By Confido O Awara
The ‘Champion of Restoration’ and the one recently referred as the ‘Olotu of Niger Delta’ has again displayed his mastery of peace and reconciliation.
His sense of timing is flawless; indeed he is the Ofurumapepe, who surfaces when the sea is roughest.
In this particular instance however, like a coin having two sides, the peace-loving nature of the man Henry Seriake Dickson which has been grossly under-published came to the fore.
He is popularly known by all for his courage, fearlessness and strength but many are not aware that though he is the great white shark, within him lies the golden heart of protector, provider, peace lover and reconciliator.
As governor of Bayelsa state, the state Assembly for the first time since its creation, ran two successful terms (8 years) without any record of interruption through impeachment or unreconcilable conflicts and this culture has remained till date.
His value for dialogue and his respect for people both great and small, male and female endeared him to all and engendered an atmosphere of political tolerance and accommodation,
Upon Dickson’s ascension into office in 2012, the foundation of political tolerance and accommodation was quickly laid to the admiration of all and this new culture which is being enjoyed by all politicians in the state till date, swiftly replaced that old and evil politics of victimization, segregation and assassinations.
Many will also recall when some people that were at the time close to the presidency, injected bile into the system which was intended to split the state into warring factions, Dickson rose to the occasion and was able to manage the situation and restore the peace and stability the state had started enjoying. Till date, no political actor in that episode was victimized as he remains a strong believer of inclusive governance and this he demonstrated severally by appointing worthy Bayelsans who were opposition members.
Though recognized as the most prolific Bayelsa State governor yet, he is also the most criticized, not for incompetence or lack of performance as everyone actually complained of him doing too much, but simply because he was an ardent believer in the ‘freedom of the press’ concept and he frequently engaged them through press briefings, media chats, debates and dialogue rather than the use of ‘state might’ as previously obtained in the state.
His passion for peace and security which are preriquisites for development, informed the establishment of the award winning security outfit ‘Operation Dou Akpo” with the pursuit and execution of people centred policies and programs which created the atmosphere for businesses to thrive and boosted economic activities in the state, attracting the attention of both the National and the International Communities.
Needless to say that the state in a period of recession through 6 years of his tenure maintained economic stability on account of this to the envy of all.
It is also on record that His Excellency, Senator Henry SERIAKE Dickson on account of his tested and trusted ability at mending bridges and his sterling record at reconciing feuding parties, has on five different occasions headed the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, a task that became so daunting after the PDP lost at the Centre.
Being his first nature, it is not strange that he is rising to the occasion again in the case of Rivers State and again the outcome keeps recording commendation across the nation.
I believe there would have been more records of Dickson’s peace and reconciliatory feats save the fact that he acts in this capacity not for fame, publicity or commendation but for the good of society which corroborate’s his motto; “Qui Servit Homo, Servit Deo (Service to Man is Service to God)”.
Confido O Awara
Public Commentator/ political Analyst
