NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has
supported calls for regional co-operation and
autonomy, devolution of powers from the
centre, community policing and the non-
posting of Youth Corps’ members to violence-
ridden areas.
NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has
supported calls for regional co-operation and
autonomy, devolution of powers from the centre,
community policing and the non-posting of Youth
Corps’ members to violence-ridden areas.
He, however, disagreed with the condemnation
that has trailed the appointment of the First
Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as a Permanent
Secretary by the Bayelsa State Government,
arguing that “after all, the lady in question is not
constitutionally disqualified from the office.”
Prof. Soyinka condemned the Boko Haram
insurgency, describing it as “a manifestation of a
virulent religious backwardness.”
He called for the streamlining of education in
Nigeria especially at the tertiary level.
Soyinka spoke at a lecture he delivered at the
Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the
capital of Akwa Ibom State.
In his lecture titled “Celebration of Good
Governance,” Prof. Soyinka lauded the Akpabio
Administration for what he called “the quantum
leap in development” of the state he last visited
12 years ago.
He commended the Governor for not
differentiating between Federal and State roads
in road construction and advised other states to
emulate “the same pattern of development.”
The Deputy Governor, Nsima Ekere, attributed
the uncommon transformation of the state to the
remarkable leadership provided by Governor
Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking after the lecture, Ekere stressed that
good leadership was the real ingredient to good
governance as demonstrated by Chief Akpabio.
The Deputy Governor also stated that the
Governor was able to achieve so much because of
the team he had painstakingly chosen.
“What we are witnessing in Akwa Ibom State is
because the team is led by a very focused and
committed captain of ship,” he said. “In Akwa
Ibom State, the leadership painstakingly chooses
the other team members.”
Mr. Ekere thanked Prof. Soyinka for
acknowledging the development strides of the
Akpabio Administration after taking up the
Governor’s challenge to visit the state and see
things for himself.
He assured that the State Government will make
good use of the advice given by the Nobel
Laureate in the course of his visit.
The Deputy Governor supported Prof. Soyinka’s
call for healthy competition between State and
Local Governments “so that we can develop
together and move this country forward.”
He called on all Nigerians to support the fight
against corruption which, he said, was
devastating and eating deep into the fabric of the
nation.
Mr. Ekere explained that the State Government
organized the interactive session between the
students and Prof. Soyinka to enable the students
to learn from the Nobel Laureate and advised
them to read and study Prof. Soyinka’s books,
shun all forms of cultism and strive to become
responsible citizens of the country.