News
Nsirim Flags Off Second Phase Of #OurStateOurResponsibility
Smarting from the overwhelming and massive response to Rivers State advocacy campaign with the hashtag ‘#OurStateOurResponsibility’ rolled out two years ago intended to mobilize the people and change the negative narrative about the state, Information and Communications Commissioner, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, last Wednesday, announced the kick-off of the second phase of the advocacy campaign with a charge to residents of the state to whole-heartedly key into the campaign.
Nsirim, at a press briefing, in Port Harcourt, said that the advocacy campaign was aimed at advancing the frontiers of the giant strides of the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration in the state.
The commissioner said that the campaign was also intended to ensure that everyone becomes a major stakeholder in the Rivers State project as well as portrays the state in its true positive status as the most hospitable in Nigeria.
He hinted that the second phase of the campaign would stretch beyond solidarity campaign to engage residents of the state on essay writing, theme song, skits, and short film competitions which would attract cash prizes.
The commissioner, who further hinted that the easy competition, which will centre on #OurStateOurResponsibility, was aimed at inculcating in the minds of the young ones the ideas and ideals behind the advocacy campaign, as future drivers of the advocacy.
Revealing that the competition would be open for youths between the ages of 16-25 years, the commissioner further stated that youths would be required to write an essay of between 250-500 words in their own handwriting, which they would scan and forward to email addressed to Ministry of Information and Communications at: comsagmail.com within two weeks from Thursday, September 2, 2021.
Nsirim, who said the deadline for the submission of the essay is Wednesday, September 15, 2021, hinted that to ensure originality and transparency of the exercise, 23 best scripts would be selected by judges while the chosen participants would be required to appear physically for a second round of essay writing at the Ministry of Information and Communications on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.
He disclosed that the cash prize for the best first place winner would attract N50,000 while the second and third place winners would smile home with N30,000 and N20,000, respectively.
The commissioner further disclosed that there would also be consolation prizes for the fourth, fifth, and sixth placed participants, all of whom would be presented with plaques on October 4, 2021.
Nsirim divulged that in furtherance to creating more awareness that would give greater visibility to the #OurStateOurResponsibility advocacy campaign, the ministry, would also call for entries from members of the public, including members of the Advertisers Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Port Harcourt chapter for the theme song selection, skit competition and a short film competition, centred on the hashtag.
Explaining that monetary incentive would also accompany the best of each category of the works which would be reviewed on the media platforms of the state Ministry of Information and Communications, the commissioner hinted that plaques would also be presented to the winners who would ultimately be unveiled as the ministry’s ambassadors who shall partake in all activities of the ministry for three months of their reign.
Nsirim reeled out Wike’s achievements in the past six years, adding that the avalanche of projects commissioned and flagged–off in the last two months reinforces the fact that the governor remains the hope of Nigerians that democracy can actually work to favour the common man.
By: Victor Tew & Oribim Ibama
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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