Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
The PDP flag bearer for the June 21 Ekiti State guberna
torial election, Mr Ayo Fayose last Tuesday said the name of his running mate earlier submitted to INEC has been substituted.
The Director-General of the Campaign Organisation, Mr Dipo Anisulowo, who spoke on behalf of Fayose, said that the name Dr Olubunmi Olusola, who is in his 50s, was forwarded to INEC as a replacement for Ojo.
“The name of Pa Joshua Ojo, earlier submitted to the electoral body was done to beat the April 28 deadline earlier set by INEC. The actual name of our deputy was kept close to our chest as a political strategy since INEC timetable for the poll allowed for substitution of candidate or their deputies.
“The choice of Olusola was arrived at in order to give the people of the Southern part of the State a sense of belonging in the political calculation, “he said.
FCT
An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court in Life Camp has
sentenced 14 hawkers to two weeks in prison each for disobeying police order.
They are Ifeanyi Kingsley, Godwin Suswan, Stephen Monday, Davidson Uche, Samuel Elah, Ameobi Kalu and Collins Ogheleye.
The others are Chinwechi Chukwu, Asohera Uzoma, Thomas Bonfert, Joshua Arifuzo, Chibike Odenigbo, Usman Mohammed and Hamisu Mohammed.
Senior Magistrate Zubairu Mohammed convicted the accused, all of no fixed address, after they pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of joint act and disobeying order.
Gombe
The Gombe State Government has presented relief ma
terials worth N44 million to 2, 261 households affected by the April 17 windstorm disaster in the state.
Presenting the items to the victims, Dr. Arab Rukuje, Executive Secretary, Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, said that the gesture followed census of the victims in four local government areas affected by the disaster in the state.
Rukeje listed Akko, Billiri, Gombe and Kaltungo local governments as areas affected by the disaster.
“About 2, 261 household were reported to have been affected and the state government approved the provision of relief materials to those that are affected. These materials are to cushion their losses, which is why it is called relief materials, and we are doing it across board, so it is not compensation,” he said.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board
(SUBEB), on Tuesday said it had rehabilitated over 40 primary and junior secondary schools in Hadejia Local Government Area.
The Education Secretary in the council, Alhaji Lawan Abubakar, said in an interview in Hadejia that three schools were also established to boost access to education in rural communities.
Abubakar said also that the board had in addition embarked on total rehabilitation of primary schools in Dubantu, Agumau, Garko and Maje, to provide conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in the area.
Kaduna
The Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative (GAADI),
a Kaduna-based NGO, on Tuesday called for the reduction in the cost of governance to make public office less attractive.
The Head, Strategy and Coordination, Mr Atoye Ariyo-Dare, said in an interview in Kaduna, that Nigeria could address the problem of scarce resources by adopting the principle of fiscal federalism where every zone or state would develop its potentials and merely contribute something to the centre.
According to him every state in Nigeria has abundant mineral and human resources, which with good restructuring, would sustain it.
“Nigeria is yet to tap 50 per cent of the opportunities available to it. The world is currently moving towards a knowledge based economy, so what each state or zone needs to do is to expand the frontiers of opportunities for research and developments so that, ideas and innovations can drive the economy”, he said.
Katsina
More than 100, 000 registered commercial motorcycle
operators will be thrown out of job if the Kaduna State Government bans the use of commercial motorcycles, an official of the “Okada” riders, has said.
The state Chairman of Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) Alhaji Garba Rabiu, made the claim in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kaduna.
Rabiu, who was reacting to the passage of the executive bill on the ban of “Okada” operation in parts of the state by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, said the decision would have negative economic consequences last many families.
Kebbi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kebbi State,
has cautioned the state government against poor implementation of the newly introduced compulsory pension scheme for workers.
Malam Sadiq Ka’oje, the state NLC Chairman, in an interview in Birnin Kebbi, Tuesday, noted with concern that since the introduction of the scheme, the State Pension Board had not met, and contributors were yet to be issued with PIN numbers or linked with their pension administrators.
According to him, the contributors also need to be fully enlightened on the scheme, to enable them know how much would be deducted from their monthly salaries to avoid suspicion of foul play.
Kogi
The INEC says it will commence distribution of perma
nent voter cards to the electorate in Kogi State on May 23.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, who announced this in Lokoja last Tuesday said that the distribution of the cards would take place in all the 5,248 polling units in the 21 local government councils in the state.
Agbaje said that only those who participated in the last registration cards would be issued the cards, saying that the decision to distribute the cards at polling units was to facilitate easy collection by voters.
Kwara
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State
has described the state government’s announcement of N3, 000 salary increment for workers as a “booby trap”.
The PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Rex Olawoye, said last Tuesday that the said salary increment amounted to a deceit on the part of the state government.
Olawoye added that the said N3, 000 increment was a political gimmick to hoodwink patriotic workers to vote All Progressive Congress (APC) government back to power in 2015.
He called on the state government to clear the air as to whether the N3, 000 increment was monthly or annually.
Niger
The Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) has commiser
ated with former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, over the death of his father-in-law, Alhaji Halilu Chiroma.
A statement issued in Minna by the Forum’s Chairman, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger signed by Gov. Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Danladi Ndayebo, described the incident as “painful’’.
It said Chiroma’s death came at a time when his parental support and guidance were most needed and urged Buhari to be consoled by the fact that “from God we are and unto Him we all shall return’’.
It prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the bereaved family, especially Gen. Buhari’s wife, Hajiya Aisha Halilu-Buhari, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Osun
Chairman of Osun State House of Assembly Commit
tee on Education, Science and Technology, Folorunso Bamisayemi, says the dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (B.sc) is “unjust and unfair’’.
Bamisayemi said this in an interview that there was no evidence to show that degree holders were more superior to HND holders in terms of competence.
He said that the training of HND graduates was to complement the degree holders, adding that it was high time government removed the dichotomy and recognised both the B.sc and HND holders and treat them as equals.
Bamisayemi however commended the Federal Government for setting up a committee to resolve the issue surrounding the dichotomy, saying “it is a right step in the right direction’’.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Teachers Service Board is to train
3,223 teachers in modern teaching methodology as part of effort to deepen and strengthen the profession to enhance improved performance and teaching outcomes.
Jelani said that the training was aimed to ensure the provision of effective and sustainable primary and secondary education in the state.
“If teachers are given qualitative training from the grassroots level, the output of our schools will contribute to promote sustainable educational development. Training is a continuous process and not something that you will come and finish in one day; we have already compiled names of our teachers for training and we will group them according to their levels and areas of training need and very soon the training will commence,’’ he said.
Jelani said that teachers training programme was part of the state government’s commitment to promote both primary and secondary education in the state.
L-R: Representative of the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (nema), Mr Eugene Eze, Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Saleh and Governor Isa Yuguda, at the presentation of relief materials by nema to Bauchi State Government in Bauchi, yesterday. Photo: NAN
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.
