The National Population Commission (NPC) has announced the commencement of a nationwide digital registration of births and deaths in Rivers State under the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, E-CRVS, System, using the new VitalReg platform.

Federal Commissioner, NPC, Rivers State, Prof. Itotenaan Henry Ogiri, announced said this recently during a press briefing  in his Port Harcourt office.

Ogiri said the full digital registration of births and deaths took effect nationwide on July 1, 2026, and is now being implemented across Rivers’ 23 Local Government Areas as part of the Commission’s rollout in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a modern, technology-driven civil registration system,

“It reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every birth and every death occurring in our country is accurately captured through a secure, efficient and digitally enabled platform,” he said.

The Federal Commissioner noted that while Nigeria records an estimated five million births annually, coverage remains low.

“Birth registration currently stands at about 57%, while death registration is below 20% nationwide.

“These gaps underscore the urgent need for a more efficient and accessible registration system,” he stated.

To address this, he said the commission has established 4,011 functional registration centres across the 774 LGAs, with plans to expand to about 8,000 centres nationwide.

According to him, in Rivers State, structures have been put in place and personnel are working with health facilities, LGAs and community stakeholders to ensure accessibility.

Ogiri explained that the VitalReg platform offers faster registration, 24-hour access, automated data validation for accuracy, reduced paperwork and waiting time, enhanced record security, and a stronger national database to support other government information systems.

He added that the platform would integrate seamlessly with Nigeria’s national digital identity framework, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve coordination and service delivery.

“The initiative builds on the launch of the E-CRVS System and the inauguration of the National Coordination Committee on CRVS by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 8, 2023.

“It also aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on digital transformation and transparency,” he said.

The NPC Commissioner stressed that success depends on partnerships and public participation and listed key collaborators as ALGON, NIMC, UNICEF and Barnksforte Technologies Limited.

“In Rivers State, we will continue to work closely with the State Government, Local Government Councils, healthcare providers, traditional institutions, religious organisations, development partners, civil society organisations and the media to ensure that no child or family is left behind,” he said.

The commissioner called on parents, guardians, healthcare workers and community leaders to ensure prompt registration of every birth and death, noting that a complete civil registration system strengthens governance and supports sustainable development.

He reassured the public that birth registration and birth notification services remain highly subsidised, though specialised administrative services such as record modification, certificate reissuance, attestations and verification will attract approved charges to support system sustainability.

Ogiri appreciated the Rivers State Government for its support, and commended NPC staff in the State, as well as development partners, LGAs, healthcare institutions, traditional and religious leaders for advancing civil registration in the state.

He also urged the media to continue to amplify the message “that every birth counts, every death matters and every Nigerian deserves a legal identity.”

“As we commence this new chapter, let us all work together to build a civil registration system that is modern, inclusive and trusted by all,” Ogiri concluded.

?Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated his  support for  the second term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and  the aspiration of Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State to succeed him.

?In what could be described as a public  declaration of peace and  total cessation of political hostilities in the state, Fubara expressed support for the Rainbow Coalition, the political group put together by his predecessor and  Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike to advance  the interest of the ruling party in Rivers State.

According to him, as a loyal  member of the APC, he has also become a member of the ?coalition.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor made his position known during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Riven Medical  Industries Project in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.

He disclosed that  the  hitherto contending political forces in the state have resolved their differences and resolved to work together in the interest of the peace and development of the state.

?He charged his supporters across the state to, without prejudice to the past,  join him in supporting the ambition of  Tinubu, Chinda and all other candidates of the APC  in the State during the 2027 elections.

?”We have made  peace in the state and I am supporting our Rainbow Coalition. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our president, and is the one we are supporting. OK Chinda is the governorship candidate that I am supporting and anybody who believes in me will support him and every other candidate that is under the Rainbow Coalition.

?” I’ve gone back to our family. So, please, whoever you are, give your total support to the Rainbow Coalition. We need to move forward. The time of war is over. It is time for peace and this peace is taking us to another level.

?”I want this to be made clear to everybody. So, don’t go anywhere and say you’re supporting Fubara …. No. No. No. My position is this:  I have said it here and clearly for everyone to hear. If you’re not hearing we’ll use cotton wool to clean your ears and let it enter well. I’m not party to anything that will bring any form of disunity in this state. I’ve done what I need to do and we are moving forward,” he said.

?Fubara described the Riven Medical Industries Project as a positive development for the state, but  warned against a repeat of the ugly experiences in the past where some  investors were given  the opportunity to operate in the state only to renege on some aspects of the agreement, leading to litigations.

?According to him, his administration endorsed the project out of the conviction that the new investors have the capacity and commitment to deliver on the mandate to revive the project, create jobs and boost economic development in the state.

?He charged investors to keep to the timelines and ensure that the first phase of the project is successfully achieved in the next three  months.

He  also appealed to the host  communities and the leadership of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, to give their maximum support to the project and avoid anything that could disrupt its smooth operation.

?The governor pledged that his administration will continue to provide total support to the project to  ensure its success.

?The Riven Medical Industries Project is a landmark Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Rivers State Government and Enbay Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, and represents one of the State’s most strategic investments in industrialization, healthcare, and economic development.

?The project is being implemented through Riven Medical Industries Limited, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established by Enbay Pharmaceutical Industries Limited to revive and redevelop the former Integrated Medical Industries (IMI) into a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing complex.

?When completed, the facility will manufacture pharmaceutical formulations, gelatine capsules, intravenous (IV) infusions, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), significantly expanding Nigeria’s local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, reducing dependence on imported medicines, strengthening the nation’s healthcare value chain, and enhancing medicine security.

?The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, stimulate technology transfer, attract local and foreign investment, and position Rivers State as the leading pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare investment hub in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

?The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a transformative journey that reflects the Rivers State Government’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth, economic diversification, improved healthcare outcomes, and strategic partnerships that deliver lasting value for the people of Rivers State and Nigeria.

An Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorist chief financial operative and two male children have surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai, in Borno State.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the development in a late-night statement on Saturday, noting that the success serves as another major operational breakthrough in the fight against insurgency.

The acting Military Information Officer Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, in the statement said the terrorist surrendered at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route in Borno State.

The statement reads, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, underscoring the sustained impact of ongoing kinetic and intelligence-driven operations across the North East.”

He said the development comes amid a growing wave of terrorist surrenders, with approximately 46 terrorists and their family members voluntarily surrendering to troops in recent days

According to Goni, his decision to lay down his arms follows the recent series of coordinated and decisive land and air offensives conducted by Operation HADIN KAI against terrorist enclaves.

“The terrorist surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on 25 July 2026 along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route,” he said.

Preliminary profiling indicates that the terrorist served as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the group’s financial activities and logistics.

“He surrendered alongside two male children,” Goni stated.

The Army spokesperson said items recovered from the terrorist include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and the sum of ?40,000.

“The individual is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to exploit actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and facilitate the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the Theatre,” he stressed.

He further noted that the surrender of such a key finance operative represents another significant setback for ISWAP, reflecting the growing erosion of the group’s command structure, operational capability, and sustainment network under the relentless pressure of Operation HADIN KAI.

“Coupled with the increasing number of recent surrenders, this development confirms deepening disillusionment within terrorist ranks and points to an accelerating wave of defections from terrorist camps,” he emphasised.

Goni assured Nigerians that Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its mission to restore enduring peace, security, and stability across the North East.

“The Theatre Command therefore calls on all remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms before it is too late,” he added.

Goni urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will enhance ongoing counter-terrorism operations.