Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

August 20, 2014

Benin
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor
Osayuki Oshodi, resumed work Monday after almost three months absence due to ill health.
It would be recalled that Prof Oshodin, until yesterday, was last seen in the institution’s campus in May, fuelling speculations about his health and calls for the appointment of a successor.
Amidst such speculation, Prof Oshodin, who wore a grey suit, yesterday made a surprise appearance at the institution’s Senate building at about 11:00 a.m. to attend a meeting of the appointment and promotion board of the university amidst shouts of joy by senior staff of the university who welcomed him.
Meanwhile, three associations in the university’s branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU) Monday berated calls by some sections in the university for the appointment of a substantive vice-chancellor for the institution because of the absence of Prof Oshodin.
SSANU, NAAT and NASU, who were represented at a press briefing at the institution by Comrade John Osaretin Alile, Comrade S.M. Momoh and Joel Idonije respectively, noted that it smacked of mischief for anyone to claim that the absence of the vice-chancellor had created tension and slowed down activities within the university.

Ekiti
The current wave of policy change across some states
controlled by the All Progress Congress (APC) has been attributed to the defeat suffered by the party in the June 21 governorship election.
The Minister of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye who spoke yesterday, commended the people of Ekiti State for “liberating Yoruba people from bondage”.
Adeyeye, who briefed journalists in his Ise-Ekiti country home, said the reversal of tuition fees from over N300,000 to N25,000 by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and the planned review of the ban on Okada in the state was an “act of deceit propelled by the fear of an impending rejection by the people in 2015.”
The minister said he was proud to be part of the June 21 governorship election, which according to him has forced the APC governors to embark on “desperate review of anti-people policies. Ekiti people can now hold their heads high having liberated the South-west from oppression”.

FCT
An Abuja-based group, Service Integrity Group, has faulted
a news report purportedly insinuating that the new Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Danladi Kifas, was not qualified to be appointed into the exalted position because he was allegedly indicted by a probe panel.
A statement issued by the Coordinator of the group, Mallam Sherrif Abdulahi, said: “Our attention was drawn to a news-report purported to insinuate that the new Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Danladi Kifasi , was indicted by a panel and therefore not qualified to hold public office.
“We affirm that Mr. Kifasi was cleared of any purported indictment as early as March 2006 and was also given clean bill of health by the Attorney General of the Federation in July 2006.

Kano
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy to Governor Rabiu
Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state has broken his silence over his ambition to govern Kano after 2015, saying he is interested in the guber-race.
Ganduje during a meeting with Kano Correspondents Chapel Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said his willingness to subject himself to succeed his boss, if given the chance was borne out of his large wealth of experience and urge to build on the gigantic legacies of Governor Kwankwaso.
Ganduje, however, stated that he would be willing to wait until the Kwankwasiyya political movement of the Kano All Progressive Congress (APC) decides who will carry the flag.
Ours is a party that has just been put in place. The APC it is a merger party. So, I will urge you to wait until the time when there will be news or no news. I am interested, but I have not declared, we are still consulting, Ganduje added.
Kebbi
The office of the Permanent Secretary at the Government
House in Birnin Kebbi was gutted by fire yesterday.
Sources at the Government House told our reporter that the incident which occurred at about 4:40pm affected files and documents inside the permanent secretary’s office. An official said there was no injury or loss of life.
“The Head of Civil Service, Alh Baballe Umar Yauri, just visited the scene and a committee will be set up to investigate the cause of the fire. He will also talk to the press later,” he said. Unconfirmed sources said the fire was caused by an electrical surge.

Kogi
The traditional ruler of Itoduma community in Ibaji Local
Government Area of Kogi State, Ogah Attah, David Ademu Onate, has called on Governor Idris Wada to provide the community with electricity.
Chief Onate made the call yesterday in an interview with newsmen at Itoduma community, shortly after a reception organized in his honour.
Onate said “people of the area had been fighting for an autonomous traditional ruler, and that now that they had gotten one, they would now fight for development.
Onate, who was crowned on October 14, 2013 by Attah Igala, Michael Ameh Oboni 11, called on the people to remain peaceful and united.

Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has suspended,
Tanko Tunga, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker for six months.
Our correspondent reports that Tunga was suspended for violating the Assembly’s rules.He was also accused of attempting to snatch the mace and insulting his colleagues.
Tunga has been placed on half salary for the duration of his suspension.
Also, the state house of assembly directed its Clerk, Ego Maikeffi, to write the National Judicial Council (NJC) reporting Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, for violating Section 188.

Niger
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) will
train 8,000 professional welders with a view to replacing expatriates working in similar capacity in the oil and gas industry.
Executive Secretary of PTDF, Mr. Femi Ajayi, said this yesterday while flagging off an entrepreneurship development training programme for trainees of the welders in Minna, Niger State.
”The skills gap audit and several reports since 2011 have identified fabrication as the area with the highest potential for Nigerian content development. Yet, it is one in which the least capacity development has been recorded over time.
Ondo
Many more lives in the Niger Delta region would be
touched through the programme and projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) as its funding improves.
The Ondo State Representative on the Governing Board of the Commission, Barrister Benson Amuwa, said this while speaking at the flag- off of the Free Medical Programme in Igbobini, Ese Odo Local Government Area and Igo, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
During the programme, which was organised in collaboration with Universal Medical Foundation and Pro-Health International, over 6,000 residents of the riverine communities of Ondo State received free medical services.
Barr. Amuwa urged the people to cooperate and support the medical teams to work effectively, promising that NDDC is determined to bring healthcare to the doorstep of the people.

Oyo
Former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja,
has decried the omission of his name on the voters’ registration list.
Ladoja expressed his disappointment when he visited Ward 3, Ibadan North Local Government area of the state, where he went to collect his permanent voter card.
Commenting on the development, Publicity Secretary, Accord Party, Dr Nureni Adeniran, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve upon the process, so as not to deny eligible voters their rights.
Adeniran also urged the people yet to register to avail themselves of the opportunity.

Taraba
The Taraba State House of Assembly has resolved to
investigate the N10 billion loan procured in 2012 for the construction of four kilometres roads in each of the 16 local councils of the state.
Charles Maijankai had in a motion told the House that the roads were poorly done and prayed that a committee be set up to investigate utilisation of the funds.
He recalled that the House in 2012 approved the sum of N10 billion for the road projects, which were handled by Taraba State Road Construction Agency (TARCMA) and PW Company.
The motion was seconded by Muhammad Gaayam at a sitting which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Adamu Tanko Maikari.
Contributing to debate on the motion, former speaker of the House, Istifanus Haruna Gbana, said the contractors compromised standards in handling the project, adding that those concerned should be summoned.

Nation

UNIZIK Honours Business Mogul, Ezekwe, For Philanthropism

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

Don Calls For National Forensic Data Bank To Combat Rising Crime

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

UPWA Hosts Colourful Inter-House Sports Fiesta

Published

4 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

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.