Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The diverse ethnic and multi-religious communities of Yelwa, Kagadama, Gwallameji and Lushi of Birshi-Miri District, Bauchi, Bauchi State last Saturday celebrated six years of living together in peaceful co-existence.
The programme was organised by Muslim and Christian Youth Movement for Peace in conjunction with Birshi-Miri Concern Citizens Forum.
The communities are home to diverse ethnic groups in the country, the Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Idoma, Fulani, Seyawa, Jarawa and Ninzom, among others and from different religious backgrounds.
In his speech, Mr Yusuf Kumsu, the Chairman organising committee of the programme, explained that the event was organised to celebrate six years of peaceful co-existence among the diverse ethnic groups in the communities.
Benue
Benue State, Police Command says it has recovered 17 bodies from the river after the Boxing Day boat mishap that claimed the lives of over 40 persons at River Buruku, in Buruku Local Government Area.
The State police public relations officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Daniel Ezeala, who spoke in a telephone interview in Makurdi ,said search and rescue operation was still going on at scene of the disaster.
He said “We have so far recovered 17 bodies from the river but we are still continuing with the search and rescue operation until we are convinced that there are no survivors or bodies in the river. I can also assure you that we have commenced investigations into the matter with a view to finding the immediate and remote causes of the tragedy.”
Ekiti
Buoyed by the recent signing of the Equal Opportunities Bill into law by Dr Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State’s first lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, that she may be considering sponsoring a prize at the next Nigeria Media Merit Award, in collaboration with other stakeholders, for gender-friendly reporting.
Mrs. Fayemi who initiated the bill that was signed penultimate Tuesday is upbeat that the new law would strengthen existing legislations put in place to promote gender equality and women empowerment, widowhood rights, among others.
She said, “It is almost impossible for any society to think that they can achieve any kind of transformation while leaving women behind. It’s just like trying to clap with one hand.”
If the first lady makes true her plan, then it would be a notable contribution to robust journalism by a woman who has been in the fore-front of the clamour for women’s rights even before she became a first lady.
Gombe
The Gombe State Government has allocated N1.9 billion for women and youths development projects in the coming year.
The allocation is contained in the 2014 budget of N107.4 billion presented to the State House of Assembly by Gov Ibrahim Dankwambo on Friday in Gombe.
He said that N1.1 billion would be used to train women through the office of the Hajiya Adama Women Empowerment Programme (HAWEP), the pet project of his wife.
Dankwambo said the programme had impacted positively on the economic empowerment of women in the state, promising to sustain the tempo in 2014.
Kaduna
Kaduna State Government last Saturday said it would establish four new Science Secondary Schools in 2014 to enhance the study of science-related courses.
The State Governor, Alhaji Muktar Yero, disclosed this at the 21st Annual General Meeting of the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA) in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Yero, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Kaduna Government House, Alhaji Yahaya Aminu, said the schools would be located in different parts of the state.
Kebbi
The Senator representing Kebbi State South, Retired Major General Muhammadu Magoro, has appealed to the Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue in resolving grievances to fast-track development.
Magoro told newsmen in Zuru last Friday that the continued violent agitation by the sect had retarded development in the north east and the country.
He said without peace, meaningful development could not be achieved and called on members of the sect to embrace dialogue in order to resolve the crises. Magoro said that the present leadership of the country was desirous of development and he urged security agencies not to relent in the fight against terrorism.
Kwara
A socio-cultural group, the Igbomina Development Forum, last Saturday rallied support for President Goodluck Jonathan in his bid to tackle the nation’s challenges.
The group, at a forum organised at Agbamu, Irepodudun Local Government Area of Kwara, also called for participatory politics and internal democracy in parties to strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions.
The forum, which was organised by Mrs Shola Adedoyin-Adeoti, a business magnate and community leader, appraised the current socio-political developments in Kwara State and urged the Igbomina “ to work for their political emancipation.’’
Lagos
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has approved the procurement of 120 new vehicles of various brands for traditional rulers in the state. The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, disclosed this in an interview last Saturday in Lagos.
The commissioner, who said the vehicles would be purchased in 2014, noted that they would enable the traditional rulers to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Kuye also said that the state government was renovating palaces and building some new ones to strengthen the traditional institution and improve the living standards of the traditional rulers.
Niger
The Niger State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) plans to construct a 20-room Motel at the council’s secretariat at the cost of N50 million.
The Chairman of the union, Mr Ilya Garba, who announced this at a media briefing last Thursday in Minna on the council’s plans for its Press Week said the venture was to boost the revenue base of the council.
He said other structures including a Cyber Cafe would be provided at the motel to serve the interest of the union members.
Ogun
The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State has said the party is bigger than individuals who have defected from it to opposition parties. It said those that defected from the party usually left with political qualities the PDP had instilled in them.
The party said the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, and the former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, owed their political success to the PDP.
In an interview the Chairman, PDP, Ogun State, Adebayo Dayo, pointed out that the Labour Party in the state would fail like it did in the Anambra State governorship election.
Oyo
A mysterious spacecraft, which residents of Awotan in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State called a “drone”, was reported to have crashed into a building at Omiremi Quarters in the community, leaving a crater on the roof of the building, just as aviation sources confirmed the object as a United States’ drone on an espionage mission in Nigeria.
Considering the registration number, TX 5803, inscribed on a black battery under the craft, a source said the space craft must have taken off from NASA base in Texas in the US, stating that the battery attached to the spacecraft powered it and enabled it to move around so that it could do the bidding of those who sent it.
Sokoto
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State have accused the party’s deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, of causing disaffection within the party in the state.
Addressing a press conference on behalf of the members on Saturday, former chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Alhaji Hassan Turakin Tureta, said members of APC in the state recognised former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa as the leader of the party in Sokoto State.
He alleged that Masari was using his connection in his former party to create discord in the Sokoto APC
Yobe
Voters across Yobe State yesterday turned out in large numbers to cast their votes to elect Chairmen and Councillors of the 17 Local Government Councils in the state.
There was heavy security presence in all the polling booths as well as major streets in Damaturu with combine team of soldiers, police, civil defence corps and immigration officers watching over.
Shops and other businesses were closed while restriction on movement was imposed throughout the state from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m as there was security build up to forestall any unforeseen circumstances.
Only 10 parties participated in the polls while the major opposition party in the state, the PDP, boycotted the election.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote, the state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, said the conduct of the election had proved sceptics wrong on the security situation in the state.
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State (left), presenting the 2014 Appropriation Bill (Budget) to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Inuwa Garba, in Gombe, last Friday.
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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