Nation
THE STATES
Borno
Politicians in Borno, have advised the state government to end the Boko Haram crisis by initiating dialogue with the dreaded sect immediately.
They gave the advice in separate interviews with newsmen in Maiduguri.
“The Borno State Government should announce, through the state media, that it is ready to engage the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna lid Da’awati, popularly called the Boko Haram in a dialogue.
“The announcement will prompt their leaders in hiding to come out for talks, but if they failed to come out, government should engage those standing trial in various prisons,’’ Alhaji Abba Kale, the Chairman of the Borno State Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), said.
Ekiti
A 37-year-old woman, Mrs Mercy Olaiya, has sought the dissolution of her six-years-old marriage with Mr Olatunji Olaiya over frequent extra-marital affairs on their matrimonial bed.
Mercy also told the Ado-Ekiti Customary Court Grade 1 on Thursday, that her husband, who is a farmer, always beat her and neglects his duties to her.
Our correspondent quoted her as saying that their marriage has not been blessed with any child.
“I am tired of my husband sleeping with different women on our matrimonial bed. There have been several occasions when I come back home to see different used condoms scattered all over our bedroom”.
FCT
An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court has sentenced one Lukman Abbas of Kado Estate, Abuja, to six months imprisonment for cheating a taxi driver.
Police Prosecutor Mohammed Ahmed told the court that one Oluwamojo Akinwale reported at the Maitama Police Station that the accused on June 17 ,deceived and hired him at the rate of N1, 200 per hour.
The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Section 322 of the Penal Code Law.
The accused, who pleaded guilty begged the court for mercy and said he would never commit such an offence again.
The Senior Magistrate, Hauwa Aliyu, said that the jail sentence would serve as a punishment to Akinwale and a warning to others.
She, however, gave the accused an option of N5, 000 fine.
Gombe
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Gombe state chapter, has urged the state government to resuscitate the state fertiliser blending plant.
Alhaji Muhammadu Magaji, the National Publicity Secretary of the association, made the call in Gombe in an interview with newsmen.
Magaji said that resuscitating the moribund plant would enable the state to produce enough fertiliser to meet the demand of its farmers.
“It is our wish that the Gombe Fertiliser Blending Plant be resuscitated”.
“Resuscitating the plant will enable the state to produce enough fertiliser to meet the demand of our teeming farming populace”.
“In addition, it will enhance the production of fertiliser that is suitable for our soil and by implication, increase the fertility of our farmland,” he said.
Kaduna
The staff of the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, Kaduna State, have been tasked to dedicate themselves to service to ensure productive researches.
The Director-General, Dr Ebenezer Okonkwo, gave the charge in Zaria, while receiving an award from the sports club of the institute.
Okonkwo said it was only through hard work, dedication and commitment to duty that workers in all sectors of the economy could promote national growth and development.
He also urged them to play active roles in nation building through their various offices.
Kano
Alhaji Gambo Danpass, a chieftain of the PDP, has advised the party to accept the emergence of Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives, as an act of God.
Danpass, the Chairman, Publicity Committee of the PDP in Kano State, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
He advised the national leadership of the party to be “cautious” in handling the issue.
Kastina
Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar, a large-scale farmer in Faskari local government of Katsina State, has appealed to farmers who benefitted from the loan disbursed by the state government to pay back when due.
Last month, the government distributed tractors and other equipment to large- scale farmers as loan.
Cows and ploughs were also distributed as loan to small and medium-scale farmers in all the 34 local governments of the state.
Abubakar told newsmen in Faskari that the loan would fast-track agricultural activities and boost food production in the state.
Abubakar, who got a tractor as loan, said the facility would enable him to expand his farmland.
He said that other farmers near his farm as well as people from the community would benefit from the use of the tractor.
Kebbi
The Kebbi House of Assembly has begun deliberations to enact a law banning the possession, sale and abuse of drugs used as stimulants.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Alhaji Jafaru Mohammed, disclosed this in Birnin Kebbi while addressing a youth forum.
The forum was organised by the state command of the NDLEA to mark the 2011 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
The theme of the forum is, “Global Action for Healthy Communities Without Drugs”.
Mohammed said a first reading of the bill on the control of medicinal drugs had been adopted, stressing that it would soon be passed into law.
Lagos
A Lagos High Court has fixed July 14 for ruling on the no case submission filed by Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha’s counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo.
Al-Mustapha, Rabo Lawal and Lateef Shofolahan are facing criminal trial over their alleged involvement in the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
Justice Mojisola Dada had on May 31 dismissed an application filed by the Lagos State Government to reopen its case against the defendants.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, Ojo argued his written address on a no-case submission in favour of the defendant.
According to him, the prosecution lacked the requisite evidence to support their case and the court is under no obligation to help them establish one.
Niger
A legislator in Niger State, Mr. Jacob Majin-Gana, has appealed to the Federal and Niger State Government to provide farmers with modern farming inputs to farmers to boost food production.
Majin-Gana (PDP), representing Lavun constituency in the state House of Assembly, made the appeal in Bida in an interview with newsmen.
He also stressed the need for the Federal Government to adopt policies to boost food production.
“Adequate provision of farm inputs to farmers will guarantee food security for the nation”.
“Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and mineral resources and governments need not depend on revenue from the sale of crude”.
Osun
Chief Adelowo Adebiyi, the ACN Chairman in Osun, has urged the people of the state to be patient over the delay in the constitution of the State Executive Council.
Adebiyi told newsmen on Thursday, in Osogbo, that Governor Rauf Aregbesola, was determined to appoint only the most qualified persons into his cabinet.
The PDP had criticised Aregbesola for the delay in constituting his cabinet.
Aregbesola on Tuesday, said he was exercising caution in appointing commissioners after the last House of Assembly failed in the bid to impeach him.
Adebiyi expressed concern over the impatience of the PDP on the issue, describing the criticism as a design to distract public attention from the realities on the ground.
Plateau
A gynaecologist, Prof. Patrick Daru, has said that women within the reproductive age who start experiencing sudden, sharp, recurring abdominal pain, may have ovarian cyst.
Daru says ovarian cyst is a growth in the ovary containing some fluids, while the cyst can be psychological or pathological.
“We do not worry about the psychological ovarian cyst, it usually occurs during the woman’s monthly cycle when she releases egg”.
“Sometimes the egg overgrows and becomes a growth on the ovary measuring less than five centimetres in diameter; cyst usually regresses and disappears”.
“The pathological cysts are the ones we should worry about; it becomes pathological when it has nothing to do with the monthly cycle, this cyst usually grows on the ovary and becomes quite large and constitutes a problem,” he explained.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeola Adeniyi, says his command’s anti-bomb squad has been placed on red alert.
Adeniyi told newsmen in Sokoto that the command had also commenced “ stop and search ” patrols across the state.
The police boss said the move was in response to the recent security challenges in the country.
“ This is to nip any unforeseen security problem in the bud to further ensure the security of lives and property”.
“ I had visited the boys out there and warned them against any act of extortion”.
“ I had also warned them against turning the various check points into toll gates,’’ he said.
Zamfara
The Election Petitions Tribunal in Zamfara, has struck out an application for the withdrawal of petition by the PPA governorship candidate, Alhaji Hassan Sarkin-Pawa.
Sarkin-Pawa had filed a petition before the tribunal, challenging the outcome of the April 26 governorship election in the state on the grounds of non-inclusion of his political party’s logo in the ballot. papers.
In a twist to teh proceedings, however, Sarkin-Pawa filed an application seeking to withdraw the petition two days after it ws received by the tribunal.
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.
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