Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
No fewer than 1,200 youths in Adamawa have benefited from the Rural Agriculture Development Training Scheme (RADTS) of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in the past five years.
The state NDE Coordinator, Alhaji Abubakar Nuhu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Yola yesterday.
Nuhu said that RADTS was among the series of youth empowerment and poverty alleviation programmes introduced by the NDE in 2005.
He explained that under the programme, trainees underwent both theoretical and practical training in their chosen fields of agriculture.
“After theoretical training, we attached trainees to well established farms for their practicals.”
He commended the state government for its support and cooperation with the NDE to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
FCT
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the military to help ensure a freer flow of traffic on FCT highways.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Acting General Secretary of NLC, Mr Owei Lakemfa and made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
While appreciating the fact that the military check points were designed to enhance security in Abuja, the NLC, however, noted that commuters in Abuja were facing very difficult times as a result checks.
“In any case, any potential trouble maker seeing the kilometres of traffic jam as a result of the check points will be alerted to take alternative routes.
It said that the NLC believed that the main ways of defeating violent groups and ensuring security included the use of intelligence and encouraging the populace to come forward with vital information.
Katsina
A 36-years-old man, Sabo Lawal, allegedly committed suicide by hanging in Katsina over the weekend.
An eyewitness told newsmen that Lawal was found hanging in his house at the abattoir area of the town.
According to the eyewitness, Lawal, said to be a drug addict and living along after divorcing his wife some months ago, hanged himself with an electric cable.
It was learned that a note, dated June 30, suspected to have been written by the deceased, was found in the room.
The note urged the entire people of Katsina town and his parents and relations, who reside in Gafai area, to forgive him for his misdeeds.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abubakar Ibrahim, confirmed the incident.
Kebbi
The Governments of Kebbi and Sokoto States are working on measures to prevent the recurrence of 2010 flooding incident.
This was contained in a statement signed by Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi and made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
He said in the statement that the state Emergency Management Agency and the Sokoto State Rima River Basin Development Authority were working on the measures.
NAN recalls that the flood waters killed five people, displaced 137,023 people and destroyed seedlings worth N33.4 million in Kebbi State alone.
A total of N828 million was received as donation for the victims of the flooding in Argungu, Gwandu and Yauri emirates.
Lagos
Residents of Alpha and Lekki beaches in Lagos State have renewed calls on the Federal and the Lagos State Governments to remove shipwrecks on the coast.
The residents at a protest rally held on Sunday evening around the beaches, blamed the shipwrecks for the erosion of about 100 metres of the beach area within the last one year.
Placards by the protestors had inscriptions such as “Mr President Save Our Children’’; “Lekki Going, Going, Gone”; “Disasters loom in Lekki’’; “NIMASA, Do your Job’’ and “Fashola Fulfill Your Promise’’.
Chief Yusuf Atewolara, the traditional head (Baale) of Alpha Beach urged both governments to expedite action on the removal of the shipwrecks as they obstruct the receding of ocean surge.
“The beach started to experience erosion and degradation since these shipwrecks were dumped on the coast. Their presence is directing ocean surge towards us and our properties.
Ogun
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR), Ogun chapter has solicited partnership with the state-owned Tai Solarin University of Education(TASUED), Ijebu-Ode.
This is contained in a statement by the institution’s Public Relation Officer, Mr. Gbenga Omilola, made available to newsmen in Ijebu-Ode, yesterday.
According to the statement, the Chairman of the NIPR, Mr Femi Dokunmu requested for the partnership when he paid a courtesy visit to the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Segun Awonusi.
According to Dokunmu, such partnership will bring about professionalism in public relations.
The NIPR boss said that there was the need for the university and the NIPR management to establish and sustain mutual relationship for academic excellence of both the staff and students.
Ondo
An Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court last week sentenced one Segun Adeyemi, 22, to three years in prison for conspiracy, rape, unlawful assault, stealing and breach of the peace.
Adeyemi and one other now at large allegedly committed the crimes on June 23, at about 12 midnight at Erinje Road in Okitipupa in Ondo State.
The Police Prosecutor, Mr Emmanuel Omole, said the suspects also allegedly conspired with others to rape a lady.
He said that they also stole one wrist watch valued N3,500, one gold neck chain worth N18,000 and one Nokia handset valued at N10,000.
Other items stolen were one Samsung handset valued at N12,000 and N25,300 in cash totalling N68,800 all belonging to their victim.
Oyo
The Chairman of Bowen University Visitation Panel, Prof. Ayo Ogunkunle, says the university established about eight years ago by the Baptist Convention of Nigeria (BCN), has done excellently well.
Ogunkunle said this on Wednesday in Ibadan, while presenting the report of the panel to the new General Secretary of the Convention, Dr Supo Ayokunle, at the church headquarters.
He said that the institution was the first private-owned university in the country that had constituted a visitation panel in line with the National Universities Commission (NUC) directives.
The Chairman added that with adequate funding and proper management, it would rank among the best university within and outside Nigeria.
Receiving the report, Ayokunle said that the university was established to make a difference, adding that it combined both physical and spiritual education.
Plateau
The Mwaghavul Microfinance Bank in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau has presented six buses to the state chapter of the NURTW.
Mr Simon Arduhur, Managing Director of the bank, said at the bus presentation ceremony in Mangu yesterday that the buses were acquired under the FGN/Urban Development Bank Mass Transit Scheme.
Arduhur said that the buses would help to ease transportation challenges in the area and also help to reduce poverty.
“By giving out these buses, we hope to reduce transportation costs being experienced by commuters,” he said.
Arduhur said that another batch of six buses would be delivered to the union later in the month.
Sokoto
Alhaji Lawal Zayyana, the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, has urged the incoming ministers to assist President Goodluck Jonathan in sustaining his development agenda for the nation.
Zayyana, who spoke with newsmen in Sokoto yesterday, advised the ministers to give priority to the delivery of the badly–needed dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
“The president has good plans for Nigerians which would come to naught if the new ministers are not god-fearing, patriotic and dedicated,’’ he added .
According to Zayyana, the new ministers should accord Nigeria the paramount importance in their minds, not their pockets.
If they (ministers) contribute their quota patriotically and shun their egocentric desires, Nigeria will be a better place to live in generally.
Yobe
Yobe State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abubaka r Ali last Friday in Tarmuwa Local Government Area, inaugurated the free distribution of 12 million treated mosquito nets.
The deputy governor said on the occasion that government was partnering with development agencies to achieve total eradication of malaria by 2015.
He said that the distribution committee under his chairmanship would ensure fair and even distribution of the nets to the people.
“In Yobe, we have intensified efforts to reduce malaria morbidity by 50 per cent by the year 2013. Government has stepped up efforts on both preventive and curative measures on its fight against malaria,” he said.
Abubakar gave an assurance that the government would sustain the free treatment of pregnant women and children below the age of five years in the state.
Dr Isa Adamu, the WHO representative in the state, regretted that 66,000 malaria cases were reported in the state in 2010, adding that the figure represented 40 per cent of child killer disease in Yobe.
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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