[size=14pt]Soyinka, Castillo, Lipsky Arrive for S’South Summit[/size]
26 Apr 2012


Professor Wole Soyinka

By Victor Efeizomor

Prof. Wole Soyinka, Graciana de Castillo and John Lipsky are among key personalities who have arrived Asaba, Delta State, for the second South-south Economic Summit which will be declared open today by President Goodluck Jonathan.

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda is billed to deliver the keynote address at the summit.

Castillo, one of the international speakers for the summit, and Soyinka arrived Wednesday while Lipsky arrived early this morning.

Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Liyel Imoke of Cross River have also arrived Asaba, amidst assurance by the police to the organisers that there would be adequate security during the summit.

Amechi and Imoke flew into Asaba through the Asaba International Airport in the evening.

THISDAY gathered that many other important personalities, captains of industry as well as foreign business investors have also arrived Asaba for the event, while bank chief executives and newspaper publishers are among the early guests.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, has assured the organisers of adequate security in and around the state, saying the command had a re-enforcement from Edo, Anambra and Balyesa States.

He asked “mischief makers” to stay away from the state as the command was ready to contain any issue that could create security challenges, adding that other security agencies, such as the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other intelligence agencies are working with the police.

Last night, the city of Asaba had become a beehive of activities as the influx of visitors had increased considerably, resulting in traffic congestion as more vehicles from other states flooded the metropolis.

Some politicians, civil servants and top government functionaries in the state thronged the Government House Press Center, venue of the accreditation, in a last minute effort to ensure that they got registered and accredited to enable them participate in the summit.

THISDAY observed the presence of armed personnel stationed in strategic locations, while traffic wardens were seen controlling traffic and directing motorists.

Also, officers of the state environmental agency were seen ensuring that the major streets were kept clean as final efforts were being made to clear the streets of refuse while the drainages were being cleared.

The summit is convened by the BRACED Commission, an acronym for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Edo and Delta States.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/soyinka-castillo-lipsky-arrive-for-s-south-summit/114564/

Any benefits of the summit yet?
or is it too early for the benefis of the summit to manifest?
What are the likely gains to be achieved for the south south/BRACED people through this summit?