Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State House of Assembly last Friday in Yola, commenced public hearing on the abandoned rural electrification projects in the state.
Speaking at the commencement of the hearing, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Infrastructure and Community Development, Alhaji Salihu Kabilo, said the measure was not to witch-hunt anyone but to ensure accountability.
Kabilo urged members of the public and stakeholders to make available necessary information on the contracts to help the committee do its work.
He said the house was committed to ensuring that contractors paid to execute government’s projects did the job they were paid to do.
The state’s Commissioner for Community Development and Rural Infrastructure, Alhaji Aminu Iyawa, lauded the house for the hearing.
Benue
The Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (LBRBDA), has sunk a borehole at Logo community in Akpehe area of Makurdi.
The borehole was sunk close to the Saint Joseph Catholic Church Akpehe in Logo 11, Makurdi.
The Managing Director of the Agency, Mr Ada Chenge, said while commissioning the project on Saturday in Makurdi, that the hand-pump borehole, would provide relief to the people of the community.
He said that the project was aimed finding a lasting solution to the perennial water shortage in the Benue State capital.
In an address, Rev Fr. Celestine Terfa, the Parish Priest of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Akpehe, commended the authority for the initiative and gave assurance that the borehole would be utilised by all members of the community
members.
Jigawa
Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, has said that the success of his administration is based on the prudent management of resources.
Lamido made the statement in Dutse on Friday while breaking the Ramadan fast with supporters of Peoples Democratic Party.
“I never took loans from any bank, institution or foreign organisation to execute projects and my government is not owing contractors. “As soon as contractors complete their projects, our consultants evaluate them and we pay immediately,’’ he said.
The governor commended the citizens for their support and peaceful coexistence and stressed that “no development can take place in an atmosphere of violence and rancour.”
He promised to lead the people with the fear of God and give them their due by providing them the dividends of democracy.
Kano
The Kano State Government, said it would complete the seven uncompleted township roads it inherited from the previous administration before the end of the year.
Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya, the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning gave the assurance while answering questions from newsmen in Kano on Friday.
The uncompleted roads are: Sharada, Murtala Mohammed, Rijiyar Zaki, Mohammed Wase, Kabuga, Daula and Bank roads. ‘’When we came in we saw that the cost of the projects was outrageous,’’ he said.
Yahaya said that following the discovery, the State Government set up a committee of consultants to verify what had been done.
The commissioner said that the State Government had already paid all outstanding debts to contractors who handled the projects. He said government had also planned to dualize the Airport road from Ashton-pilgrims camp-Yahaya Gusau road to de-congest the road.
Kaduna
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, told graduating students of the Nigerian Military School (NMS) on Saturday that discipline and selfless service were the pathways to success for the Nigerian Army.
Speaking at the 54th graduation ceremony of the NMS in Zaria, Ihejirika said that no army would succeed in the absence of discipline, commitment, dedication and selflessness service.
The army chief, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Laurence Ngubani, Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters said, “as members of the Nigerian Army, discipline should be your watchword.
“Remember, success demands the highest level of discipline, commitment, dedication, perseverance and selfless
service,’’ he said.
Kebbi
Comptroller of the Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service Mr Sule Momoh, has said that 42 illegal immigrants, residing in the state have been deported in the last one month.
Momoh made the disclosure in an interview in Birnin Kebbi last Friday.”We identified and deported 42 illegal immigrants to their various countries during our routine duties within one month,” he said.
He said the immigration service in the state had intensified security surveillance at boarder areas in view of the security challenges facing the country.
“All the authoritative roads leading into neighbouring countries were monitored by immigration personnel and in many cases the illegal immigrants were identified, arrested and deported as most of them did not possess entry documents.”
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, has extended the ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in some areas in Ilorin by an additional four weeks.
The governor extended the ban on Saturday, following a violent protest by commercial motorcyclists in some parts of the state’s capital on Saturday.
At a meeting with officials of the protesting motorcyclists at the Government House, the governor explained that the ban was not punitive.
The commercial motorcyclists had earlier embarked on protest at Sawmill, Geri-Alimi and Taiwo Road from where they marched to the state’s House of Assembly and then to the Government House.
The state’s Chairman of the Commercial Motorcyclist Riders Association, Alhaji Toyin Alase, expressed displeasure over the restriction of motorcyclistsd in some areas of the city.
Niger
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, says the army is prepared to protect the country territory.
Wahab told newsmen after visiting Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger on Friday that the army would protect the territory in spite of its involvement in counter-terrorism interventions.
He said the army and other security agencies were prepared for their constitutional duties of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity as well as lives and properties of Nigerians and its visitors.
He assured the civil society that his officers and men had been trained to carry out their operations in line with their rules of engagement and in accordance with global best practices.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has restated his commitment to ensuring good governance and even development in the state. Amosun made the remark on Friday at the Government House in Abeokuta at a meeting with traditional rulers from Ogun Central and Yewa Zone.
“Let me re-assure the good people of Ogun State that we will continue to work to advance the development of our state. “The work will continue as we have started and unprecedented development will be witnessed across the state as the mission to rebuild is on course,” he said.
He said that newly-elected Local Government chairmen and councillors in the state would work in line with the five cardinal programmes of his administration.
While thanking the electorate for their support, especially during the just-concluded local council elections in the state, he assured that good governance would be felt in the remotest parts of the state.
Sokoto
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 10, Sokoto, Mr Muktari Ibrahim, said on Saturday that the police had put in place improved security measures to sustain peace in the seat of the Caliphate.
Ibrahim said this while conducting the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminurity measures to be adopted in and outside the state for peace, progress and political growth of the zone as well as the country
at large.
He further said that all security officers in the zone had been put on red alert to confront any threat.
Yobe
The Emir of Fika in Yobe, Alhaji Mohammed Ibn Abali Idris on Friday in Potiskum, escaped an attack by suicide bomber at the Potiskum Central Mosque.
The Yobe Police Command’s spokesperson, Mr Toyin Gbadegesin, said the bomber tried to get close to the emir after the the Friday prayers, but was prevented by a policeman.
The spokesman said that upon falling down, one of the concealed explosives detonated and killed the bomber, while five policemen and two civilians sustained injuries, adding that the emir escaped unhurt.
Gbadegesin stated that the police anti-bomb squad, thereafter, detonated some other un-exploded devices carried by the bomber.
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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