Niger Delta

Diri, Wike Receive Commendations On Projects Execution

Published

4 years ago

February 4, 2022

The border communities of the inseparable Rivers and Bayelsa States, (Igbogene in Yenagoa council area of Bayelsa State) and (Okarki in the Ahoada West Council area of Rivers State) have lauded Governors, Douye Diri and Nyesom Wike over their sterling performances in office.
The Engenni-speaking Okarki Community and its sister Epie speaking Igbogene Community expressed their appreciation separately to their governors on the sidelines of a tour of ongoing government projects carried out by select media practitioners in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking to the media group at the site of the ongoing construction of the Igbogene ultra modern transport terminal, the duo of the chairman, Community Development Committee(CDC), Igbogene Community, comrade Samuel Opuluye and the Community liaison officer of the Bayelsa State Dredging and Construction company, handlers of the project, Comrade Dickson Sasime thanked the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri for continuing the project from where his predecessor and initiator of the project, former Governor Seriake Dickson stopped.
They restated that though the delivery target year of the project was initially delayed due to pursity of funds, it is now set for Inauguration in the coming days by the state governor.
The duo reiterated that upon the commissioning of the project which they described as the best of its kind in the Niger Delta region, there would be a beehive of socioeconomic activities in and around the border community.
The Tide reports that Igbogene community of Yenagoa council area of Bayelsa state, one of the gateway towns of the state would in days be hosting the state governor and other dignitaries as the state government perfects plans to commission a number of projects in the community.
It would be recalled that the Governor Diri’s led prosperity administration has continued and also completed a number of Infrastructural projects it inherited from the immediate past administration of the state other successive ones.
Also speaking in Okarki community of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, the CDC Chairman, Mr ThankGod Arugu eulogised the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike for embarking on the award and total reconstruction of the only public secondary school in the community as well as the award and reconstruction of the Mbiama-Akiogbologbo – Okarki Road projects.
The Okarki CDC boss expressed joy that with the ongoing rebuilding of the Community Secondary School,Okarki by the Governor Wike’s administration, education would be given a boost in the community and its environs.
Arugu, who described Governor Wike as a leader with passion to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state noted that the governor from his inception into office has never politicized development, just as he averred that Wike has at all times been very sensitive to the plight of Rivers people.
He, however, restated that the contractors handling the school and roads projects have betrayed the confidence the community had earlier reposed in them, saying that whereas the Mbiama Akiogbolo Okarki Road project was constructed with substandard materials, the contractor handling the secondary school building has abandoned the project without completing it, pleading with The ‘Mr Project’ and the relevant government Ministry in charge of the two projects to call the contractors to order.
“The Rivers State Governor, ‘Mr Project’, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, has done well for Okarki Communitiy, especially with the ongoing reconstruction of our secondary school and the Mbiama Akiogbologbo Okarki Road projects.
“But the contractors for these projects have delayed the works and for the road, the contractor came and did his work with substandard materials”, the Okarki CDC helmsman said.
The Tide learnt that not until governor Wike’s intervention through the award of contracts for both the rebuilding and reconstruction of the Community secondary School,Okarki and the Mbiama—Akiogbologbo—Okarki road projects, both infrastructure were in complete quagmire and commatos situations.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

4 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

4 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

4 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.