Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government says it will assist the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in the preservation of national artifacts within the state.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Sagir Sale, made the offer in Bauchi on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the NCMM, led by its Director-General, Malam Yusuf Usman.
Sale said, “The preservations of these monuments are key factors in the fight towards restoring national culture and values of the different peoples of the country.”
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to the upholding of the various sites within Bauchi, adding that the NCMM should include more of such locations into its heritage sites.
Earlier, Usman told the deputy governor about plans by the commission to highlight the life and times of the late Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, through an exhibition.
He said the exhibition would serve as a tribute to “this giant of a man, who chose to express himself quietly through outstanding leadership’’.
He said that the commission would promote the edifice, where Balewa buried, which is located in the heart of Bauchi town as a centre for dissemination of social values.
Ekiti
Alumni Association of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti has criticised the federal frequent change of the name of the institution.
Chairman, Board of Trustee of the Association, Mr Olawale Jegede said this in Ado-Ekiti at a dinner in honour of the new Vice Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina.
Jegede said the university, which will be 30 years old by 30th of this month had changed its name four times.
The university opened on March 30, 1982 as Obafemi Awolowo University, and was later named Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti. The institution was renamed University of Ado-Ekiti before it was name Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti late last year.
Jegede said, the name change is too rampant. Some of us have lost count of how many times the name has been changed.
He added “the Alumni were not consulted before the name was changed. As stakeholders, we would have been consulted. But we are ready to work with you. We are welcoming you now but we are going to celebrate you by the time we look back and se infrastructure development, the number of course accredited and other development”.
FCT
FCT Minister of State, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, has charged stakeholders in the health sector to ensure that transmission of Tuberculosis (TB) would no longer be a health problem in Abuja.
She gave the charge at the launch of the FCT TB and Leprosy Control Programme, TB Reach Project in Gwagwalada Area Council.
According to the minister, the launch is aimed to kick-start the activities of TB control with the help of a new technology in the council.
She said the new technology, GeneXpert, was the latest technological instrument approved by the World Health Organisation for the diagnosis of TB.
Akinjide said that the TB Reach Project was a special grant, adding that it was secured through joint team spirit of Public-Private-Partnership efforts of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat.
Kaduna
Some religious clerics from two major religions in Nigeria have advised government to seek God’s intervention through organised prayers to address the security menace in the country.
The clerics called for God’s intervention in Security challenges being experienced in Zaria and other parts of the country in an interview with newsmen on Sunday.
Sheik Surajo Bomo, a Zaria based Islamic scholar and Pastor Ishaku Halilu, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Zaria said that prayers still remained the only solution to any trouble.
They stressed the need for all Nigerians to join hands toward the actualisation of peace, unity and harmonious relationship among the citizenry.
Kwara
The Kwara Government says promotion of workers will henceforth be based on performance.
The Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Adelodun Ibrahim, told newsmen that the decision was aimed at ensuring a viable civil service.
“There is need for us to have a viable civil service and as such, evaluation and promotion of workers will be based on performance,’’ he said.
He said the results of the 2012 promotion examination held in January had been compiled, adding that the commission would soon fix a date for oral interview.
Lagos
An NGO, Project Alert, on Saturday in Lagos, attributed the increase in reported cases of rape to the advocacy work of activists and the government.
Executive Director, Project Alert, Mrs Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, however, told newsmen, that the increase in the reported cases of rape did not mean an increase in the incidence.
“We are having more reported cases of rape in Nigeria but this does not necessarily mean that there is an increase in the incidence.
Niger
A two-year-old girl was on Saturday beheaded by unknown ritualists in an uncompleted building in Tunga ward of Minna, Niger.
The victim, identified as Ummul-khairu Mohammad, was believed to have been beheaded in an uncompleted building adjacent to her house while playing with other children in the neighborhood at about 10 a.m.
“Before the unfortunate incident, I prepared the child for the day’s trip to an Adult Islamic School which both of us are attending.
“Subsequently, I realised that the little girl had poured water on her blouse and I was forced to arrange a new dress for her but she sneaked out to her usual playing ground, only for one of her play mates to come back home with her pant.”
Ogun
The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun has congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 75th birthday.
Amosun, in a statement by his senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mrs Funmi Wakama, described the former president as “an epitome of selfless service to fatherland”.
The governor said “it is indisputable that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has devoted virtually his entire adult life to the service of the nation, first as a fine officer in the army, Head of State and later president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Osun
Two students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Azeez Owolabi, 25 and Olusegun Omoniyi, 27, on Tuesday appeared before an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly being members of secret cults.
The police prosecutor, Sgt. Elisha Olusegun, alleged that the accused persons and others at large on or before February 20 at Ede conspired to commit felony by joining an unlawful society.
Olusegun, who alleged that the accused were members of the Buccaneer and Pirate Confraternities, said the offence was contrary to and punishable under section 516, 63 and 64 of the Criminal Code Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and their counsel, Mr Okobie Ajite, pleaded for bail on liberal terms.
Oyo
The Head of Special Operations, Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission, Mr Gad Nathan Bako, has said the war against graft and other related offences is weak in the country because of limited finances and logistics problems.
Bako said this while presenting two different papers titled “Corruption in Nigeria: The anti-corruption corrupt practices and other Related Offences Act 2000” at a sensitisation/enlightenment seminal for management and staff of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Ibadan.
He stated that the war against corruption had improved the rating of the country by various international watchdogs.
He, however, said “the Agency’s activities were principally curtail by insufficient funding. He said the commission would have gone far if it had enough money to prosecute most of the cases before it.
Plateau
The 3 Armoured Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army and its affiliate units would conduct live firing at its shooting range in Miango, near Jos, between March 5 and March 14, a statement has said.
The statement, signed by Lt. Saleh Buba for the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, in Jos, said that there would be a large movement of troops and sounds of gun shots during the period.
“During this period, there will be large movement of military personnel and other military wares. There will be sounds of gun shots of different calibres of weapons.
“The general public and Fulani cattle rearers and farmers are requested to stay away from the general area within this period to avoid being hit by bullets.”
The statement, however, advised members of the public not to panic or entertain any fear over the development as it was purely a normal military training exercise.
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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