Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
A former member of the House of Representatives, Emmanuel
Bello, has joined the race for the Adamawa State governorship seat as he picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form yesterday in Abuja.
Bello who represented Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2003 said he is in the race to better the lot of the Adamawa people who have been suffering from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors since 1999.
“If you look at our state, it has been degraded. The PDP government of Nyako degenerated the state in such a way that the roads are degraded, the health and education systems have collapsed. No system is working in Adamawa.
“Unfortunately, the security situation is not helping matters, and for that reason, we sat down and thought over it and said ‘look, if APC is the party of hope, it’s the progressive party that wants to unite Nigerians; it’s the party that wants to bring about change, then we should aspire under the APC in order to find a lasting solution to our state,” he said.
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has directed
that 1,000 bags of processed wheat and maize as well as assorted drugs should be delivered to people who are trapped at Banki, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Usman Zanna, a member of the Agric Transformation Committee of the state government, said the governor gave the directive following reports that the people in Banki had run out of food and could not go to Bama because Boko Haram insurgents had blocked the road.
It was gathered that the people could not also cross over to villages in Cameroon as a result of stringent measures put in place by the Cameroonian authorities, which include closure of the border to contain the spread of Ebola virus.
Ekiti
Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has set up
a nine-man transition committee to do underground work for his smooth take off on October 16.
Fayose had also lamented the debt profile of the state under Governor Kayode Fayemi, saying it was “worrisome and disturbing.”
He also warned those with political ambition in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 against name-dropping, saying “nobody in the party has been slated for any appointment, except two people he promised to be given on concessional grounds.”
Inaugurating the committee in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, yesterday, Fayose regretted that Fayemi’s government had plunged the state into huge debt, to an extent that members of the public would have to be sensitised about situations on ground, because of high expectations.
Kaduna
A former Minister of State for Aviation, Felix Hassan Hyat,
has declared readiness to contest for the governorship election in Kaduna State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Hyat, who hailed from Southern Kaduna, told journalists, that he would contest the governorship because Southern Kaduna, was morally entitled to fly the PDP ticket in 2015 in comparison with previous precedents in the state.
He flayed the endorsement of the incumbent governor, Mukhtar Yero saying it cannot stand because it was not done with consultations.
Lagos
The Federal Government has announced a direct assistance
of N200 million to Lagos State government, to enable it to successfully curtail the spread of Ebola virus disease in the state.
Government had recently set aside the sum of N1.9 billion for the 36 states of the federation to combat the disease, following its importation into the country by the index case patient, the Liberian-American, the late Patrick Sawyer.
Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, on Wednesday.
Niger
Niger State governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has said
state governments across the country are struggling to survive financially, as a result of low returns from the federation account.
Governor Aliyu, who is the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), said for several months now, the allocation to the states had been on the downward trend, which had hampered developmental strides of the administrations.
Aliyu spoke in Minna, the Niger State capital, recently, after inaugurating the Board of the Niger State Transport Authority, which has former secretary to the Niger State government, Mohammed Adams Erena as chairman and the Local Government Service Commission’s retired Permanent Secretary, Mr Peterson Kaura, as member.
The governor specifically said that in the last allocation, the state lost well over N100 million, a trend he said had been on since late last year.
Osun
Some students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU),
Ile Ife, have expressed worry over the large population of ceaseless migratory fruit bats, which have been living in various parts of the university community, including academic areas, for decades.
The university re-opens on Sunday, August 24.
Bats are one of the primary sources of contracting Ebola and the fruit bats are members of the Pteropodidae family of bats, which act as pollinators and seed dispersers and are said to be found in primary or maturing secondary forests.
One of the students, Sodiq Oyeleke, on Wednesday, captured the panic being expressed by his colleagues on the possible temporary shutdown of the school by the Federal Government, in an effort to stop the spread of Ebola.
Sokoto
There was a protest in Sokoto yesterday by some youths
believed to be supporters of the PDP against the collection of a N3.6b loan by the state government, resulting in the destruction of four vehicles, one of which was completely burnt.
The state government had said the loan would be used for the completion of some ongoing projects in the state, but the PDP alleged that it was meant to finance the 2015 election campaign.
The demonstration started at the roundabout close to Binji Pharmacy and ended at the state House of Assembly. Our source explained that problem started when some of the some youths started throwing stones at passing vehicles, smashing their windscreens.
It was gathered that a vehicle of the Government House press crew was also attacked.
“We were just passing through the area on our way back to the Government House with our official vehicle when they attacked us with stones. We came back with one of the stones which hit me on the back”, a member of the press crew said.
Taraba
The federal government yesterday said it is poised to
improve maternal and child healthcare services in Taraba State through its SURE-P/MCH Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme.
Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Ado Muhammad stated this in Jalingo during the inauguration of a 12-man- committee that would ensure smooth execution of the programme in the state.
He said the committee members drawn from among key stakeholders were expected to ensure adequate co-ordination and implementation of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme in the state.
The NPHCDA Executive Director, who was represented by Dr Isah Jidda, urged the committee members to ensure effective advocacy, community sensitisation and mobilisation of pregnant women to access the programme.
Yobe
Yobe State House of Assembly yesterday endorsed
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 election, saying the move is to demonstrate the level of confidence it has on the governor.
The 24 members at a special sitting dismissed alleged plans to impeach the governor and passed a vote of confidence on Gaidam.
Alhaji Sirajo Wakil, representing Bade East, standing on a matter of urgent public importance, said it’s necessary for the assembly to make it’s position clear on the allegations that some legislators met in Saudi Arabia during the lesser Hajj “and perfected plans to impeach the governor.”
He said it was also reported that money was given to some of its members to facilitate the impeachment, saying “the House needs to make its position clear that the allegation is false and baseless.” Wakil then moved a motion for a vote of confidence on Governor Gaidam to dispel the rumour.
Zamfara
Zamfara Central Senatorial district Youth Forum has
endorsed member representing Gusau/Tsafe federal constituency, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau as the right candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The chairman of the forum, Mallam Abba Muhammad said that they had decided to rally round the lawmaker in his bid to grasp the PDP ticket for the governorship election in the state going by his sterling leadership qualities.
“Ibrahim has impacted positively on the lives of the people he is representing at the National House of Assembly especially in the areas of women empowerment, health care deliveries, education, rural water supply and other infrastructures,” he added.
He then called on the people of the state especially the youth to support the candidacy of Ibrahim Shehu so that their promising future would be guaranteed through job creation and other poverty elimination strategies.
L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, at the National Council of State meeting in Abuja, recently.
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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