From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim is now the Commissioner of Information and Communication in the state.
Pastor Nsirim was among the 13 Commissioners designate and 15 Special Advisers sworn in by Governor Nyesom Wike on Monday at the State Government House in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike had during the searing in charged the new Commissioners and Special Advisers to always place the interest of Rivers State above all other considerations.
He said: “Work for the interest of Rivers State. This is a rare privilege to serve Rivers State. Everything must not be money.
“As it has pleased God, you have been given the opportunity to assist in the development of Rivers State.”
The Governor said that now that the State Executive Council has been formed, the implementation of the 2020 will start in earnest.
He warned the new Commissioners and Special Advisers against working with different political interest groups to seek for the 2023 Governorship.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Rivers State Council has pledged its support to the newly sworn in Information Commissioner, Paulinus Nsirim.
The council made the promise at a reception in honour of pastor Nsirim at the State Headquarters of the union.
Chairman of the state NUJ, Stanley Job Stanley commended the governor for heeding the call of the union to appoint a professional as commissioner for the Ministry of Information and Communication.
Represented by the State Vice Chairman of the NUJ, Paul Bazia, Stanley Job extolled the virtues of the new commissioner who he said has risen from a cub reporter to a permanent secretary in the ministry.
The NUJ urged the new commissioner to create an enabling environment for journalists to practice.
Reacting to the commendation, Pastor Nsirim appreciated God for the privilege to serve the state and urged journalists to work with the government to develop the state.
He called for constructive criticism in reportage and not unnecessary attacks on the government in the name of critical writing.
