Justice Patient Diri, wife of the Bayelsa governor, has advised young people to cultivate discipline and embrace quality literature as a way of building character.
She gave the advice on Monday in Yenagoa during the fundraiser for Spelling Bee Bayelsa and the unveiling of the book “When Tomorrow Beckons” authored by Dr Ebidenyefa Tarila-Nikade.
Diri commended the author for her courage and discipline in writing the book and for encouraging young people to embrace reading.
She recalled her own upbringing, saying her father, a journalist, always urged them to read newspapers and quality literature.
“Books are unique and shape memories that live forever, beyond life itself,” she said.
Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of the occasion, also praised the author for her literary contribution, noting that the book reflected Ijaw identity and urged young people to write more about their heritage.
In her remarks, Tarila-Nikade said the book’s unveiling also served as a fundraiser for Spelling Bee Bayelsa, a competition for primary and secondary schools across the state.
She explained that the initiative was aimed at encouraging children to participate in mentally rewarding activities, stressing the need for proper motivation and financial rewards.
*“This book is written to tell the narrative that the Ijaw people have a deep cosmology that guides their interactions and regulates their behaviours.
“It is to tell the world that we are beyond the struggle for oil resources, beyond the multidimensional poverty often used to describe this region.
“We are professionals; we have our norms, taboos and rich cultural heritage. Our food, dressing and more are embedded in this work,”* she said.
Tarila-Nikade urged upcoming writers to research deeply and carve unique paths for themselves, while also encouraging youths to prioritise reading.
*“Social media is a good platform, I use it a lot, but it can distract to the point that one no longer has time for quality reading.
“So I encourage young people to manage their time in such a way that they can use social media, read and research,”* she added.
She expressed gratitude to Justice Diri, Ambassador Igali and King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, for their support.
(NAN)