Niger Delta

Bayelsa Lawmaker Empowers Youths, Solicits Support

Published

4 years ago

April 27, 2022

Lawmaker representing Ogbia Constituency One, Bayelsa State House in the Assembly and House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for Ogbia Federal Constituency of the state, Hon.Chief Mitema Obordor as part of measures towards fulfilling his electioneering campaign promises has organised an Agro/Entrepreneurship Skills acquisition training for no fewer than156 youths of his Constituency.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the programme which held in Yenagoa, the state capital, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere commended the organiser of the empowerment programme for the initiative.
The Speaker added that the training would equip youths with necessary skills to become self reliant and employers of labour, just as he encouraged participants to take the training seriously so as to maximise its benefits.
This Agro/entrepreneurship training will help participants to live above the current economic challenges facing the nation. The empowerment training will also divert the attention of the teeming youths from engaging in cult activities and other related social vices in the society”, he said.
In his goodwill message, the Bayelsa state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, David Alagoa advised the trainees to partake in the programme with all form of seriousness,just as he added that the programme is a veritable platform to redefine the future of Ogbia youths.
“This programme defines the future of Ogbia youths. You have lost and sold your future if you sell your starter pack. Take this opportunity as a life time empowerment”, the Commissioner said.
In his welcome address, the organizer of the programme, appreciated the participants for honouring his invitation, saying the training was part of a series of events he started in fulfillment of his campaign promises during the last House of Assembly elections .
“Some electoral promises which I made amongst others were capacity building and empowerment of youths, where I have ploughed back the limited resources at my disposal as a legislator to train Ogbia youths in various skills acquisition programmes, depending on available opportunities and resources”, he said.
Obordor noted that he started the empowerment programme in 2015 when he was first elected into the House of Assembly, stressing that the skills acquisition was born out of his dedication and commitment to deliver the dividends of Democracy to his constituents.
“For the records, this empowerment scheme is born out of dedication and commitment to the very reasons why I decided to seek for your mandate in governance. And I’ve been organizing programmes of similar nature aimed at positively touching the lives of our youths for sustainable development.
“The present scheme is aimed at building capacity amongst youths in Agro skills and entrepreneurship, with a view to providing empowerment in the form of miniature. I call on all participants to support the Prosperity Administration led by Senator Douye Diri to move Bayelsa State to the next level of development.
“Let me also reiterate here, that this programme is not done in isolation, but as part of my little contribution to complement what the prosperity government of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri is doing at the State level on Agricultural skills acquisition and development in Bayelsa State”, Obordor said.
The Tide reports that the training include, Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, fish farming, rice farming, poultry and cassava farming, while participants were also taken on escortion to a standard poultry farm for practical field experience.
In an interview with Newsmen shortly after the programme, a participant, Miss Florence Agala said she had gained valuable knowledge from the programme, adding that the training has equipped her with skills to become self reliant.
High points of the event was the presentation of cash to the participants by the organizer and his appeal to the PDP delegates to vote for him at the forthcoming, primaries to enable him fly the party’s flag at the 2023 Ogbia Federal House of Representatives Election.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.