This great Nigerian go soon fal1 my hand.

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.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/mobile/news-update/54317-soyinka-backs-jonathan%E2%80%99s-wife-as-perm-sec.html

Well, it is not the Constitution that has to disqualify her from the office but Bayelsa State's own rules which stipulate that the seat goes to Senior officers in the Civil force.

Soyinka is getting too old and losing his marbles....

^^^Do not insult Wole Soyinka, he is right.

[size=18pt] Am laughing in Wole Soyinka [/size]

@Eko Ile: Better behavior expected. U cant start insulting Kogi over such a small matter. And this is probably tongue in cheek - it is a very ambiguous statement. And even if he meant it u are way out of line.

@Billion. Prof. Soyinka may be right but the constitution is only a framework for doing what is right.

Prof. Soyinka has a bigger message e.g. some states think they can impose capital punishment becos the constitution allowed Sharia courts. So why not make Patience PS since the constitution doesn't prevent it.

Note that Prof. Soyinka has vowed not to call for SNC and the like again. Let's all do what this constitution permits and see where we end up.

Eko Ile: Soyinka is getting too old and losing his marbles....

Billyonaire: ^^^Do not insult Wole Soyinka, he is right.

On this one, I think Prof. Soyinka is wrong. Even if the Constitution said it was right, even if Bayelsa Rules said she could get the job[b]-- ETHICALLY-- IT WAS WRONG!!![/b] You don't just pull someone out of pseudo-retirement ---the wife of the President for that matter--- and give her a Job for which she has had no experience in 12yrs. The civil service is not a private company, and even Private Companies rarely take such risks. Lets even assume she took the job, how could the ministry function with all the distractions that are bound to occur with her being in the building; Retinue of Aides, Security Agents, and the usual hanger ons and "Contract Beggars" that are sure to show up day after day begging for Government Contracts? How will security at the gate determine who is there for legitimate business and who is there to beg for N500m road contract? Prof. Soyinka, you see where I'm coming from?

Nigerians are wasting time not having impeached this man and his likes all across the country, in droves. Three more years of this man and by 2015, Nigeria will (in comparison to Developed countries) be like Togo of 1972. ITS THAT BAD!
GEJ has nothing to offer the country, and its his little actions like this that show it to us all. He is not in control of anything, not even capable of encouraging his silly wife to distance herself from silly spectacles such as this.

What a shame for a country with so much potential for greatness.

Kongi don fall hand o

They don share ghana must go reach wole soyinka side for saying this.

Double post

O ti pe ti mo ti n so pe Soyinka is getting too old and rusty for politics.

This is a pitiable dismal pisma. It is regretably lugubrious that the ginormous Soyinka is capitulating to senility and senescence.

Kobojunkie: Well, it is not the Constitution that has to disqualify her from the office but Bayelsa State's own rules which stipulate that the seat goes to Senior officers in the Civil force.

No be small thing oooo

@kingoflag just sharrap or start the impeachment process urself instead of making noise.

@ Jmaine, no be Don King be that?

1supremo: This is a pitiable dismal pisma. It is regretably lugubrious that the ginormous Soyinka is capitulating to senility and senescence.

Thanks for the comic relief

kingoflag: On this one, I think Prof. Soyinka is wrong. Even if the Constitution said it was right, even if Bayelsa Rules said she could get the job[b]-- ETHICALLY-- IT WAS WRONG!!![/b] You don't just pull someone out of pseudo-retirement ---the wife of the President for that matter--- and give her a Job for which she has had no experience in 12yrs. The civil service is not a private company, and even Private Companies rarely take such risks. Lets even assume she took the job, how could the ministry function with all the distractions that are bound to occur with her being in the building; Retinue of Aides, Security Agents, and the usual hangers ons and "Contract Beggars" that are sure to show up day after day begging for Government Contracts? How will security at the gate determine who is there for legitimate business and who is there to beg for N500m road contract? Prof. Soyinka, you see where I'm coming from?

Nigerians are wasting time not having impeached this man and his likes all across the country, in droves. Three more years of this man and by 2015, Nigeria will (in comparison to Developed countries) be like Togo of 1972. ITS THAT BAD!
GEJ has nothing to offer the country, and its his little actions like this that show it to us all. He is not in control of anything, not even capable of encouraging his silly wife to distance herself from silly spectacles such as this.

What a shame for a country with so much potential for greatness.

nonsense talk and go and sit down plz if u dont hav things to say.

Too much book. Head done scatter.

1supremo: This is a pitiable dismal pisma. It is regretably lugubrious that the ginormous Soyinka is capitulating to senility and senescence.

Patrick obiagbon nephew. I greet u

uncle wole, for the 2nd time, you fall my hand

1supremo: This is a pitiable dismal pisma. It is regretably lugubrious that the ginormous Soyinka is capitulating to senility and senescence.

Obahiaghon junior

na wetin patience give oga shoyinka chop?

i guess its high time professor soyinka retired as a public figure before he starts talking like the retardo! the man don dey old!

naijababe: @ Jmaine, no be Don King be that

Yes, na Don Kino be that

Spot on sir, you sure know better. What's wrong with a timely promotion.

Baba don smell oil and gas..!

yoruba man he don chop bribe i know . tufiakwa

:ow

Prof is alone on this one.

CB of TTG is absolutely right. Yoha to your bones.

This same man that said that legalizing gay marriage is constituitionally right is again talking nonsense .he needs to go to sleep.his comment has easily given others reason to go ahead now.wait and see what will happen next with our shameful politicians.a senator will soon double as a governor soon.idiot

chiover: yoruba man he don chop bribe i know . tufiakwa

i for call you a f00l, but i am sure you knew that already.

chiover: yoruba man he don chop bribe i know . tufiakwa

Dude, why not keep shut if you've got nothing logical to comment?