Niger Delta

SACA Partners FG, Bayelsa On Human Rights Validation

Published

3 years ago

July 31, 2023

A Non-governmental organisation, Stakeholders Alliance for Corporate Accountability (SACA), some Ministries of the Bayelsa State Government, the National Human Rights Commission, and selected Federal Ministries and Parastatals, as well as the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) during the week, carried out a validation exercise on Human Rights Due Diligence Tool in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of SACA, Mr Kingsley Ozegbe, expressed his appreciation to members of the SACA’s Human Rights Due Diligence Committee (HRDDC).
The Tide learnt that the HRDDC is one of the three committees SACA has earlier set up in its quest for a continued campaign and sensitization against the hazardous effects of oil spillages on human life and other oil and gas caused environmental pollution, amongst others.
Ozegbe noted that the Human Rights Due Diligence Committee was an institution-based one, just as he lauded the National Human Rights Commission, the National Oil Spills Detection snd Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), as well as others for their partnership with the NGO in its programmes.
“The purpose of our gathering here is to Validate the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDDC) Tool. This tool was developed as a national tool to help the National Human Rights Commission conduct periodic Human Rights Impact Assessment on business enterprises in Nigeria.
“It’s specifically for community impact assessment. It would help business enterprises to identify existing and potential risks that may hinder or were already obstructing their operations, with a view to addressing them and deflating human rights risks on time. So it’s meant to reduce or remedy human rights risks around company’s operational areas.
“These efforts would improve quality of relationship amongst stakeholders and boost investment climate in Nigeria, sustainable employment, national revenue and development, as well as healthier societal growth.
“The importance of periodic Human Rights Impact Assessment on companies can’t be overstressed. If the HRDD process had been in place, it would have a averted the calamity befalling people in extractive communities, the oil and mining companies and the Nigeria Government.
“The issue of broken relationships that led to the arms struggle in the Niger Delta region and the continuous willful damage of oil facilities that excelled to oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and refineries, and the endemic pollution of the environment would’ve been nipped on bud”, SACA said.
The Executive Director, who also commended the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Asia and Nigeria, as well as the Danish Institute for Human Rights, noted that materials obtained from the trio bodies immensely aided SACA’s work in developing the Human Rights Due Diligence Tool.
SACA is funded by Misean Cara of the Republic of Ireland with the support of the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society(SPMS).
The NGO has said, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and its parent firm, ENI were the funders of its current programmes on the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Tool.
Presenting an address also, the Chairman of SACA’s Human Rights Due Diligence Committee, who doubles as the Bayelsa State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Eugene Baadom stated that the committee has embarked on massive awareness creation in selected communities across the state, sensitizing them on human rights, corporate social responsibility (CSR), Due Diligence principles and on the UNGP Business and Human Rights, respectively.
“These community awareness programmes carried out by the HRDDC weren’t aimed at hurting anyone, the Communities nor Stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, but to create an avenue where communities are aware of the negative effects of oil spills to their health, agricultural production, communities and its implication to our economic growth in terms of revenue generation”, he said.
Meanwhile, participants of the programme from the Federal Government’s level have also commended SACA for its selfless services, reemphasizing that the NGO has been spare heading a just cause.
Participants at the Federal Government’s level included the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, and Solicitor-General of the Federation who was represented by a Deputy Director of the Ministry, Barr.(Mrs) Chinelo Irele, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), represented by the Deputy Director, Business and Human Rights, Barr.(Mrs) Pwadumoi Okoh.
Also in attendance were, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Steel and Mines, represented by a Principal Geologist in the Ministry, Mr Rufai Abdulmalik, the Controller, Federal Ministry of Environment in Bayelsa state, Aleibiri Amatarei, as well as the Director-General, NOSDRA, who was represented by an Assistant Director, Legal Services of the agency, Barr. (Mrs) Titilayo Zozoma Baiyelo.
SACA, however noted that the only participant from the invited officers from security formations in attendance was the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp(NSCDC), Bayelsa State Command, represented by a Deputy Commandant, Ndubuisi Lawrence.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

6 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

6 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

6 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.