Niger Delta

Abaribe Joins Abia Governorship Race, Promises LG Autonomy

Published

11 years ago

October 27, 2014

Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe,
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, has promised to grant autonomy to Abia local governments if he is elected as the state governor in 2015.
He said this on Friday in Abuja after picking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination and expression of interest forms to contest 2015 Abia governorship election.
Abaribe also promised to organise local government election in the state if he was elected.
He, however, added that aspirants waiting to be endorsed for 2015 governorship election were not ready for such position.
He expressed the hope that there would be no imposition or a consensus candidate in Abia.
He said that: “We are all going to the field and the best man is going to emerge and that best man is Abaribe.’’
Abaribe, a former Deputy Governor of Abia, contested the state governorship election in 2003 but lost but later went to the Senate.
“I think we have come a full circle and everybody in Abia knows that today there is the need to bring in somebody who will bring peculiar qualities and some very strong characters and values to governance,’’ he said.
He promised to bring competence, character, integrity and strong values to governance if elected.
The aspirant added that Abia currently had deficit in virtually every aspect of its economy, stressing that his desire was to ease the burden on the people of the state.
“I intend to do so, and God willing, I will do so,’’ he said.
Also at the PDP national headquarters to pick the forms was Prof. Taohid Adedoja, an Oyo State governorship aspirant.
The aspirant said the state needed a man with great express who was close to the people in grassroots.
He said it was his advantage over other aspirants.
“Because of my pedigree and exposure, people feel I fit into that position to assist in repositioning the state,’’ he said.
He added that his decision to join the race was because his people wanted him and believed he could serve them in that capacity.
Adedoja, however, said that contrary to general belief, the calibre of aspirants coming out to contest the governorship election would further strengthen the state‘s PDP, rather than tear it apart.
The Tide source reports that a former Governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Akala, is also in the race for the seat in 2015.
Another aspirant, Lady Clara Njoko, was also at the PDP headquarters to pick the forms for the Imo governorship contest.
She said that lots of things had gone wrong in the state and promised to positively transform it if elected as its next governor.
“The people, having tried men, desire the touch of a woman in the administration of the state. I came out because my people are yearning for me to lead them.
“I known where the shoes pinche in my state. If elected, as a mother, I will tackle head-on, issues of security, unemployment, poverty and kidnapping in the state,’’ she said.
Rep. Abiodun Akinlade, a governorship aspirant for Ogun, also picked the forms at the PDP national headquarters.
Akinlade is the Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology.
He promised to transform Ogun without inflicting pains on its people if elected.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.