Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Malam Isa Aminu, a health practitioner, has advocated proper education of communities on the use of mosquito treated nets.
“This is to enhance the malaria control programme in the country,” Aminu said on Saturday in an interview with newsmen in Mubi, Adamawa State.
He said the enlightenment was necessary to promote the malaria control programme.
Aminu said the measure would encourage the proper use of the nets and control prevalent cases of malaria in the country.
“The high prevalent rate of malaria was due to poor sanitation and lack of community education on how to use the nets effectively.
“Most families in rural settlements are wary of using the treated nets,” Aminu said.
Bauchi
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has urged Nigerians to participate actively in environmental sanitation activities to curb water borne diseases in the country.
Hajiya Jummai Bello, the NOA Director in Bauchi State, made the call in a statement signed by the agency’s Head of Information and Publication, Malam Danmusa Muhammad, in Bauchi yesterday.
Bello said the call became necessary due to the importance of environmental sanitation to the health, social, economic and moral well-being of the people.
She added that this call was also based on the prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) that there would be heavy rainfall in the country this year and its implication to the environment.
Benue
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benue said yesterday in Makurdi that it had set up a committee to address the issue of unpaid allowances of its ad hoc staff.
Mr Jacob Ayanda, the INEC Assistant Director, Public Affairs, announced the setting up of the committee when the ad hoc staff staged a protest over the non-payment of their allowances for election duty.
The protesters, mainly male students of higher institutions within and outside the state, had participated in the just concluded general elections as presiding officers.
They alleged that the female presiding officers were paid, while their male counterparts were left out.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said in Ado-Ekiti that it arrested 935 motorcyclists between January and April for various traffic offences.
Mr Francis Udoma, the Sector Commander, told newsmen that the command’s special patrols apprehended 210 of the traffic offenders in January, 406 in February and 222 in March, with the remaining 97 arrested in April.
He said the lawbreakers were arrested at various locations across the 16 local government areas of the state and noted that their offences ranged from number plate violation and overloading to failure to use safety helmets.
FCT
Electricity supply in the country has grown by 1,000 megawatts since President Goodluck Jonathan assumed power a year ago, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Dr Sam Amadi, Chairman of the Commission, said this in a letter to Jonathan yesterday, congratulating him on his success in the April presidential election.
Amadi attributed the level of stability in electricity supply in the country to the president’s commitment to ensure safe, stable and adequate electricity supply.
Katsina
Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has accessed the N1.2 billion year 2010 UBE intervention from the state government and UBEC for the implementation of its programmes.
Alhaji Sule Kuki, the Executive Chairman of the board, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Katsina on Saturday.
Kogi
The Federal College of Education, Okene in Kogi is to commence degree programmes in education from the 2011/2012 academic session.
A lecturer at the institution, Malam Musa Jibrin, disclosed this on Friday in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi.
He spoke at the end of this year’s three-day Teachers Professional Development Workshop for Universal Basic Education (UBE) Teachers and Managers in the state.
Jibrin, who also coordinated the workshop, said the degree programmes were aimed at producing quality teachers for the Basic Education Programmes.
He said that the education sector would take a nose dive if teachers were not adequately trained.
Lagos
The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted N260 million worth of unregistered pharmaceuticals and packaged food at the Seme border.
Sources close to the agency told newsmen on Saturday that acting on a tip-off, operatives at the Seme border intercepted a truck conveying a 2×20 feet container load of unregistered pharmaceuticals.
“NAFDAC operatives at the border have intercepted a large quantity of unregistered pharmaceuticals and packaged foods worth N260 million,” the NAFDAC sources said.
Niger
About 1,670 students of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna have benefited from the entrepreneurship training in the university, Dr Oladiran Abubakar, the coordinator, has said.
Entrepreneurship lecture tagged ‘Competency based on Economy through the Formation of Enterprise’ (CEFE) was a sponsored programme of the university by the German Government through its GTZ project.
Abubakar, on Saturday in Minna while welcoming a delegation of German Embassy officials on a tour to review its project in the state, said that the programme had impacted positively on both staff and students.
“Till date, more than 400 students have benefited from five to seven day intensive training conducted during various coaching sessions.
“About 1,760 students have benefited from attending entrepreneurship lectures tagged CEFE integrated curriculum,’’ he said.
According to him, 23 lecturers are trained and are delivering CEFE integrated curriculum in their various departments.
He added that a staff of the university had been certified CEFE master trainer, adding that many of the beneficiaries were potential master trainers
On the benefits of the training, he said that it has helped to change the mind set of many students.
He added that six departments out of the 35 departments in the university were at present offering the entrepreneurship training in their departments.
Plateau
A Batch B corps member, Dr Francisca Ekwuruibe, has conducted free eye screening on 500 pupils of St Paul’s Township Primary School, Jos.
Ekwuruibe, who is an optometrist, told newsmen yesterday that she was moved because majority of eye patients were children.
According to her, most of the pupils with undetected eye challenges are usually labelled as unintelligent by their teachers, because they can’t read what is written on the board.
“This visual screening exercise would detect such pupils. Free eye medications and glasses will be given to those with minor eye impediments for correction.
“Pupils with severe impediments will be given referral letters to JUTH for further management,” she said.
Ekwuruibe advised parents to always feed their children and wards with food and fruits rich in Vitamin A, which helps in improving eye sight to minimise sight-related issues.
She advised them to be very observant of their wards, especially those who go very close to the television system while watching.
“Parents should also watch out for children who usually complain after walking under the sun.
“Once these defects are not identified and treated on time, most of the cases could degenerate into various complications which may lead to blindness if not properly managed,” she said.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has urged Journalists in the country to be objective and fair in their reportage.
Wamakko made the call on Saturday in Sokoto at the 2011 maiden congress meeting of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists ( NUJ), Sokoto State council.
Wamakko, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dangusau, added: “This is the only way journalists can work in line with the laid down ethics of this noble profession.
“The press can make or mar any society and those in the profession should tread with caution in order not to go astray.’’
Wamakko commended journalists in the state for their steadfastness and urged them to sustain the existing cordial relationship between them and the state government.
He also stressed the need for the journalists to give top priority to development journalism and rural reporting.
The Commissioner for Information, Malam Dahiru Maishanu, promised that the state government would implement the proposed media salary anytime it is approved by the Federal Government.
Maishanu also promised to continue to improve the working condition of journalists in state-owned media organisations.
He challenged the Nigerian media to always portray the nation to the outside world in good light.
The Zonal Director of the NTA Sokoto Network centre, Alhaji Dayo Salawu, represented by the Assistant Director of News , Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed, urged members of the union to be united and disciplined .
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.
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