Niger Delta

A’Ibom, Mobil To Complete Ibeno Skills Acquisition Centre

Published

10 years ago

August 22, 2016

The Ministry of Niger
Delta Affairs, Pastor Uguru Usani said Akwa Ibom State Government and Mobil Company have agreed to collaborate to complete the ongoing skills acquisition centre at Owuochang, in Ibeno Local Government Area.
The Minister, disclosed this in Ibeno, while inspecting the skill acquisition centre.
It would be recalled that the Ministry in 2008 had initiated the Skills Acquisition Centres in nine states namely: Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, Imo and Abia.
He said the skills acquisation centres were designed to equip and empower the youths in the region with relevant skills and help them start their own ventures after the completion of the programme.
“Our skills acquisition centre is designed for the purpose of engaging the minds of our youth, which is very critical. .
“These trainees will be engaged in under-water wielding and other fields in oil and gas sector, while those who wish to set up their own businesses will be empowered to do so.
“The Skills Acquisition Centre in Otuoke, he recalled has been inaugurated and handed over to the Federal University in that area as temporary site for the take-off of the institution.” he said
Usani stated that the state government and Mobil had agreed to commit the sum of N2 billion to the project for quick completion.
He, however, warned contractors against low quality jobs and unnecessary delays, adding that they should live up to expectation.
He stressed that the projects had lingered without definite period of delivery, which would no longer be condoned by the ministry.
“The contract was awarded almost six (6) years ago and we are just tired of all these ongoing projects that have remained inconclusive due to paucity of funds. “Hence, we have resolved that these projects will not continue to be at the state of ongoing status again.” he said
The minister assured the contractors handling the projects of the government’s readiness to make funds available to ensure the speedy completion of the projects.
He said that his tour of the project sites was to access the scope of work done by the contractors and to ensure that the money paid was commensurate with the work done so far.
The minister further stated that the Akwa Ibom skills acquisition centre when completed was expected to train youths on Oil and Gas, Maritime and ICT.
He inspected the Hostel Facilities, Administrative Blocks, Workshop Rooms, Store House, Cafeteria, Oil Field/Rig for exploration practices as well as Recreational Facilities at the Centre.
Usani added that the youths would be drawn from each of the nine oil producing states on equal basis.
Acres Turnkey Consultant, Mr Leke Adewale, one of the project contractors on site, while pledging their commitment, attributed the delay to inadequate funding.
Mr. Isaac Abakam, the CEO of Stegis International Agencies Nigeria Limited, also a contractor handling the project, blamed the slow pace of work on the unpredictable weather in the region and non-release of funds.
Our correspondent recalls that the N5 billion project was launched in 2010.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.