By Austin Ogwuda
President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba has commended the former Governor of Bayelsa State, presently representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson for his dogged, sagacious and courageous defence of the Ijaw nation at all times.
The INC President in a press release obtained by The Townhall made it clear that Dickson’s outspokenness has continued to resonate with the aspirations of the Ijaw people and called on other leaders to emulate his example of principled leadership and courage in the face of adversity.
The full statement reads:
IJAW NATION APPRECIATES SENATOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON FOR HIS UNWAVERING DEFENCE OF THE IJAW INTEREST
The Ijaw National President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba has on behalf on Congress expressed profound appreciation to His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the distinguished Senator representing Bayelsa West in NASS, for his CONSISTENT dogged, sagacious and courageous defence of the Ijaw nation, especially in the face of recent political and economic challenges.
In a statement released to the media, Prof. Okaba commented Senator Dickson for standing up and firm again with the Ijaw people despite visible attempts to intimidate or entice him into compromising his and ljaw collective values and principles that premises on justice and the rule of law. He described the Senator as a true son of the Ijaw cause who remains unshaken.
The INC President recalled Senator Dickson’s stance during the Rivers State political crisis, including his bold face-off with the Senate President and his walkout during the vote to affirm the ill-fated emergency rule-acts that reflected his unwavering commitment to justice and democratic values.
Furthermore, the INC applauded Senator Dickson for recently drawing the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the worsening economic realities in Ijawland and the glaring absence of federal presence or developmental projects in the region. His outspokenness, the statement noted, continues to resonate with the aspirations of the Ijaw people.
The Ijaw Nation is proud of Senator Dickson’s relentless pursuit of equity, justice, and the development of the Niger Delta. We urge other leaders to emulate his example of principled leadership and courage in the face of adversity.
Signed:
Prof. Benjamin Okaba
President, Ijaw National Congress (INC).
June 2025.
