Head of Service, Barr Samuel LongJohn (right) receiving a report on the verification of the status of  Unique Cooperative Society, from the Solicitor General and Perm Sec, Ministry of Justice, Barr Rufus Godwins

Public Servants in Rivers State have been advised not to enter into loan transactions with any organization without clearance and authorization from the Office of the Head of Service. Head of Service, HOS Barr Samuel LongJohn gave the advice recently  in his office while receiving a Report from a Committee set up to verify the status of the Unique Port Harcourt Civil Servants Cooperative Investment and Credit Society Limited in respect of loans purportedly granted to Civil Servants for the purchase of plots of land situated at Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State.

Parents, and other stakeholders in the education sector have been called to join hands with government to give quality education to youths in the State so that the future will not be taken over by criminals. The Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council, Warisenibo (Hon) Maclean Bethel Uranta, made the call during a welcome party in honour of the new teachers posted to the area. Warisenibo Uranta urged the new teachers to be dedicated and punctual to duty and see their posting to the area as a divine call to contribute their quota for the betterment of the society. He announced that his council will pay a monthly stipend of N5, 000.00 to each of the teachers till the State government pays their salaries so as to cushion the effect of the challenges faced by them in a difficult terrain like Opobo/Nkoro.  Also speaking at the event, the Education Secretary of the LGA, Mr. David Opusunju, commended the various efforts of the council Chairman towards promoting education, especially for the payment of WAEC and JAMB fees for the final year students, payment of bursary to students in tertiary institutions engagement of adhoc teachers to complement the teachers in the LGA among other.

The Rivers State government has joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2013 World Aids Day with the theme ‘‘getting to Zero: Zero new infection. Zero Stigmatisation, Zero AIDS related deaths.’’  In an address to commemorate the occasion Health Commissioner Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Parker said the State zero-prevalence was found to be 3.1 per cent by National Aids and Reproductive Health Survey of 2007 while the Antenatal Sero Prevalence rate for the infection in Rivers state (2010) is put at 6.0 per cent.

Culture has been identified as one of the elements of nation building and national cohesion that strengthens intra and inter-communal relations as well as provide the foundation for our distinct identity. The Minister for Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, made this known while speaking at the just concluded Abuja 2013 Carnival recently. Chief Duke said, ‘‘the Carnival provides a platform for the projection of Nigerian’s rich cultural heritage. It is always a delight to see our people from the various States of the Federation in their cultural form exhibiting a kaleidoscope of colours ‘‘National Unity and cohesion are winners at this year’s Carnival, culture has in the country’s 100 years continued to grow from strength to strength’’. He said that beyond the celebration and display of culture, Carnival has become Mega business around the world, describing it as the catalyst and back bone of multifaceted economy. The Minister explained that the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation remains committed to the development of the creative sector, adding  that the ‘‘new cultural policy of Nigeria has designated carnival as an important cultural and economic activity and has made adequate provision for its enhancement’’.