Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

June 29, 2016

Borno

The Nigerian Army says it will not be distracted in its
resolve to end Boko Haram terrorism in the North East.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Irabor was reacting to an online publication alleging diversion of money meant for the prosecution of the war by the military high command.
“The attention of Theatre Command has been drawn to some issues in the online Sahara Reporters of June 24, with a story line alleging that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and his wives own some properties in Dubai.
“The report among other vicious and smear campaign issues, impugned that some `concerned officers and soldiers in the North East’ allegedly wrote a petition on the state of affairs in the Operation Lafiya Dole,’’ he said.
Irabor described the reports as baseless, unfounded and wicked insinuation.

FCT

National President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ),
Waheed Odushile, has described the late Chuks Ehirim, the former Chairman of the FCT Council of the union as “a detribalised, fearless and patriotic Nigerian.’’
Late Ehirim, died on June 16 after a brief illness.
Speaking at a valedictory congress in Abuja in honour of the late Ehirim, Odushile said that the deceased stood for the profession, adding “he was a pillar of journalism.’’
The NUJ president stressed the need for the institution of life insurance, as well as health insurance scheme for journalists in the country.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the FCT Council, Mr Paul Ella, said that the late Ehirim, his predecessor, led the council well.
He said the council was shocked by Ehirim’s death, adding that the deceased would be remembered for his commitment to establish a befitting secretariat for the secretariat for the council.
Gombe

The wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, has do
nated food items to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State.
Presenting the items on her behalf in Gombe State, the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the last general elections, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, said the items included 2,200 bags of semolina, 100 cartons of macaroni, 300 cartoons of spaghetti and 1,300 cartoons of noodles.
Yahaya said the food items which would be distributed to the less privileged was to cushion the effects of the current Ramadan.
“People should not look at the quantity of the items but the spirit behind the gesture,’’ he said.
In his speech, Mr Karu Ishaya, the Chairman of APC in the state, thanked the president’s wife for the gesture.

Jigawa

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
in Jigawa State said it arrested 91 drug suspects between January and June 25, this year, in the state.
The state Commandant of the agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen to commemorate the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in Dutse.
Abdul explained that within the period, a total of 1.296.078.9 tonnes of hard drugs and psychotropic substances were seized from the suspects in the state.
He said cannabis sativa also known as Indian hemp alone, measured 1.286.226.5 tonnes, while psychotropic substance which weighed 9.852.4kgs was recovered.
Abdul said that 51 of the suspects had been prosecuted in competent court of law in the state.
The commandant added that other suspects were standing trial at the Federal High Court in Dutse .
Abdul stated that in the last six months, 62 drug addicts were counselled and rehabilitated by the command.

Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has concluded arrange
ment to acquire 10 super mesh training aircraft from Pakistan Air Force to boost the country’s security.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, made the disclosure at the graduation of Student Pilot Course (SPC) 41B in Kaduna.
He said that the aircraft would be inducted into the 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna. He said that Pakistani pilots would soon arrive in the country to train Nigerian pilots at the 310 Flying Training School.
He said that the induction of the super mesh aircraft would enhance the capability of student pilots to the full spectrum of military flying training.

Kano

The Kano State Government says it is ready to allow work
ing journalists in the state to visit and assess projects it executed within the last one year.
The Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, disclosed this while distributing food items to the executive members of various chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, at the NUJ Press Centre in Kano.
He said the state government had considered the move as an opportunity to, not only partner but, also give journalists and the public a chance to scrutinise the projects so far executed by the administration in the last one year.
He said the Ganduje administration was prepared to support journalists with necessary logistics to assess the projects.
Katsina

Healthcare and Education Support Initiative (HESI), an
NGO has intensified awareness campaign against the spread and management of tuberculosis in communities in Katsina State.
The Coordinator of the NGO, Dr Halima Yalwa-Adamu, made this known at a four-day sensitisation lecture and interactive session in Malumfashi.
She also called for collective efforts to create awareness and prevention of the disease. Yalwa-Adamu said the NGO had conducted a sample survey in 2,500 households in Malumfashi Local Government Area.

Kwara

The Kwara State branch of the Nigeria Union of Local
Government Employees (NULGE), has rejected the distribution of the June allocation to agencies and councils by the state government.
A statement from Mr Afolabi Abayomi, the Secretary of the union, in llorin described the distribution as “unfair”.
The statement was issued after the Joint Account Allocation Account Committee meeting held on June 23 and June 24 in llorin.
Osun

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris
has reiterated the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to recover the Mobile Police Training School at Gwoza, Borno State.
Idris disclosed this at the Passing-Out of the Squadron Commanders Seminar/Combat Operation Course 02/2016 at Ila-Orogun in Osun.
He reiterated the determination of the police under his watch to accord more attention to special police unit.
According to him, the training school deserted due to the activities of Boko Haram insurgents will be recovered.
The Acting IGP added that due to enormous security challenges facing the country, the police would go through total restructuring and reforms to ensure the stability of the nation.
Sokoto

The Association for the Welfare of Indigent Women and
Children in Sokoto State, has donated assorted food items, worth about N500,000 to 95 needy persons in Sokoto.
Wife of the state governor, Hajiya Mariya Aminu, represented by the State Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajiya Fatima ‘ Yar-Kangiwa, presented the food items to the beneficiaries.
Aminu commended the association for the gesture, saying it would go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of the beneficiaries. “Those who are more endowed with wealth should assist the less-privileged ones, especially during the ongoing Ramadan fast,” she said. The state Chairperson of the association Hajiya Amina Yusuf-Yabo, commended the wife of the governor for donating N200,000 to the association.
Taraba

Senator Yusuf Abubakar (APC-Taraba Central), has dis
tributed about N10 million worth of empowerment items to his constituents.
Our correspondent who monitored the distribution exercise said the items include 165 motor cycles, 60 electricity generators and 51 wheel chairs.
No fewer than 300 youths, women and people living with disabilities from across the zone, comprising five local government areas, benefited from the empowerment initiative.
Distributing the items in Bali, the lawmaker said the exercise was aimed at empowering youths and women of the area to be self-reliant.

Zamfara

Dansadau Community in Maru Local Government Area
of Zamfara State, has commended the Federal Government for combating cattle rustlers and other criminals in the area.
Sen. Saidu Dansadau, in a statement in Gusau on behalf of the community, lamented that Dansadau Community had, in the past two years, come under series of attack by unknown gunmen and cattle rustlers.
According to him, those attackers had killed hundreds of people, destroyed several houses and other property.
“The criminals had defied many security efforts to stop their activities and continued to come in different guises.

Nation

UNIZIK Honours Business Mogul, Ezekwe, For Philanthropism

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has conferred the Award of Digital Academic Promoter on the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Arrowconn Group, High Chief (Dr.) Emeka Ezekwe, for his philanthropic gestures.

Chief Ezekwe received the philanthropist award during a landmark technical workshop organised by the Department of Business Education, Faculty of Technology and Vocational Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, recently.

Making the presentation, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ugochukwu Stanley Anyaehie, said the award was in recognition of Ezekwe’s philanthropic contributions, academic support, and dedication to human capital development, hailing his commitment to bridging industry and academia.

Ezekwe who is also the Chairman of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Professional Services and Consultancy Trade Group, delivered a keynote address at the event with a theme: “Technicalities and Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Business and Education.”

In his address, Ezekwe described the current AI surge as a civilizational shift rather than a mere technological upgrade.

He compared AI’s rapid trajectory to past innovations like electricity, computers, the Internet, and mobile phones, which he said, progressed from luxuries to necessities.

“AI is reshaping value creation, knowledge sharing, and decision-making at unprecedented speed. It has moved from experimentation to execution, powering business forecasting, academic research, digital learning, and strategic decisions,” he said.

The business mogul, however, warned that in business, delays lead to losses, while in education, irrelevance spells failure.

“AI is no longer optional, it is a necessity,” he declared.

Ezekwe highlighted the critical AI skill gap, driven by curriculum lags, limited training, and fear of the unknown, but stressed the bigger danger which is exclusion.

“Those who master AI will shape markets, education, and policy; those who lag will be shaped by others,” he said.

The Arrowconn Group boss also outlined AI’s practical advantages for businesses —including data-driven strategies, smarter investments, scalable customer insights, and competitive edges for SMEs.

In education, he clarified that AI empowers rather than replaces teachers, enabling personalized learning, efficient lesson planning, assessment support, and accelerated research.

He advocated a shift from rote memorization to critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, while preserving human strengths in engagement, judgment, and collaboration.

Ezekwe urged ethical AI development, warning that “technology without values is dangerous,” and called on institutions like UNIZIK to update curricula, train educators, promote interdisciplinary work, forge industry partnerships, and produce graduates who are solution providers in an AI-driven world.

The workshop also marked the unveiling of the maiden edition of the UNIZIK Journal of Business Education and Entrepreneurship, reinforcing the department’s push for scholarly innovation in AI applications.

Nation

Don Calls For National Forensic Data Bank To Combat Rising Crime

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

UPWA Hosts Colourful Inter-House Sports Fiesta

Published

4 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

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.