Dickson’s Handshake across the Atlantic

Dickson signing Memorandum of Understanding during his visit to Lincoln UNIVERSITY..

The recent two-day visit to the historic Lincoln University in the United States of America by the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson and his appointment into the university’s Board of Visitors opens a new vista for Nigerians, writes Segun James

Education, they say, is power. This is probably why since his inception as governor of Bayelsa State, South-south of Nigeria more than two years ago, Henry Seriake Dickson, has accorded education a pride of place in the running of his administration.

By doing this, the governor, not only aspires to increase the literacy level of his people, but also to build a new crop of well-educated and enlightened citizenry that will contribute meaningfully to the well-being of the populace in particular and the overall development of the state in all facets of human endeavour, in general.

During his recent two-day visit to historic Lincoln University in the United States of America, Dickson’s devotion to creating opportunities for young people in Bayelsa State through provision of quality education was, once more, on display. The visit brought the governor and his entourage, face-to-face with top leaders of the university community.

Located in the state of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University was the first institution in the United States of America and the entire western world which was established for the purpose of providing university degrees to Black people. This was at a time the colour on a man’s skin could mean a whole lot of difference in the perception of the people in that clime where the university was situated. 

Though situated in America, Lincoln University has played a vital role in Africa’s political history and its development. For instance, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first president of Nigeria matriculated at the university.So also was Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and leading pan-Africanist, who, together with other notable black people from all over the world, also studied at this revered institution.Of course, hundreds of other African intellectuals and professionals who have contributed greatly to the growth and development of the continent also trained at Lincoln University. The institution also has played a pivotal role in American civil rights movement. Leading lights such as Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice graduated from this university.

Perhaps, these great accomplishments and many more by this prestigious institution of higher learning, was why Dickson was quite at home walking the same grounds these heroes walked.Interestingly, the governor’s visit to the university a few weeks back coincided with his appointment to the University’s Board of Visitors by its president, Robert Jennings. The Board of Visitors is an influential committee established by President Jennings to help Lincoln University forge working relationships with innovative institutions and organisations throughout America and other parts of the world. So Dickson was invited to join the board because of his reputation for good governance and educational reform, a trait that has endeared his administration to the heart of Bayelsans. Thus, the governor’s visit to the university was a further proof and demonstration that his selection as a member of the esteemed Board of Visitors was a wise choice.

 During his numerous meetings with President Jennings as well as other senior University officials, Governor Dickson showcased firm knowledge of the operations and administrative imperatives of a tertiary educational institution of the 21st century. 

Always forward looking, he did not only show strong grasp of the imperatives of today, he exhibited rare vision for a better tomorrow regarding education sector.With this visit, the governor has achieved a mileage of progress that will benefit his state and Nigeria for generations to come. This is because agreements were reached to established a formal institutional relationship between Bayelsa State and Lincoln University. Pursuant to this agreement, Bayelsa State will establish a fund whereby it shall provide scholarships for eligible, competent students from the oil-rich state to pursue undergraduate degrees at Lincoln University.

  Discussions during the meeting also explored areas of academic and administrative exchange programs to provide capacity-building to staff of the Niger Delta University, NDU, in Bayelsa State. These programmes will include NDU staff visiting Lincoln University with opportunity for Lincoln University staff to be seconded to NDU as well.Another important aspect of the governor’s discussions was the understanding that Lincoln is willing to serve as a formal liaison between Bayelsa State and other historical black colleges and universities (HBCUs)  in America.

Through this understanding, Lincoln will serve as a connection point for Bayelsa State to the large network of HBCUs.  This will allow the state to tap each HBCU in its areas of comparative expertise. For instance, Lincoln University does not have an active programme in agriculture but will begin to open doors for Bayelsa to those schools with agricultural programmes that may benefit Bayelsa State and NDU.

It is widely expected that Bayelsa State and NDU will take advantage of this arrangement to help develop actual government projects as well as enhance NDU programmes in  such areas as tourism/hospitality industry, agriculture and aqua-culture, environmental protection and nature conservation, business development, job creation, entrepreneurial development, public education as well as public administration and social service delivery.

Viewed critically, governor Dickson’s maiden visit to Lincoln University was a resounding success. Not only did it rekindle positive memories of the historic relationship between Nigeria and the African-American community, the visit also showed that the relationship is not just a memoir of the past.

This is why immediately on arrival back to Nigeria, the governor has put in place, a committee to screen eligible students of Bayelsa origin for scholarship awards to study in Lincoln. The committee is headed by Prof. Steve Azaiki, author and one time Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government as well as the Co-coordinator of the National Think-Tank.

The first batch of students will leave for the United States in December, this year.To be sure, with vision and purpose, the historic bridge between Nigeria and Africa, on one side and the African-American community on the other, can be remodelled to build an even more constructive relationship that will lead both sides to a more hopeful future.  Perhaps this is why governor Dickson’s visit is an attestation to the rebuilding of the historic bridge with this famous American University.

By Segun James
From Thisday
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/dickson-s-handshake-across-the-atlantic/163551/