Save our land!!! Poor reading culture a menace in Bayelsa State

The Bayelsa State Government has again expressed worries over what it describes as ‘poor reading culture’ amongst students of the state origin.

Retiring permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Education, Comrade Walton Liverpool relayed the government’s concerns to journalists at the launch of his 404 page biography titled ‘Frontlines’ in Yenagoa.

The former SUBEB Helmsman said though the internet was a veritable means of study and research, its advent had gradually eroded reading culture amongst students with devastating consequences to the development of the Society.

The pioneer Bayelsa State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers ( NUT) added that books were not only meant to be read, but still remained the best materials for research as well as the most acceptable means of information gathering.

‘Frontlines’ is co-authored by Mr. Mozimo Amatare and Comrade Inebaraton Preye, a fellow journalist with the Bayelsa State Television.

Career civil servants have been urged to document their experiences in a book with a view to sharing same for the wider public to learn from.

Member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Fred Agbedi gave this charge at the public presentation and launch of a biography titled: FRONTLINES, as part of a three-day festivity to celebrate the retirement of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Comrade Walton Liverpool.

Hon. Agbedi who had in his entourage his counterpart from the Burutu Federal Constituency, Hon. Julius Pondi urged civil servants to take their work seriously and plan efficiently for retirement as he lauded the sterling virtues of Liverpool decribing him as a man of courage and tenacity who defied all odds to make it to the apex of the Service.

While unveiling the book to declare the occasion open, Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment’s and former Bayelsa Education Commissioner Dr. Jonathan Obuebite, who doubled as chairman of the occasion, called on civil servants to emulate the footsteps of the retired Permanent Secretary, Comrade Liverpool by being virtuous and hardworking so as to be celebrated upon exit from the civil service.

The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere who led other legislators such as Dr. Emmanuel Tonye Isenah; Dr. Godbless Oyinke and Hon. Naomi Ogoli assured the Liverpools of their continued support and partnership upon retirement of their patriarch.

The Chief Host, Commissioner for Education, Hon. Gentle Emelah, his Counterpart who was a former student of Comrade Liverpool in GSS Sagbama, Comrade Ekisah Sinkumo and Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia all acknowledged Comrade Liverpool as a man who paid his dues with diligence and hard work and as such deserved the honour to bow out of service in grand style.

In his goodwill remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the Niger Delta University, Professor Samuel Edoumiekumo, appreciated the celebrant for his creative ingenuity to succeed amidst trials and tribulations that befell his sojourn in the service.

Professor Edoumiekumo who spoke on behalf of other heads of tertiary institutions in the state present at the occasion such as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (Professor Julius Ayamafune); Registrar of the Bayelsa Medical University, (Dr. Akpoebi Adesi); Registrar of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Provost of the Bayelsa College of Health Technology, Otuogidi, (Dr. Asara) and the Acting Registrar of the International institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Dr. Ovienadu Torutein – whose book review decribed the biography as a masterpiece gave glowing tributes to the authors for the detailed contents and impressive design of the book.

Highpoints of the occasion was the unveiling of a Non-Governmental Organisation dubbed: The Liverpool Education Resources Development Initiative (LERDI); dramatic rendition of an excerpt from the book: FRONTLINES – by the NDU Theatre Arts Troupe led by its creative director, Dr. Rudolf Kansese; cutting of the retirement cakes with the celebrant and wife flanked by dignitaries in attendance amongst other side attractions.

The event was witnessed by the creme de la creme of the society including the Head of the Bayelsa State Civil Service, Barrister Biobelemoye Onyema (mni); other Permanent Secretaries, Directors in the Ministry of Education, labour leaders – Comrade John Ndiomu,State Chairman of NLC and Comrade Julius Laye, State Chairman of TUC; NAPPS delegation, SUBEB Directors and staff, traditional rulers represented by the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo; captains of industry, top government functionaries and numerous other cultural and education inclined groups across the state.

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