Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla of Adamawa State said
that the era of allocating fertiliser to politicians was over in the state.
Jibrilla made the declaration in Yola when he launched the 2016 cropping season sales of fertiliser.
“There is no more allocation of fertiliser to politicians in Adamawa; the era of allocation is over, we want real farmers to get the commodity,” Jibrilla said. Jibrilla said that the fertiliser would be distributed at ward levels.
“We are going to start with the deployments of fertiliser trucks to all the 226 wards in the state. “We have subsidised the commodity by N1, 500, so a bag will now sell at N5,500,” Jibrilla said.
Bauchi
Former Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial Dis
trict, Senator Adamu Gumba, has called for the re-introduction of Teachers’ Grade II Certificate.
Speaking in Bauchi during the meeting of Bauchi Teachers College Old Students Association (BATCOSA), he said the Grade II Certificate was still relevant in the education system of the country.
“After the abolition of the Grade II Teachers’ Certificate, educationists tried several modules of teaching at both primary and other levels, but failed.
“The education sector is in the wilderness because the standard has continued to slide downwards, hence the need to restore the rejected module,” he said.
He said that Provosts of Colleges of Education who were worried by the negative trend met recently and recommended the restoration of module.
Borno
Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, said that
the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigerian President, has saved Borno State from extinction.
Garbai stated this when he received the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, in his palace in Maiduguri.
He said that but for the election of Buhari in May 2015 and his dogged determination in fighting the insurgents, the story would have been different now.
“We wish to express our gratitude to the president for his concern for us here.
“But for his coming, Borno would have been nowhere by now due to the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.
Kano
The Kano State Government said it had paid N460 million
accommodation subsidy for its 5,600 Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 2016.
The State’s Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar made this known while launching a training workshop for the state pilgrims in Kano State recently.
Abubakar said the state government found it necessary to pay the money in order to secure decent accommodation for the pilgrims.
According to him, the state government had already secured houses for the pilgrims very close to the Ka’aba, (Holy mosque) in Mecca. “All the houses secured for the pilgrims are close to the Ka’aba (Holy Mosque) in Mecca.
Kwara
More people will be recruited into the Kwara State Civil
Service as soon as the state finance improves, Mr Salman Ibrahim, Chairman of the state Civil Service Commission has said.
Ibrahim told newsmen that the commission had already identified vacancies in some ministries but could not recruit because of financial problem facing the state. “We are working in line with directives from the government. Where there are critical shortages, the government will direct us since we have vacancies in some ministries; we will just work along that line.
“But this is only when the financial situation of the state improves because once there is budget constraints based on critical revenue shortage, it makes it difficult for any organisation to perform.
Lagos
A civil society organisation, the Buhari Youth
Organisation (BYO), Lagos State chapter, has decried the under-utilisation of the State and Federal Government’s employment and empowerment programmes by unemployed youth in the country.
Mr Abdul-Waheed Odunuga, the coordinator of the group, expressed his displeasure at a Stakeholders’ Forum on the state of the nation in Lagos, noting that the situation called for concern as the rate of unemployment contributed to the country’s poor economy.
Odunuga said that most unemployed youths had refused to see the need for harnessing their potentialities to become self-empowered for their economic advancement.
Nasarawa
Teachers in Nasarawa State have told the state govern
ment to meet their demands before they will call off the ongoing strike.
The Chairman of the state chapter of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Francis Jatau, said this in an interview with newsmen in Lafia.
He said that past experiences with the state government had taught them a lesson hence the need to ensure that all demands were met before the teachers would resume work.
“We don’t want to be seen as people who like to go on strike. That is why we will ensure that our demands are fully met to the satisfaction of our members.
Niger
The indefinite strike embarked upon by the organised
labour in Niger State has been called off, following the intervention of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Malam Ahmed Marafa.
Our correspondent reports that the Niger State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had started the strike last Monday to protest deductions in workers’ salaries.
At the meeting, Marafa solicited for a truce between the labour and the state government in order to reduce the hardship the action had brought on the people.
Oyo
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Oyo Prov
ince 2, has donated foodstuffs to some Oyo State civil servants to alleviate their suffering caused by non-payment of their six- month salaries by the state government. Pastor Enoch Tomoloju, the pastor in charge of the province, said that the gesture was to meet the physical needs of the people in addition to their spiritual needs.
“This is part of the corporate social responsibility initiative of our General Overseer. “We are showing brotherly love and encouragement to them not just spiritually but also to meet their domestic needs”.
Plateau
A Nutrition Officer for Plateau State, Mr Moses Yusuf,
said that 66 per cent of children in the state were malnourished.
Yusuf made the disclosure at the United Nation’s Children Fund’s mid-year review meeting in Jos.
He explained that the figure was arrived at following the Standardised Monitoring of Relief and Transition (SMART) survey, conducted by the Federal Government in 2015.
Yusuf described as very ‘’alarming,’’ the level of malnutrition among children, adding that five out of ten children in state remains malnourished.
‘’According to the SMART report of 2015, over 66 per cent of children in Plateau are totally malnourished.
‘’The reports shows that 43.7 suffer from stunting, 18.1 per cent are underweight, while 4.6 per cent are wasting.
‘’When you compare the 2014 with 2015 SMART survey, you will realise that the situation in Plateau is getting worse”.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has promised to pay the
dowry to any man ready to marry any woman resident in the state who has been successfully treated of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Balarabe Kakale, disclosed this at the Ministerial Press Briefing organised by the state Ministry of Information in Sokoto state recently.
Our correspondent reports that the briefing was organised in collaboration with the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Kakale said that the state government’s gesture was aimed at dispelling insinuations that women affected by VVF and successfully treated were not marriageable.
“The Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Hospital at Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, Sokoto, was established to treat VVF cases.
Yobe
The Yobe State Committee on Resettlement of Inter
nally Displaced Persons has distributed food and non-food items to internally displaced persons in 14 communities within Damaturu Local Government Area.
Alhaji Musa Jidawa, secretary of the committee, said the items, comprising 600 bags of maize, 300 bags of rice, 100 Jerry cans of oil and 600 wrappers, were provided by Yobe government.
He said that the gesture was aimed at cushioning the hardship of the IDPs that were yet to relocate to their communities. Jidawa said the committee, under the chairmanship of the deputy governor, Abubakar Aliyu, had carefully considered the IDPs in the host communities for assistance.
According to him, the donation is in continuation of assistance provided by government to displaced persons living in host communities, either with relations, friends or well-wishers.
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.
-
News4 days agoAmend Constitution To Accommodate State Police, Tinubu Tells Senators
-
Politics4 days agoSenate Urges Tinubu To Sack CAC Boss
-
Business4 days ago
Crisis Response: EU-project Delivers New Vet. Clinic To Katsina Govt.
-
Business4 days ago
President Tinubu Approves Extension Ban On Raw Shea Nut Export
-
News4 days agoDisu Takes Over As New IGP …Declares Total War On Corruption, Impunity
-
Business4 days ago
Fidelity Bank To Empower Women With Sustainable Entrepreneurship Skills, HAP2.0
-
Business4 days ago
President Tinubu Extends Raw Shea Nuts Export Ban To 2027
-
Sports4 days ago
NDG: Rivers Coach Appeal To NDDC In Talent Discovery