Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Federal Ministry of Health has donated medical consumables worth several thousands of naira, to flood victims in Benue.
The Tide reports that the consumables included 20 gallons of methylated spirit, 500 pieces of household clothing, 25 cartons of water filters and 10 cartons of Darrows solution.
Others were 10 cartons of dextrose salines, 5,000 pieces of insecticide nets, 2,500 ACT tablets and 5,000 ACT syrups for children.
The minister, who was represented by Mr Akin Oyemakinde, a Consultant Epidemiologist in the ministry, said in Makurdi that the items were meant to prevent an outbreak of epidemic in the flood-ravaged areas.
FCT
Former Head of State, Ernest Shonekan, on Sunday in Abuja called for dialogue with leaders of those responsible for the spate of insecurity in parts of the country.
He made the call at the graduation ceremony for participants in Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 5, of the Institute for Security Studies.
Shonekan, who was the chairman of the occasion, said the dialogue was necessary to ascertain why they engaged in the act and to find ways to end the crisis.
“They are Nigerians, and to that extent, we must find ways and means of engaging them in robust dialogue to make them see reason and eschew violence.
Kaduna
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has advised Christian clerics to always inculcate good character in the society.
The Assistant Pastor in Charge of Kaduna Province II of the church, Pastor Emmanuel Tinuoye said at the province-based ministers conference in Kaduna that the world would not get things right except the pastors got them right with Godly character.
He said that some pastors had failed the church in their conduct and way of life.
“A nation with people of strong positive character is an asset to its citizens because the standard of living will naturally be high.
Tinuoye said leadership bereft of positive character could not influence real growth in an economy, church, organisation and homes.
Kano
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Kano Stat, Hope Foundation for the Needy, has called for proper counselling of youths to reduce deviance among them.
Hajiya Naja’atu Isma’il, the Coordinator of the NGO, told The Tide in Kano that lack of counselling was a major problem triggering negative deviant behaviours.
“My encounter with many youths engaged in negative deviant behaviours made me understand that they needed counselling at every stage of their lives.
“So many of them grew up on the street without proper guidance due to many societal effects. They are also considered not part of the society.”
Kogi
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, has urged indigenes of the state living in some communities in Enugu and Anambra States to return home, following their displacement by flood.
Awoniyi made the call at Igah, Ogurugu, Ojoh and Atuoacha communities of Enugu and Anambra States on Friday when he visited them.
He appealed to those displaced to come back to Kogi State, adding that the government was building low cost houses for affected victims.
He noted that the state would also provide farm inputs and improved seedlings to farmers and nets to fishermen, among others to aid those affected.
Earlier In their separate remarks, Chief Ogbali Maccilani of Oguragu and Fabian Eneanya of Odeke, who spoke on behalf of the displaced persons, thanked the various state governments for the love shown to them.
Kwara
The Libarian of the Kwara State Library, Mr Abdullahi Shaba, has stressed the need to revive the library system to enhance education in the country.
Shaba, who made the assertion in Ilorin in an interview with our correspondent, noted that this would move the education sector forward.
“Government should equip libraries with books, modern technology and a well trained staff that will give direction to our education in the country,’’ he said.
He pointed out that reading culture among Nigerians, especially students was dead and called for its reawakening through a well equipped library, pointing that inadequate funding was one of the major challenges facing most libraries, while, “technology standard is zero because there are not enough computers to work on.”
Lagos
Some lawyers in Lagos have urged the Federal Government to urgently tackle the problem of extra-judicial killings to avoid chaos in the country.
In separate interviews with our correspondent, they attributed the constant killings to the level of frustration and despondency of the citizenry.
Prof. Itse Sagay, described the situation as one in which the citizenry behaved as if they did not exist in a modern and organised society but in a stone age, saying that the country was degenerating into a state of chaos where anyone could do anything to the extent of taking lives for no just cause.
Niger
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has said that the inland port at Barau in Niger State had reached 80 per cent completion and would be ready by March 2013.
The Managing Director of the authority, Alhaji Ahmed Yar’Adua, announced this when the Ministers of information and National Planning, Mr Labaran Maku and Alhaji Shamsudeen Usman respectively, visited the facility on the Good Governance Tour.
“We have reached 80 per cent completion and we are doing everything to see how this port can be completed and put to use.
“This project would have been completed by December 2012 but due to the recent flooding, we have shifted it, so I assure you that it will be completed by December 2013.”
Ogun
A former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), has reiterated the need for communities and university authorities to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the safety of students.
Prof Peter Okebukola gave this suggestion while speaking with The Tide at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.
He was reacting to the recent attacks and killings of students of the University of Port Harcourt and the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi.
The Tide recalls that four students of the University of Port Harcourt were recently killed by some members of the Aluu community in Ikwerre North Local government area of Rivers State.
Ondo
The candidates of the three major political parties contesting in the Ondo State governorship election on Saturday lauded the electorates in the state for their massive turnout and orderly conduct.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who voted at about 2:18 p.m at his Ward 7 Unit 20 Polling Unit in Ondo, told newsmen after casting his vote that the turnout for the election was “ decent and unprecedented.’’
The ACN candidate, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), also cast his vote at 12:50 p.m at his Oke-Ijebu Polling Unit in Owo.
Akeredolu, who spoke to newsmen after casting his vote, said that he was impressed with the turnout and conduct of voters.
Osun
The Imam of Ejigbo Central Mosque, Ejigbo in Osun State, Alhaji AbdulSalam Omotokese, has advised Muslims to move closer to Allah in order to enjoy his protection and mercy.
Omotokese gave the advice during the Friday Juma’at sermon and thanksgiving service in Ejigbo organised for the Osun State Speaker’s wife, Alhaja Muibat Salam, who regained her freedom from kidnappers after five days in captivity.
He lauded the Muslims for the joint prayer offered on October 12 for the freedom of the speaker’s wife.
He said that Muslims should have strong belief in Allah only, adding that what happened to the speaker’s wife was a great lesson to them all.
According to him, they should all believe in Allah for their security.
Sokoto
The Police Command in Sokoto State has said that it had offered a N100,000 reward to anybody with useful information that could lead to the arrest of four gunmen who robbed a filling station on October 19.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Shaiubu Gambo, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command.
Gambo said that the command had put in place various security measures to ensure that the criminals were brought to justice, adding that the four gunmen used motorcycles to rob Malami Filling station at Arkillah and a recharge card business centre.
According to him, they shot the recharge cards seller, who later died at the Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
He urged members of the public to cooperate with the police by providing information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminals in the state.
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.
-
Politics4 days agoSenate Urges Tinubu To Sack CAC Boss
-
News4 days agoAmend Constitution To Accommodate State Police, Tinubu Tells Senators
-
News4 days agoDisu Takes Over As New IGP …Declares Total War On Corruption, Impunity
-
Business4 days ago
Crisis Response: EU-project Delivers New Vet. Clinic To Katsina Govt.
-
Business4 days ago
President Tinubu Approves Extension Ban On Raw Shea Nut Export
-
Business4 days ago
President Tinubu Extends Raw Shea Nuts Export Ban To 2027
-
Business4 days ago
Fidelity Bank To Empower Women With Sustainable Entrepreneurship Skills, HAP2.0
-
Sports4 days ago
NDG: Rivers Coach Appeal To NDDC In Talent Discovery