Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Borno
State Chapter, says over 18, 000 rice farmers in the state will cultivate their farms in 2016 after four years of insecurity.
The state AFAN Secretary, Salihu Aliyu, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
He said that many farmers had returned to their farms as a result of the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
Aliyu, who lamented that the strangulating challenges of insecurity in the state and its environs, said insurgency had before now virtually crippled farming activities in the state.
He explained that the association was discussing with government officials on how its members could access part of the N4.9 billion loans to rice farmers under the CBN Anchor Borrower programme.
Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the
remand of two students of Ekiti State University, Sanya Alabi, 24, and Damilola Onipede, 20, over alleged involvement in cult activities.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Bankole Olasunkanmi, told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on August 8 at about 10.00 p.m. at Iworoko-Ekiti.
Olasunkanmi alleged that the accused persons, on the said date, armed with guns, cutlass and axe, attempted to kill one Oyewole Adebayo.
According to him, the offence contravened Section 320,1(2) of Secret Cult (Abolition and Prohibition) Law, Laws of Ekiti State.
FCT
The National Environmental Standards Regulations and
Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has said that the training of the police on environmental activities, would assist in promoting clean environment in the country.
The agency’s Director-General, Dr Lawrence Anukam, made this disclosure in Abuja in an interview with newsmen
He said that the training would also enable policemen to contribute their quota to the promotion of the nation‘s environmental activities.
“Taking cognizance of the important role the police will play in the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, the agency has started training the police on environmental activities. “Some of the reasons for the agency‘s collaboration with the police is the establishment of Environmental Laws Enforcement Police Unit.
Kaduna
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Kaduna, has handed over
806 livestock and four motorcycles to Operation Yaki, a security outfit coordinated by the Kaduna State Government.
The NAF Base Commander, Air Commodore Bello Garba, disclosed this after handing over the livestock to the State Coordinator of Operation Yaki, Alhaji Yakubu Yusuf.
Garba said that the livestock recovered on August 8, included 665 cows and 141 sheep, adding that they were recovered in Birnin Gwari forest where bandits were operating. He said that during the operation, there was exchange of fire between the Air Force personnel and the rustlers.
Kano
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
says no fewer than 18 persons lost their lives and property worth over N700 million destroyed by flood in Kano State in the past two weeks.
This is contained in a statement by the North-West Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Musa Ilallah in Kano.
According to the statement, the massive flood ravaged the 22 local government areas of the state.
It said that properties, including houses and farmlands were lost to the floods by no fewer than 1000 persons.
“The worst affected local government areas are Shanono, Bagwai, Kiru with 749 victims and N347million worth of properties damaged.
Kogi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),
Kogi State command, has arrested a truck driver carrying 1,126.9kg of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) worth over N5 million.
NDLEA Commander in Kogi State, Alhaji Idris Bello, made the disclosure while parading the suspect and three others before journalists in Lokoja.
He said that the driver was arrested near Kabba junction on the Lokoja-Abuja highway. He said that the illicit drug was concealed in 100 big bags.
Bello said that the driver told NDLEA operatives that he was conveying the Indian hemp from Uromi in Edo State to Kaduna.
Lagos
The wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo,
has appealed to organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the needy and malnourished children in the country.
Osinbajo made the appeal at the launch of the “Get Involved” initiative to prevent annual death of thousands of malnourished Nigerian children in the internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Lagos.
According to her, the gesture can be in form of material items.
The wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, launched the ‘Get Involved’ initiative at the State House, Abuja on July 21.
“We are appealing to all Nigerians to get involved in providing humanitarian support for these needy and malnourished children in the country, especially those in the IDP camps.
Nasarawa
District heads and community leaders will be held re
sponsible for breach of peace in their domains, Dr Bala Angbazo, the Aren Eggon of Eggon nation in Nasarawa State, has warned.
Angbazo gave the warning when he received the State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Bello at his palace in Nasarawa Eggon. The paramount ruler, who was reacting to the alleged resurgence of the “Ombatse” cult group, tasked district heads and chiefs to rise up to the occasion in order to nip any incidence in the bud.
Niger
The Students Union Government (SUG), College of Edu
cation, Minna, Niger State, has called on the state government to compensate the family of a pregnant student killed by an articulated vehicle.
SUG President of the college, Mr Ahmad Tafyan, made the call in Minna in an interview with newsmen.
The deceased, Mrs Angela Daniel was killed by the vehicle on Monday afternoon while on a motorcycle conveying her home after lectures along with another student who narrowly escaped with injuries. The incident triggered demonstration by students of the college who blocked the Minna/Suleja dual carriageway for over four hours until the police intervened.
Oyo
The Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has called
for the formulation of a national policy on livestock breeding.
The Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Prof. Eustace Iyayi, made the call at a lecture organised by the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan.
Iyayi, who spoke on “Sustainable Innovations in the Present Day Nigeria’s Animal Production Industry,’’ said such policy would bring a sustainable innovation in animal production industry.
He stressed the need to tackle problems associated with drivers of livestock production through research.
“We need national livestock census to ascertain the number of animals for production; renovation in breeding and molecular genetics.
Sokoto
A total of 1, 500 intending pilgrims from Sokoto and
Zamfara States have been transported to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj from the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto, an official has said.
Alhaji Abubakar Kaoje, Sokoto Zonal Coordinator of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said that the pilgrims were taken directly to Medina.
Kaoje told newsmen in Sokoto State that the pilgrims were transported between August 8 and 10 by Max Airline.
He said that 1000 of those transported were from Zamfara while 500 came from Sokoto state.
The coordinator expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise and commended the airline for keeping to schedule.
Zamfara
A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member of
Batch B, Stream 2, 2015/2016, Mr Umar Abubakar, has planted 100 trees in Matazu-Filin Jirgi Community in Gusau, Zamfara.
The Corps member, who was serving in the state’s Ministry of Justice and an indigene of Bauchi State, planted the trees under his Community Development Service Project (CDS).
Launching the tree planting yesterday, the State’s NYSC Coordinator, Malam Ballama Bello, described the corps member as ‘a patriotic and dedicated Nigerian’.
Bello represented by the Head of CDS in the state NYSC Secretariat, Mr Mamman Adamu, said that CDS was one of the major cardinals of the NYSC scheme that provides direct benefits to the corps member’s host community.
“Even in the NYSC three weeks orientation course in the camp, we give emphasis to the CDS because it gives maximum contributions to the development of communities, especially in the rural areas.
“On behalf of the Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure, the entire staff and NYSC in Zamfara, I commend you on this wonderful and encouraging effort”.
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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