Mauritian Envoy, Communication Minister Commend Gov Dickson’s Development Efforts

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) presenting a special plaque to the Mauritian Ambassador  to Germany, Dr. Kweshe Jankee (right) during a courtesy call at Government House, Yenagoa.

• Bayelsa to be ICT Hub Soon, Gov Dickson
   

The Mauritian Ambassador to Germany, Dr Kweshe Jankee and Minister of Communication, Mr Shittu Adebayo have given Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson thumbs up for his commitment towards the transformation of the state.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Francis Ottah Agbo, says the two leaders gave the commendation when they paid separate courtesy visits to Government House in Yenagoa.

The duo were said to have praised Governor Dickson for being in the vanguard for the promotion of human capacity development, through various educational policies and programmes.

According to the statement, Amb. Jankee, who visited the University of Africa, Toru Orua and other facilities in the state, expressed satisfaction with the quality of the projects.

The Ambassador was said to have also expressed the preparedness of the Mauritian Government to partner Bayelsa in the areas of tourism, healthcare, university linkage programmes, establishment of seaports and agricultural development.

His Words," Yesterday, I visited the University of Africa and It's very impressive. I also hear of your effort in building an international airport and how it will be put to use very soon. I congratulate you for all that effort. I've seen that you and your team are doing great here in Bayelsa.

"I'll be very happy to invite you to visit Mauritius and to see what ways we can link Mauritius and Bayelsa up in terms of training on series of programmes. With what I've seen, I think we can be good partners in tourism, agriculture, establishment of special zones and development of sports as well as link our universities.

"In addition to that, being an Ambassador in Germany, I've some contacts and connection which I will like to push to Bayelsa.

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) presenting a special Souvenir to the Minister for Communication, Barr. Adebayo Shittu (right) during a courtesy call at Government House, Yenagoa.

On his part, Nigeria's minister of communication, Mr Shittu Adebayo described Governor Dickson as a dynamic leader, who has demonstrated commitment not only to transforming Bayelsa, but also national development.

He also lauded the Governor for playing a pivotal role in encouraging the growth and development of Information, Communication and Technology in the state and the country in general.

Adebayo said, "I am particularly very happy because you have shown tremendous capacity for transformation. I've over the few years since your days in the National Assembly, followed you and your trajectory and contributions for national development.

"With the opportunity that you've had to be here as Governor, I'm happy that great things happening. I'm also happy that you've committed yourself to give me every support to the initiative that is taking place in ICT development in Bayelsa."

According to the statement, Governor Dickson expressed gratitude to the august visitors for their kind words of encouragement and pledged to do more in terms of creating the enabling environment for sustainable development.

The Governor, however, reiterated the need for all tiers of the government to invest more in human capacity development, especially in the science and technology sector, which he noted, holds the key to Nigeria's greatness.

According to him, his administration's vision is to make Bayelsa a hub for ICT, as part of efforts to diversify the state economy from oil and gas.

His words, "We have taken a lot of steps that are foundational in this direction. We are building an ICT incubation centre which is almost 60% completed. It is our hope that maybe before the end of this year, you may have to come back and join me to commission that Centre.

We want to warehouse all our young people who are interested in this area in Bayelsa. So I look forward to a situation where my team will work closely with yours so that we can benefit from your network, skill set and guidance.

Bayelsa is determined to be the hub for ICT in Nigeria. We want to be like Bangalore and Silicone Valley and all that will start from here in Bayelsa. But we can't do it all alone. So we need your support and effective collaboration from the private sector"

Honourable Dickson also reechoed his call on the political class to work together for the advancement of the national interest, irrespective of party affiliations, rather than bicker over insignificant issues.