Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has been conferred with the award of, “Pillar and Voice of Ijaw Nation by the Bayelsa Federated Newspaper Publishers Association (BAFENPA) at an event in his Country Home, in Toru Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The President of BAFENPA, Mr. Ayebaitari Eastaday along with his Secretary, Mr. Izontimi Otuagha who came with other Executive Committee members of the Association on a courtesy visit and presentation of award described Senator Henry Seriake Dickson as the “Pillar and Voice of the Ijaw Nation.
They said after touring around Bayelsa State and accessing some monumental legacy projects embarked upon by the former governor’s administration and his effective and exceptional representation of not only the people of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation, but speaking eloquently and constructively on the position of the Ijaw speaking people in the National Assembly, they were Left with no option but to unanimously award him this honour at their October monthly meeting.
Another reason given for this award was the fact that, Senator Dickson was the most outstanding leader of the Ijaw nation and his qualitative representation in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly. They said as governor of Bayelsa State, the only homogenous Ijaw State, Dickson was highly focused and visionary in bringing the needed development to all the nooks and crannies of the state.
Speaking after receiving the award, Senator Seriake Dickson thanked the Bayelsa Federated Newspaper Publishers Association (BAFENPA) on behalf of his family and members of his Constituency.
He thanked the Chairman, BAFENPA and his team for finding him and members of his team as governor of Bayelsa State worthy of receiving such an award. Subsequently, he said he was dedicating this award to members of his team who allowed him to drive them so hard, just as hard as he drove himself to achieve the modest contribution to the development of Bayelsa State for which they were being honoured today.
He said he appreciated the award coming from journalists, who are very critical members of the society. He noted that the award must be taken very seriously, because it is not coming from one journalists but a collection of journalists.
Main while, all is now set as at press time for the kick off of the Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament otherwise known as the Ofurumapepe Cup at the Sagbama Local Government Area Stadium, Sagbama, Bayelsa State. All dignitaries are seated awaiting the arrival of the Governors of Bayelsa State.
