When Senator Seriake Dickson was born over 50 years ago, his parents, siblings and peers would never have believed he would one day rise to the top of his chosen field of endeavour due to his humble background in Toru-Orua community, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
As an aspiring young man who at an early age had shown academic brilliance. He grew up to first become a police officer, later, a lawyer, an activist fighting the Ijaw cause and astute politician.
He served first as a Commissioner, Federal lawmaker in the House of Representatives, two-term Governor, breaking the one-term jinx and is now serving as the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District which comprises Sagbama and Ekeremor local government areas.
Senator Dickson has shown rare courage, dedication and passion for the Ijaw Nation. Despite the adage that says “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”, he took the gauntlet to speak and lead his people not caring about the dangers it portends as various military regimes reigned supreme.
Ofurumapepe as he’s fondly called by his admirers later joined forces with other Ijaw sons and daughters including late Chief Francis Doukpola and late Chief T. K Okorotie in creating the Ijaw National Congress (INC), where he served meritoriously.
The INC was instrumental in agitating for the creation of Bayelsa state from Old Rivers State. Thus, the only homogenous Ijaw state was created by late General Sani Abacha on 1st of October, 1996.
His love for his people knows no bound. That is why when called upon to once again show courage in restoring Bayelsa state in 2011, he never doubted nor hesitated.
Senator Dickson became Governor and his policies, programmes and projects have since become a yardstick for those who came after him and those at the helm of affairs in other states.
But something in particular stood Senator Dickson out among his peers. It wasn’t his physical appearance, voice or strides while walking, it was his fearlessness, courage and bravery.
It doesn’t matter whose horse is gored, Senator Dickson will speak the truth and stand by it.
I remember in Calabar during the Southern Senators Forum in 2017while he was a governor, he jolted many when he posed that Nigeria’s unity is negotiable because of the marginalization of the Ijaws and other ethnic groups of the Niger Delta region and country at large.
In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Senator Dickson has left a trail for the younger generation to follow.
He joins the likes of
Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, Isaac Adaka Boro, Chief Melford Okilo, Pa Edwin Clark, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and several others in the exalted realm of those who put Ijaw Nation first.
Since his foray into the Red Chamber of the Senate, Senator Dickson has been unequivocal with issues bordering on the Niger Delta and its people especially, the Ijaw ethnic stock.
Little wonder when he speaks, Nigeria takes a listen to his eloquent position on national discuss. He believes Nigeria is stronger and formidable with all its component parts but abhors oppression and marginalization of the minorities but the major ethnic groups.
Senator Dickson is a born unifier. Like Jesus Christ was sent to the world to reconcile man with God, this fearless and courageous Ijaw son has over the years worked tirelessly to unify the Ijaw Nation.
Through the deliberate policy of tagging Bayelsa state as ‘Jerusalem of Ijaw Nation’ when he was Governor, he was able to draw Ijaws from Cross River, Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Rivers state to Bayelsa where he gave them a ‘hitherto’ lost sense of belonging, creating an atmosphere for them to thrive.
He made Bayelsa the homeland of all Ijaws. To achieve his lofty dream he created the Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs with Comrade Felix Tuodolo, an Ijaw man from Delta state the Commissioner.
This was widely applauded as such had never happened in the state. Other policies to draw more Ijaws to Bayelsa include political and civil service appointments, scholarships to Ijaw children. He also designed the Bayelsa State flag, Coat of Arms and an anthem and built the Ijaw National Heroes Memorial Park.
In the height of militancy in the Niger Delta, oil exploration activities where hindered and this affected Nigeria’s revenue accrued from the sale of oil.
Despite the federal government amnesty programme introduced by late President Umaru Yar’dua, there is still wanton destruction of swathes of farmlands, rivers and rivulets due to pollution caused by oil spills, illegal bunkering activities, rusty and leaking pipes among others. Senator Dickson has remained vocal about the devastating effect oil pollution has and continues to have on the Niger Delta ecosystem.
This is why he was among the few persons to applaud the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari when it awarded the pipeline surveillance contract to ex-agitator, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo better known as Tompolo and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ratified the contract when it took over on 29th May, 2023.
Senator Dickson agrees that Tompolo’s oil pipeline surveillance firm, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has helped, to a large extent, curb crude oil theft and environmental degradation in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. To buttress this, he recent!y embarked on a journey to Oporoza, the headquarters of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta state, Tompolo’s enclave.
As the ‘Unifier of Ijaw Nation’, Senator Dickson delivered the appreciation of the people of Ijaw Nation to their son, Tompolo, to do more to stop the destruction of the environment.
He applauded the former militant leader who he noted through his security company has helped to ten the tide on vandalism of strategic national assets, reducing illegal bunkering and environmental degradation caused operators of illegal refineries while calling for the partnership to be sustained.
Another key role was the quick step taken by Senator Dickson to resolve the political tension in neighbouring Rivers State.
Having been in the saddle of governorship from 2012-2020, he knew it was important to step in and seek common ground for peace to be restored, especially as the disagreement between the Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara and erstwhile governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike was taking an ethnic undertone.
The ‘Unifier of Ijaw Nation’ quickly mobilized critical stakeholders in Bayelsa State including first class traditional rulers like King Alfred Diete Spiff, the first Military Governor of Old Rivers State and political leaders to visit Governor Fubara to show solidarity.
As a peace-loving leader, he admonished Rivers leaders to reconcile both men and avowed that it is only then that peace can thrive in the state.
Senator Dickson has remained true to his words over the years , and that is he would never play politics with the lives of his people. In recognition of his relentless effort, which he regularly calls ‘modest’ are numerous awards.
Today, in Bayelsa and in the Niger Delta region, Sen. Dickson has become a household name. People speak glowingly of him and remember him.
He’s placed among the greatest Ijaw icons who have made indelible contributions to Ijaw Nation and Nigeria at large. To be honest, there’s no great unifier in Ijawland like Sen. Dickson, the Ofurumapepe, a man who lives a d breaths for the Ijaw Nation.
Written by:
Pereokosifa Buseni
Bayelsa-based Journalist/Media Strategist.
