Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (CON) is a seasoned Nigerian politician and statesman who has made significant contributions to the governance and development of Bayelsa State and the nation as a whole. His illustrious career spans various key positions in government, reflecting his dedication to public service and his commitment to the well-being of the people he represents.
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson's public service journey began as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State. In this role, he demonstrated a deep commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice prevailed in the state. His tenure as Attorney General laid the foundation for his future roles in government. Senator Dickson's legal acumen and commitment to justice propelled him into the legal profession. He served as a legal practitioner before venturing into public service. His extensive legal background equipped him with the skills and knowledge needed to address complex legal and governance issues.
He subsequently ventured into national politics and was elected as a two-term member of the House of Representatives, representing the people of Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency. During his time in the House, he actively participated in legislative processes and advocated for policies that would benefit his constituents and the nation at large.
Senator Dickson's remarkable political journey reached its zenith when he assumed the position of Governor of Bayelsa State. He served two terms as the Governor, from 2012 to 2020, making significant strides in various sectors, including education, healthcare, security, and economic development. His visionary leadership during this period left an enduring legacy in Bayelsa State.
Currently, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In this capacity, he continues to champion the interests of his constituents and contribute to national debates and policy formulation.
Throughout his distinguished career, Senator Dickson has been a tireless advocate for the welfare of the people of Bayelsa State and Nigeria in general. His accomplishments in governance, his unwavering commitment to justice, and his dedication to the principles of democracy have earned him respect and admiration from both his peers and the public.
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson's contributions to education in Bayelsa State are revolutionary and remarkable.
Under Henry Seriake Dickson's leadership, education became free and compulsory for primary and secondary school students in Bayelsa State. He declared an emergency on Education in the state on the very first day, laying the basis of policy focus in its totality to education. He also introduced compulsory boarding education and constructed 13 model boarding schools, including the renowned Ijaw National Academy, where over 1,500 students receive full scholarships. The academy admits students from Ijaw communities in 5 other states: Rivers, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, and Delta.
Governor Dickson provided scholarships to numerous undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree students in reputable universities worldwide.
This significant investment in education yielded positive results, elevating Bayelsa State from its previous position at the bottom of the public exams ranking in Nigeria to being among the top five leading states in the country.
During the Dickson-led Restoration government, prestigious institutions such as the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa Medical University, and Bayelsa State Polytechnic Aleibiri were established. Additionally, non-degree awarding tertiary institutions like Bayelsa School of Agriculture, Bayelsa State Sports Academy Asoama (the first in Nigeria), Bayelsa International Institute of Catering and Hospitality in Yenagoa, and Bayelsa Driving School were founded to accommodate the growing demand for human capacity development. These institutions maintain affiliations with several world-class universities.
Governor Dickson's administration also made significant investments in upgrading facilities and programmes at the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State College of Education, Bayelsa State School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Bayelsa State School of Health Technology. All these institutions have received full accreditation from their respective regulatory bodies.
Governor Dickson established the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund, the first of its kind in the country. This initiative reflects his dedication to education, which has transformed Bayelsa into a leading hub for education and human capital development in Nigeria. This transformation is exemplified by the establishment of numerous educational institutions.
In the same vein, Governor Dickson also introduced another revolutionary initiative, the Bayelsa State Student Loan Board introduced by law. This board extends loans to deserving Bayelsa students who require financial support to pursue their education, using their certificates as collateral. This measure ensures that every indigent and deserving Bayelsa student can access education without financial barriers.
Furthermore, Governor Dickson established the Bayelsa State Teachers Training and Certification Board by law. This innovation focuses on the continuous training, retraining and certification of teachers in Bayelsa to ensure modern standards. The law mandates teacher certification as a prerequisite for employment in the state, and this programme is already in progress. These policies and their legal foundations have earned praise from the National Council on Education and are considered a benchmark for educational revitalization across all Nigerian states.
Governor Dickson addressed the issue of accommodation for headmasters and teachers in rural communities by constructing over 500 residential quarters. Additionally, he initiated the renovation of numerous primary schools. Auditors have reported that Governor Dickson's restoration project invested over N80 billion in educational infrastructure during his eight-year tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State.
Under Governor Dickson's leadership, there were significant advancements in healthcare in the state as part of his restoration agenda. He initiated the construction of key healthcare facilities, including the Bayelsa Diagnostics Centre, the Bayelsa State Forensics Centre, and the Bayelsa Drug Mart, all of which were commissioned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Additionally, Governor Dickson established the renowned 100-bed Bayelsa Specialist Hospital, along with 80-bed hospitals in Kaiama, Sagbama, Ekeremor, and Southern Ijaw local governments. He also refurbished and equipped the general hospital in Brass. As part of his restoration agenda, Governor Dickson aimed to establish health centers and health workers' quarters in all 105 political wards in the state, ultimately completing this initiative in 83 wards through the Bayelsa State Primary Healthcare Board which he established by law.
Through this Primary Healthcare Board, Governor Dickson introduced a special allowance for pregnant women who registered and attended antenatal care in the state, receiving recognition and praise from healthcare professional groups for his efforts in Maternal and Child Healthcare. By the end of his administration, Bayelsa State witnessed a significant reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates, transitioning from being one of the highest in the country to the lowest in the South South region.
Governor Dickson's healthcare legacy is firmly rooted in the establishment of the Bayelsa State Health Insurance Scheme, supported by legislation. This scheme has become a benchmark for health administrators across Nigeria and has over 100,000 beneficiaries. It has also successfully funded 1,771 surgeries in Bayelsa since its inception.
Recognizing the importance of security in fostering development, Governor Dickson launched the state security outfit, 'Operation Doo Akpo,' equipping it with state-of-the-art security equipment to combat crime and ensure the safety of residents. His commitment to maintaining law and order, contributed to a more secure and stable environment for both residents and businesses in Bayelsa.
Under Senator Dickson's leadership, Bayelsa State witnessed significant infrastructural development, including the construction of an airport, which has improved connectivity and economic opportunities for Bayelsa State.
Senator Dickson's economic initiatives also included the establishment of Cassava Processing Plant, contributing to food security and the growth of the agricultural and aquaculture sector in the state.
Senator Dickson's dedication to transparency and good governance was evident in his efforts to promote accountability in the state's finances. He sent an Executive Bill to the state House of Assembly called the 'Transparency Initiative Bill,' which made it mandatory for the Governor or his representative to make public, on a monthly basis, the financial standing of the state. This commitment to financial transparency which won him several awards, has set a strong precedent for responsible governance. Dickson’s administration experienced 6 years of a national economic recession when he was Governor but his prudence and financial management made Bayelsa to experience significant progress in all sectors. In February 2020, when he handed over, Bayelsa State had the least public debt in the entire South South of Nigeria as verified by the DMO.
In summary, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson's tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State was marked by a steadfast commitment to education, healthcare, security, economic development, and transparency. His visionary leadership and tireless efforts have left an enduring legacy that continues to benefit the people of Bayelsa State and serve as an inspiration for future leaders.
Hensard University is a continuation of his vision for human capacity development and Education in Nigeria. As he says "Education is the only tool that individuals can use to bring about societal change. Any other investment, no matter how expensive, is merely brick and mortar in the end and will inevitably deteriorate over time, requiring repairs. Conversely, investing in education not only endures but also yields intergenerational dividends in the lives of individuals and in society as a whole. Education is the most reliable pathway to attain social, economic, and political inclusion, providing security for human society."
As a result of this, Dickson launched the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation to advance these goals of human capacity development and education even after he has left office. At the event attended by 4 Former Presidents, General Abdusalam Abubakar, President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari, Dickson donated his own residence in his country home to serve as a Library which has now become the fulcrum of the existence of Hensard University.
In 2023, the Henry Seriake Dickson foundation formally got the license from the Nigerian Universities Commission to operate Hensard University, Toru-Orua.
Henry Seriake Dickson is a member of notable cultural organizations such as the Sekiapu Club of Opume, Nembe, Brass, Kalabari. He holds the esteemed title of OfurumaPepe, which translates to "The Great White Shark that braves the ocean when the tempest is highest." Additionally, he has been bestowed with several traditional titles, including:
Furthermore, Henry Seriake Dickson has received various honorary doctorate degrees, including:
Henry Seriake Dickson has been honored as an honorary citizen of the States of Georgia and South Carolina in the United States of America. In 2017, he received the key to the city of Stonecrest, Georgia, as well as a humanitarian award from Trinity International University of Ambassadors, USA.
In addition to the above, Henry Seriake Dickson has achieved the following:
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