Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Federal Government is to tackle poverty in the North East and North West geopolitical zones through agriculture by releasing a new variety of high-breed sorghum that will increase the yield of farmers in the regions.
Dr Adewumi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, made this known on Friday, while speaking with journalists in Yola. He said that the high-breed sorghum variety, which would be released next year, would increase sorghum yield per hectare for farmers in the regions from 0.5 tonne to 2.5 tonnes, reflecting a 500 per cent increase.
The minister stressed the sorghum cultivation’s transformation project would generate more earnings for farmers in the regions, while enabling the government to utilise the surplus soghum yield for beverages’ production and its school feeding programme, among others.
FCT
More than three million Naira was realised at the launch of three books on wealth creation written by renowned personal finance coach and motivational speaker, Tayo Ayinla. The books are Building Lasting Wealth, Wealth Capsules and The Pathway to Wealth. Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Dr Jerry Agada, a former Minister of Education and Chairman of the occasion, described the publications as a creative work. The former minister who is the current President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), said the books would impact on the lives of Nigerians in the area of personal finance. Agada also said the books were a collection of non-fiction literature which drew inspiration from biblical references to guide readers on personal finance.
The guest speaker at the launch, Mr Ayo Arowolo who is a motivational speaker/journalist, urged Nigerians to determine what their potentials were and strive to maximise them.
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Gombe
Children totalling 840,850 in Gombe State would benefit in the next round of polio immunisation, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Usman Bello, has said.
Bello said at the flag-off of National Immunisation Days in Gombe last Friday, that the ministry had concluded preparations for the successful execution of the exercise.
He stated that special focus would be placed on nomadic Fulanis by the more than 3,136 health and technical personnel that would conduct the immunisation. The Permanent Secretary who was represented by a director in the ministry, Alhaji Salisu Waziri, appealed to parents and all stakeholders to support government in the fight to eradicate wild polio virus in the country. He said the support of traditional and religious leaders since 2009 had helped in curtailing the problem of rejection of polio vaccines by some households.
Bello however, noted that there were still areas with high cases of rejection, but he assured that government and other stakeholders would ensure total coverage in this exercise.
Jigawa
Alhaji Sabo Guri, the Managing Director of Jigawa State Broadcasting Corporation, has described Jigawa as the most peaceful state in the country. Guri made the observation in Dutse on Friday when the executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) came to congratulate him on his appointment as the head of the broadcasting outfit. He urged CAN to support the state government in its efforts to promote peace and understanding among the diverse religious groups in the state.
He also implored the association to sensitise their members to the need to promote peace in the society, noting that peace was one of the central tenets of Islam and Christianity, the two major religions in the country.Guri reiterated the need to always work for peace, saying that no society could develop in an atmosphere of chaos and disharmony.
Kaduna
Dr Abubakar Nuhu-Danburan, the Kano State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, has described unity schools as symbols of national unity.
Nuhu-Danburan said this while receiving an award during a reception organised by the Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) ‘Class of 1978 form 1’ held at the college in Zaria on Sunday.
He observed that unity schools played host to different classes of people from different parts of the country with aim of knowledge seeking.
He recalled with nostalgia the good old days and called on the old boys to maintain the close relationship with a view to taking the country to greater heights.
In his speech, the guest speaker and former principal of the college, Alhaji Isiyaku Nuhu, lauded the efforts of the old boys in keeping themselves together.
Katsina
The district head of Malumfashi in Katsina State, retired Justice Mamman Nasir, has enjoined immunisation workers to report parents who reject administration of polio vaccine on their children.
Speaking while launching the 5th round of National Immunisation Campaign in his palace on Saturday, Nasir, former Court of Appeal president, insisted that safeguarding children’s health is the collective responsibility of parents and leaders.
He likened rejection of immunisation vaccines to subjecting of public health to preventable dangers.
He called on parent to submit their children for vaccination during national immunisation campaigns and routine vaccination at the various health care centres in the area.
Malam MusaNaduna, WHO facilitator for Immunisation against poliomyelitis and other child-killer diseases in Malumfashi, said that 105, 677 children were targeted for immunisation in the area.
Naduna said no case of polio had been reported in Katsina State since 2010, and urged parents to sustain the feat by submitting their eligible children for vaccination.
Kano
Malam Habibu Yaro, an elder in Na’ibawa area of Kano Municipality has called on the people to consider environmental and personal hygiene as part of their religious belief.
He decried the situation where people had to be sanctioned before participating in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Yaro, who said all Muslims must be mindful of the fact that cleanliness is part of their religion, advised heads of households to make their people to comply with the directive on the monthly exercise.
Lagos
Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi, the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,said in Lagos on Saturday that a joint anti-piracy patrol of Benin Republic’s waters would start immediately.
Akpobolokemi told newsmen that the Federal Government gave directive for the patrol about a month ago.
“What is happening in Benin Republic is also affecting us economic-wise. When attacks in Benin Republic became so severe, the president of the country met our president and asked us to assist,’’ the director-general said.
He disclosed that the patrol would start immediately with some patrol boats, adding that the Navy was also involved in the exercise.
Ondo
Mr Oludare Fadayomi, the Supervisor of the Skills Acquisition Centre at Igbekebo, Ese-Odo Local Government of Ondo State, has called on the council administration to create more awareness on the importance of the centre.
Fadayomi told newsmen in Ese-Odo that the centre was crucial to the nation’s industrial growth.
“ I believe that supporting the skills acquisition centre in Ese-Odo Local Government Area will usher in an era of industrial revolution that will make Ese-Odo a council to emulate,’’ he said. Fadayomi stressed the need for the council to create more awareness by mobilising indigenes of the local government area to make good use of the centre.
He commended the council for its human capital development programmes, adding that it was one of the few councils that had a permanent structure for its skills acquisition programme. “Because we have a befitting and modern structure for this programme; I want to seek the support of Ese-Odo Local Government to encourage all young school leavers to take advantage of the programme.
Osun
The Osun House of Assembly has urged the state Ministry of Youth and Sports to strive to generate funds from sporting activities in the state. Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Sports and Special Needs, Mr Ajibola Olanrewaju, made the call on Friday at Osogbo, when meeting with the officials of the ministry. Olanrewaju said youths should be physically and mentally developed for them to be better leaders tomorrow, noting that their talents and interest in sports will enhance the state’s progress.
The legislator said the House committee would work together with the ministry in promoting sports and development among the youths from primary schools to tertiary institutions.
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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