Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB) has commenced distribution of motorcycles to head teachers of the 800 rural primary schools in the state.
The Executive Chairman of ADSUBEB, Dr Salihu Bakari, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Yola.
Bakari said the measure was aimed at checking transportation challenges facing the head teachers in the rural areas, adding that the development would make them more effective teachers and managers of their respective schools.
Bakari said already head teachers of 300 schools had been provided with motorcycles in the first batch of the programme while the remaining 500 would get their own soon.
“There is a very serious problem of transportation which is affecting our managers of rural schools and that is why we decided to start by providing motorcycles to head teachers of “extremely rural areas’’
Benue
Clerics in Makurdi have urged youths to shun immoral behaviour and violence as they celebrate St. Valentine’s Day last Tuesday.
St Valentine’s Day is observed on February 14, for lovers to express love for each other, present flowers, offer confectionery and send greetings.
The clerics told newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday that they were more concerned about youths because they are the ones mostly involved in the celebration.
Rev. Fr Titus Igyese of St. Gabriel’s Mission, Makurdi said that the love which St. Valentine stood and died for was divine and not physical.
Igyese urged youths to refrain from indulging in immoral acts under the pretext of Valentine’s Day.
FCT
The National Secretary, Democratic People’s Alliance (DPA) Mr Sam Onimisi, has urged the Federal Government to strengthen security at the country’s borders to address trans-border crime.
He made the charge on Tuesday in a telephone interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Onimisi said the security agencies must live up to the task by ensuring that the nation’s borders were secure.
“Government should make sure that movement of illegal migrants into Nigeria is restricted and I believe this would help a lot in alleviating the security problems in the country.
“The Nigeria immigration service should ensure that foreigners do not enter Nigeria without valid papers.
Kano
The Kano State Government has relaxed for the second time the curfew it imposed on the state by four hours.
Our correspondent recalls that the state government imposed the curfew on Jan. 20 as a result of the multiple bomb explosions which rocked the Kano metropolis.
The state Commissioner for Information, Dr Umar Faruk, said in a statement in Kano on Tuesday that the curfew would now hold from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Faruk explained that the decision to relax the curfew followed the improved security situation in the state.
He, however, stated that commercial motorcyclists were not affected by the new order as they were expected to operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kebbi
Suru Local Government of Kebbi has spent N3.5 million on the purchase of 2,800 goats to be distributed to women on loan as part of efforts to reduce poverty in the area.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Sahabi Dan-Baba, told newsmen in Dakingari on Tuesday that widows, divorcees and less privileged persons would benefit from the scheme.
He said 1,300 beneficiaries would receive between two and three goats to rear and generate income for their families.
Dan-Bababa also said the council planned to expand the scheme and sustain it.
Kogi
The Kogi State office of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has confirmed that 61 people lost their lives in 485 road crashes recorded in the state in January this year.
The state’s Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Michael Olapade, who confirmed the figure while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday in Lokoja, said that the crashes which occurred in different parts of the state involved 123 vehicles.
Olapade said that a total of 385 persons were involved in the accidents with 324 of them sustaining varying degrees of injuries, attributing the accidents to dangerous driving, speed limit violation, tyre burst and bad state of roads.
The statistics also indicated that 10 out of the 28 children victims of the accidents were among the dead with the Lokoja-Abuja highway accounting for most of the deaths.
Olapade said that the commission would continue to pay special attention to the road, charging motorists to comply with traffic rules to reduce carnage on roads in the state.
Lagos
Head, Lagos State Voluntary Blood Donation Organisation, Dr Temilola Alayande, has advised Nigerians to develop a more positive attitude towards donating blood voluntarily, as this could help save lives.
Alayande said this in Lagos on Tuesday at a workshop organised by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee on “Blood donor recruitment and retention“. It was for youths in the state.
She said that the aim of the workshop was to recruit voluntary blood donors among the youths, as it had been observed that there was an enormous lack of adequate blood in blood banks in the state.
Alayande added that one of the major impediments to having adequate blood was the lackadaisical and nonchalant attitude of Nigerians towards voluntary blood donation.
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Almakura of Nasarawa State has said that government is to embark on the demolition of illegal structures on government’s lands in the state soon.
Al-makura made the announcement on Monday in Lafia during the inauguration of 13 newly appointed Special Advisers.
He noted with dismay the trend whereby persons and groups converted government’s property and land to personal use, especially at Government Reservation Areas (GRAs) in Akwanga, Keffi, Nasarawa and Lafia.
“It is for this reason that all those who are in the habit of indiscriminately acquiring such property do so at their own peril”, he warned.
“Accordingly, government warns that it will soon embark on reclaiming of its lands as well as demolition of illegal structures within government’s lands,” he said.
He called on the people of the state, irrespective of political differences, to safeguard public property and work toward the overall development of the state.
Ogun
The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, has freed 47 prison inmates in the last one week, according to the Chief Registrar of the state’s High Court, Mr Sikiru Owodunni.
Owodunni told newsmen in Abeokuta on Tuesday that the exercise began on February 7 and February 14 and the released inmates were drawn from Abeokuta, Ilaro, Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode.
She said the judge made the release after a scrutiny of the list of the prisoners and their different case files as submitted by the prisons services.
He said some of the inmates were charged for offences ranging from murder, robbery, stealing, kidnapping and unlawful carnal knowledge among others.
Osun
Some educationists have urged the Federal Government to make Yoruba language one of the compulsory subjects required for admission into tertiary institutions by students from Yoruba speaking areas of the country.
They told newsmen in separate interviews on Tuesday in Osogbo that the measure would improve the study of Yoruba language at the tertiary level.
An official of Osun State Ministry of Education, Miss Odunayo Olawore, said Yoruba language should be made a course to be taught and spoken from primary to tertiary levels in South West geo-political zone.
She suggested that all private schools in Yoruba land should be required to have classes in Yoruba language from nursery to secondary school levels.
Plateau
The Plateau Government has donated relief materials to victims of the protracted violence in Damaturu, Yobe, who fled the violence-wrecked state to take refuge in Jos.
Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau, who donated the items worth more than eight million naira, said that more than 400 persons were taking refuge in the state.
Also offered to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were drugs and temporary accommodation at Tati Hotel, Jos.
Among the items donated to the IDPs are 100 pieces of mattresses, 100 bags of rice, 80 bags of maize, 100 pieces of wrapper and 250 pieces of blankets.
Zamfara
Four months after the armed banditry incident at Lingyado Community in Dansadau area of Zamfara, the state’s police command has arrested one Muhammadu Bugge, suspected to be among some bandits terrorising the area.
Bandits attacked Lingyado Village last November in a night raid, killing 19 persons.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, Mr Saidu Madawaki, told newsmen in Gusau on Tuesday that Bugge was arrested by a police anti-crime patrol team at Mashaya Zaki Village also in Dansadau area.
Madawaki said that Bugge and one unidentified accomplice, now at large, were intercepted on a motor cycle by the patrol team on January 31.
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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