Nation
THE STATES
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (left) and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (right), acknowledging cheers from the crowd on arrival, at Tafawa Balewa Square, venue for the inauguration of some security equipment, during the working visit of the Vice President to Lagos State as representative of President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.
Borno
The Victims Support Fund (VSF) says it has so far donated
millions of naira to 16 hospitals across the North East Zone for the treatment of Boko Haram insurgency victims.
The Vice-Chairman of the Fund, Alhaji Tijjani Tumsa, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Tumsa said that the VSF had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the benefiting hospitals to ensure that the money was put to proper use.
“A total of 16 hospitals have so far benefited from our cash donation toward facilitating free treatment for victims of terrorism across the North East Zone.
“It is imperative to note that we also signed an MoU with the beneficiaries before presenting the donation, “ he said.
Tumsa explained that the objective was to ensure judicious utilisation of the fund.
Ekiti
Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has urged the people
of Oke-Ako to remain calm as security agents try to fish out those who killed two persons in the community recently.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr Lere Olayinka.
The statement condemned the attack by suspected herdsmen on residents of Oke Ako town in Ikole Local Government Area of the State.
“Fayose described the attack which claimed two lives as the height of callousness on the part of the cattle rearers.
“He warned the perpetrators to desist from such heinous crime as he would not guarantee whether there could be reprisal attacks if repeated on the town or elsewhere.’’
It added that the agents of the devil must be fished out and punished accordingly.
FCT
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas,
said the Nigerian Navy had in its 60 years of existence developed the capacity to address Nigeria’s maritime crimes and related threats.
Ibas stated this at the interdenominational church service for Nigerian Navy’s Diamond Jubilee in Abuja.
The CNS said the navy had developed capacity both in platforms and the requisite expertise to secure the nation’s oil infrastructure and contain piracy in Nigeria’s maritime territory.
“Over the years, commendable successes have been made by the Nigerian Navy to build its capacity to discharge its duties as enshrined in the laws.
“These efforts have made the navy to be less-dependent on foreign sources for partnership as reflected in the modest achievement of local construction of boats or seaward defence platforms.
Kano
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has directed all
intending pilgrims to 2016 Hajj to Saudi Arabia to go for mandatory medical test.
The hajj will commence on May 25.
The Public Relations Officer of the board, Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi, gave the directive in an interview with newsmen in Kano recently.
Badamasi said the medical test was necessary because no intending pilgrim would be allowed to travel to the Holy land without knowing his or her health status.
According to him, the mandatory medical test is in compliance with the directive of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Kogi
Area Court Judge Mr Timothy Salihu, and Alhaji Aliyu
Okeme, retired Chief Inspector of Area Courts in Kogi State, kidnapped on May 19, have regained their freedom.
Our correspondent, recalls that they were abducted at gun-point on Idah-Lokoja road in the Eastern flank of the state on their way to Idah.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Mr Yakubu Usman, who confirmed their release, said they were found between Itobe and Ajegwu on Itobe-Anyigba road.
It could not confirmed if their families paid ransom for their release as the kidnappers had demanded one million naira.
Kwara
The Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area of
Kwara State, Alhaji Alhassan Bagudu, has called for improved funding of local government councils to ensure infrastructural development at the grassroots.
He made the call in llorin while speaking with newsmen recently.
Bagudu noted that the challenges confronting local councils included lack of portable water and other necessities of life.
Bagudu said improved funding of the councils would bring rapid social economic development to the grassroots.
The measure, he said, would also check rural urban drift and create employment opportunities.
He noted that lack of funds had seriously affected development in local government areas.
Lagos
A septuagenarian, Elder Taiwo Shoyode, has advised
the Federal Government to adopt the socio-economic policies that boosted the economy of the defunct Western Region in resolving the country’s economic quagmire.
Shoyode, father in-law to Vice-President Yemi Oshinbajo, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen at a free health progarmme, sponsored by a philanthropist, Dawodu Olatunji.
The programme, “Health is Wealth’’, is a free malaria test and drugs outreach, held at Solomon Hall, Mushin, Lagos recently.
Shoyode urged the new generation politicians to go back and study the socio-economic agenda of the then Western Region to tackle the issues of economic downturn.
He said the laudable programmes embarked upon and implemented well by the Obafemi Awolowo-led western region remained the best economic policy that might address the present day realities.
Nasarawa
The Nassarawa State Government says the report of the
recent Bank Verification Number (BVN) exercise it conducted will expose workers receiving double salaries.
The Nasarawa State Accountant General, Alhaji Mohammed Musa, said this in an interview with newsmen in Lafia.
He said the report of the exercise was in consonance with the state government’s resolve to rid the civil service of corrupt practices and ensure proper accountability.
“We embarked on this exercise to see how we can further reduce some of these leakages and corruption in the system,” he said.
According to him, civil servants caught to be enjoying multiple salaries will be made to face the wrath of the law.
Ogun
The Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, has called
on intending pilgrims to augment their 2016 interim Hajj fare from the initial sum of N800,000 to N1.180 million.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Sefiu Rasheed, made the call on Saturday while briefing news men in Abeokuta.
Rasheed said this was to enable the board to remit the required funds to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abuja, before the deadline.
According to him, the board has resolved to fix the fare at N1.180 million tentatively, pending the Federal Government’s final decision on the concessionary exchange rate.
Ondo
Four students of the Federal University of Technology,
Akure, died in a road accident on the Akure-Ilesha Expressway in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The spokesman of the Police Command in Ondo State, Mr Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident and said that 11 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
Our correspondent reports that the students were returning from Ibadan after attending a religious programme.
Joseph further confirmed that the remains of the students were deposited at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure, where those injured were hospitalised.
No fewer than 15 students were in the Hiace bus when the accident happened.
Oyo
Assistant Director, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria
(CRIN), Ibadan, Dr Abiodun Adedeji, has urged the Federal Government to produce defined policies on cocoa production and marketing.
Adedeji made the call in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.
He said it was necessary for the government to have policies on cocoa farming with appropriate institutional framework to boost its production.
The Plant Pathologist said such policies should be consistent and that which could not be affected by change of government.
“There should be a well resourced regulatory body with specified functions to promote cocoa sector.’’
Plateau
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, has decried the
abuse of Local Government Joint Account by some governors, saying he does not interfere with funds meant for local governments in the state.
Lalong stated this at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.
He said that even though he did not support the local government autonomy, he abhorred a situation where a state governor would exercise undue interference in the joint account.
“ I heard stories that in some states what they do is that when the money comes, they collapse it into one account and decide what goes into each local government.
“I fought against it as a Speaker, I cannot be part of it; so when the money comes, it is meant for the local government.
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.
