Niger Delta

Lepers Allege Abandonment At Ogwashi-Uku

Published

14 years ago

May 8, 2012

Four years after the Delta

Government installed a generator at ex-lepers resettlement centre in Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area, the community had remained in darkness.

Investigation revealed that the 17.5 KVA generating set, the only source of power supply to the centre, had never functioned since it was inaugurated in 2008.

The leprosarium had existed for more than 60 years and had remained without water supply.

One of the ex-lepers at the centre, Mr Jacob Adigwe, decried the situation stressing that it had made inmates to depend on stream and rain water.

Adigwe said: “since this tank was dropped here in 2010, after we had cried about water problem for many years, not one bucket of water has been put into it.

“The government, whether local or state, has also refused to sink a borehole for us.”

The 65-years-old leper, who said that he moved into the leprosarium located some kilometers away from Ogwashi-Uku metropolis in 1972, expressed regrets that the government seemed to have abandoned them.

According to him, there has never been electricity or water at this centre and as you can see, even the generator and water tank they have given to us many years after our cries are not functioning.

He also disclosed that the last time the government medical team visited the centre was five years ago.

“Now, what we do, and that is for those of us who can manage to move is that we find our way to Ogwashi-Uku General Hospital where we are treated like other patients and we pay all the bills.

“Some of us who cannot move or afford the bill for treatment and drugs at the hospital have died.”

He added that there were currently only 12 residents in the community out of more than 30 as at 2007.

Adigwe, however, disclosed that the government had been regular with the N10, 000 monthly stipend to each of the ex-lepers.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Betty Efekhoda, confirmed that the generator at the centre had problems.

She blamed the problem on the contractor, who according to her supplied a “bad” generator.

“It is an embarrassment that the generator which is supposed to be a new one has not worked for one hour since it was installed.

“The ministry has made several efforts to get the contractor to come and solve the problem but up till now, he has not showed up,” she said.

The commissioner, however, said: “we have not paid him for the job and will not pay until the issue is resolved.”

On the water problem, the commissioner said that the ministry constructed an “underground water tank” to harvest water during the rainy season for the inmates.

“In the dry season, they are expected to get their water from nearby streams.”

She also disclosed that the government was paying N10,500 to each of the inmates and said that “the last payment we made to them was for February, 2012.’’

On medication for the ex-lepers, Efekhoda said that it was the schedule of the Ministry of Health but explained that “for malaria and other ailments, they can go for treatment in any medical facility around at their own cost”.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Otumara, could not be reached for comments.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

10 hours 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

10 hours 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

10 hours 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.