Niger Delta

Ewhrudjakpo Wants FIDA To Intensify Advocacy For Women Rights, Equity

Published

4 years ago

July 11, 2022

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has charged the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Nigeria to redouble their efforts at protecting and projecting the rights of women and children in the country.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo gave the charge when the state chapter of FIDA led by its Chairperson, Barrister Deme Debrah Pamosoo, paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, on Thursday, noted that though the activities of FIDA were laudable, the group still has a lot to do in protecting women’s rights at home, the workplace and society in general.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo said as female lawyers in the vanguard of justice for women and the girl-child, FIDA should do everything humanly possible to ensure that women get their rights in full in line with the principle of equity.
According to him, there are still a lot of repugnant cultural practices against women in society, which calls for sustained advocacy by all well-meaning organizations, including FIDA, to eliminate such demeaning practices.
The Deputy Governor noted that women suffer a lot of abuses ranging from sexual harassment, domestic violence to maternal assaults, which demand concerted efforts to stamp out from society..
He used the opportunity to also call on FIDA to counsel their junior colleagues to be patient in learning the ropes in the legal profession, noting that many young lawyers in contemporary times were too much in hurry to become expert professionals.
While commending FIDA for their achievements so far in the State, Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured the group that Government would look into their requests within the remits of available resources.
“You need to advocate for equity to enable women get the rights due them. The only way we can get this is for us to rigorously advocate for women’s rights. Let them get their rights before we talk of ameliorating the pains they suffer.
“There are still a lot of repugnant cultural practices against women that entail a clear violation of rights of women. For example, in some communities here in our state, women are not allowed to be buried in the town, no matter how highly placed the deceased was in her life time.
“Another example, which amounts to maternal assault is a situation where some institutions do not allow nursing mothers to bring their little babies to work because they don’t want to hear the baby cry in the office.
“I also want you to really talk to our younger ones in the profession. Some of them are too much in a hurry to become professionals, but they are not ready to patiently learn under their more experienced senior colleagues in the legal profession”, he charged.
Speaking earlier, the Chairperson of FIDA, Bayelsa State, Barrister Deme Debrah Pamosoo, said FIDA had been in the vanguard of championing the protection of the rights of women and the girl-child and handled several rape, defilement and abduction cases.
She appealed to the State Government to assist the FIDA with an official bus to enhance their operations, and logistics support to enable the body participate in the 2022 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Lagos.
Barrister Pamosoo also informed the Deputy Governor of FIDA’s intention to carry out an enlightenment campaign in some rural communities in the State later this year.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

8 hours 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

8 hours 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

8 hours 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.