The Governor of Bayelsa
State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, explained at the weekend why he chose a former Head
of State, Gen. Yakubu Gown (retd), to inaugurate the Ijaw National Academy
(NIA), a free boarding secondary school his administration recently completed
in the state.
Dickson said Gowon was
chosen to challenge and motivate the over 1,000 boarding students of the
academy following his sterling leadership qualities as a young man.
Gowon and his wife,
Victoria, spent two days in Bayelsa to inaugurate the NIA and the world-class
Governor’s Office described by most of the guests as the best governor’s office
in the country.
The former head of
state also used the opportunity to lay wreath at the tomb of the late Ijaw
martyr, Major Isaac Adaka Boro, in the Heroes’ Park, Yenagoa.
The governor said
having studied the background of Gowon and how he steered the ship of a country
in crisis at the tender age of 32, he decided to bring the former head of state
to Bayelsa to interface with the children.
Dickson hinted that
former President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from Bayelsa, and other past
presidents of Nigeria would also have their days with the students at the
appropriate time.
He described Jonathan
as a lover of education, saying he had discussed the issue of the academy with
him.
Dickson gave the
reasons at an event titled: “A day with the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka
and Ijaw literary icons,” held at INA Kaiama, Kolokuma-Opokuma local government
area of the state.
He said: “I know I have
asked a number of dignitaries before now to come and don’t be tired because
many more dignitaries will continue to come. Literary icons are here today.
“A foremost political
leader, head of state of our country at a tender age of 32, managing a country
in crisis, was here and I chose him specifically to come and commission this to
show young people what they can do if they have guidance and support.
“We will have many more
dignitaries. Business leaders will come, ambassadors will be here and any
visitor of note that visits me I will request an opportunity to interface with
you and many more of our leaders will come.
“Former presidents will
be here and you know in this great state we also have a former President too.
He too loves education, I know that and we have discussed it and at the appropriate
time, all of them one by one will be here to interface with you.”
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