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Semenitari Raises Alarm Over Cyber Crime
Rivers state Commissioner for Information and
Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has called for a more robust collaboration
between the Federal and State ministries of Information to achieve a stringent
law capable of curbing the rapid growth rate of cyber crime in the country.
Semenitari also identified the ‘tight
secrecy’ disposition of the security agencies and their unwillingness to share
information with the State Government managers of information as one of the
challenges facing state information units in their campaign against terrorism
and creation of public awareness on insecurity.
The honourable commissioner made the call in
a paper submitted by the Rivers State Government delegation at the 43rd
National Council. on Information which ended in Abuja , yesterday.
She said the Federal Ministry as part of the
federal executive council could find ways of ensuring that some of those
factors limiting news flow to the states were curbed.
Speaking on the rising spate of cyber crime
and the need for a law to checkmate the trend , the honourable minister of
Information , Mr Labaran Maku noted that cyber crime was just one side effect
of free flow of information.
Maku who chaired the second day session of
the conference made it clear that in as much as there was an urgent need for a
strong legislation against cyber crime , there was also the need to take time
to ensure that such law would only safe-guide the authentic cyber world and not
negate the freedom of information and fundamental human rights laws.
According to the state commissioner for
information , cyber crime was a fast growing monster in the information
technology sector and as such required a fast track solution.
She pointed out that presently the United
Kingdom and other Western countries were already facing high challenges due to
cyber crime and advised the Nigeria Broadcasting Cooperation (NBC) and other
regulatory agencies to seek ways to curb this rising menace.
She also appealed to the security agencies (
Police , SSS, JTF etc) even as they are under the control of the Federal
Government to grant the state managers of information the opportunity to know
all they needed to know to enable them find the best ways to enlighten their
communities.
The information commissioner also recommended
a village model of information approach as a better way of communicating to the
people in times of crisis to enable the grassroots know in their own lay terms
the real situation and the way to go about it.
The 43rd NCI which took place between
Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th. December was attended by about 440 delegates
from 31 states.
The next meeting of the Council will hold in
Oshogbo, Osun state in September 2013.
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RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
