Niger Delta

NPC Enlists Stakeholders’ Support For EAD In Bayelsa

Published

5 years ago

December 16, 2020

The National Population Commission (NPC) in Bayelsa State has enlisted the support of stakeholders for its Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) preparatory to a reliable census.
Federal Commisioner, NPC, Bayelsa State, Mrs Gloria Izonfuo, who made the apeal during an advocacy and flag-off ceremony for the EAD, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, noted that the EAD was a fundamental step to a reliable census.
She explained that Southern Ijaw would be the sixth LGA to be covered by the EAD having earlier demarcated five LGAs in Bayelsa namely, Yenagoa, Ogbia, Kolokumo-Opokuma, Nembe and Brass.
“Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) is the delineation of a Local Government Area into Enumeration Areas (EAs); areas small enough for a pair of enumerators to cover during the Population and Housing Census.
“The EAD exercise is not the enumeration of persons living in the country and its outcome is in no way the determinant of the population of any locality, Local Government Area (LGA) or State.
“It is rather a major preparatory activity for Population and Housing Censuses that facilitates the estimation of both the human and material resources required for the census.
“Indeed, EAD is the vehicle that drives the entire census process, and the success of a credible and accurate census depends very much on the quality and reliability of the EAD. Also it is the foundation for the census.
“EAD creates the national sample frame for the country which is used by all MDAs, data collecting organisations and research institutions,” Izonfuo said.
She said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for instance, would work with the NPC during the EAD exercise to create digitised maps of INEC Registration Areas (Wards).
Also, she said that international agencies such as the IMF and the World Bank utilise the frame to measure and determine the economic and financial performance of the country.
She listed other benefits from the EAD to include up-to-date list of households, buildings, socio-economic infrastructural facilities and their geo-referenced distribution across localities, wards, LGAs and States.
According to Izonfuo, information from these outputs are useful for development planning and efficient distribution of infrastructural facilities and provision of socio-economic services.
She also said that household distribution data from the EAD exercise could be used to ameliorate the adverse effects of the ravaging COVID-19 Pandemic by providing for a more systematic contact tracing and distribution of palliatives.
She noted that the NPC was deploying the latest technology in the preparation for the next population and housing census in the use of high-resolution satellite imagery and geoinformatics.
“The NPC, in its resolve to deliver to the country a Population and Housing Census that will stand the test of time, is deploying the latest technology for this EAD exercise.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.