Nation
THE STATES
Abuja
Sen. Lawal Shuaibu, the National Secretary of ACN, has urged the Federal Government to train security personnel on counter terrorism.
Shuaibu said in Abuja that enforcing the Anti-terrorism Act also entailed special training for the Nigeria Police and the entire law enforcement agencies.
“Otherwise, they will do the normal police work, which at the end of the day, may not yield what the law intends to address.’’
Shuaibu blamed the recent terrorism in Nigeria on the emerging culture of impunity.
He said a lot of youths were idle and therefore easily manipulated into doing crime.
Adamawa
The Adamawa Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB) has promoted 407 teachers in Mubi South Local Council Area of the state.
The council’s Education Secretary, Alhaji Salihu Umar, announced this in Mubi last Friday.
Umar said that the promotion cut across various cadres of teachers
between Grade Levels 07 and 14.
He said the beneficiaries included primary and post-basic school teachers.
He said that more than 395 teachers were also trained under its teacher development initiative in the last three years.
Bauchi
The Bauchi Local Government Council says it will post health workers to rural areas in its bid to decongest heath centres in urban areas.
The Head of Administration of the council, Alhaji Abubakar Amale, disclosed this last Friday in Bauchi, shortly after visiting the Bayan-Fada and Doya maternity centres in Bauchi metropolis.
Amale said that the council had noted with dismay that most of the health workers were working in the urban areas, leaving the rural areas without adequate personnel.
“This is detrimental to the health care delivery system we are busy trying to develop.
“We promised our people a first class health care system with health workers within their reach. How can we keep this promise when health care workers resist posting to rural areas,” he asked.
Borno
Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno last Saturday rejected calls for the withdrawal of Military Joint Task Force (JTF) from the state capital, saying it was illogical.
Shettima said in a state broadcast, that the call for the removal of the Soldiers did not provide a reasonable security alternative for the maintenance of law and order.
“With no intention to denigrate nor question the motives of the eminent persons agitating for the withdrawal of soldiers from the state, I regret to note that none has offered a tangible sustainable alternative to fill the security vacuum to be created in the event of the withdrawal of the JTF,’’ he said.
Shettima, however, said that the government would pay compensation to all victims of recent clash between the military and the “Boko Haram” sect in the state.
Ekiti
Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has ordered the immediate re-opening of the state College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti.
Fayemi disbanded the institution’s Students’ Union Government for its alleged role in the unrest that led to closure of the college more than a month ago.
A statement issued by the institution’s Sole Administrator, Prof. Fransisca Aladejana, said the governor had also approved that the students must resume on Monday, July 18.
The statement said normal academic work would start immediately, while students’ union activities had been suspended.
It said students allegedly took the laws into their hands on the day of their procession round the town, disrupting social and economic activities.
Gombe
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Gombe State chapter, says it will ensure the participation of its members in the three days warning strike over the non-payment of the N18,000 National Minimum Wage.
The Chairman of the state congress, Alhaji Ahmed Sakala, gave the assurance at a meeting of the congress in Gombe.
He, therefore, warned senior civil servants against sabotaging the strike scheduled to begin today.
Sakala said any civil servant found in his or her place of work during the strike would have his or herself to blame for whatever actions that would be taken against them.
Jigawa
Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Lawan Abdu, to shun sycophants and focus attention on effective service delivery.
Lamido, who gave the charge in Dutse while swearing-in Abdu, said this was imperative in the drive to ensure effective service delivery to the people and speedy development in the state.
He promised to consolidate on the achievements recorded by his administration in the past four years.
Lamido explained that in his first four years in office, the journey was tough and rough, pointing out that he concentrated mainly on the transformation of the general infrastructures in the state.
Kano
Four ‘concerned citizens’ of Kano State, have asked the State House of Assembly to press for the payment of compensation to victims of Cerebrospinal Meningitis drug test in Kano.
The citizens are Alhaji Zubairu Mohammed, Alhaji Auwalu Abdu, Alhaji Balarabe Gabari, and Alhaji Musa Ibrahim.
The trials, popularly called Trojan drug test, were carried out by Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company, in 1996.
In a letter addressed to the speaker of the House, the four also demanded an investigation into the out-of-court settlement agreed between Pfizer and the State Government over the claims of the victims.
Lagos
Mr Nnadozie Uchenna, the Secretary of Alaba International Market Association (Electronics), Lagos, said the market lost about N20 billion following its closure on July 14 and 15.
Uchenna told newsmen in Lagos that the market was closed by the association to forestall a break down of law and order.
He said the closure was necessitated by the arrest of its Chairman, Dr Celestine Ezeani, and Vice Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Onyejelem, by the police on July 13.
According to him, based on past experiences from such illegal arrests of its executives, the association decided to shut the market to prevent hoodlums from using the opportunity to cause chaos.
Lokoja
The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Lokoja has struck out Dino Melaye’s petition challenging the election of Tajudeen Yusuf for Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.
Chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Celine Nweke, declared the petition incompetent as it was not signed by the petitioner or his counsel.
Nweke said the Legal Practitioners Act provided that only legal practitioners could sign such documents.
“But this petition was signed by a non-legal practitioner who is not even one of the petitioners.’’
She said that section 3(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended) provided that for a petition to be competent, it shall be signed by either the petitioner or his solicitor.
Ondo
Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr Samuel Adesina, has appealed to labour unions in the state to suspend their indefinite strike to allow the assembly intervene in the dispute.
Adesina made the appeal in Akure at a meeting convened by the leadership of the assembly to intervene in the labour dispute between the workers and the state government over non-payment of N18,000 minimum wage.
The union led by the Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Mr Solomo Adelegan, the state NLC Chairman, Mrs Bosede Daramola and the TUC Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Adewumi, accused the state government of breaching an agreement with labour.
He said the government, in a negotiation with labour during the last strike, agreed to pay N14, 000 salary relativity and that a circular to that effect was released and thereafter withdrawn unilaterally by the government.
Adelegan who said the decision of the state government to directly implement the N18,000 national minimum wage without the payment of the N14,000 salary relativity was not acceptable to the workers.
Osun
Commercial drivers and motorcycle operators have been warned against drinking alcohol, especially the local gin popularly called Ogogoro .
Mrs Oluronke Daniel, the Osun Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), gave the warning in Osogbo last Saturday.
Daniel was reacting to a recent increase in the patronage of the local gin a little sip of which they believe helps to take away chill during the cold weather.
She said that consumption of alcohol of any brand before getting on the wheels on the excuse that it would prevent cold was abnormal and dangerous.
Sokoto
Traditional rulers in the country have been urged to assist security agencies in exposing the people behind the spate of bombings in some parts of the country.
Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf, the former Chairman of Isa Local Government Council in Sokoto State, made the call in Sokoto on Saturday in an interview with our correspondent.
He said traditional rulers had a great role to play in enhancing security in the country.
“I strongly advocate the full participation of the traditional
institutions in the fight against terrorism which is threatening the peaceful coexistance of our country,’’ he said.
“We must adopt the culture of assisting our security officers with relevant information on happenings around us.”
Yobe
The Yobe government has concluded arrangements to construct a 300-kilometre
road to link seven local government areas in the state.
Alhaji Maisanda Lawan, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, told newsmen in Damaturu last Saturday that the road would spur economic activities and increase revenue for the state.
He said that the road, which would link communities in seven local government areas along the border, would also boost trade among the communities.
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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