Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
More than 70 per cent of the 226 councillors whose tenure expired two months ago are seeking re-election in the forthcoming local government election in Adamawa State.
The Chairman of the Councillors Forum, Alhaji Usman Maulud made this known in an interview in Yola.
Maulud said the councillors who had obtained nomination forms were seeking re-election on the platform of PDP.
He, however, said that five of the councillors including himself, who served as speakers of their respective local government legislatures, were going for the chairmanship position.
“We were encourage and supported by our people based on our performance and commitment to youth development in our areas to contest”, he said.
Bauchi
The Conditional Cash Transfer Programme of the Bauchi State Government for girl-child education, has gulped N50 million within the last five years.
The Chief Coordinator of the Programme, Alhaji Karijo Buba made this known on Tuesday in Giade.
The programme is being undertaken in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) .
Buba made the disclosure while distributing letters of invitation to participate in the programme to some selected girls in Darazo, Dambam, Giade, Kirfi, Zaki and Dass local government areas of the state. Buba said that the programme commenced in 2007 with 260 schools in the six local government areas as a pilot programme.
Benue
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State last Saturday pledged that his administration would not interfere with the independence of the judiciary.
The governor, who gave the pledge in Makurdi at a ceremony organised to mark the beginning of the 2011/2012 legal year, said that his administration would always strive to ensure a smooth dispensation of justice.
Suswam, who was represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Chive Kaave, noted that the state’s judiciary was one of the best in the country.
In his address, the Chief Judge, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, commended Suswam for his support to the judiciary.
FCT
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has appealed to people of goodwill to eschew violence and follow the path of justice, peace, unity and stability for the progress of Nigeria.
In a message of condolence to the family of the slain Babakura Fugu, son of the deceased Fugu in Maiduguri, Obasanjo said that while out of the country, he received the sad news of the killing of Babakura.
In the message, last Sunday, Obasanjo said “Babakura who joined others to receive me in the demolished compound of his late father, was genuinely working for justice and peace.
“He should not be hated for that let alone being killed.
Jigawa
Malam Adamu Jigawa-sada, a physically challenged lawmaker representing Dutse Constituency in Jigawa State House of Assembly, has pledged to bring the dividends of democracy to his people.
Jigawa-sada, who made the pledge on Saturday in Dutse in an interview with newsmen said his election was an inspiration to all the physically challenged persons in Nigeria.
Jigawa-sada said that since his election two villages in his constituency that had been in total darkness for years had started enjoying steady power supply.
Kaduna
The Tiv community in Zaria, Kaduna State, has expressed happiness over the decision of the Zazzau Emirate to co-opt it into the annual Eid-El-Fitr celebration.
In a statement signed by the Tyoor-elect of the community in Zaria, Mr Denis Akaayar in Zaria last Saturday,the union said the gesture would enhance national unity.
It specifically described the 2011 Eid-El-Fitr celebration as a memorable event for the Tivs in Zaria in particular,and Kaduna State in general.
Kano
Dr Ahmad Suleiman, the Imam of Tudun Murtala Central Mosque in Kano, has enjoined Muslims to emulate Prophet Muhammad by exhibiting good character.
In his sermon, Suleiman said that during his life time Prophet Muhammad advised his followers to be God-fearing in all their undertakings.
He also stressed the need for the Muslim Ummah to shun hypocrisy in all its form.
The Islamic scholar also called on parents to give their children good education that would make them useful citizens of the country.
He implored Muslims to propagate the message of Islam and the teachings of the holy Prophet Muhammad.
Suleiman,who described life on earth as transient, enjoined Muslim faithful to always pray for peace in the state in particular and the country in general.
Lagos
Mr Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi, the former President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), says Nigerian leaders should show more commitment in efforts to tackle insecurity, corruption, poverty and joblessness in the country.
He gave the advice in Lagos last Saturday, while speaking at the 2nd Annual Seminar of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC.
Owoyemi said that Nigeria would remain relevant in the comity of nations, if its citizens were more disciplined and focused.
He, however, noted that some unscrupulous politicians had been creating fears and mutual suspicions among the citizenry, while making the country polarised and unstable.
“No nation can be relevant globally without first becoming relevant domestically.
“We are relevant in terms of world energy supply and when peacekeeping activities on the global stage are being discussed.
Niger
The All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, has advocated the establishment of more examination bodies in the country to improve the standard of secondary school leaving certificate examinations.
This was contained in a communiqué issued last Saturday at the end of the conference’s national executive council meeting in Minna.
The communique noted that the establishment of the National Examination Council (NECO) had compelled the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to improve on its standard in the bid to maintain its position.
It expressed concern over the moral decadence in the country, which it said was characterised by insincerity, corruption and sexual abuse among others.
Ondo
Mr Banji Okunomo, the Chairman of Ilaje local government in Ondo State, said the council had awarded contract for the dualisation of some roads in the area.
Okunomo told newsmen last Sunday that the contract was awarded to a construction firm, adding that the people of the community had also called for the repair of link roads in the area.
He declined to name the construction firm involved and the contract sum.
He said that the reconstruction of Igbokoda market into an international market was in the pipeline as well as provision of other essential developmental amenities.
He said council had resolved to implement programmes that would impact positively on the people, and improve on the work of the previous administration.
Plateau
The Federal Government has pledged to pay the medical bills of persons who sustained injuries during the crisis that rocked some parts of Plateau State.
Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), gave the undertaking in Jos last Saturday when he visited the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, where some of the injured victims were receiving treatment.
Sani-Sidi, who commiserated with the victims, said that the Federal Government had directed that the medical bills of the injured persons should be defrayed.
He also expressed the government’s willingness to support the victims and urged the hospital authorities to submit their bills to the zonal office of NEMA for necessary action.
Sokoto
Senator Abubakar Gada, says he will contest the March 10, 2012 governorship election in Sokoto State.
“I intend to contest the post and this is unequivocal, categorical and unambiguous,’’ he said last Saturday in Sokoto.
Gada said he would contest the election to enable him bring the needed change in the socio-economic development of the state.
He was reacting to a recent statement credited to the National Vice-Chairman of the PDP in charge of the North-West Zone, Amb. Ibrahim Kazaure, while on a working visit to the state.
Zamfara
Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, the Chairman of Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board, has directed education secretaries to remove all ghost teachers from their payrolls ahead of planned statewide audit.
Aliyu,who was appointed recently as SUBEB chairman, gave the directives during a meeting with the secretaries in Gusau at the weekend.
He said records had shown that there were scores of ghost teachers in the payrolls of all the 14 local education authorities and that salaries of such teachers were fraudulently paid into the pockets of some individuals.
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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