Niger Delta

A’Ibom IFAD Beneficiaries Laud Programme

Published

12 years ago

May 7, 2014

The beneficiaries of the In
ternational Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted project in Akwa Ibom say the intervention has improved their lives.
The Secretary of Asajo Community Piggery Enterprise, Mr Eno Solomon, made the assertion in an interview on Sunday in Ikot Inyang, Oruk Anam Local Government Area.
Eno said this when the IFAD Supervision team visited Ikot Inyang village inspect projects being implemented under its Community-based Agricultural and Rural Development Programme.
He said that since the inception of the programme in July 2011, many of their members had been empowered economically and had improved economic well-being of the peolpe generally.
The scribe said the group which started the programme with two pigs could now boost of 40 pigs which could be sold for between N20, 000 and N25, 000 each.
“We have 21 members in this group, apart from the cooperative pigs; each member has at least seven to eight pigs of his own. We started this business with an initial capital of about N1.3 million assisted by IFAD programme, but now each of our members can take care of their family through the profit while the business is growing,” he said.
He added that the group also engaged in fishery to increase their income and reduce poverty within the community.
Eno narrated that the two fish ponds the group had at the moment contained about 4,000 fingerlings, adding that 3,000 fishes was harvested in the first cycle.
He said they realised about N2 million from the sales of the fishes in the first cycle and hoped that the second would produced more than the first.
At Nung Ukana in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the state, the Nka Ima Processing Group was full of praises for the IFAD assisted programme.
Speaking on behalf of the group, their leader, Mrs Mfon Sunday, disclosed that they had 30 members, comprising 15 women, five men and 10 youths who are benefiting from the programme.
Sunday said that the mill could process about eight drums of grade one oil, and three drums of grade two in a month.
She explained that a drum of grade one oil sold for N50, 000, while grade two for N40, 000 and a bag of palm kernel sold for N4, 500.
She said: “The IFAD programme has added value to our lives. Through this business, we contribute to our family upkeep and send our children to school. We have diversified to other businesses like cassava, plantain and pineapple farming all in an efforts to increase our income.”
The head of the team, Dr Oyesola Oyebanji, Consultant, National Programme for Food Security, thanked the groups for hailing the programme.
Oyebanji expressed happiness on the group’s record keeping, adding that it showed they had received some level of training.
He said: “I am impressed with the way they keep their records. You can see when they obtained loan and paid back as and when due to attract more credit facilities.
“They need to have access to more credit facilities to expand their business because their records are clean.
“The oil palm processing group has collected loan and has paid back, this shows that the business is benefiting the rural people”.
The team will continue with the inspection of the IFAD assisted projects in the state to monitor progress.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

1 hour 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

1 hour 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

1 hour 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.