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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Adamawa State Government is disturbed by the daily
influx of displaced persons from Borno to some parts of the state due to insurgents’ attacks.
The Commissioner for Border Integration, Alhaji Hamza Bello, made the government’s position known during a condolence visit to Bitiku-Valti Village in Madagali Local Government Area to sympathise with victims taking refuge in the area.
Bello said the Adamawa State Government was worried about the frequent influx of the displaced persons now taking refuge in Madagali area of the state.
Consequently, he said, Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa had inaugurated a committee that would take care of the displaced persons.
Borno

The wife of Borno State Governor, Hajiya Nana Kashim-
Shettima, recently, distributed 100 rams to widows, orphans and other less privileged residents of Maiduguri.
Represented at the distribution ceremony by, the Chairman of her foundation, Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya Pupils (SWOT), Alhaji Mohammed Bello, said the gesture was to ensure that the beneficiaries were not left out in the forthcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations.
She said “as a woman and a mother, I deem it necessary to assist women and the less privileged in the state through the SWOT foundation.
“That is why we are distributing 100 rams to widows, orphans and other less privileged members of the society to enable them to celebrate the Sallah festival like other people in the society.’’

Ekiti

Governor  Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State said his admin
istration was still committed to bringing unprecedented development to every community in the state.
The governor gave the commitment at the 2013 Ikole National Day celebrations.
Fayemi, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Mr Abiodun Akin- Fasaye, said his administration recently approved the rehabilitation of eight kilometres of township roads in Ikole.
“This was done alongside other projects in some parts of the state,’’ he said.
The governor then advised the people on peaceful co-existence and the need to engage in activities which would improve their community.

FCT

Stakeholders in disaster management have urged gov
ernments at all levels to sustain the current efforts at preventing flood disaster in the country.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The statement signed by NEMA’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ezekiel Manzo, said the stakeholders made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of the 3rd South-South Emergency Management meeting held in Asaba.
It stated that the stakeholders advised government to undertake regular dredging of rivers, canals and creeks to minimise frequent occurrence of floods.

Gombe

Low patronage has forced a drop in the prices of rams in
Gombe metropolis.
A survey conducted in different markets across the metropolis, indicated about 16 per cent drop in prices.
It showed that a ram that cost N60,000 last week, now sells for N50,000 while that of N30,000, had its price tag dropping to N25,000.
The survey also indicated a drop in the price of small rams, from N11,000, to N8,500.
Secretary of Livestock Dealers Association, Pantami Livestock market branch in Gombe metropolis, Malam Abubakar Yellow, told newsmen  that the drop in prices, was anticipated as there was a general problem of cash squeeze in the state and the country.

Kano

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kano State
said says it has deployed 600 officers and men to various parts of the state to ensure accident-free Sallah celebrations.
The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Malam Mohammad Garba, gave the figure while answering questions from newsmen in Kano.
He said the measure was part of the strategies mapped out by the command to ensure accident- free Eid-el-Kabir celebrations across the state.
“The 24-hour patrol will be a continuous process throughout the ‘ember’ period in the state,’’ he said.

Kwara

The Bishop of Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Anglican
Communion, Omu-Aran in Kwara State, The Rt. Rev. Phillip Adeyemo, has advised religious leaders in the country to exhibit a high level of integrity in a bid to command true followership.
Adeyemo gave the advice in a message to the first session of the second Synod of the Diocese held in the church on Saturday with the theme: “Integrity.’’
According to him, lack of integrity on the part of leaders led to the reformation of the early church.
Adeyemo stressed the need for church leaders in the country to embrace virtues such as honesty and integrity to avert revolt among their followers.

Lagos

Dr Frederick Fasehun said that the Unity Party of Nige
ria (UPN ) was waiting for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to invite it to receive its certificate of registration.
Fasehun, the interim chairman of the yet-to-be registered party, told newsmen in Lagos that the party had “fulfilled the conditions for registration as contained in the nation’s constitution.”
“It is the prerequisite of INEC to register us within 30 days but there is an electoral law that says if within 30 days the commission fails to write to us, such a party should deem itself registered. “So what we are doing now is, we are not just waiting for registration, we are waiting to be invited for our certificate,’’ Fasehun said.

Nasarawa

Prices of rams, vegetables and clothes are on the in
crease in Nasarawa, Nasarawa state, two days to the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the reports say.
Eid-el-Kabir is the Muslim festival which marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca known as Hajj. It is also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice’’ commemorating Abraham’s faith and devotion to God.
According to a survey conducted in Nasawara LGA and Ara village prices of rams ranged from N25,000 to N80,000 as against N10,000 to N50,000 some months ago.
Osun

Prices of rams have risen in Ile-Ife and Modakeke in Ife,
Osun, few days to the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, reports say.
A survey conducted at the ram markets in Ile-Ife and Modakeke, indicated an increase of about 15 per cent to 20 per cent.
The Chairman of the Goat and Cow Sellers Association at Sabo market, ile-Ife, Mr Francis Oladosu, said a big ram, which cost about N80,000 few weeks ago, now attracts between N90,000 and N95,000.
Oladosu said the price of medium size ram rose from about N50,000, to N60,000, while small rams that sold for N18,000 each , now cost N20,000.
He blamed the hike on the prevailing security challenges in some parts of the Northern states and the increase in the cost of transportation.

Oyo

The National President, Ansar-ud-deen Society (ADS),
Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, has urged politicians to concentrate more on delivering democratic dividends than overheating the polity.
Okunnu made the appeal in his Eid-el-Kabir message made available to newsmen in Ibadan recently.
“I appeal to our politicians not to overheat the polity unnecessarily as the 2015 general election is still far.
“Everybody from the president downwards who is involved in governance in this country should concentrate on delivering on his or her campaign promises such that this country once again can flourish, “ he said.

Plateau

The Plateau Government says it spent over N42 million to
purchase some items which were distributed to some Muslims in the state as Eid-el-Kabir gifts.
Malam Idi Waziri, the state’s Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Jos.
He said this while presenting some of the items to inmates of the Jos prison and some disabled persons at the city’s central mosque, which is otherwise known as “Masallachin Juma’a’’.
The commissioner said the donation to the Muslim faithful was a clear indication that the Gov. Jonah Jang administration has the interest of all Muslims residing in the state at heart.

Sokoto

The police command in Sokoto State has banned the
transportation of more than one passenger on a motorcycle, its Spokesman, DSP Al-Mustapha Sani, said.
Sani told newsmen in Sokoto that the ban followed the prevailing security situation in the country “and we should not be complacent in Sokoto.
“Motorcyclists have been banned from carrying more than one passenger. There should always be two people on a bike, consisting of the rider and one other passenger.

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Neiti), Mr Ledum Mitee; President Goodluck Jonathan; International Chairman, Neiti, Mrs Clare Short and Executive Secretary, Neiti,  Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, during their visit to the President in Abuja on Monday      Photo: NAN

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Neiti), Mr Ledum Mitee; President Goodluck Jonathan; International Chairman, Neiti, Mrs Clare Short and Executive Secretary, Neiti, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, during their visit to the President in Abuja on Monday Photo: NAN

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UNIZIK Honours Business Mogul, Ezekwe, For Philanthropism

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The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has conferred the Award of Digital Academic Promoter on the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Arrowconn Group, High Chief (Dr.) Emeka Ezekwe, for his philanthropic gestures.
Chief Ezekwe received the philanthropist award during a landmark technical workshop organised by the Department of Business Education, Faculty of Technology and Vocational Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, recently.
Making the presentation, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ugochukwu Stanley Anyaehie, said the award was in recognition of Ezekwe’s philanthropic contributions, academic support, and dedication to human capital development, hailing his commitment to bridging industry and academia.
Ezekwe who is also the Chairman of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Professional Services and Consultancy Trade Group, delivered a keynote address at the event with a theme: “Technicalities and Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Business and Education.”
In his address, Ezekwe described the current AI surge as a civilizational shift rather than a mere technological upgrade.
He compared AI’s rapid trajectory to past innovations like electricity, computers, the Internet, and mobile phones, which he said, progressed from luxuries to necessities.
“AI is reshaping value creation, knowledge sharing, and decision-making at unprecedented speed. It has moved from experimentation to execution, powering business forecasting, academic research, digital learning, and strategic decisions,” he said.
The business mogul, however, warned that in business, delays lead to losses, while in education, irrelevance spells failure.
“AI is no longer optional, it is a necessity,” he declared.
Ezekwe highlighted the critical AI skill gap, driven by curriculum lags, limited training, and fear of the unknown, but stressed the bigger danger which is exclusion.
“Those who master AI will shape markets, education, and policy; those who lag will be shaped by others,” he said.
The Arrowconn Group boss also outlined AI’s practical advantages for businesses —including data-driven strategies, smarter investments, scalable customer insights, and competitive edges for SMEs.
In education, he clarified that AI empowers rather than replaces teachers, enabling personalized learning, efficient lesson planning, assessment support, and accelerated research.
He advocated a shift from rote memorization to critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, while preserving human strengths in engagement, judgment, and collaboration.
Ezekwe urged ethical AI development, warning that “technology without values is dangerous,” and called on institutions like UNIZIK to update curricula, train educators, promote interdisciplinary work, forge industry partnerships, and produce graduates who are solution providers in an AI-driven world.
The workshop also marked the unveiling of the maiden edition of the UNIZIK Journal of Business Education and Entrepreneurship, reinforcing the department’s push for scholarly innovation in AI applications.
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Don Calls For National Forensic Data Bank To Combat Rising Crime

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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.

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UPWA Hosts Colourful Inter-House Sports Fiesta

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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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