Niger Delta

Independence: Celebrate Nation’s Successes, Not Failures, Shell MD Urges Nigerians

Published

12 years ago

October 4, 2013

Nigerians have been
charged to use the opportunity provided by the nation’s 53rd Independence Anniversary to celebrate the successes recorded rather than the mistakes, failures and unattained targets in the country’s march toward greatness.
The Country Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu, who gave the admonition at the dance night last Monday to usher in the 53rd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria in Port Harcourt, also challenged Nigerians to seek more of what contribution they can make to enhance the nation’s pace towards speedy transformation in all sectors.
Sunmonu said that the independence anniversary celebration creates an opportunity for all well-meaning Nigerians to reflect on what they could do to lift the nation out of the woods, saying that blaming leaders only for the nation’s woes was unpatriotic and shows lack of nationalistic consciousness.
The managing director noted that the problem with Nigeria was in majority of Nigerians’ inability to appreciate the sacrifices of their leaders, saying that if every Nigerian puts in his or her honest best, the nation would be on the fast lane of sustainable development.
According to him, “every October 1, as a Nigerian citizen, I like to reflect on where we have come from – our mistakes and our great accomplishments, our failures and our many successes – in order to plan for a better tomorrow for my country, my children and the generations to follow.
“As the country chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, I also go through that exercise of taking stock to see how we have fared as partners in progress with this great nation,” he said.
“We should be proud of what our companies have accomplished in partnership with the federal and state governments over the past 53 years since Nigeria gained independence.
“Shell companies have been a reliable partner fuelling the progress of our great nation in the areas of technology, building human capital development and awarding contracts to indigenous companies, fuelling their growth. We ought to be particularly proud of our contributions to the Nigerian youth through various scholarship schemes.
“We are committed to being a part of Nigeria’s future and building upon our great partnership with the nation in order to achieve her great economic, political and sustainable development potential,” Sunmonu added.
Also speaking, the President, Shell Club, Port Harcourt, Princewill Obi, said the event was designed to create a platform for staff members, their families and special guests to have a feel of the special independence anniversary mood, and thanked all those who played a part in the successful organisation of a series of events to mark the nation’s 53rd anniversary celebration for their dedication and team spirit.
Obi said that the organisers of the events had made every effort to put together a team of musicians from across the country, including Olamide, Wizkid, Inyanya, Donna Diva, among others, to entertain staff, families and friends in the spirit of Nigeria’s 53rd Independence Anniversary celebration.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

8 hours 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

8 hours 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

8 hours 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.