Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Unknown gunmen have attacked a bank and police station in Misau, Bauchi State, killing an undisclosed number of persons, including a policeman
Eye-witnesses told newsmen that the assailants raided the station and bank on Monday, exchanging fire with policemen.
Our correspondent learnt that the attackers who were trying to force themselves into the bank and the station were repelled by the policemen guarding the bank.
The attack on the police station in Misau is the second this year. A similar attack occurred earlier in the year when unknown gun- men attacked the same station and bank.
FCT
The Commissioner, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Fola Daniel, has assured the organisers of the 2011 summit of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) of the commission’s support.
This is contained in a statement signed by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Lucky Fiakpa, in Abuja..
The statement stated that Daniel gave the assurance when a delegation of the NESG 2011 Summit Organising Committee visited his office.
The committee was led by Dr Abdu Garba, from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Kaduna
Bishop Adeolu Kolawole of the Church of the Lord (Aladura), Northern Diocese, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately resolve the controversy over the proposed Islamic system of banking.
Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna, Kolawole said educating the Christian community on Islamic banking would make the issue simple enough for all to appreciate.
He said more than half of those commenting on Islamic banking do not know what it means.
The cleric said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also helped in spreading the ignorance and confusion.
Kano
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to sustaining its policy on subsidising fertiliser and other inputs in order to boost food production in the country.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Adewumi Adesina, gave the assurance on Monday in Kano at the opening of the Second General Assembly of Nigerian farmers.
He said government was aware of the challenges facing the sector and it would do its best to address the problems.
“Logistics and all other unforeseen setbacks that continued to hamper the process of actualising the lofty objectives of agricultural development in the country would be addressed,” Adesina said.
Kogi
The Joint Fellowship of Christians and Muslims of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kogi, has donated gift items to orphanage homes in Ayangba, Dekina Local Government Area.
The items, which included clothes, consumables, provisions and toiletries were donated to three orphanage homes on Sunday during separate humanitarian visits to the inmates by members of the fellowship.
Making the presentation, the Chaplain, Mr Joe Uhunmwangho, said that the visit was part of the reach out programme of the fellowship.
He said the gesture was to ameliorate some of the difficulties confronting the orphanage homes.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has promised to be fair to all the three senatorial districts in the distribution of the dividends of democracy.
The governor made the pledge in Ilorin on Tuesday while inaugurating some projects executed by his administration to mark his 100 days in office.
He promised to ensure equitable distribution of projects, saying that no part would be marginalised in the effort to develop the state.
Ahmed expressed his determination to improve the standard of living of the citizens and ensure that necessary infrastructure were provided and maintained across the state.
facilities in their environment.
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Government has inaugurated a 9- man committee to verify the construction of bore holes awarded by previous administration in the three senatorial zones.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Philip Audu inaugurated the committee.
He urged them to live above board as they ascertained the presence of the bore holes in the senatorial zones as the previous government awarded them .
The permanent secretary stressed the need for attitudinal change, saying the present administration would “leave no stone unturned” in providing social amenities to the people.
“Al-makura’s administration is committed to providing basic social needs to the people, especially potable water, as water is essential in human life”.
Ogun
The Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, Prof. Segun Awonusi, in Ijebu-Ode has expressed worry over dearth of academic staff in the universities.
Awonusi told newsmen that no university in the country could claim to have enough academic staff.
On the large number of students seeking admission into the universities every year, Awonusi noted that the human resource base of the universities was meagre compared with the number of candidates seeking admission into the institutions.
Besides, Awonusi decried the poor environment, lack of equipment, dilapidated building as well as inadequate funding of the universities.
The vice chancellor, however, appealed to government at all levels to invest more on education to solve these problems.
Ondo
The Chairman of Ondo State Teaching Service Commission, Dr Akin Adegboye, has called on teachers to co-operate with the government on the on-going re-articulation of secondary schools.
Adegboye made the call in Akure at a meeting with principals and vice- principals of schools on how the policy would improve the management of secondary schools for educational enhancement.
“Re-articulation simply means the merger of the erstwhile junior and senior secondary schools into one with one principal and one administrator, for better management,’’ he explained.
Adegboye said the arrangement would provide opportunity for addressing the imbalance in appointments and grading of staff in the commission.
He said the arrangement would also make the commission to be effective in ranking personnel by seniority and schools by population.
“This is a new dawn in the education system in the state and we are optimistic that the policy would make a great impact in the life of our children and the sector as a whole,’’ Adegboye said.
Osun
National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Osun has trained more than 5,000 youths for its Rural Employment Agricultural Scheme.
Mr Isaac Odebiyi, the directorate’s Acting Coordinator in the state, told newsmen on Tuesday in Osogbo that the youth underwent training at the centre established in Osogbo in 2009.
He explained that the centre focused on arable and livestock farming, and added that the trainees were attached to relevant establishments for a period of three months “to sharpen their knowledge”.
Odebiyi further said that the participants were exposed to the practical aspects of rabbit rearing, poultry, fishery, bee-keeping and cultivation of cassava and plantain, among others.
Sokoto
PDP chieftain Muktari Mapia has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency against the high level of insecurity threatening nation’s corporate existence.
Mapia, who is the party’s deputy treasurer, told newsmen in Sokoto that the Federal Government must be resolute in protecting lives and property of the citizenry through effective security network.
He added that the kidnapping and rising bombings in some parts of the country needed government urgent attention.
He also called on Nigerians to rise up and defend the nation’s hard-earned democracy by exposing the people behind the planting of bombs in the country.
Mapia also called for active participation of stakeholders in promoting security in the country.
Zamfara
Zamfara State Government has approved the immediate release of N14 million for the payment of one year salary arrears to workers of Gusau Hotels, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Aminu Dankwangila, said.
The Commissioner told newsmen in Gusau that the government was touched by the plight of the workers who were not paid salaries and other entitlements for twelve months.
He said the salary arrears accrued during the tenure of the previous administration and assured them that the current administration would live up to its responsibilities to the workers and the people of the state.
In this respect, the government, he stated, had conducted a census of the hotel workers, as part of its plans to rejuvenate the hotel to commence full services.
The commissioner charged the workers to reciprocate the gesture by dedicating themselves to their duties and ensuring that all revenue generated from the hotel were lodged into government coffers.
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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