Niger Delta

NLC Seeks Remittance Of N35bn Pension Fund To PFAs

Published

11 years ago

August 28, 2015

The Nigeria Labour Con
gress (NLC), has called on the Federal Government to remit N35 billion contributory pension fund deducted from workers’ salaries to the respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the call at the opening session of the congress’ Three-day National Leadership Retreat in Calabar.
“Deductions that were made for the past few months by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation have accumulated to N35 billion. Deductions from workers and employers have not been remitted to the PFAs.
“This has posed a serious challenge to the effective implementation of the contributory pension scheme.
“This is the very key because the pensioners must be taken serious, side by side addressing the issue of corruption. This must be taken seriously.’’
He said NLC had taken the lead and written officially to Mr President to intervene and ensure that the fund was remitted to PFAs and Managers promptly and immediately.
He urged Mr President to direct the affected ministries, agencies and parastatals, to immediately remit the funds without further delays to the respective PFAs.
Wabba said the NLC National Executive Council (NEC), received reports about some states defaulting in the payment and remittance.
He said the congress had mandated its leadership to mobilise workers to ensure that the arrears of workers salaries, allowances and pensions were paid by the affected states.
Wabba said the federal government could not afford to be listed among the debtor bodies. “It has to lead this exercise by sheer force of example’’, he said.
He also said that there was need to review the rate of patronage of the Trustfund PLC, in which NLC has 10 per cent share.
On the fight against corruption by President Buhari, the NLC president said corruption had eaten deep into the body polity.
Wabba said that NLC National Executive Council and its National Administrative Council have resolved to team up with Mr President against corruption in the country.
“Come, September 10, organised labour is going to champion a cause to ensure that we strengthen the hands of Mr President and all our elected officers to do what is needful.
“This is to make sure that all corrupt officers – be they in service or out of service –are brought to justice. Not only that, those funds must also be recovered.
“So, it is going to be one of the rallies we call mother of all rallies and I urged all of us to commence preparations to ensure that we make success of this pronouncement .
“This is because if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill all of us.
“ Therefore, we should not allow corrupt people to subvert the process’’, he said.
Speaker of the House Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, pledged the support of the House to the organised labour for the planned rally.
The speaker, represented by Rep. Sani Zoro, said the House would provide legislative support towards employment generation in the country.
The retreat has as its theme: Returning to our Founding Principles: The NLC and The Challenges facing it.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

6 days 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

6 days 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

6 days 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.