Niger Delta

Flood: Imoke Approves Relocation OF Community

Published

13 years ago

July 8, 2013

The Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has approved the relocation of a flood prone Eja community in Obubra Local Government Area to safer grounds.
Mr. Vincent Aquah, the Director General, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) announced this during a meeting with leaders of the community in his office.
Aquah also disclosed that building materials such as zinc, wood, cement, sand, gravel, rods and nails would soon be distributed to the beneficiaries.
The Director-General said that the gesture of Governor Imoke was borne out of his magnanimity to the community who suffered devastating flooding in 2012 in which the entire village located along the coastline of the Cross River was completely overwhelmed.
He recalled that over 70 houses were destroyed displacing about 210 families of 1,874 persons.
Aquah further pointed out that based on the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predictions for higher rainfall pattern this year the community remained highly vulnerable to devastating flood which could put the lives of thousands of persons at risk as well as property including houses and farms that could run into millions of Naira.
The Director-General who expressed satisfaction with the location of the new site said that the land would be allocated on family bases and houses built according to government specifications taking into consideration the topography, wind pass and other developmental issues relating to disaster prevention.
The SEMA boss assured that collaboration with other stakeholders especially the leaders of the community including youths and women, would be on a very high note to guarantee the success of the relocation programme.
He used the opportunity to advise all communities along the fringe of rivers, plains and water channels to be wary of possible high flood this year and be guided so as to avoid unnecessary calamities.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Rt. Hon Fabian Okpa described the Governor as a patriotic and committed Chief Servant of the people who at all times was on the pulse of the less privileged.
He advised the leaders of Eja community and the entire Obubra to give Government the needed support to actualise the relocation programme.
According to him the managerial acumen of the lean resources of the state in vital areas of needs attested to his genuineness of purpose and democratic spirit.
Responding, the village Head of Eja, Chief Livinus Ekpe showered encomium on the State Governor, Senator Imoke for his generosity and sensitivity to the plight of his people pointing out that with the governor’s pragmatism the hitherto disillusioned people are renewed with hope.
The traditional ruler promised that the community would continue to collaborate with the government to bring to fruition the lofty programme.
Hon. Cosmos Ezama, an opinion leader of the community described the Governor’s gesture as one of the democratic dividends of the Imoke led administration.
Eja Community was one of the several communities overwhelmed by flood in 2012 that needed urgent relocation.
Another Community needing similar assistance is Agwagune in Biase LGA which for several years have been experiencing devastating flooding and landslide which has reduced the habitable land mass to less than 20%.

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.