Niger Delta

Group Gives Panacea For Niger Delta Stability

Published

11 years ago

November 28, 2014

A Non-Governmental
Organisation (NGO) under the aegis of search for Common Ground (SFCG) Nigeria has called for a stable integration of the ex-militants, functional channels of peaceful dialogue, conflict resolution as well as stakeholders collaboration and voter-education as a panacea for maintaining long-term stability in the Niger Delta.
The Country Director of the group, Chom Bagu who made the call in a press briefing held in Port Harcourt recently said the two major challenges of security that is currently facing the region include the general election in February 2015 and the expected close of the Amnesty programme, pointing out that these events bear a dangerous potential of fuelling violence in the months to come.
He said the Amnesty programme initiated by the Federal Government in 2009, provided an important opportunity to reduce violence but also came with major flaws of sustainability, non inclusion of some youths and beside, the foreign education and Job training under the programme had not significantly created livelihood opportunities or economic satisfaction for most of the participants.
“It was in this context that search for common Ground, Six partners and the European Union (EU) decided to work together to launch a programme Tomorrow is a New Day to ensure that Tomorrow, indeed becomes a New Day for the Niger Deltans,” he added.
According to him, to many Niger Delta residents, the commitment from the Federal Government and oil companies to developing human capacities, investing in infrastructure and providing basic social services has not met their expectations, especially in a region that produces a great deal of the nation’s wealth, at about 70 per cent of the population live below the poverty level.
The Country Director of SFCG further noted that,” The tomorrow that lies ahead of as brings new challenges for the region, its communities and its overall security,” pointing out that he was proud that the group and the EU would once again work together to address these challenges confronting the Niger Delta region.
He assured that together with the 12 communities of Amassoma, Kaiama, and Ogbia in Bayelsa State, Koko, Oporoza and Oleh in Delta, Okrika, Omoku, Ogu and Kpor in Rivers State, as well as Azumchi and Osusu in Abia, they would work to ensure long-term stability and a functioning peace architecture in the Niger Delta for 2015 and beyond.
“Tomorrow will be a Day which shows community members participate in the promotion of a peaceful and Credible 2015 electoral process, raising fellow citizens’ awareness of their rights and obligations.
According to him, to achieve these concepts and others, the group and its partners would rely on the proven concept of multiple-track community engagement as well as capacity building session in the communities by working with the Local Project Committees, using the community bodies to promote network-building and exchange between the trend-setting communities.

Collins Barasimeye

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi addressing students of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education during an interactive session at the campus in Port Harcourt.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

10 hours ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

10 hours ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

10 hours ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.