Wole Soyinka backs the appointment of Patience Jonathan

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.