Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), says it has commenced a nationwide training of police personnel on fundamental human rights.
This is contained in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs, Muhammad Ladan, in Abuja recently.
It stated that the training was being conducted in 14 centres across the country, noting that it embarked on the training following a request by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar.
The statement said the NHRC Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, explained that the police officers were being trained on fundamental human rights as contained in Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Kano
Gunmen have attacked Hausawa-Danmaliki Primary School in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.
Our correspondent said that three teachers, including the headmaster were injured during the incident.
A witness said the incident took place around 8.30 a.m, adding that the attackers arrived in the school shortly after some of the teachers reported for work.
“’Nobody can tell whether the gunmen were on tricycle or not but I just heard the gunshots,’’ he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, Mr Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident.
Kaduna
Kaduna State Government has urged the National Boundary Commission to resolve its land ownership dispute with the Kano State Government.
Governor Mukhtar Yero made the call in Kaduna when the Directors-General of NEMA, NOA, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and the National Boundary Commission, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.
The visit was to intimate the governor on a three-day workshop on “Peace Building and Conflict Management for Sustainable Development in Nigeria’’ which took place in Kaduna recently.
Yero said the resolution of the land controversy in the border towns of Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and some parts of Kano State had become necessary to end the conflict once and for all.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Ministry of Education has begun, the transfer of some students in boarding schools as part of measures to de-congest the institutions.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Muhammed Maiyama, told newsmen in Benin Kebbi that the exercise would create an enabling environment for easy learning.
He also said that more teachers would soon be recruited for the schools.
Also, the Principal of Dr Amina Abubakar Government Girls’ College, Birnin Kebbi, Hajiya Suwaiba Salihu, said already, the school received 500 students from Government Girls’ (Unity) College, Birnin Kebbi.
Kwara
The Acting Commandant, Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC) , Brig.-Gen. Sunday Adebayo, says the corps will continue to pay priority attention to the training of its officers.
Adebayo made this known in a lecture he delivered at the NAEC first quarter conference at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Sobi, Ilorin.
He said his vision for the NAEC was to rejuvenate the corps for better performance of its roles in support of the Chief of Army Staff vision.
According to him, the mission of the Education Corps is to plan and execute the Nigerian Army programme of education in liberal, scientific and doctrinal studies.
He said further that NAEC was to manage service educational establishments and training support facilities as required for the professional excellence of the army.
Lagos
National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), says it is collaborating with Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria and Nigeria Institute of Public Relations to address the issue of quacks in marketing.
The Chairman of Ikeja Branch of NIMN, Mr Babatunde Akinsanya, told newsmen in Lagos that the council was poised to restore the old pride of the profession.
He said that the professional image of the institute had been shattered in recent times by the influx of unqualified professionals.
“The council is aware of companies and individuals parading themselves as marketing professionals.
“Very soon it will not be business as usual for the unqualified marketers in the country.
Ogun
The Ogun Stte Government has restated its commitment to transparency and accountability in its revenue generation drive.
The state Commissioner for Forestry, Mr Ayo Olubori, who made the remark at a news conference in Abeokuta, added that the state was determined to block all avenues of revenue leakages to enable its residents enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Olubori, who was reacting to the recent attack on the state’s toll point at Ogere-Remo, in Remo North Council Area, said that the ugly incident would not force the government to abandon the toll point.
He recalled that the state government recently introduced an automated system for payments of fees concerning forestry operations in its bid to block leakages.
Osun
Osun council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said that it had set up a machinery to identify and flush out fake journalists from the media practice in the state.
The Chairman, Mr Abiodun Olalere, told newsmen in Osogbo that his office had been inundated with reports about fake journalists prowling in the state.
He promised to bring the culprits to book in no distant time.
He said the council had distributed membership forms to its chapels with a view to registering authentic members.
The NUJ chairman said that arrangements had been made to ensure that chapel leaders compiled only the names of practising journalists with recognised media employers.
Olalere said as part of the measures to nip quackery in the bud, the NUJ leadership had begun registration of members for a life insurance scheme.
Oyo
A 27-year old Amos Akinbosoye has been arraigned before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
The prosecutor, Insp. Olookoba Bola, told the court that the defendant seriously assaulted a police officer, Adigun Olufemi, by tearing his uniform while performing his lawful duty at a traffic point.
Bola also said that the wrist watch valued at N1,500 belonging to another police officer, Onen Bassey, was also damaged during the process.
Bola added that the incident happened during an alleged reckless driving by the accused in a Mercedes Benz car with registration No AZ 88 FKJ.
Plateau
Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, has advocated for the extension of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service to two years, to allow for military training.
“The youth corps members are supposed to receive military training for a year so that when they are through, they can be useful to the society, “ Jang said during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Youths Development, Mr. Inuwa Abdullahi.
Jang said that one year service was not enough, therefore, “we need to re-evaluate it and improve on it to include proper military training“.
He criticised the situation whereby after the service, youths had nothing, adding that it called for proper counselling.
Sokoto
Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi, former Chairman of Isa Local Government in Sokoto State, has advised members of the National Working Committee of PDP to reconcile with aggrieved members of the party.
Abdullahi told newsmen in Sokoto that reconciliation with the members nationwide would ensure the party’s victory in 2015 elections.
He said “ the task ahead of the leadership is to set in motion political machinery that will bring back those who have left the party for one reason or the other”.
Abdullahi explained that the move would enable the party to ‘’practically and politically confront the opposition in future elections’’.
Taraba
The Taraba State House of Assembly has set up a five-man committee to investigate the Chief Medical Director of the state’s Specialist Hospital, Prof. Aliyu Zakari, for revealing the health condition of Gov. Danbaba Suntai.
Zakari had in an interview with one of the national dailies said that Suntai had developed a brain injury that impaired his ability to speak and “makes it extremely difficult for him to return to duty anytime soon”.
Speaking on the floor of the House, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Abel Diah, said that Zakari, as a civil servant, had no right to grant interview without permission from appropriate authorities.
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.
