Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
The location in Ikogosi in Ekiti West Local Government Area of EkitiState where the first plane crash was recorded in 1942, is to be converted to tourist centre.
The Special Adviser to the state Governor on Tourism Development, Mr. Segun Ologunleko, who inspected the crash site recently in Ikogosi-Ekiti, said the decision was to turn the state into attractive tourism destination in West Africa.
Ikogosi town is also famous for being the home to warm and cold water co-existing together on the same spot.
He said government’s determination to make the state a place where people could visit and see the relics of the airplane would complement the appeal of the warm spring in the area.
FCT
Helpline Foundation for the Needy (HFN) in collaboration with the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) last week in Abuja donated food items to widows and orphans in the FCT.
President of the NGO, Mrs Jummai Ahmadu, said that her desire to distribute food items to widows and orphan, particularly during Christmas motivated her to set up the foundation in 2005.
According to her, the objective of the foundation is to enhance the wellbeing, economic and human empowerment of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS and vulnerable widows in the society.
“ The organisation since its inception is currently responsible for the education of more than 150 children both in primary and secondary schools.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has commended the Federal Government for distributing fertiliser and other inputs to irrigation farmers in the state.
The chairman of the association, Alhaji Adamu Maigoro, told newsmen at Auyo in Jigawa that the gesture would assist farmers and encourage agricultural activity.
It would be recalled the Federal Government had distributed 7,200 tonnes of fertiliser at 50 per cent subsidised rate to rice farmers in the state.
The Federal Government also distributed 2,400 tonnes of improved rice seeds free to the farmers this dry season under its agricultural palliative programme to accelerate rice production in the country.
Kaduna
The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) last Thursday in Kaduna said it had spent N11.5 billion on the training of 425,000 teachers in the last four years.
The Director General of the institute, Dr Ladan Sharehu said this at a press briefing ahead of the flag-off of the Annual Nationwide Capacity Workshop for Teachers.
Sharehu said the programme, financed by the MDGs, was for the training of primary and Junior Secondary School teachers in four subjects English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies.
She explained that N3.5 billion was spent in 2009 to train 120,000 teachers, N4 billion in 2010 to train 140,000 teachers and N2 billion used in 2011 on the training of 125, 000.
Kogi
The Kogi State Government says it will soon domesticate the Child Rights Act to enhance its application for proper upbringing of children.
Mrs Patience Mameh, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, told newsmen in Lokoja that government had put in place measures that would popularise the Act.
She said that the upbringing of children should be premised on their guaranteed fundamental rights to check abuse and traumatising of children.
Mameh said that it was against this backdrop that the ministry recently held its maiden sitting of the “Children’s Parliament” to develop skills for good governance and responsible citizenship among the children.
Kwara
Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has reiterated the commitment of his administration to partnering community and religious bodies to eradicate poverty.
Ahmed said this at the Charity Home, Ilorin, during a special prayer to mark the 50th birthday of the former Governor of the State Sen. Bukola Saraki (PDP-Kwara Central).
He said that such partnership was aimed at improving the well being of the people,
He commended the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), for being a dependable ally for growth and development in the state.
Lagos
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged individuals, clubs and corporate bodies to partner with the government in the provision of social amenities that could aid quality education.
He made the call at the formal commissioning of Dr Lucas Memorial High School’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre, built by Techno Oil Limited in Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said such partnership was very necessary.
“This will help in turning around the dwindling fortunes of education in the state,’’ saying, restating that provision of quality education was part of his administration’s 10-point agenda.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has congratulated Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, for emerging the first recipient of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.
The governor said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, in Abeokuta that Soyinka deserved the award.
He described Soyinka as an “embodiment of integrity, credibility, courage, selflessness, accountability, tenacity of purpose, among others.
“Soyinka has spent his entire adult life leading the crusade for a just and united society, founded on the sanctity of the rule of law and press freedom.
Osun
Two persons were killed by armed robbers while no fewer than five others sustained injuries during a bank robbery in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun.
The Tide source reports that the robbery attack lasted half an hour at the Ikirun branch of a new generation bank.
It was learnt that security agents attached to the bank and residents took to their heels on sighting the armed robbers.
Ondo
The President of Ikale World Congress (IWC), an NGO, Mr Samuel Ademola, has decried the high death rate among Nigerians due to curable diseases.
Ademola was speaking at a three- day free healthcare programme organised by the NGO at the state Specialist Hospital in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
He said the group organised the programme to reduce the death rate among indigenes of the area.
“ All of us here today belong to the same ethnic group and we have come up with this programme as a way of helping our fellow Ikale men.
Oyo
A researcher with Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Abubakar Oladeji, has advised his colleagues to disseminate research findings in simple language to make government policy implementation easier.
Oladeji, who spoke in Ibadan recently at a training for journalists on reporting research findings, said dissemination of findings to policy makers and the public was vital to any researcher.
He said, it was unfortunate that a lot of policy makers had little time for reading through technical research reports findings which they saw as academic prose.
He said because of this, it would be a fruitless exercise for researchers to be sending lot of pages of research outcome and recommendations to them.
Plateau
The Plateau Government has approved three months salary for its striking local government workers as part of efforts to placate them to end their eight months industrial action.
The state government said in a statement signed by its Director of Press Affairs, Mr James Mannok, in Jos that Gov. Jonah Jang had decided to tamper with the “no work no pay’’ policy on compassionate grounds.
“The issue is already before the National Industrial Court for interpretation, but government has approved payment of salaries to resuming workers with effect from October to December 2012,’’ the statement said.
Yobe
Yobe Assembly has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam for engaging 10,000 youths under the state Special Empowerment Programme aimed at curbing unemployment.
The assembly passed the vote of confidence at its plenary session presided over by the speaker, Alhaji Dala Dogo.
The legislators said the gesture would help curb unemployment and contribute to checking insecurity.
The assembly also noted with satisfaction the ongoing training of youths, who were recently engaged as teachers in primary and secondary schools across 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.
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