Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Farmers in Adamawa State have urged government and
military authorities in the state to lift the total ban on the use of motor-cycle across the state.
Our correspondent reports that military authorities placed a ban on the use of motorcycles in the state two years ago due to security reasons.
A cross section of farmers, who spoke with our correspondent in Yola on Tuesday, said that there had been tremendous improvement in security situation in the state.
They said that the ban should be lifted to enable farmers in the rural areas who depended heavily on motor-cycles for farming to get some relief.
The farmers said that the ban on motor-cycles had seriously affected farming activities in the state and that something needed to be done by relevant authorities to end their suffering.
Abuja
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has
directed Assistant-Inspectors General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in the South-South and South-East zones to disarm members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) operating with firearms immediately.
Arase gave the directive in a statement issued by an acting Commissioner of Police, Olabisi Kolawole,who is the Force Public Relations Officer in Abuja.
The statement indicated that the directive followed the manifestation of the disposition of the armed IPOB activists to undertake premeditated attacks
on police officers engaged in operations aimed at restoring public order in the states.
Kolawole quoted the inspector-general as saying “the targeted attacks on police personnel showed that the activists have crossed the threshold in their misguided attempt to test the common will of the nation.”
Jigawa
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria
(MACBAN), has urged nomads to desist from grazing their livestock at night in order to avoid farm land encroachment as farmers begin planting.
The MACBAN’s Secretary in the state, Alhaji Adamu Birniwa, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Birniwa said that the warning has become necessary in view of the current security challenges facing the country.
The scribe also urged parents to desist from sending their under-aged children out to graze at night.
Kaduna
UNICEF said it would support states in the north to develop
plan against flood and other disasters in the country.
The UNICEF Chief of field office, Kaduna, Mr Utpal Moitra, disclosed this at a workshop on Emergency Preparedness Response Training and Flood Preparedness in Kaduna.
He said the workshop, which is an annual event, was designed to help focal persons from the north to prepare plans against disasters for their respective states.
“Whenever there is a disaster, there must be an immediate action to remedy it.
“Our Preparedness plan is to provide relief. The Fund was able to support SEMA and other agencies. So, emergency is everybody’s business.”
Katsina
The Federal Government has earmarked about N600 million
in 2016 budget to boost water supply and irrigation farming at Zobe Dam in Katsina State.
Kurfi, a member of the House of Representatives from Dutsin-ma/Kurfi Federal Consistency, stated this during an interview with newsmen to mark the All Progressives Congress (APC) one year in office in Katsina.
Kurfi said contract for the supply of water from the Zobe Dam to communities of Dutsin – ma and Kurfi would soon be awarded.
The lawmaker said about N300 million out of the amount had been set aside for irrigation at the dam to boost food production.
Kurfi said that the dam would be used for irrigation farming to generate income for unemployed youths from his constituency.
Lagos
The Lagos State Commissioner for Works and
Infrastructure, Mr Ganiyu Johnson, said the government would soon start rehabilitation of the damaged pedestrian bridge at Fadeyi Bus Stop on Ikorodu Road.
Our correspondent recalls that the state government had, in November 2015, shut the steel bridge in the area due to public outcry over its dilapidated state.
Mini-gates were thereafter used to block the entry and exit points of the foot bridge to prevent its use.
Johnson said that the state government planned to rehabilitate the bridge alongside the ongoing construction of four new ones.
Nasarawa
Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Prof.
Mohammed Akaro-Mainoma, said that the institution had lost over N627 million to the ongoing strike by its lecturers.
Our correspondent reports that the local branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike since March 7, over unpaid allowances, promotion, tax deductions and funding.
The vice chancellor told newsmen in Keffi that the strike had seriously affected financial and academic activities of the institution.
Akaro-Mainoma, however, said that the state government had released money to the institution to pay the striking lecturers.
Niger
The Niger Basin Authority has pledged to implement an
operational plan that would preserve the region and enable it meet its full potentials.
This was the thrust of the presentation by the Executive Secretary of the authority, Mrs Toupta Boguena, at the ongoing extraordinary session of the Council of Ministers in Abuja recently.
She listed drought and population increase, as part of the causes of depletion in the river basin, saying efforts are on to preserve the region to enable it meet its full potential.
According to her, the authority is implementing an Operational Plan from the just concluded 11th Summit of the Heads of States and Governments with active participation of the nine member countries.
Ogun
A former President of the Association of National
Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr Samuel Nzekwe, has advised the Federal Government to formulate policies that would reduce inflation and boost the economy.
Nzekwe gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Ota, Ogun, recently.
He said that the Federal Government needed to make policies that would lead to the growth of the economy.
Nzekwe said there were still some areas of the economy that the Federal Government needed to re-double its efforts in order to achieve meaningful result.
He also said Nigerians were waiting for the dividends of democracy through the provision of job opportunities and infrastructural development.
Ondo
Civil servants in Ondo State are to begin an indefinite
strike action this week to protest non payment of over five months salary.
The strike notice is contained in a communiqué issued in Akure by the state Chairmen and Secretaries of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
It said that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the labour unions which reviewed the failure of the state government to pay the workers since January 2016.
“It has become unbearable that workers have not received salaries for the past five months at a stretch.
“That non-payment of salaries to workers have affected the wellbeing of workers/pensioners economically, socially, psychologically and health wise.
“That workers of Ondo State can no longer bear this situation, in view of the untold hardship suffered by these workers,” it added.
Oyo
Wife of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Dr
Eyiwumi Olayinka, has inaugurated an agriculture project titled, ‘Ag Impact’ to create jobs for women and youths.
Olayinka, who is also the President, University of Ibadan Women’s Society, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.
She said the project’s vision was to eradicate poverty by empowering women and youths through sustainable agricultural projects.
Olayinka emphasised that women would be introduced to simple cutting edge technologies by working with experts with relevant skills nationally and internationally.
“We hope to explore value addition chain by keying into best practices that have been proven to have the capacity to eradicate crop glut in the production and processing of agricultural crops”.
Plateau
Vice Chancellor, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa,
Prof. Adam Habib, has advised African Governments to properly fund universities to boost their quality and ensure competitiveness.
Habib gave the advice in a key note address at the Annual Conference of Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), which took place at the University of Jos.
“For the African continent to fully develop, its education sector must first develop.
“We cannot be economically free if we cannot produce our knowledge and tailor it towards our goals.
“To produce our knowledge, government must properly fund universities or make legislation for organisations or individual to pay for university education,” he said.
He described education as the precursor for development, stressing that no meaningful growth could be attained without adequate attention to the sector.
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.
