Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has requested the assistance of the Benue Government to get the National Assembly to approve its Rice and Cassava Value Chain Programme.
The IFAD Country Programme Manager in Nigeria, Miss Atsuko Toda, made the request when she led a Supervision team monitoring the IFAD-assisted Rural Finance Institution Building (RUFIN) programme’s projects in the state on a courtesy visit to Gov Gabriel Suswam.
RUFIN is a seven-year programme designed to improve the performance of non-bank rural finance institutions to enable them to develop to sustainable Rural Microfinance Institutions (RMFIs) in the 12 participating states.
The goal of the programme is to improve the income, food security and general living conditions of poor rural households, particularly women-headed households, youth and the physically challenged.
Atsuko appealed to the governor to help expedite the approval process, saying that the state would benefit from the programme. According to her, the programme will attract more funding to micro-finance institutions in the state.
FCT
The Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) last Thursday expressed disappointment over the spate of allegations of bribery rocking the National Assembly.
The National Chairman, Mr Sam Nkire, made the condemnation in an interview in Abuja, described the allegations “as not only shameful but also a terrible commentary on the nation’s legislative institution”.
According to him, it is quite disgraceful that the leadership of both legislative houses have never sanctioned members implicated in any of these allegations.
He called on the leadership of the National Assembly to redeem its image by suspending all those members who had cases to answer.
The chairman said this had become imperative in order not to leave the public with the impression that it condoned corruption. “ The NASS should realise that the public is anxious to know what steps it will take in respect of its members implicated in the power, SEC and fuel subsidy probes,” he said.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Government, has procured 3,000 tonnes of assorted fertiliser worth N359 million for sale to farmers during this year’s cropping season.
The Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Alhaji Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in Dutse last Thursday in an interview after the state executive council meeting.
Gumel said the fertiliser bought included NPK, Urea and organic fertiliser for farmers’ use to increase agricultural production.
He explained that NPK and Urea would be sold to farmers at the cost of N2,500 per bag, while organic fertiliser would be sold at N1, 900 per bag adding that fertiliser would be sold to farmers at different locations across the state.
Gumel also announced the termination of the contract for the supply of fertiliser given to Allied Range and Fuldu Nigeria Ltd. for failure to supply fertiliser at the stipulated period of one month.
Kano
A former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Air Vice Marshal Muktar Mohammed, has called for collective efforts of the people to fight corruption in the country.
He made the call at a one-day sensitisation workshop organised for the senior management officers of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in Kano on Thursday.
The workshop was organised by the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the hospital, in collaboration with the zonal office of ICPC in Kano.
Mohammed said the appeal was necessary because of the level of corruption in the various sectors in the country.
According to Mohammed , there is the need for Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or political inclination, to support the anti-corruption crusade.
Zakari urged the participants to make the best use of the forum, to ensure that their various departments were corrupt free.
Kaduna
The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) centre in Kaduna, last Thursday honoured 150 voluntary blood donors.
The North West Zonal Coordinator of the service, Dr Abigail Bozegha, told journalists in Kaduna that the honour was part of activities to mark this year’s World Blood Donor Day, commemorated on June 14.
Bozegha explained that the donors were given various gifts items in appreciation of their sacrifice to save the lives of other people.
She urged Nigerians to embrace the culture of voluntary blood donation to prevent further unwanted deaths in the country resulting from blood shortages. The coordinator said the centre had collected 1,500 pints of blood in the first five months of the year.
Bozegha said the blood was screened and distributed to needy patients within the period under review. “In Kaduna State with an estimated population of 6.7 million people, about 67,000 people should serve as blood donors,’’ Bozegha said.
Katsina
Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State last Thursday appointed Alhaji Usman Daudawa as the new Managing Director of the state’s Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KTARDA).
Daudawa’s appointment followed the removal of the erstwhile Chief Executive, Dr Abba Jamo.
Jamo’s removal is contained in statement issued in Katsina by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Alhaji Dalha Adamu.
The same statement named Daudawa as his replacement. It did not give any reason for Jamo’s removal.
Jamo was redeployed as director to the Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) Department of the state’s Ministry of Agriculture as the director.
Kogi
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) last Thursday began the assessment of emergency provisions in public and high valued buildings in Kogi.
The exercise started in Lokoja with the assessment of emergency provisions in the state secretariat complex by officials of NEMA, Red Cross and the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA).
The assessment will later be extended to other high valued and public buildings in the state.
The officials assessed the adequacy and state of alarm systems, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, exit doors, provision for disabled in emergency situations and first aid box and facilities at the staff clinic. The exercise also featured the demonstration of emergency staff evacuation drill for workers.
Commenting on the exercise, the Coordinator of Abuja Zonal office of NEMA, Mr Ishaya Chonoko said that the exercise was part of the agency’s response to current wave of terrorism and disasters in different parts of the country.
Kwara
A mobile court in Kwara State last Thursday convicted 34 drivers in Ilorin for violating various traffic rules.
The Magistrate, Mr Shuaib Olanikewu, convicted 34 of 35 accused drivers arraigned before him, while the 35th accused person, an NYSC member, was cautioned and discharged.
The convicts were fined from N1, 000 to N4, 000 depending on the type of offence committed.
The offences committed by the drivers included failure to use sea belts, overloading and driving without the driver’s licence, among others.
Most of the drivers were convicted of failure to use seat belts.
Commenting on the development, Mr Christopher Ademoluti, the Kwara Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said the exercise would continue to mitigate the level of road crashes in Kwara.
Plateau
The Plateau Government last Thursday threatened to stop forthwith, the payment of salaries of striking local government workers in the state.
The workers embarked on strike action two weeks ago to press home their demand for the full payment of the N18,000 minimum wage as against the half salaries they have been receiving since January.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Alhaji Aminu Kofar-Soro, last Thursday warned officers and men of the corps against misuse of fire arms.
Kofar-Soro said that the command would not tolerate any form of misuse of fire arms as any one found wanting would be sanctioned.
He said that the fire arms must be used to safeguard government property against vandals and enhance the security situation of the state.
The commandant said that the command had already drafted an effective operational order that would enable the officers to discharge their primary assignments without hindrance.
He called for the support of the members of public by giving intelligence reports about their communities.
Taraba
The Taraba Coordinator of the National Teachers Institute (NTI), Malam Saidu Yusuf, has decried the state’s low enrolment in the institute’s programmes, despite the number of unqualified primary school teachers.
Yusuf said in Jalingo in an interview that unqualified teachers in public schools in the state were not utilising opportunities provided by the institute to update their knowledge in recent trends in education development and teaching skills.
He said the National Certificate of Education (NCE), which was the minimum qualification for teaching in primary schools, had continued to elude such teachers because of their inability to improve themselves.
Yusuf, therefore, advised the unqualified teachers to enrol for NCE courses to enable them meet the minimum qualification to teach in primary schools.
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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