Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), North-East Zone,
has commended the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, for campaigning for peaceful co-existence among the various religious and ethnic groups in the state.
The zonal chairman of the association, Rev. Shuaibu Byel, gave the commendation when he led other leaders of the association on a courtesy visit to the emir.
He said the current campaign for religious tolerance initiated by the emir was commendable, especially now that the country was preparing for the March 28 and April 11 general elections
He recalled that prior to the postponement of the elections several people had relocated to their places of origin for fear of being attacked.
Byel said: “your peace initiative which is aimed at strengthening unity between the Church and the host community is already yielding fruit.
Borno
The Borno State Government has advised Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs) whose communities had been reclaimed by the military to exercise restraint in rushing back home.
This is in view of the fear of dangerous reptiles and landmines planted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in such communities.
The Commissioner of Housing and Rural Electrification in the state Dr Haruna Mishelia, gave the advice while addressing newsmen in Maiduguri.
Mishelia said that though it was the wish of the state government for IDPs to return home quickly, a number of measures had to be taken to safeguard their lives after returning home.
“You will agree with me that there is no place like home. It is the wish of government to see the IDPs return home as quickly as possible.
FCT
The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria
(RTEAN) says it will establish more Welding Schools across the country.
National President of the Association, Chief Musa Shehu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Shehu said the idea of opening the schools became necessary due to the need for certified pipe welders who could work in the union’s car workshops across the country.
“We want to open an institute for training pipe welders, not ordinary road side welders. The pipe welders are highly needed in vehicle assembling centres.
“There is already a workshop which the Ministry of Works handed over to us; so the welding training school will be introduced in the workshops located in the six geopolitical zones in the country.
“We want to make sure that there is an Assembly Plant in the workshop, Completely Knocked Down (CKD) plant where vehicle parts will be fixed and assembled,” he said.
Gombe
Governor Kashim Shetima of Borno has commended the gallantry of the Nigerian military in recapturing some of the areas that were taken over by Boko Haram.
Shetima made the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Gombe recently.
He said that government would give the military all the moral and logistic support to accomplish the set goals.
“We commend them for the gallantry they have displayed in recovering some of the lost territories. We can only give them all the moral and logistic support for them to accomplish their goals.
“They have families, blood in their veins and are risking their lives for us to have sound sleep.
“I think they deserve to be commended not to be condemned, they need our support’’, he said.
According to the governor, Borno is the largest state in the federation in terms of land mass and the insurgents had a territory of more than 69,000 square kilometres.
Kogi
The President of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop
David Oyedepo, has urged Christians to earnestly pray for God’s choices to emerge at all levels of leadership in the forthcoming elections.
Oyedepo made the call at a monthly programme of the church tagged “One Night with The King” on Saturday morning in Lokoja.
The Bishop, in his sermon titled “Engaging the Prayer of Faith For Fulfillment of Prophecy’’, urged Christians to pray that God’s will should prevail in the elections.
“We must commit the elections to God’s hands for His will to be done and I am sure He will rescue this nation.
Kebbi
The PDP gubernatorial candidate in Kebbi State, Gen.
Bello Sarkin-Yaki (rtd.), has donated 175 metal
detectors to 68 religious organisations and four emirate councils in the state to enhance security.
The Special Adviser to the state governor on Religious Affairs, Malam Zakariya Yeldu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi recently.
Yeldu said that a committee to facilitate the distribution of the donated items had been constituted.
He said the 21 local government councils in the state would receive three metal detectors each while 68 pieces of the detectors would be distributed among the four emirates.
Yeldu said the metal detectors for the 17 registered religious organisations would be deployed to enhance security in mosques and preaching centres across the state.
Kwara
No fewer than one million people are to benefit from
the ongoing Community Health Insurance Scheme in Kwara State.
The Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed on Media and Publicity, Dr Muyideen Akorede, made this known in Ilorin during an interview with newsmen.
Akorede said the development was in line with the government’s commitment to the provision of quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services.
He explained that the development was also a giant step in the government effort to transform the health sector.
He also disclosed plans to renovate additional five hospitals to further move health centres closer to the people.
On education, he said 400 blocks of classrooms had been constructed while 120 were to be refurbished in line with global best standard.
He explained that these plans could only be realised if the people voted massively for the All Progressives Congress and refused being distracted by the antics of opposition who had little or nothing to offer.
Lagos
An Igando Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a
20-year-old marriage between Olayiwola Ajayi and his wife, Isiwa, over battery by wife.
The President of the court, Mr Rasak Adeyeri, held that both parties were no longer husband and wife and they were free to go their separate ways.
Ajayi, 72, a retired civil servant, had alleged that his wife always threatened his life through beating, among other things.
“My wife is fond of beating me, she beats me on any slight provocation, I am tired of being brutalised.
“A day cannot pass without her laying her hands on me, I am afraid she may kill me one day if I still continue in the marriage,’’ Ajayi said.
Nasarawa
The traditional ruler of Obi community in Nasarawa
State, has appealed to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from his area to come back home as the area is now peaceful.
Orume made the appeal at Obi in an interview with newsmen recently.
The royal father expressed sadness over the unfortunate crisis witnessed in the area, but urged all those who fled for safety to return home.
He said that the area was now safe and peaceful, and urged those who fled to return to their ancestral homes.
He said that their return would facilitate the success and equitable distribution of relief materials to every IDP of the area.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on all Internally Displaced Persons to come back to their homes.
“It has been discovered that many are yet to return maybe out of fear. So I want to assure all those who are yet to return that Obi is now safe and secured.
Sokoto
Former President Shehu Shagari has appealed to Ni
gerians to pray for peace, progress and political stability in the country.
Our correspondent reports that Shagari was speaking while receiving the All Progressive Congress ( APC) Presidential candidate, Gen. Mohammed Buhari, at his resident in Sokoto
He said that only prayers by Nigerians would pave way for meaningful development in the country.
Shagari expressed appreciation for the visit and wished the general well.
Speaking earlier, Gen Mohammed Buhari congratulated Shagari for attaining the age of 90.
He prayed to God to continue to guide , protect and give the former President , good health.
Taraba
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship can
didate in Taraba State, Chief David Kente, has denied the rumour making the rounds that he has stepped down from the race.
“I want to make it clear that I have not and will not step down for anybody,” Kente said in Jalingo at a press conference.
Represented by Mr David Adekoya, his Special Assistant (SA) on Media and Publicity, Kente described the rumour as “the handiwork of mischief makers.’’
“I did not also return to the PDP as being speculated by some mischief makers who are obviously intimidated by my popularity among electorate,” he said.
Kente urged his supporters to ignore the rumour and turnout en masse on April 11 to give him the mandate to make a difference in the governance of the state.
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.
