By Ebi Kesiena
Amidst joy and encomium, Bayelsa West Progressive Forum staged a surprise birthday visit on former governor of Bayelsa State Senator Seriake Dickson as he turned 56 on Friday at his Maitama residence in Abuja.
Senator Dickson is also the current Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial district in the 9th National Assembly.
The surprise birthday delegation from Bayelsa West Senatorial District was led by Hon. Mike Imagbesa, Senatorial Vice Chairman of PDP in Bayelsa State, Hon. Dick Ebena Bekekeme, Chairman of the Bayelsa West Progressive Forum and Dr. Isaac Uki, Secretary, Bayelsa Prograssive Forum.
Speaking to our correspondent, Senator representing Bayelsa Central district Senator Moses Cleopas explained that Dickson has made the Ijaw nation proud and was worthy of celebrating.
He prayed that God would increase the celebrant in strength, health on all sides and God’s blessing will be showered on him as he pilots the Affairs of his Senatorial District in the Senate.
Dick Bekekeme who led the large delegation stated that the former governor is God fearing, courageous and a hardworking man who is relentless and never rest on his oars until he achieves that which he has determined to achieve.
Head Reintegration at the Presidential Amnesty Program, Kemepade Alfred, while congratulating Senator Dickson advised youths to emulate his courage and determination to succeed stating that the rise of Senator Dickson from a humble background with little or nothing to achieve this feat of becoming a two time governor and presently Senator representing and impacting the lives of his people, goes to show that if an ijaw man sets his mind on a goal he can achieve it.
Also, Chairman Sagbama LGA, Embeleapo Prosper said it is a day worth celebrating that the former governor has impacted lives positively and changed the state and the Ijaw nation with his giant strides in in fractural, economic, social and human capacity development when he was two times governor of Bayelsa state.
He prayed God to grant him long life to achieve his hearts desires of moving to the next level of his career and grace to fulfil his God’s given destiny.
Executive Secretary SUBEB, Chief Victor Okubonanabo said Senator Dickson is a unifying factor in ijaw nation and will be remembered as a governor for his doggedness in fighting for the ijaw course and making sure ijaws are a force to be reckoned with in the Affairs of the nation.
He wished him a long life and God’s guidance in all he does and sets his mind to do as moves ahead in life.
Ijaw Youth Council, IYC was also represented by Information officer Abuja and Northern Nigeria Chapter Comrade Gifted Ibiambo who described Sen Dickson as a great son of Ijaw Nation and leader per excellent.
‘’Today I am here to join good meaning people of Ijaw nation and the world at large, to wish our leader happy birthday, he is a good man and we look up to emulating his good works’’ he said.
In his response, Senator Dickson thanked the Bayelsa West progressive forum members and everyone who came to felicitate with him stating that it was a surprise to him since he does not celebrate birthdays but is ever grateful for their efforts and the love showered on him.
Highlight of the occasion was the cutting of the birthday cake with the design of the National Assembly complex.
Other Dignitaries who were there to celebrate with him were Mr Fidelis Sorowei head of media to Senator Dickson, Mr Ono Akpe Director General Bayelsa Governor’s Cup and consultant Senator Dickson’s Senatorial Cup, Tolu Amatu Sanitation Chairman, comrade Success Jack Chairman Ijaw community Abuja and Northern Nigeria, Ebizimor Koroye PA to the Senator and comrade Gifted ibiambo information officer of IYC represented Comrade Adams Marbo the IYC Chairman Abuja and Northern Nigeria Chapter.