NIGERIA SOUTH -SOUTH – Former Bayelsa governor Henry Seriake Dickson has celebrated the graduation of his children from United Kingdom universities, but the announcement has reignited criticism of Nigerian elites who send their children abroad for studies.
On his official Facebook page, Dickson said his daughter, Miss Akuboye Christiana, recently completed her Master’s degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and is finishing a second Master’s programme at Loughborough University.
He also disclosed that his son, Pereowei Justice, graduated from the University of Bristol and is preparing to begin a Master’s degree. “Pere has worked hard to come this far. I congratulate him on behalf of every member of the family,” Dickson stated.
The former governor described his children as “a positive influence to society, committed to the ideals of service to God and man, with honour, courage, and integrity as core family values.” He further urged them to “return to serve our people and country.”
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However, his post attracted mixed reactions. A user, Pere GLK, asked, “What’s your advice to Bayelsans? You get university and you send your daughter abroad?” Another, Don Moncy, queried, “Why not Bayelsa university, sir?”
Iruo Paminola added: “Every of our leaders send their children abroad to study, have good education with no strike with the public fund, and they will still be the ones to rubbish our universities. God will see us through one day.”
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Critics warn the practice not only deepens inequality but also raises doubts about whether elites’ foreign-trained children will meaningfully contribute to a struggling system their families bypassed.