The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson has received an Award of Transparency and Leadership from 27 civil society organisations, recognising nearly three decades of public service spanning party leadership, governorship and legislative roles.
The groups cited his track record since chairing the Alliance for Democracy in 1998, highlighting reforms they described as enduring and impactful across Bayelsa State’s governance architecture.
At the centre of the commendation was a transparency law mandating public disclosure of government receipts and expenditures.
Failure to comply for three months constituted an impeachable offence, a provision described as revolutionary.
Bayelsa remains the only state with such a law, according to the organisations, who praised the measure as a bold step toward institutional accountability and fiscal openness.
They also highlighted Dickson’s Finance Committee structure, which required collective approvals after monthly reports, and delegated sectoral allocations to the deputy governor before final endorsement.
The period, they noted, was marked by economic strain. Six of his eight years in office coincided with recession, in a state with limited internally generated revenue.
Despite receiving and managing about N1.50 trillion over eight years, the administration embarked on major projects and left Bayelsa as one of the least indebted states in the South-South.
The CSOs further commended his handling of political tensions when Bayelsa held the Presidency, saying he maintained stability despite alleged internal pressures and political undercurrents.
Security reforms introduced during his tenure were credited with making the state one of the safest in the region, a record observers say has endured.
Dickson was also praised for managing relations with his successor with restraint and maturity, keeping Bayelsa largely out of negative national headlines.
On democratic culture, the groups noted his commitment to nonviolence, allowing opposition figures to campaign freely and access government facilities despite political rivalry.
His legislative career, beginning in the House of Representatives, was described as consistent in defending fairness, justice and national interest.
In a personal tribute, the organisations cited his modest lifestyle, noting he lived in rented accommodation throughout his governorship and only moved into his own home last December.
Responding, Dickson thanked the groups and described public service in Nigeria as demanding, citing challenges of disinformation, political attacks and media bias.
He urged recognition of other honest public servants across institutions, including the judiciary, police, armed forces and private sector professionals.
Reaffirming his creed, “He serveth God well who serveth man well” — he encouraged younger Nigerians to embrace service-driven leadership.
