Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Buba Marwa, has made good his threat to quit PDP by defecting to Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
Marwa who was registered as a CPC member in a ceremony at the party’s secretariat in Yola on Sunday evening also picked the party’s governorship form.
Marwa had on Friday addressed a news conference where he expressed his disappointment with the cancellation of the state PDP ward congress, which he said was done by the party leadership to favour Gov. Murtala Nyako.
Marwa and his supporters were received at the Adamawa CPC office by the party executives led by the state Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri.
Waziri thereafter registered Marwa and issued him with the party’s membership card.
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi on Monday picked the PDP governorship ticket after defeating his opponent Alhaji Ahmed Iliyasu at the party primaries on Sunday.
The returning officer, Alhaji Adamu Mustafa, who announced the result on Monday in Bauchi, said that Yuguda polled 774 votes to defeat Iliyasu who got five votes.
The third aspirant Sen Baba Tela boycotted the election.
Yuguda thanked the delegates for electing him, promising the people of Bauchi that they would notice the desired changes in the state of affairs.
He gave the assurance of his administration’s determination to tackle poverty in the state in order to reduce the people’s suffering if re-elected as governor at the April polls.
Ekiti
The judiciary in Ekiti State treated 12,189 cases in its various courts during the 2009/2010 legal year.
Mr Rufius Fasoro, the Public Relations Officer of the state judiciary, told newsmen on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti that 1,633 cases were handled by the High Courts, while the Magistrate’s and Customary Courts dealt with 3,899 and 6,659 cases respectively.
He said 7,207 cases were thrown out during the period, with 578 of them discarded at the High Courts, while the Magistrate’s Courts got rid of 2,750 and Customary Courts, 3,879 cases.
Fasoro said 4,982 cases were still pending in the various courts during the period, with 1,055 of them in the High Courts; 1,149 in the Magistrate’s Courts; and 2778 in the Customary Courts.
FCT
The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) on Monday in Abuja said it had commenced negotiations to stem the ongoing mass sack in the banks.
Mr Sunday Salako, the National President of the association, told newsmen that the union would only embark on an industrial action if it failed to reach any amicable agreement with the banks.
The union had on January 7 urged customers of Unity Bank Plc, Intercontinental Bank Plc and Oceanic Bank Plc to make mass withdrawals in order not to be caught unawares by its strike action.
The union’s leadership said it had perfected strategies to paralyse business activities in the banks from January 12 over the mass sack of their workers.
Gombe
The PDP in Gombe State said it was not aware of a court order restraining the use of elected ward delegates for gubernatorial primaries pending determination of a suit before it.
The PDP gubernatorial primaries took place in the 36 states of the federation on Sunday, January 9.
The state Chairman of the party, Mr Jack Gumpy, gave the explanation in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
But a Federal High Court in Abuja had issued an interlocutory injunction restraining the use of such delegates for the gubernatorial primaries in the state.
The suit was filed in Abuja by a member of the party, Alhaji Hassan Ahmadu and 10 others.
Jigawa
The Emir of Dutse in Jigawa, Alhaji Nuhu Sanusi, on Tuesday called on women in the state to come out and contest for elective positions in order to be part of the development of the state.
Sanusi made the call in Dutse at a two-day sensitisation workshop for women electorates from Jigawa and Kano states.
The theme of the workshop is “Violence Free 2011 Elections”, and is organised by an NGO, Gender Education Empowerment Foundation of Nigeria (GEEFON) in collaboration with INEC held in Dutse.
He said that the number of women occupying elective positions in the North particularly in Jigawa was negligible when compared to the women in the Southern part of the country.
Kaduna
Kaduna State Government says the annual Kaduna Festival of Arts and Culture (KADFEST) will hold in May.
A Deputy Director in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Abdulmumin Ashafa made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Kaduna.
Ashafa said the festival would hold in May to commemorate the Democracy Day celebrations.
He explained that the event could not hold last year due to logistics problems, adding that “arrangements for a successful hosting of KADFEST 2011, are in top gear” .
Ashafa said that although, this year’s budget had not been passed, the festival would hold as planned.
Katsina
One of Nigeria’s leading industrialists, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has redeemed his pledge of N200 million donation to the Katsina University, owned by the Katsina Islamic Foundation.
The Secretary-General of the Foundation, Alhaji Sani Lugga, told newsmen in Katsina on Monday that Dangote had released the second installment of N100 million to the university on Sunday.
He said Dangote pledged the N200 million at the investiture of the Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, about two years ago, after which he paid the first installment of N100 million.
Lugga said that so far, the university had realised about 60 per cent of all the pledges made by individuals and corporate organisations at the ceremony.
Kogi
A banker, Alhaji Jibril Isah, on Monday emerged as the PDP governorship candidate for Kogi, after defeating 17 other aspirants in the party’s primaries, held on Sunday in Lokoja.
Isah, a former Director of a bank, clinched the ticket after polling 361 votes to beat his opponents in the party’s primaries.
Among his opponents were the nation’s former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo who scored no vote. Businessman, Alhaji Abdulrazak Kutepa scored 303 votes while the state’s incumbent Deputy Governor, Chief Phillips Salawu, scored 24 votes.
Plateau
Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau has emerged the PDP governorship candidate for Plateau.
Jang, who was unopposed, got the nod from 756 out of the 763 delegates that attended the state congress held at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.
Mr Emmanuel Ibeshi, the Returning Officer for Plateau, who announced the results, said that seven votes were voided.
He said that the election was held in spite of the absence of any opposition “because some of the delegates may not be disposed to Jang’s aspiration and may want a replacement’’.
He expressed happiness that the election was “peaceful and orderly, saying that he was particularly impressed that the people came in spite of the violence in some parts of Plateau.
In his acceptance speech, Jang thanked the delegates for electing him to contest for the governorship election in April and called for unity of purpose among party faithful to ensure victory in the general elections.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has advised politicians to approach the 2011 general election with high sense of political maturity.
Wamakko stated this in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto on Sunday shortly after being announced winner of the PDP governorship primaries.
He said that, politicians must play politics without bitterness in order to ensure peaceful conduct of the election, pointed out that it was the only way Nigerians could boast of a free, fair and credible election.
Wamakko also tasked politicians to embark on aggressive campaign to educate their followers on the dangers involved in political violence.
He said that, what we needed as a nation was political tolerance and understanding for the overall political growth of the country.
Wamakko also said that PDP as a party had come to stay in Sokoto state as the party would continue to implement policies and programmes that would enhance the well-being of the people.
He called on the people to continue to leave in peace with one another to enable government to implement its laudable programmes for the overall political development of the state.
Zamfara
The lingering leadership crisis in Zamfara PDP on Sunday resulted in the conduct of two parallel governorship primaries.
Both Governor Mahmuda Shinkafi and former Information Minister, Ikra Bilbis, separately claimed victory in the primaries.
Our correspondent reports that the PDP leadership in the state under Ibrahim Mallaha held its congress at the old motor park near Kantin daji.
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.
