The Bayelsa State Government has pledged to collaborate with the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) to tell the story of the state in the right perspective that, will make future generations have a good account of its evolution.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson stated this in his office in Yenagoa when he received members of the state chapter of the Association.
He described authors as the brain box of the society and charged them to capture the new Bayelsa that Governor Henry Seriake Dickson is championing in their various works to help market the state.
Iworiso-Markson who thanked them for the visit and the support they have continued to give to him and the government, stressed that just like many others, he is inspired by their works.
The Commissioner who noted that Bayelsa is blessed with talented writers, some of whom have no formal training but have excelled in the industry, added that they need to be well encouraged.
He said, “Your work inspires people like me. It is because of the great works of people like Prof. Wole Soyinka, J.P Clark that I became so interested in writing. I am glad that you found time to visit us today and I want to assure you of our support as a government.
“We have great writers in this state, in fact some of the best in the country. Some of them I am aware have no formal training. Very gifted and talented writers and as a government we are proud of you people. We will partner you so that together we can start telling our own stories.
“Too often we don’t, some of the things that the world needs to know about us especially what this government of His Excellency, The Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has done. Talk about scholarship, the huge investment in education, critical infrastructure, health and so on. The new Bayelsa that we are building, the Bayelsa of our dreams should be made known to the world”.
Iworiso-Markson also called on ANA to promote the culture of reading among young people by establishing book clubs in schools to develop their capacity.
Earlier the Chairman of ANA in the state, Mrs. Bina Josef-Illagha thanked the commissioner for the warm reception and informed him of their forthcoming annual convention in Lagos next month.
She said Bayelsa is a leading member of the Association and a force to reckon with and have always made the state proud in every area of ramifications.
