Former governor of Bayelsa State and serving Senator, Henry Seriake Dickson today in Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa, received executive committee members of the Community based Cooperative organisations for women and youths of Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

Over 250 grassroots community-based Cooperative Youths and Women groups represented by their Executive council members, came to introduce themselves and present their registration certificates to Senator Seriake Dickson, in the company of his wife, Dr Mrs Rachel Dickson at their country home in Toru Orua, Sagbame LGA of Bayelsa State on Thursday, 30th of December, 2021.

In his response at the presentation ceremony, Senator Dickson thanked the women for forming themselves into cooperatives and advised them to key into any empowerment program of Bayelsa State or the federal government.

Senator Dickson stated further that, on his part, he was also going to support them in any way possible and that putting themselves into cooperatives would make it easier for them to get empowered.  He said when they are in cooperatives,  it is easier for them to interact with him and it is also possible for them to do peer reviews and reinforce one another.

Senator Dickson said,  for example, the Cassava Processing Factory in Ebedebiri he built and finished, that he understands the state government is planning to commission it. He noted that when commissioned they will need a lot of people to go into Cassava production as out-growers. He said he wanted the cooperative groups to be ready to partner with the factory in that regard. He said that on his part, he is also going to try his best to lead them and support them in any way possible.  He promised to continue to provide Entrepreneurship Training programs, empowerment and other support services for members of the cooperatives.

On their part, the Cooperative Women and Youths groups, thanked Senator Dickson, for the various empowerment programs that he has done both as a governor and now as a Senator representing Bayelsa West in the Senate.

Represented by Madam Lilian Okus and Jeff Amasomo, they promised to key into all programmes of Government at both federal and state levels. They assured Senator Dickson that they would ensure judicious management and use of all resources they receive.

The Cooperative Society is coordinated by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.