Niger Delta

Sylva Tasks Bayelsans On Voters Registration

Published

15 years ago

January 24, 2011

Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has registered in the on-going voters’ registration exercise at his home town, Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of the State. Sylva registered alongside his wife, Alanyingi, and uncle, Chief Benjamin Adigio-Eseni.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Bayelsa State, Engineer Edwin Nwantarali presented the voters’ registration cards to Governor Sylva and members of his household that were registered along with him.

The process of the Governor’s registration exercise which started at 3.42pm, lasted for 10 minutes.

In an interview with Government House correspondents shortly after his registration, Governor Sylva said the registration exercise was progressing smoothly.

The Governor urged the people of the state to present themselves for registration, noting that it is their civic responsibility to do so.

He underscored the fact that if the people fail to take part in the voters’ registration exercise, they will neither be able to partake in choosing their own leaders, nor will they have a say in governance, adding that it would be immoral for them to criticise government’s policies and programmes.

On his part, the Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Engineer Edwin Nwantarali said the registration exercise was on track in the state. He explained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken delivery of 115,000 out of the required 120,000 Direct Data Capture machines (DDC) for the exercise in the country.

In Bayelsa, he said, the required 1,805 DDC machines have been deployed to the 105 registration centres and registration has commenced in earnest.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State,Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, has urged the people of the state to ensure they perform their civic responsibility by getting registered enmass at the registration centre nearest to them

Chief Seibarugu made the call at Agudama, his home town,while speaking to journalists soon after he was registered as a voter by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the on-going nationwide voters registration exercise.

Seibarugu said though he experienced a little delay in the process of his registration, he was confident that INEC will improve on the time spent in the registration of each individual as the exercise progresses.

He, therefore, called on every eligible voter in the state to partake in the voters registration exercise, describing it as the first step towards ensuring that every vote counts in the forth-coming elections.

Also speaking, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Edwin Offor Nwantarali, said the response of the people has been impressive so far and assured Bayelsans that the commission is addressing the problem of delay being experienced in the registration process.

He said the major complaint has been with the speed of the scanning machine capturing the finger prints, but assured that the problem has been rectified.

According to him, the software being used has been upgraded to enable it conclude capturing of finger prints in one minute saying that INEC has the full complement of all components needed for the exercise.

Mr Nwantarali said Bayelsa State is the only state in the federation that had its Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machines delivered to it before January 15, and stressed that with the co-operation of Bayelsns, the exercise will be a success in the state.

The Deputy Governor’s wife, Mrs Iyorozitei Seibarugu was also registered alongside her husband.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

7 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

7 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

7 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.