News
Rivers Gets 12 National ID Centres
The National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), in Rivers State has said that the commission now has functional offices in 12 local government areas of the state for the registration of potential enrollees for their national identity cards.
Making the revelation in an interview with The Tide in her office in Port Harcourt last Friday, the state Coordinator of NIMC, Mrs Olubunmi Soyoche, listed the registration centres to include Port Harcourt City Council, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Degema, Khana, Etche, Eleme, Gokana, and Tai local government council headquarters, among others.
The state coordinator said that as part of the commission’s policy of reaching out to the grassroots in order to attract more Rivers people to participate in the enrolment process for their national identity cards, plans were underway to decongest already existing registration centres, with the opening of more offices in the remaining 11 local government areas of the state, before end of March, 2016, as well as extension of collection centres to the existing 12 registration centres.
Soyoche stressed that enrollees, whose national identity cards were ready could only collect same at the Aba Road Branch Office of the commission, which serves as distribution centre, and regretted the delay in the decentralization efforts of the commission, attributing it largely to the challenge of attacks by hoodlums, and armed robbers.
“Rivers people and residents of the state can access any of the centres closest to them to register for their national identity card, but can only collect same when it is ready at the distribution centre at our branch office at Aba Road,” Soyoche said.
She disclosed that the Federal Government decided to use the commission as the central hub for citizens’ bio-data capturing and enrollment to ease the burden of identification of Nigerians anywhere in the world, saying that the NIMC has already began the process of synchronizing the bio-data of Nigerians through the system.
The coordinator explained that the National Identity Cards contain all enrollees’ personal bio-data and other sensitive information, including those already captured in their international passports, drivers’ license, bank details, especially Bank Verification Number (BVN), mobile phone contact details, among others for easy identification and tracking, adding that the commission was collaborating with the telecommunications companies, banks, and government agencies, to achieve desired result.
Soyoche noted that the commission was doing its best to enroll all Nigerians, saying that since 2013 when the exercise began millions of Nigerians have been captured, stressing that as soon as more identity cards are received from Abuja, those whose cards are ready would be contacted to collect them at the distribution centre at the commission’s office on Aba Road.
She emphasized that although the commission has been trying to expedite the distribution of national identity cards by sending text messages to those whose cards were available for collection at their different points of enrollment, but further attributed the failure of some Nigerians to get SMS in their phones due to the frequent change of phone numbers different from the number they used for the registration.
The state coordinator added that as a more superior form of identification, the commission was being meticulous and careful to ensure that only cards of those whose bio-data have been fully integrated are released for distribution to affected enrollees, as the new national identity cards supersede other forms of identification for Nigerians.
According to her, the national identity cards were being released in batches across the 36 states of the federation including FCT, Abuja, and further advised those who have enrolled but have not received SMS for collection to check for the status of their national identity cards by logging in to: touch.nimc.gov.ng with their surname and first name and last eight digits on their temporary ID cards and come for collection if the get a message from the website that it is available.
She appealed to the media to assist the commission in sensitizing the public on the necessity to register for the National Identity Cards, saying that only the media can reach out to the rural communities and enlighten the populace on the need to participate actively in the exercise.
While stating that the turn-out has been encouraging, Soyoche appealed to those who are yet to register to visit any of the registration centres and complete the registration formalities.
It would be recalled that in order to combat criminality and economic crimes, as well as facilitate identification of Nigerians desiring to travel, registration in institutions or transact business, the commission Federal Government initiated the registration of all Nigerians under the National Identity Management Commission in collaboration with MasterCard to ease the identification of citizens anywhere in the world.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi