Niger Delta

Group Dismisses Report On Oil Exploration Resumption In Ogoni …As Kachukwu Visits Ogoniland, July 9

Published

8 years ago

July 4, 2018

The National Coordinator of Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates (KSWA), Chief Gani Topba has dismissed purported reports that Ogoni stakeholders had agreed with the Federal Government on conditions for the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Topba reiterated that the one but last meeting of the stakeholders held May 3, 2018 at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu did not agree on resumption of oil production by any company in the area, and warned those peddling such rumours to retrace their steps before they throw Ogoniland into another round of crisis.
He made this clarification while delivering a letter of invitation from the Minister for Petroleum Resources to the family of late Ken Saro-Wiwa in Bane, Khana Local Government Area, last Sunday.
Topba explained that the major reason for attending the meeting in Abuja was to pressure the Federal Government to exonerate the late environmentalist from any murder charges.
He stressed that it was only after the exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa from murder charges that the Ogoni people could begin further negotiations with the Federal Government on the way forward for oil exploration in Ogoniland, adding that the letter by the minister calling for an engagement with Ogoni people to secure their understanding for the resumption of oil exploration came as a surprise to the stakeholders who attended the Abuja meeting.
He urged the people of Ogoni not to despair but remain resilient and patient so as to ensure that what Ken Saro-Wiwa died for comes to pass, adding that propaganda spread around by RoboMichael and its cohorts against the state director of Department of State Security (DSS) would not deter the people from standing their ground as non-violent agitators.
Topba berated some traditional rulers in the area for compromising their reputation and integrity in an attempt to enrich themselves at the detriment of the lives of majority of Ogonis, reminding them that Ogoni people would not shirk their confidence and trust in the ability and capacity of security agencies to protect lives and property while maintaining the peace and security in the area.
Topba called on all the security agencies to partner the Rivers State Government to urgently investigate the activities of RoboMichael in Ogoniland and bring those found wanting to justice, adding that Ogonis were ready to resist attempts by any group of persons to forcefully enter their land to explore for crude oil.
Responding to the letter handed over to him by Gani Topba, the head of Ken Saro-Wiwa family, Harry Wiwa called on the Federal Government to change the venue of the meeting from Palace of the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom to the Suanu Finima Wika Hall, Bori, or Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, claiming that Ogonis would not be safe attending strategic meeting in the palace of a traditional ruler.
“The meeting slated to take place on July 9, is an important one and the governor of Rivers State knows the calibre of people expected to attend. Therefore, to avoid violence and ensure the safety of all Ogonis, we urge the governor to host the meeting at Government House, if they don’t want to come to Suanu Finima Wika’s Hall.”

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.