Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has sued for greater cooperation between Niger Delta University (NDU) and Lincoln University, United States, in the areas of research and learning.
Dickson made the plea at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both institutions at Lincoln’s cultural auditorium, in Pennsylvania, USA.
He was formally inaugurated as a distinguished member of the university’s international advisory board.
The ceremony was witnessed by 36 members of the board made up of distinguished men and women drawn from different parts of the world.
A statement by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Markson-Iworiso, said the MoU was signed by his boss, for NDU, and Dr. Robert Jennings, President of the Lincoln University’s Advisory signed, on behalf of the university.
“The MoU will also offer a unique opportunity for both students and members of the academic staff and faculties of NDU to share in Lincoln’s rich history as a foremost institution of learning famous for turning out world leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Kwame Nkrumah, who stood out as the greatest political thinkers and visionaries of their time,” the statement said.
“The main thrusts of the MoU are hinged on the development and promotion of educational exchange programmes between students of Niger Delta University and their counterparts in Lincoln University,” it said, particularly in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Governor Dickson, added the statement, expressed the hope that NDU would utilise the opportunities offered by the MoU in line with the resolve and commitment of his administration to create enduring impact and positive imprint on the standard of education in the State.
He also spoke of exploring areas of mutual interest, especially with current efforts of Government at diversifying its economy through robust programmes in the agricultural and tourism sub-sectors.
Said Dickson, “Surely, this is one opportunity we will exploit to the fullest given our resolve and commitment to impact positively on the standard of education back home. This MoU further affirms that commitment as we take a crucial step forward today to forge institutional links between this great institution and my state.
“By this MoU, I am positive that we will engage in robust educational and cultural exchanges, explore capacity building for our young people, advance our quest to expose our students to ICT knowledge, provide more opportunities for research, explore and examine areas of environmental protection studies and nature preservation, and identify other areas of mutual interests and concern”.
Lincoln’s Dr. Jennings commended Dickson’s passion for education and the practical steps being taken to improve the sector in the State.
He assured of the support of Lincoln University. The institution, pledged Jennings, was willing to give Bayelsa State Government the needed support to propel its quest to turn around the educational fortunes of Bayelsa State.