Niger Delta
Diri Leads Deligation’s Visit To Late Commissioner’s Family, Accident Victims
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, members of the State Executive Council, and the leadership of the State’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently paid a condolence visit to the family of the State’s late Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Elizabeth Bidei.
The Tide learnt that Mrs. Bidei died after a brief illness on December 30, 2024 aged 67.
Governor Diri, who spoke in an emotion-laden voice, recalled how Mrs. Bidei and her husband, Jackson Bidei, a former African wrestling champion, retired Director of Sports and Permanent Secretary, were his staunch supporters from the beginning of his political journey.
He described her as an active PDP member, a woman of valour who contributed a lot to the growth and development of the state through the various positions she occupied.
“Mrs. Bidei and her dear husband stood by me from the beginning of my political journey till date. They never wavered for one second. It is so sad that we are here for a condolence visit.
“We cannot query or question God. This brings to fore the fact that every one of us are just mortals and only what we do will speak when we are gone.
“Today, our compatriot, active party woman, a member of our State Executive Council and a woman of valour, who we all thought would continue to contribute to the growth and development of our state, is no more. I never imagined that we would be paying tribute to this woman.
“But in everything, the Bible says we should give thanks to God. On behalf of the government and people of the state, I extend our condolences to the family”, the Governor said.
Diri said the government will take care of the funeral expenses, being a commissioner who died in active service to the state.
Responding, spokesman of the family, Mr. Ebikabowei Otobo, and Mr. Bidei expressed appreciation to the Governor for demonstrating exemplary leadership in personally visiting with members of his cabinet.
The delegation included lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Constituency One, Mr. Bonnie Ayah; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; Bayelsa PDP Chairman, Chief Solomon Agwana; the Secretary, Gesiye Isowo; Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe; his deputy, Irorodamie Komonibo; Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Target Segibo; the Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema; and other top government functionaries.
The entourage also visited recuperating victims of last Friday’s fatal accident in Sagbama that claimed the life of the paramount ruler of Ofoni Community, HRH Auditor Onakpohor, at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Continue Reading
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.
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.
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.
-
Maritime15 hours ago
Customs Declares War Against Narcotics Baron At Idiroko Border
-
Maritime15 hours ago
Nigeria To Pilot Regional Fishing Vessels Register In Gulf Of Guinea —Oyetola
-
Maritime15 hours ago
NIMASA,NAF Boost Unmanned Aerial Surveillance For Maritime Security
-
Maritime15 hours ago
NIWA Collaborates ICPC TO Strengthen Integrity, Revenue
-
City Crime12 hours ago
NCSU Hails Fubara Over 2025 New Telegraph Man Of The Year Award
-
Maritime15 hours ago
NIMASA GETS NEW MARITIME GUARD COMMANDER,ADOKI
-
Sports15 hours agoGombe-Gara Rejects Chelle $130,000 monthly salary
-
Business15 hours agoBOI Introduces Business Clinic