Jackson, Anyaoku Laud Amaechi’s Dev Strides

Foremost Black-American rights activist, Rev. Jesse Jackson and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku have commended the developmental strides of Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.

Jackson and Anyaoku gave the commendation while speaking at a dinner and command performance of the Chinua Achebe’s political satire- A Man of The People as part of the 2011 Garden City Literary Festival in Government House, Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

Rev. Jackson who was full of praises for the country’s democratic growth observed that Governor Amaechi represents the new spirit in firming Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.

In the words of the Black- American activist ,”Amaechi represents the future and hope of the country,” as he stressed that the literary festival will serve as a catalyst in deepening democratic principles.

Commending the artistic enactment of the novel, Jackson was of the view that literature is the key to liberation, stating that the play sheds light on societal ills and at the same time seeks to find solution to them.

Similarly, Chief Anyaoku declared that there were a lot of changes in the state.

“I could see Rivers State is fast approaching a level of development and from what I have been able to see, it is wonderful coming to the Garden City Literary Festival”, he said.

The former Secretary- General of the Commonwealth said the festival would provide the key to sustaining the development of the state and pledged to support the forum in the future.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari urged the guests to enjoy the hospitality of the citizenry, saying the state was in a new momentum of progress.

Meanwhile, Governor Chibuike Amaechi has promised to fund the enacment of the, A Man of the People into a movie.

Rt Hon. Amaechi who gave the hint at the dinner and command performance of the novel said it had a lot of lessons to teach present day politicians.

He commended the Theatre Arts students of the University of Port Harcourt for the artistic expression of the work disclosing that he had already commissioned popular Nollywood actress, Joke Silva and other actors to make a cinematic adaptation of the work.

Former Military Administrator of Rivers State, Brig Gen Shehu Musa (rtd) (left), listening to Senator Tari Odo-Abaji, at the public presentation /launching of King Alfred Diete-Spiff’s biography in Port Harcourt, yesterday