Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The District Head of Bakaro in Bauchi State, Alhaji Nura
Jumba, has commended an advocacy group, Journalists Against Polio (JAP), over their proactive initiatives which led to reduction of polio cases in the state.
Jumba, who made the commendation on Saturday in Bauchi said the activities of JAP in the state had in the last five years led to eradication of the scourge, especially in 2012, when it was declared free of polio.
He said, “I want to thank JAP for being very proactive in their contributions that ensured that the problem of polio eradication in Bauchi State was successful. “The district and village heads were all under the directive that we should do anything within our powers to see that this programme of eradicating polio in Bauchi State succeeds. The international donors brought in money to see that we eradicate polio not only in Bauchi State but in Nigeria as whole,” he said.
Borno
The Borno State Government said last Saturday, that it
would maintain its status of a polio-free state this year.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Salma Kolo, stated this at the launching of the Polio Immunisation Plus Day campaign in Maiduguri.
Kolo said that government would also strive to enhance the quality of life of women and children through its free Maternal and Child Health Care Services.
She also said that the state government had in the last two years laid a solid foundation for enhancing health care delivery. Speaking at the launch, Mrs Shettima advised women in the state to take advantage of the free health care services by visiting hospitals regularly.
Shettima, was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Inna Galadima.
FCT
The Deputy Senate President, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, has assured Nigerians that the ongoing electoral reform by the National Assembly would yield an improved electoral system.
A statement issued by Special Adviser (Media) to Ekweremadu, Mr Uche Anichukwu, said in Abuja on Wednesday that the assurance was given in his democracy day message to Nigerians.
Ekweremadu said the the ongoing reforms would soon be concluded to further consolidate the country’s democracy and prepare the nation adequately for the 2015 general election.
“Fifteen years of unbroken democratic rule is something to be proud of, especially for a country with our kind of history. “We also have every reason to be proud of what we were able to achieve in the 2011 general election following the widely applauded electoral reforms,” it said.
Gombe
Vice President Namadi Sambo and House of Representa
tives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, last Saturday, urged Muslims to live in peace with one another and adherents of other faith.
Sambo and Tambuwal, who made the call at the 28th Maulud (birthday) of the late Senegalese Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass, in Gombe, urged Muslims to continue to pray for peace, unity and development of the country in particular and the world in general.
He urged Muslims to emulate the good virtues of the late Islamic scholar as well as those of Prophet Mohammed.
Also, Tambuwal said peace was inevitable for the development of any society, adding that Muslims should pray for peace, unity and development of Nigeria.
Kano
Fage local government council of Kano State has
pledged to eradicate all child killer diseases in the area. The Interim Management Officer of the council, Alhaji Hayatu Musa, made the pledge last Saturday at the launching of the 2014 4th round of polio immunisation in the area.
Musa said that the council would not relent in its efforts at ensuring healthy children and mothers in the council area and commended traditional rulers in the area for their contribution to the polio eradication campaign.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government has expressed its readi
ness to collaborate with the Federal Government to fight insurgency.
Governor Tanko Al-makura, who made this known at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Mustapha Agwai, in Lafia, on Saturday, said the collaboration became imperative because of the security challenges facing the state and some parts of the country.
According to him, the activities of insurgents have negatively affected our lives and the socio-economic development of the country.
“Peace is the panacea required for the development of any society. No society or nation can experience meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancor, violence and confusion. I want to assure the people of my administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government, security agencies, traditional and religion leaders to fight insurgency in the country for the benefit of all,” Al-Makura said.
Niger
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger last Saturday urged
Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), to prevail on past leaders of the country to help curb insurgency rocking the Northern region.
Aliyu, who is the Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), made the call at the maiden convocation of the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger.
He expressed the hope that security challenges in the Northern states could be surmounted in the next three months and insisted that with concerted efforts from prominent Nigerians, the unbearable situation in the North would soon be a thing of the past.
The governor, who is also the visitor to the university, urged tertiary institutions in the country not to limit instructions of students to academics alone.
The Chairman of the university endowment fund, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, announced that the fund was yielding results.
Ondo
The Ondo State House of Assembly last Wednesday, ex
tended the tenure of 18 local government caretaker chairmen by six months.
The motion for the extension was moved at plenary by the Majority Leader in the Assembly, Mr Ifedayo Akinsoyinu. Akinsoyinu also represents Ondo West Constituency II in the Assembly.
The motion was seconded by Mr Banso Adeyinka, who represents Akoko North-West Constituency I.
Akinsoyinu said the motion for the extension followed the request from the governor for the extension of the tenure of interim caretaker chairmen in the state.
He said the extension of the tenure of the chairmen became imperative given its expiration on Wednesday.
Oyo
A former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof.
Taoheed Adedoja has suspended his 63rd birthday anniversary celebration because of the continued abduction of some school girls in Chibok, Borno.
In a statement, he issued in Ibadan on Saturday, the former minister said that he would focus on prayers for the release of the students.
“As I turn 63, it is very disturbing that some of the children from Chibok that we are supposed to be celebrating with are still being held captive by the Boko Haram group. “In view of the agony and pains being experienced by the girls’ parents, guardians and Nigerians in general, I have suspended the usual activities relating to my birthday.
Plateau
Women and children were worst hit by the twin explo
sions that rocked Terminus Market in Jos, on Tuesday afternoon, the wife of Plateau governor, Mrs Talatu Jang, has said.
Jang, in a statement issued by her Press Secretary, Akila Kasham, said she was deeply saddened by the incident noting that the incident took place at a time considerable progress had been made in the peace building process.
She described the incident as “a heartless, evil minded attack by agents of darkness,’’ saying their action was a clear demonstration of the height of man’s inhumanity to man.
Jang condoled with the families that had lost loved ones and wished the injured a quick recovery and also appealed to Plateau residents to cooperate with the authorities and law enforcement agents by providing any useful information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible.
Yobe
The Yobe State Government said on Friday, that it raised
one million assorted tree seedlings for the establishment of shelter-belts across the state to combat desertification.
The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Idi Gubana, announced in an interview in Damaturu, the state capital, that the shelter-belts are to serve as wind breakers to reduce the effects of winds that cause erosion, leading to the desert moving further into the hinterlands.
He said the state government was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to implement the Great Green Wall Programme aimed at establishing orchards and tree plantations to serve as shelter-belts, adding that government has provided land for the Green Wall project.
Gubana said the ministry had evacuated refuse dumps in the five major towns to check water stagnation and outbreak of diseases, and intensified sensitisation campaigns against illegal felling of trees, bush burning and arbitrary disposal of refuse, adding that the efforts were yielding positive results.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (left), discussing with President Goodluck Jonathan at the funeral service of former Lagos Governor, Sir Michael Otedola in Lagos last Friday. Photo: NAN
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.
