Today, January 28, 2025, is the 59th birthday of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. One of Nigeria’s brightest minds. A pan- Nigerian, true nationalist and strong advocate for the sanctity of democratic norms. He is that very loud voice that has continued to speak clearly for the betterment of the Ijaw ethnic nationality and the Niger Delta.
It has become customary for me and many grateful minds whose lives he has touched to always eulogize him on special days like this. Who wouldn’t if they have a brother or great pathfinder and leader like him? It is our own modest way of expressing deep and profound gratitude for the role he has played in our lives and appreciating him for dedicating himself to the service of our state, Niger Delta and Nigeria .
There is a way someone will go above and beyond to impact your life that you cannot but remain eternally grateful which is why despite our sustained effort to celebrate him, some of us still find it grossly inadequate to measure up to the immense profit of his impact. As a result of this, it has become undeniably irresistible to join forces with his many grateful supporters to raise the bar and do better in the years ahead.
As we celebrate this milestone, it is essential for us to reflect on some of his recent remarkable interventions on the floor of the Senate. As one of the most decorated and experienced members of the current Senate, with an unwavering commitment, he has continued to ride on the path of truth, churning out refined perspectives that explain his sagacity.
As a pragmatic politician, Senator Dickson knows how and when to step in on any knotty issue and always often he places the interest of Nigerians at the core of his advocacy. He is never driven by sentiment nor bias but strong conviction, a desirable attribute that young politicians need to learn if they want to be successful.
After the presentation of the proposed 2025 budget by President Bola Tinubu last year, Senator Dickson, who represents the good people of Bayelsa West, stood to express his concerns in the few minutes allocated to each senator. While applauding the key areas that the President had prioritized, like education, infrastructure, and healthcare, he was however worried about some of the underlying assumptions. For instance, he noted that “while we are hopeful about increasing crude oil production to over two million barrels per day, we must also be prepared for less favourable outcomes.”
He went further to say that the optimistic outlook of the budget’s aim, viz to reduce inflation from its current rate of about 30% to 15% and lower the exchange rate from about N1,700 per USD to N1,500, are very ambitious targets that require realistic contingency planning.
Senator Dickson also drew the attention of the executive that funding for all other development commissions was provided in the budget, except for the South-South Development Commission. The omission, which he pointed out may have been made due to the commission’s pending assent, needs to be addressed. He added that “It is my hope that this will be corrected before the budget comes into effect or the supplementary appropriation is made to correct this early next year (2025).”
These submissions could only have been made after a thorough study of the budget. It goes to show how meticulous he is and truly so. It also demonstrates his level of patriotism for the betterment of Nigeria.
The introduction of the tax reform bills by the Federal Government in October 2024, was another event that marked Senator Dickson’s disposition of supporting people centric initiatives. The controversial bills had sparked off serious debate (still on). There were fears expressed by some people who lashed on some provisions of the bill to call for its total halt. But to some people like my brother, that would mean throwing the baby with the bath water.
In strong defence of the contentious bills, Senator Dickson blessed with an unusual eloquence stated “I am a committed federalist having spent a better part of my adult life fighting for a federal Nigeria; a Nigeria that is fair, just and inclusive, one that devolves powers to the federating units and not over centralized. With this in view, I have examined the provisions of the bills in general principle, and I give my support for it to be read a second time.
“These bills are not perfect, and the President could have consulted more with state governors and other critical stakeholders, which unfortunately wasn’t done, but looking at the provisions of the bills, they contain good elements.”
He reminded his colleagues that upon the discovery of oil in the creeks of the Niger Delta, Nigeria deviated from a tax driven economy as people hardly pay taxes now. He lamented that the nation’s tax to GDP ratio, which is under 7%, far below the African average of 15%. According to him, there is, therefore, an urgent need for a holistic and comprehensive tax reform.
Senator Dickson frowned at the remittance of taxes to states that do not house the production of goods and services while states that host the real operations of manufacturing, multi national and other companies do not benefit from their taxes.
“My point is that we should take advantage of this reform to ensure that the tax revenues on oil workers as well as the oil service contracts executed in Niger Delta states, be calculated and remitted to those states in accordance with the derivation principle and not to Lagos State or any other state where their headquarters are based. For instance, Taxes for MTN, cement factories and every other product that is to be collected, be worked out and sent to the states where the production took place and not where the administrative office is located”, he added.
To emphasize his total support for the tax reform bills, Senator Dickson embarked on media campaigns to some national media platforms including TV stations where he took time to explain in detail the benefits of the bills and why he decided to throw his full weight of support. His scholarly explanation with several examples illustrating the overall benefits perhaps provided a better understanding of the tax bills to the ordinary citizens and future doused some tension.
Knowing who he is, he may not have stopped there. One can confidently trust that he also embarked on many private visits to some of his friends, colleagues, and allies who are opposed to the bills to further convince them. His style of politics has always been founded in inclusiveness,
sharing perspectives, consensus building, tolerance and robust negotiation when it comes to issues of national importance and interest.
His exemplary representation, nationalistic approach to issues, and patriotism has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, he was conferred with the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
As a former member of the House of Representatives, where he chaired the House committee on Justice, he made very impactful legislative contributions in the sponsorship and co-sponsorship of several bills including; The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Establishment Act (Amendment Bill, 2009, The Constitution Alteration Bill, 2010, The Kidnapping and Hostage Taking (Prohibition) Bill, 2009, The Freedom of Information Bill, 2007, The Court Ordered Elections (Streamlining of Tenure of Office) Bill, 2008, The Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2009, among others.
Prior to that, as Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, he undertook several reforms in the administration of justice, simplifying justice delivery system in the state to the admiration of lawyers and other members of the Bayelsa State judiciary.
His eight years stint as governor of Bayelsa placed the state on a fast lane of development. From infrastructure to health, security, and education, he made a tremendous impact. Interestingly, for the purpose of continuity, his worthy successor, Senator Douye Diri, is building on his legacies and making remarkable progress to ensure a greater Bayelsa that we are all proud of.
By this time next year, he would officially join the league of sexagenarian, and we would roll out the drums. We will celebrate this rare gift to humanity with fanfare and modest pageantry. Yes, he doesn’t like loud celebrations but considering how God has spared his life and the life expectancy in Nigeria, we will as a family join his uncountable admirers and supporters, leave nothing to chance to celebrate our hero in a spectacular way that he truly deserves.
But until then, as he celebrates his 59th birthday, we appreciate him for upholding family virtues, community service just as we honor his dedication to selfless public service, his commitment to the development of Bayelsa State, and his many contributions to Nigeria’s growth and progress. Here is to many more years of service and excellence to my dear brother who became my father!
Dr Moses Oruaze Dickson is a legal practitioner and younger sibling of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.