A group, Ijaw Renaissance Group USA, has extolled the virtues of the former governor of Bayelsa State and incumbent Senator Seriake Dickson.
The group described Dickson as a patriotic Ijaw leader, nationalist and reformer whose exemplary performance in office as governor and now a senator has taken Bayelsa State to a higher pedestal in the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general.
IRGUSA made these observations in a statement entitled, “Dickson is a pan-Ijaw leader (1),” signed by its Secretary General, Preye Charles, and which was made available to First News.
The group noted that Dickson’s popularity as an Ijaw leader and nationalist is a product of his leadership acumen, administrative and political dexterity.
The full text of the Ijaw Renaissance Group USA read as follows:
DICKSON IS A PAN-IJAW LEADER (1).
DISTINGUISHED SENATOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON is a popular name. His popularity stems from leadership.
In Ijaw history, his name will continue to resonate in all the clans of the Ijaw nation. He is an Ijaw patriot, indeed a nationalist after the non-violent variety of Mahatma Gandhi.
HSD started as a police officer. He became a lawyer and then played a huge role in the Ijaw National Congress. He was appointed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State. He was elected as a member representing the Ekeremo/Sagbama Federal Constituency where he made robust contributions to law-making at the Federal level. It was based on his robust record of performance that endeared him to power holders, which catapulted him to be elected Governor of Bayelsa State. Since 1999, it was only he who was elected twice but also completed a second tenure as a governor of Bayelsa State.
On assumption of office as Governor of Bayelsa State, the ideology that Yenagoa is the cradle of the Ijaw nation was firmly established. It was he who referred to Yenagoa as the Jerusalem of the Ijaw nation, a reaffirmation that like the Jews, Yenagoa is home to all Ijaw people. This ideology triggered a patriotic fervor in all Bayelsa people. This ideology was the cornerstone of all his plans, policies, and programs.
Dickson reflected very profoundly on the contributions of the Ijaw nation to the Nigerian State, especially in oil and gas. He asserted without equivocation that by her contributions to the Nigerian nation, the Ijaw people symbolize the ligament binding the nation together. The truism is that without the liquid gold from the Niger Delta, the real essence of our unity and stability would have been called to question.
The first pragmatic step was the establishment of a separate Ministry – the Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs. The Ministry was charged to be committed to matters concerning the short and long–term interests of the Ijaw nation in Bayelsa, Edo, Akwa–Ibom, Cross River, Ondo, and Rivers States. This gesture bonded the Ijaws across the States, which Senator Dickson protected zealously.
Former Governor Dickson introduced the Ijaw language in the school curriculum of Bayelsa State. Dozens of teachers were given scholarships to teach the language. He commissioned intellectuals to produce books in Nembe, Ogbia, Epie–Atissa, Kolokuma, and other variants of the Ijaw language to facilitate the learning and teaching of the Ijaw language. The committee was chaired by Emeritus Professor, E.J. Alagoa. It was an era of Ijaw patriotism and Risorgimento.
The second visible step HSD took was the spread of appointive offices to all Ijaw States in Nigeria. In the restoration administration, security advisers, Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, and other positions were given to Ijaws in Rivers, Akwa–Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Lagos States. It was the highest level of political inclusivity.
The Restoration administration superintended by Senator Dickson accommodated in some measure, Ijaws from all States. This was a uniting factor among the Ijaw people. At no time has any leader contemplated this paradigm of leadership. It was indeed a master stroke that reinforced the bond of solidarity and strength of Nigeria’s fourth-largest ethnic nationality.
The establishment of the Ijaw National Academy was an institutional instrument to groom youths to become leaders. It was established to prepare Ijaw youths to fit into the intensively competitive educational system. The academy was established by the State of Emergency Dickson declared in the education sector. At INA, students were admitted from all the States where Ijaw communities are in the Niger Delta and beyond. Admission was also strictly on merit. Teaching was grounded on academics, culture, and morals.
HSD also designed the sacred signs and symbols of the Ijaw nation by producing the Bayelsa coat of arms and the flag. He was the first Ijaw leader who believed that the Ijaw nation should project its identity. A law was passed in 2012 to give it the necessary legality. The coat of arms represents the fishing activities and traditional occupation of the Ijaw people; the green vegetation, and the shark – represent the aquatic mastery and strength of the people. The crocodile represents the rugged and amphibious nature of the Ijaw people. The Leopard denotes the strength, agility, resilience, and intellect of the people while the palm tree signifies the agricultural endowment of the people. The oil rig signifies that oil was first discovered in Ijawland.
The flag has four colours, white, blue, red, and green. The white color represents purity, honor, and truth; the blue represents the colour of water and its resources; the red colour represents the memory and sacrifices of our heroes while the green represents the vegetation. The stars represent the hopes and aspirations of the Ijaw people.
Dickson’s patriotism has never been in doubt. He built the Heroes Park near the Ijaw House to honour Ijaw heroes. He set up a committee to find the grave of Adaka Boro in Lagos. He brought the remains of the hero to rest in Yenagoa.