Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government, has assured residents of the metropolis that the planned review of the city’s master plan is in their interest.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, gave the assurance in an interview last Monday in Bauchi.
He said the government would implement the review with minimal removal of unapproved structures built in various locations in the city.
He added that the exercise would accommodate some of the existing structures that did not go well with the master plan.
According to Hammayo, at the end of the review, the lives and property of the residents will be better protected.
He added that at the end of the review, adequate measures would be put in place to ensure that the public did not distort the master plan in future.
The planned review will be the first since 1976 when a British firm was contracted by the Bauchi government to carry out a review of the master plan.
Benue
The Benue Commissioner for Education, Dr Elizabeth Ugo, has challenged proprietors of schools to refrain from aiding and abetting examination malpractice.
Ugo made the call at Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue, while addressing newsmen after monitoring the conduct of NECO examination.
The commissioner said that majority of school owners established their schools with the sole aim of making quick money without considering the effect of such action on the society.
She expressed worry over the dimension of examination malpractice in the state, stressing that drastic action would be taken against the perpetrators to stem the tide.
Ugo said that the idea of paying surprise visits to schools during the NECO examination was to enable the ministry to have first hand information of schools that were “miracle centres”.
FCT
The Commandant-General, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ade Abolurin, has advised private security guards companies to be wary of fraudulent persons issuing fake biometric cards.
He gave the advice in a statement signed by the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr Okeh Emmanuel, in Abuja following a report on the activities of some fraudulent persons.
He said that some organisations and persons had been found to be issuing biometric cards to private security guards company with the intent to defraud them.
The statement said that in line with the amended NSCDC Act of 2007, only the corps had the responsibility of monitoring, supervising and licensing private guards companies and the issuance of biometric cards.
He advised private guards companies to verify from the nearest state command of the corps any information that was contrary to the laid-down rules guiding their operations.
Kaduna
Twenty six police recruits undergoing training at the Police College, Kaduna, have been arraigned at a Chief Magistrates’ Court, charged with forging certificates.
The recruits, arrested during screening, are Habila Ayuba, Shuaibu Simon, Salisu Haruna, Augustine Akwe, Nura Iro, Yusuf Ezekiel and Daniel Yakubu.
Others are Ibrahim Bello, Saratu Oguba, Idris Muhammed, Isah Ibrahim, Sabo Abubakar, John Emmanuel, Tanimu Danwawo, Musbahu Garba, Musa Sani, Isyaku Ayuba and Yakubu Sani.
The rest are Kata Ibrahim, Alfa Gabriel, Ubangida Adamu, Abdulkareem Bala, Amah Yarima, Muktar Ado and Ibrahim Salihu.
The police prosecutor, Usman Simeon, told the court that they were accused of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
He said the Inspector General of Police had on February 13, set up a Special Task force led by DSP Maji Michael to screen the recruits.
Kano
Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State says he will transform the state civil service to become more dynamic and result-oriented through the recruitment of qualified personnel.
He made the pledge in Kano while presenting appointment letters to 1,002 fresh graduates recruited into the state civil service.
He said that recruiting qualified persons into the service was necessary to ensure efficiency in service delivery.
“The government is injecting new blood into the system by recruiting fresh graduates. “This will also give youth the opportunity to contribute positively to nation building,’’ he said.
According to the governor, the new officers were employed on merit from across the 44 local government areas of the State.
Kwara
The Kwara Government is committed to ensuring availability of skilled manpower through the provision of quality education, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Mallam Raji Mohammed, has said.
Mohammed, who was reacting to the incessant increase in school fees by private school operators in the state, spoke to newsmen in Ilorin.
He said that the state’s education reform programme would ensure that children access free and quality education.
He also said that since the state government had no authority to fix fees in private schools, its role was to ensure that public schools provided quality education to meet the yearnings of the people.
Mohammed noted that the “Every Child Counts” policy of the previous administration was still in place among other programmes put in place to ensure that pupils accessed quality education.
Lagos
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), announced its plan to hold national interactive sessions on the need to promote workplace safety in Nigeria.
According to Ms Ijeoma Iheme, a NECA spokesperson, the forum, which would be jointly organised with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), would be held in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
“No employee wants to live with disability or worse still, death, whenever at work. Employees look forward to retiring well with able bodies,’’ the statement said.
The statement said it was regrettable that many workers were yet to fully benefit from the provision of the 2010 Employees’ Compensation Act
According to Iheme, the interactive sessions would enlighten employees and employers on the procedure for making claims during work place accident.
Niger
The Chairman Niger Assembly House Committee on Information, Mr Bello Ahmad, called for improved media coverage of the legislature to keep the people informed at all times.
Ahmad made the call during the inauguration of the Information and Public Relations Committee of the House in Minna.
He said that an effective and efficient reportage of the House would encourage its members to improve on delivery of its mandate.
He said that the committee would address newsmen on quarterly basis to keep abreast of information on activities of the House, particularly its bills and motions.
Speaker of the House, Adamu Usman, stressed the importance of repositioning the assembly’s information management through collaboration with the media.
Ogun
The Ogun State Government on Monday said the abandoned Gateway International Market in Owode in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state would be re-opened in September.
Business activities in the market were suspended following disagreement between two communities over the location and name.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, said the reopening would boost economic activities and impact positively on the living standard of the people.
Oladipo, who spoke at a stakeholders meeting in Abeokuta, said that the reactivation would be to the benefit of the people in the area in particular, and the state in general.
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry also said that the market would be renamed Yewa International Market to douse the tension between Ajilete and Owode communities, and advised the market leaders to cooperate with government in the overall growth of commerce in the area.
Plateau
Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen Gyang Dantong, has said that the Bill to establish a national grazing routes and reserves commission before the National Assembly was unconstitutional.
“The Federalz Government and National Assembly have no business with cattle routes because the constitution placed such routes solely in the hands of state governments,’’ Dantong told newsmen in Jos.
Our correspondent reports that the bill seeks to establish a commission to manage grazing routes so as to resolve the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Albert Tsokwa, said recently that the proposed commission would be empowered to control, manage, acquire and establish grazing reserves and stock routes in Nigeria.
Public hearing had been conducted on the bill which had passed second reading in the Senate and House of Representatives, with the later referring it to the House Committee on Agriculture for further legislative action.
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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