Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State said on Friday that the lack of political will by previous administrations delayed the building of Bauchi International Airport conceived in the 1980s.
Yuguda who made the remark while laying the foundation stone for the International Airport estimated to cost N7.98 billion, recalled that the airports in Abeokuta, Ibadan, Minna, Akure and Warri were conceived at the same time but Bauchi could not build its own airport.
He said that contract for the construction of the airport was awarded to Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited at the cost of N7.98 billion to be completed in 18 months, adding that the government had paid the contractor 70 per cent of the project cost.
Yuguda said work on the 3.4km long and 1km wide runway had reached advanced stage and promised that Muslim pilgrims would travel from the airport during the year.
A former minister of information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, commended Yuguda’s foresight and described the project as “strategic to the people of Bauchi State.”
Kaduna
The authorities of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, have advised students of the institution against acts capable of disrupting peace on the campus.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, gave the advice at the 2012/2013 matriculation ceremony of 6,000 students of the institution held at the main campus in Samaru, Zaria.
Mustapha, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Na’iya Sada, said the advice became necessary in view of the current security challenges in the country.
He said peace was critical to success and as such the university community required peace to run stable academic calendar.
The vice-chancellor urged the new students to make judicious use of the unique opportunity to learn and become useful to themselves, their families and the society.
Kano
No fewer than 310 offenders appeared before 10 Mobile Courts in Kano on Saturday for non-compliance with the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Kano State.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Ministry of Environment, Hajiya Maryam Abdulkadir, in Kano, Abdulkadir said that N680,238 was realised as fine by the 10 Mobile Courts that tried the defaulters.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, urged people of the state to give special attention to the monthly environmental exercise as part of their contribution to ensuring cleaner environments.
Kebbi
The Kebbi chapter of Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) plans to expand Hotungo Fulani Cultural Festival to involve neighbouring West African countries.
The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Mohammed Dan-Ali, said in Birnin Kebbi on Friday that the festival would be extended to involve cattle breeders from Niger, Chad and Benin Republic.
He said the expansion of the festival to those countries would begin with the next edition, “after clearing security issues among the participating countries,” adding that the festival was an avenue for strengthening social and economic relationships among cattle breeders in West Africa, especially considering the migrant nature of the breeders.
The Secretary of the Elders’ Committee of the association ,Alhaji Nasiru Masama, said as part of efforts to ensure unity and end disputes among members, the district and local government branches of the association had been dissolved.
Kwara
Professor Oluwasegun Adekunle of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, has urged the Federal Government to implement policies on agricultural extension for food sustainability.
Adekunle, who made the call on Saturday while delivering a lecture entitled: “Key to Unlock’’ in Ilorin, said for any government to succeed in the agriculture sector, it must implement good policies on agricultural extension.
He said that the country was involved in too much food importation which was detrimental to the agriculture sector in the country, and made case for agricultural extension as a key to unlock the immense food potential in Nigeria.
According to him, a well focused agricultural transformation programme is usually sustainable, provided it is targeted at the small-scale farmers.
Lagos
A former Director of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Chris Nemedia, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise its development agenda to achieve goals.
Nemedia said in Lagos that it was economically unhealthy for the government to try to achieve many things at once.
He advised the Federal Government to follow elementary economics principles about making opportunity cost choices from a scale of preference of its development agenda.
“And it is a common precept in economics that choice and opportunity cost is made from not more than two or three items. “So, it will not augur well for our economy if the government is not prioritising its development agenda and focusing on attaining some at a time,“ he said.
He added that government at all levels needed to consult widely, especially with experts, on projects that required immediate attention.
Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Sunday announced the establishment of a committee to work for the recovery of over 10,000 cows that got missing during the recent communal crisis in the state..
Al-Makura said that the committee would be saddled with the responsibility of recovering all the missing cows across the state.He assured the leadership of the Fulani group that the committee would handle the assignment efficiently, adding that the necessary logistics would be given to the committee to make its assignment easier.
Al-Makura said that members of the committee included soldiers, policemen, members of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as some state government officials.
Besides, Al-Makura announced that 200 of the missing cows, which had been recovered at Kwandare, were currently under the custody of the traditional ruler of that area.
Plateau
There is a mass movement away from Wadata, the boarder village in Wase Local Government of Plateau, which was hit by unknown gunmen on Wednesday, says its Chairman, Mr. Mohammed Zakari.
Zakari told newsmen in Wase on Saturday that natives of Tarok and Fulani, the major ethnic groups inhabiting the area, have fled to other communities “for fear of the unknown”.
“We wonder why people should flee from their abodes because of an unfortunate attack.
“Such mass exodus is not good for us because it sends the wrong signals and also gives us a wrong image,’’ he said.
Zakari said that a committee had been set up to investigate the attack and suggest possible ways to avoid a recurrence.
“The committee has been going round appealing to people not to leave since we have put in place adequate security measures in the area,’’ he said.
Osun
The Osun Government has stocked over 300 poultry farms in 13 months, according to an official.
The Director, Livestock Services in the state Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Johnson Ajayi, disclosed this in an in Osogbo on Sunday.
“We have more poultry farms in Osun because the current administration had organised empowerment programmes such as `O’bop, O’bee and O’reap’, among others, for farmers to benefit from the dividends of democracy.”
The director said that the objective of the project was to make the state self-sufficient in food production as well as a net exporter of food in the country.
Ajayi further explained that the poultry farms would add value to local foods and create jobs for youths across the state.
Zamfara
Governor Abdulazeez Yari of Zamfara State said in Dutse on Friday that his government had put necessary measures in place to address insecurity in the state.
Yari made the statement in an interview after he paid a condolence visit to Gov. Sule Lamido over the death of his uncle.
He said the state government was working with the security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to tackle insecurity.
“The only security challenge we have in Zamfara is the farmers’ and pastoralists’ conflict.
“My government has designed several measures to address the problem head on,” he said.
The governor said the problem of insecurity was a global challenge and restated his government’s determination to ensure peace and stability 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.
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