12/08/2024
Greetings ALL,
The 26th Convocation of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) is now in the past. It was a very rewarding experience for me; and I guess for all inductees and fellowship awardees.
However, there are certain senior colleagues that I need to appreciate, specially. Not doing that now would be a display of ingratitude,.more or less.
First, I give due credit to a quartet: Prof. Olu Obafemi, NNOM, FNAL, Prof. G.G. Darah, FNAL, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, FNAL, and Prof. Mabel Evwierhoma, FNAL, for encouraging me, repeatedly, to apply for membership of NAL. I appreciate you, my erudite, trailblazing professors.
Prof. Saviour Nathan Anari Agoro, MNAL readily agreed to be my referee, when I eventually applied. I badged into his house without calling to inform him first. He signed happily, recalling our good old days at University of Ibadan in the late 1980s. I appreciate you, my Bro.
To the NAL President, Prof Sola Akinrinade, I say, thanks for the good work you have been doing, moving NAL to an exhaulted pedestal. Am honoured to relate with you again after a long break from our annual meetings at UNESCO HQ in Paris. I know that you will record more wins for NAL during your tenure.
To all, I say, God Bless You!
Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma
(MNAL, Fsonta, fta, fimc, cmc, mnipr, mnim, DGN)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT)
Bayelsa State
