Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West under the Peoples Democratic Party, has declared that serving with honesty in Nigeria’s public sector remains a difficult task.
Dickson made the remark in Abuja while responding to a Transparency in Leadership Award presented to him by the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness at the National Assembly.
Reflecting on his two decades in public service at both state and federal levels, Dickson said the environment is often shaped by propaganda, blackmail, and misrepresentation, making it challenging for public officials to maintain integrity. He noted that in a society where many are painted with the same brush, it takes strong personal conviction to remain upright.
Before becoming a ranking senator, Dickson served as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Bayelsa State under former Governor Goodluck Jonathan between 2006 and 2007. He was later elected to the House of Representatives representing Sagbama Ekeremor Federal Constituency and subsequently served two terms as Governor of Bayelsa State before joining the Senate in 2020.
According to him, despite the challenges within Nigeria’s public space, there are still honest and hardworking public officers who remain committed to service. He urged civil society organisations to recognise dedicated Nigerians across various sectors, including the judiciary and the police, who continue to uphold professionalism.
Dickson also recalled his background as a former policeman, stating that his experience influenced his firm stance on law and order during his tenure as governor, where he worked to tackle crime and its root causes in Bayelsa State.
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