Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Bauchi State has advised passengers to boycott irresponsible commercial motorcyclists to reduce rampant accidents in the state.
The Public Enlightenment Officer of the commission in the state, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam, who gave the advice in Bauchi on Thursday in an interview with The Tide said there had been many complaints about such motorcyclists, especially in Bauchi metropolis, adding that the best way to deal with their attitude was to shun them.
According to him, if passengers would refuse to patronize the motorcyclists, the action could make the operators to change their bad and reckless driving habit.
He warned the passengers to avoid motorcyclists who “wear over-size trousers using the ends as socks and leaving disheveled hair or raising the head lamp of their motorcycles to the sky”.
Benue
Displaced victims of the recent flood disaster in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, have appealed to the state government to intervene and resettle them on safe grounds.
More than 2,000 houses were destroyed by the floods in Wurukum, Wadata and Gyado Villa areas of Makurdi following the release of water from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon.
The flood destroyed property worth millions of naira along the Benue valley, and the victims, who lost their valuables have appealed to the state government for assistance.
A victim, Mr James Tule, said although the government provided early warning signals to alert them about the floods, it did not provide alternative resettlement centres for the victims.
FCT
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, on Wednesday ordered the police to provide adequate security for all embassies and foreign missions in the country.
The directive is contained in a statement signed by Mr Frank Mba, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer.
The statement directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in-charge of zonal commands, as well as state Commissioners of Police to provide a 24-hour water-tight security in and around the missions.
It said the directive followed recent violent demonstrations in some parts of the world linked to a recent US film believed to have offended a section of some religious faithful.
“The Nigerian Police has taken the immediate proactive security measures to ensure that no similar violence is replicated within our country.
Jigawa
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Jigawa State trained 10,082 youths in various trades and vocational activities in the last five years, the state Coordinator, Mr Muhammad Sambo, has said.
Sambo told The Tide in Dutse that more than N24 million was disbursed as resettlement package to enable the trainees set up their own businesses.
He said that 2,600 youths were trained under the National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (NOAS), while 3,204 received training under the NDE/NYSC entrepreneurial development programme.
Sambo noted that more than 1,600 women and youths were also trained under the rural agriculture and handcraft scheme, adding that another batch of 2,432 youths were trained under the environment beautification and school-on-wheels skills acquisition programme.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government says it would not pay compensation to people living in flood prone areas in the event of a disaster.
Mr Shamaki Zakaria, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, made the statement while inspecting flood ravaged areas in Kaduna metropolis.
He said that the issue of compensation would not arise because there was no approved plan for buildings on waterways, pointing out that the government had issued many warnings and directed people living in such areas to temporarily relocate but that they refused to heed the advice.
Zakaria said that the people also ignored the alert given by Nigerian Meteorological Agency on the rain pattern for the year.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency has relocated some flood victims from the Hajj camp to Bulasa Primary School on the outskirts of Birnin Kebbi.
Malam Abbas Rabi’u, the Executive Director of the agency, told our correspondent in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday that the relocation was to enable pilgrims to use the camp to prepare for the Hajj.
The Tide recalls that persons, who were victims of a flood in August, were kept in the camp, adding that the number of victims had reduced from 350 to100. The agency received donations, such as building materials, foodstuff, drugs, blankets and mosquito nets, for the support of victims.
Kwara
Armed robbers last week attacked a first generation bank at Share in Ifelodun Local Government area of Kwara State and escaped with their loot, the police said.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Fabode confirmed the attack on the bank in an interview with our correspondent noting that the hoodlums arrived the bank in large numbers at about 12 noon in a Toyota Sienna Space Wagon bus and a Toyota Land Cruiser jeep and engaged policemen stationed at the bank in gun battle.
He said that some of the robbers escaped with injuries while the others abandoned their vehicles and ran away.
Fabode said no arrest was made but that the police was investigating details of the attack and had also increased patrol in the area.
Lagos
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it will embark soon on another phase of “massive campaign” against the abuse of the naira.
The CBN Director of Corporate Communication Department, Mr Ugochukwu Okoroafor, told The Tide on Thursday in Lagos that most Nigerians still mess up the naira.
Okoroafor said that the step was necessary to ensure that the government did not continue to spend huge sum of money in the reprinting of torn notes.
Okoroafor reiterated that the huge amount of money spent yearly to reprint torn notes necessitated the introduction of the proposed N5000 note, pointing out that the N5000 note would reduce the high cost of managing torn notes annually.
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Government has said it would build 1000 housing units for non- civil servants in the state.
The state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development , Mr Musa Yusuf,told The Tide in Lafia that the houses would be located in the local government areas.
According to him, the project, known as “Informal Sector Co-operative Housing Loan Scheme”, will be executed in partnership with mortgage institutions.
“It is a social housing policy under the National Housing Programme aimed at providing housing for non- civil servants in the states”, he said, adding that the project would benefit those that did not benefit from the 18 per cent national minimum wage, adding that it was to improve their well being.
Niger
Governor Babaginda Aliyu of Niger State has said there was no going back on the plan by the state government to sell its houses in Minna.
Aliyu, who said this last Wednesday in Minna during a meeting with political appointees, said the decision was in the best interest of the people and in line with government monetisation policy.
A statement by Malam Danladi Ndayebo, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said the houses earmarked for sale were constructed in 1978 for commissioners and lawmakers, stating that the governor dismissed those agitating against the plan, saying the administration would not be blackmailed or intimidated into reversing its decision.
Ogun
The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Forestry, Mr Oladapo Onayemi, has said the ministry realised N66.2 million out of the N293.6 internally generated revenue targeted for the year.
Onayemi, who announced this during a tour of the ministry by a committee of the state House of Assembly, said N206.7 million was also released for salaries and allowances.
The permanent secretary further said the ministry did not have the required apparatus to police its entire forest reserves, saying “We don’t have the required apparatus to police our forest reserves, illegal activities perpetrated in the forest reserves are done in the night and the perpetrators are armed,’’ he said.
Osun
The Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salam, last Wednesday advised commercial motorists and government drivers to always take necessary precaution on the road for public safety.
Salam gave the advice in Osogbo when Dr Wale Bolorunduro, the Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget, presented a new official car to the speaker.
The car replaced the previous one involved in an accident some months ago on Iwo/Ibadan road.
He stressed that drivers should not engage in dangerous driving because their vehicles had insurance cover and said even when a property was insured, the handlers were expected to take necessary precaution and care for their lives.
Taraba
Hundreds of primary school children have been forced out of school in several communities affected by flood in Taraba State.
Investigation by The Tide in Lau, Karim-Lamido, Ardo-Kola, Gassol and Ibbi Local Government areas showed that the children were not in school because such structures had either been washed away or submerged.
The Tide correspondent who visited some of the affected communities observed that hundreds of children were now idling away at the various make-shift camps set up for displaced families, even though the schools had opened last Monday.
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.
