Niger Delta

Gov’s Wife Leads Protest Over Slain Job Seeker

Published

5 years ago

May 7, 2021

The wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr Martha Emmanuel, on Wednesday led the women of the state in a protest against the murder of the 26-year-old Iniubong Umoren.
Umoren, a graduate of Philosophy from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was abducted, sexually assaulted and later killed by persons led by one Uduak Akpan under the pretext of finding her a job.
The women all dressed in black attires converged around 8am and walked slowly down to the Government House.
While addressing the protesters, Emmanuel said, “Let me reiterate the position of the Akwa Ibom State Government and assure you that there will be justice not only for Iniobong Umoren but for all victims of gender-base violence in Akwa Ibom State.
Earlier, the Commissioner Women Affairs, Dr Ini Adiakpan, lamented the abuses meted out to females and charge women to unite and fight a common cause.
The Chairperson of FIDA , Emem Ette, said the group would continue to defend women.
Meanwhile, Civil Society Organisations have joined other Nigerians to speak against the alleged rape and killing of an Akwa Ibom job seeker, Iniobong Umoren.
Umoren, a young graduate, was allegedly raped, killed and buried by 20-year-old Uduak Frank Akpan who invited Umoren over under the pretext of offering her a job.
Some Akwa-Ibom youths had vandalised the home of the prime suspect, Akpan, taking his father to the police station.
The wife of the Akwa Ibom governor, Martha Emmanuel, on Wednesday, also led a protest against the killing of Umoren.
CSOs have since condemned the savage killing of the job seeker while also calling for justice and a safer society for women.
The Director of Programmes, Galaxy for Peace and Integrity Initiative, Precious Chukwunonso, believed that collective effort of every system in Nigeria would end violence against women.
According to her, “Every hand must be on the deck if we actually want to end violence against women.
She called on families, government at all levels, places of worship, and other organisations to speak up and fight against gender-based violence.
Also, the Co-founder of The Youth Evolve, Ruhamah Ifere, condemned the sexual violence meted on Umoren and other victims in the past, stating that the act is also a form of insecurity.
“When you hear the word insecurity, most of us just relate it to terrorism, banditry, and killings but then we also have the insecurity that is meted out towards women.
“Women are usually seen as weaker human beings. Their rights are not recognisedand can now be pushed upon by some people or by some men that see women as inferior,” she said.
Continuing, she said, “This Ini Umoren case is a very good example of principles of human rights being tampered with, because Ini Umoren has the right, not just only to her body, but she has the right to go about looking for a job.
“She also has the right to move about freely without having fear of feeling attacked just because she is a woman.”
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested the suspect and said he would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

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.