Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develop
ment on Tuesday, said over 135,000 dry season rice farmers were assisted by Federal Government in Adamawa.
The state Director in the ministry, Dr Walia Hamman, who made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Yola said the development, which was a special programme under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, was aimed at improving local rice production.
He said under the programme, government provided over 1,500 metric tonnes of improved rice varieties which was distributed free to the farmers.
FCT
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
on Tuesday arraigned a Deputy Superintendent with the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Margret Onoja , before an FCT High Court for alleged fraud.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Onoja lied to officers of the ICPC on the number of bank accounts she was operating.
The prosecutor, Mr Paul Bassi, told the court that the accused actions violated Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The accused was alleged to have concealed the ownership and operation of a Zenith Bank Account with number 6216501714 in her company’s name, Shekina Glory Cooperation Society Ltd.
According to the prosecutor, the accused was a sole signatory to the Zenith Bank account with a N75 million balance and that the accused also concealed the existence of a First Bank account with the balance of N40 million.
Jigawa
The Executive Secretary, Jigawa Rehabilitation Board,
Alhaji Abubakar Raba-Kaya, said on Tuesday, that the Albino Foundation (TAF) would build a skin hospital in the state.
He said that the state government had donated a piece of land for the construction of the proposed hospital which would be sited in Dutse.
The scribe said the hospital would be accessible to albinos and other members of the public and he described the establishment of the hospital as a “great achievement’’.
Raba-Kaya urged albinos and other citizens of the state to patronise the facility to cater for their skin.
Kaduna
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) on
Tuesday condemned Monday’s college bombing in Kano that killed eight students of the School of Hygiene.
Its President, Malam Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, said in Kano that the attack on the school was “satanic and devilish’’.
He urged the Federal and Kano state governments to set up investigative panel to fish out and prosecute all those behind the blast and also to beef up security across the state and other parts of the country, especially in the North-East to curtail the activities of the insurgents.
Arrigasiyyu said that members of the Boko Haram sect were not Muslims and did not represent Muslims and appealed to parents not to allow the bombings to distract them from sending their children and wards to school.
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Katsina
Manager of Rural Development Animation Programme
(RUDAP), an NGO, Rev. Sister Regina Onyegbule, has called for more spending on sanitation and literacy campaigns in rural areas.
Onyegbule, who made the call while speaking with newsmen in Funtua, Katsina State, on Tuesday urged governments at all levels, individuals and community groups to redouble efforts on economic empowerment schemes, sanitation and literacy programmes in rural communities.
The manager said this effort was capable of uplifting the living conditions of the citizenry and appealed to the communities to cultivate the habit of clean environment and ensure good hygiene at all times.
Kwara
The new Coordinator of the NYSC in Kwara, Mr
Adebayo Amusa, has called on employers in the state to improve the welfare of corps members.
Amusa made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin when he visited the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) office as part of his familiarisation tour of media houses.
The coordinator said the welfare of corps members would be his priority while serving in the state and enjoined employers to prioritise corps members’ welfare, especially issues concerning their accommodation and allowances, healthcare and security.
Amusa also appealed to host communities and local government councils to build Corpers’ Lodges for corps members.
“ The NYSC is not a baby of the Federal Government alone, it belongs to states, local government, organisations and host communities,’’ he said.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on
Public Account on Tuesday, urged the Management of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi , to ensure proper audit of the institution’s finances to ensure accountability.
The Committee’s Chairman, Mr Francis Orogu, who gave the advice during the defence of the institution’s finances by its management said that the advice become imperative in order to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of funds in the institution.
Orogu called on the management of the institution to be up and doing in ensuring proper utilisation of funds budgeted for the institution to ensure academic excellence.
In his remarks, the State Auditor-General, Mr Lamus Alhassan, said that the account of the university had not been audited since 2012, adding that it was the responsibility of the university to submit its audited account to his office for record purpose.
Niger
A Minna Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, sentenced a
labourer, Ndagi Mohammed, 31, to three years imprisonment for impregnating a 12-year-old pupil.
Mohammed, who was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a teenager, was convicted after he had confessed to the offence as charged.
In her ruling, Magistrate Amina Musa, sentenced Mohammed to three years in prison without an option of fine.
The prosecutor, Insp. Alfred Auta, had told the court that one Ahmed Zakariya of Okada Road, Minna, reported the case to the police on June 22.
He said that the complainant on June 20, discovered that his younger sister was pregnant adding that the convict impregnated the girl, who is a primary school pupil, after having sex with her three times in his house.
Osun
A physician at Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital
(LAUTECH), Dr Segun Babatunde, on Tuesday, advocated inter-disciplinary patient management in health-related institutions.
Babatunde, a member of the palliative care unit at the hospital, said this in Osogbo in an interview with newsmen ading that with the development of palliative care in modern medical practice, there was the need for medical trainees to be grounded in inter-disciplinary patient management.
“At many professional workshops, we have come across nurses and physiotherapists alleging doctors of being indisposed to release patients for specialised treatment.
“There are a lot of contemporary developments in the medical world that are in the interest of improved health care delivery, he said.
“However, if entrants into these new departments in the medical world are not well indoctrinated, there may be cases of protecting territories while treating patients and “There are times when a general practitioner is taking care of patients, even those with terminal illnesses.
“A trained palliative giver may however think he is more appropriate to see that such patients are given specialised handling.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government says it will spend N5.5 bil
lion for contracts variation, including new ones this year.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Olivia Dazyam, said this at news briefing on the outcome of the state executive council’s meeting in Jos.
She said that the approval for the variation and execution of new projects was given at the council meeting chaired by Governor Jonah Jang.
The commissioner said that the variation on one of the roads would gulp N1.8 billion due to increase in the scope of work on the construction of Bisichi-Koro-Fan-Mangu Halle road with six new spurs.
Dazyam said that additional works were also considered on the ongoing construction of the new Government House.
Sokoto
The Chairman, Bodinga Local Government Area, Sokoto
state, Alhaji Shehu Badau, said the council had completed the construction of five mosques in the area.
Badau in Bondinga on Tuesday, said that the mosques were built at the cost of N42 million, adding that they were located in Bangi Rafi, Kauran Hanya, Bunazawa, Darhela and Bodinga communities.
He called on the people in the communities to reciprocate the council’s gesture by praying for God’s intervention in the socio-economic and political activities of the area.
The chairman restated his administration’s commitment to providing basic infrastructure that would improve the living condition of the people.
From 2nd left: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and fct Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, at the scene of Emab Shopping Mall bomb blast on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 in Abuja, 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.
