Niger Delta

2023: Diri Wants Kwankwaso’s Defection To PDP

Published

3 years ago

January 30, 2023

As campaigns for this year’s general elections gather momentum, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, says he is praying for the return of the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Diri disclosed this, midweek, when the NNPP presidential candidate led top officials of his campaign council to pay him a courtesy call in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said his administration was on same page with Senator Kwankwaso on several burning national issues in the country.
Describing the NNPP standard bearer as an astute politician, who is passionate about working for a better Nigeria, he however, noted that current realities show that, that laudable dream can better be actualized in the PDP.
Speaking further, Senator Diri also described Bayelsa as one of the most environmentally terrorized places in the world with an unacceptable level of poverty that requires urgent attention.
He stressed that the state had been facing “severe environmental degradation occasioned by gas flaring, crude oil spills and other environmentally unwholesome practices by multinational oil firms over the years”.
According to him, what the state and its people need is a Nigerian Presidency that will ensure environmental justice and true federalism in resource allocation and redistribution.
He agreed with his visitor that the country is witnessing what he called decayed infrastructure, collapsed healthcare and education systems, in addition to pervasive poverty and insecurity.
“We have listened to your message, not only here, but also in other places and platforms. We are on the same page with you on the issues you have raised.
“We have a consensus ad idem with you on the parlous state our healthcare system, the dilapidated nature of our infrastructure, and the unacceptable level of poverty and insecurity in this country.
“The only area you have not extended your message to, is the area that is pinching us seriously in our shoes. And that is the area of environmental justice and equity in terms of distribution of resources.
“Bayelsa State as well as the entire Ijaw nation is the most environmentally terrorized place in the whole world. So, the issue of resource redistribution, which you also spoke about, is very key to us.
“We agree with you in terms of the need to rescue Nigeria. But you know that there is no time your fowl and another will be wrestling that you will be seen clapping hands for the other fowl.
“Earlier, you put the power across to us that you are expecting us to join you. But I want to let you know that we are also praying hard for you to come back to the PDP, where you rightly belong”, he said.
Speaking earlier, the NNPP Presidential Candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said he and his team were in the state to sell his aspiration and ideas on how best to fix the country.
According to Senator Kwankwaso, he will mobilize all democratic forces to save Nigeria from insecurity, poverty, failed health, agriculture, education and infrastructure, if elected as president in the elections scheduled for next month.
He noted that the party was not the issue, but electing the right person as President, warning that Nigerians would have themselves to blame if they did not vote “a healthy person as their next president.”

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.