Dickson Bags Doctorate Degree from Ekiti State Varsity

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Sunday, June 26th, 2016

*Says Tertiary Institutions Should Be Self-Sustaining

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson was on Saturday conferred with an honorary Doctorate Degree of Public Administration from the Ekiti State University, (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworio-Markson, said the degree was in recognition of his remarkable achievements in the state and the country as a whole.

Other recipients of the honorary degree awards were the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Oba Adegoke Olu-Adeyemi and Sir Gbenga Oyebode which was part of activities marking the institution,s 21st Convocation ceremony.

Dickson in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the management of the Ekiti State University for the honour bestowed on him, adding that the gesture would further spur him to continually invest in the education sector.

While commending the host Governor and Visitor to EKSU, Mr. Ayo Fayose as well as the leadership of the university for their hard work and dedication to academic excellence, Dickson said in the face of the prevailing economic challenges, it has become expedient for tertiary institutions across the country to be self-sustaining.
Describing EKSU as a model, the Governor applauded the management of the University for its efforts at sustaining itself in the light of dwindling federal allocation to states, noting that his administration has already sent a team of officials to collaborate with the institution on ways the Bayelsa state-owned Niger Delta University could generate revenue and reposition it without government’s subvention.

While congratulating graduands of the university, he urged them to strive to become employers of labor rather than seek jobs in a country that is contending with economic challenges.

Governor Dickson likened Bayelsa and Ekiti states as twin babies with a common history as they were created the same day by late General Sani Abacha in 1996 and had two of Ekiti sons as Military Administrators in Bayelsa.

His words: “I congratulate the graduands of EKSU and let me remind you that you are entering a different society where your aspirations and expectations should not be getting white collar jobs but our expectation of you is to become wealth creators and employers of labour.

“I have no doubt that with captains of industry identifying with this university like Sir Gbenga Oyebode, you will do well. I have the privilege of sharing this award with him because he is so Pan Nigerian. He lived a Nigerian dream of living for all and associating with all. He is not just a Pan Nigerian citizen per excellence; he is actually a wonderful citizen of the world.

“I congratulate Ekiti State for having great men like Sir Oyebode, Governor Fayose, the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of EKSU and all wonderful people of Ekiti for making Ekiti what it is. Our nation needs great leaders and servants who will put national interest above theirs; leaders that will unify us and engender justice and fairness.”

Dignitaries who attended the ceremony include, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, representative of the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof Adefunke Adekunle.

Other personalities from Bayelsa State were the chairman of the state traditional rulers council and former Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete Spiff and other royal fathers as well as Secretary to the State Government, Chief Serena Dokubo Spiff, commissioners, State legislators and other top government functionaries.