Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka on Friday night accepted to serve as Bayelsa State’s honorary education ambassador to drive the state’s growth in the sector.
While conferring the renowned playwright with the honour when he was hosted to a dinner by the state government, Governor Seriake Dickson said that Soyinka’s clout nationally and internationally as well as his unblemished integrity made him eminently qualified to be selected.
The governor requested the professor to use the position to attract goodwill and support to the state government’s initiatives in the education sector.
According to him, Soyinka’s exceptional accomplishments in the field of literature and his irrepressible spirit in espousing ethical standards placed him in a good position to fly the Bayelsa flag in the fight against ignorance.
While calling for support from all people of goodwill within and outside the country, Dickson said the Education Development Trust Fund was targeted at breaking the long years of under-development and deprivations suffered by the people.
“This appointment is made not only on account of your exceptional global profile and reckoning as a Noble Laureate but also for your well known love for our people and passion for the democratization of knowledge worldwide.
“It is my considered opinion that your exceptional accomplishments in the field of literature as well as your irrepressible spirit of espousal of the right values of socio-political propriety and ethical correctness stands you in good stead to fly the Bayelsa flagâ€, Dickson said.
In his comments while accepting the honour ,during which he was also presented a souvenir, Soyinka assured the state government that he would do his best in advancing the cause of education in the state.
