouraged, urging pupils to see both victory and defeat as stepping stones to greater achievements.
She further observed that while there are many competing interests in the Nigerian sports sector, consistent grassroots investment remains essential for discovering and nurturing future champions.
The colourful ceremony culminated in medal presentations, trophy awards and group photographs, with UPWA executives, including Vice President I, Professor Adedamola Onyeaso, joining the participating teams to celebrate the day’s achievements.
The annual inter-house sports competition continues to stand as one of UPWA’s flagship events, reinforcing its commitment to balanced education, character formation and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among its pupils.
