Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation Announces 2024 Education Support Program Beneficiaries

The Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation is pleased to announce the beneficiaries of its highly anticipated 2024 Education Support Program. This initiative reflects Senator Henry Seriake Dickson’s enduring commitment to investing in education and human capacity development. We extend our deepest gratitude to Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the Chairman of the Foundation, for his unwavering support and dedication to education, as well as for maintaining the education grant program over the years through the Foundation.

The 2024 edition of the Education Support Program aims to provide educational assistance to deserving students from Bayelsa State. We are proud to present the list of beneficiaries selected for this year’s program:

CATEGORIES OF THE HSD-ESS 2024

  1. Bayelsa West Senatorial District
  • Sagbama:                         150
  • Ekeremor:                         150

Total                                                               300

2. High Flyers (Bayelsans on First Class & 2nd Class Upper Standing)

  • University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT): 129
  • Niger Delta University (NDU):   51
  • Bayelsa Medical University (BMU):   48
  • Federal University Otuoke (FUO):   25
  • IJB College of Education (IJBCOE):   25
  • Bayelsa State Polytechnic (BYPOLY):   25
  • Federal Polytechnic Ekowe (FPE):   25

Total                                                             328

3. Candidates on Master’s Degree Programmes

  • Sagbama: 46
  • Ekeremor: 33

Total                                                               79

4. Candidates on PhD Programmes

  • Sagbama: 29
  • Ekeremor: 16

Total                                                               45

5. Nigerian Law School Beneficiaries

  • Bayelsans the 3 Senatorial Districts             80

And Others

 

CLICK VIEW LIST OF BENEFICIARIES HERE:

 

 

THE HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON FOUNDATION PRESENTS

SEN. HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON (HSD) EDUCATION SUPPORT SCHEME PUBLIC PRESENTATION

DATE: SATURDAY, 13TH JANUARY, 2024

VENUE: KING KPADIA MEIN SQUARE, TORU-ORUA, BAYELSA STATE

TIME: 10:00AM

ORDER OF PROGRAMME

  1. Arrivals
  2. National Anthem
  3. Opening Prayer
  4. Welcome Address by Chairman, HSD Education Support Scheme: Prof. Barclays Foubiri AYAKOROMA
  5. Opening Remark by Chairman of the Occasion: High Chief Fidelis AGBIKI
  6. Motivational Talks
  7. Remark by Royal Father of the Day: HRM King Seiyifa KOROYE, Pere of Tarakiri Kingdom
  8. Keynote Address by Special Guest of Honour: H.E. Sen. Henry Seriake DICKSON, Senator Representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District
  9. Presentation to Beneficiaries
  10. Response by Representative of the Beneficiaries
  11. Vote of Thanks: Secretary, HSD Education Support Scheme, Dr. Akpoebi ADESI
  12. Closing Prayer
  13. National Anthem
  14. Group Photographs
  15. The End

Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation Announces 2023 Education Support program

The Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its 2023/2024 Education Support Scheme, continuing Senator Henry Seriake Dickson’s long-standing commitment to investing in education and human capacity development. Application forms for the Senator Henry Seriake Dickson Education Support Scheme 2023 are now available for collection.

The scheme aims to provide educational support to deserving students from Bayelsa State. The beneficiaries for the 2023 edition will include 300 undergraduates from Bayelsa West Senatorial District, 300 undergraduates from Bayelsa State studying in various universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education within the state, who have achieved first-class or second-class upper standing. Additionally, the committee will consider other eligible candidates, including 100 students pursuing Master’s degree programs and 50 PhD candidates.

The Screening Committee, composed of esteemed professionals, will oversee the selection process. The committee members are as follows:

– Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma (Chairman), Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Africa, Toru-Orua
– Prof. Tawari Fufeyin (Co-Chairperson), Deputy Vice Chancellor, Hensard University, Toru-Orua
– Prof. Christine Odi (Vice-Chairperson), former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Niger Delta University
– Dr. Akpoebi Adesi (Secretary), Registrar, University of Africa, Toru-Orua
– Prof. Peter Ayunku (Member), Dean, Faculty of Management Science, Niger Delta University
– Dr. Tam Azorbo (Member), Acting Head of Department, Theatre & Film Studies, University of Africa, Toru-Orua
– Dr. Sunday Abraye (Member), Acting Head of Department, Theatre Arts, Niger Delta University
– Mr. Bolou Resident (Member)
– Mr. Moses Atti (Member)
– Comrade Tamarapreye Kings (Member)
– Miss Hope Asanakpo (Member)
– Dr. Stella P. Ugolo (Member), Chairperson, Bayelsa State Teachers Registration & Certification Board
– Aaron Richard Pereyei (Member)
– Comr Emi Egbe (Member)

Interested students can obtain the application forms free of charge by contacting any of the committee members listed below:

– Bolou Resident: 0706 630 9531
– Moses Atti: 0813 805 5261
– Hope Asanakpa: 0907 371 8193
– Kings Adueze Jnr: 0906 403 6562
– Aaron Richard Pereyei: 0903 914 7290
– Comr Emi Egbe: 0901 331 3092

The deadline for form submission is Tuesday, 2nd January 2024.

The Senator Henry Seriake Dickson Education Support Scheme, which successfully supported 600 undergraduates and Bayelsa State students at the Nigeria Law School in 2022, is sponsored by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation (HSDF).

Successful candidates will be formally awarded the grants in January to assist them in their educational pursuits.

Signed,
Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation

Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson gives educational support grants to 90 law school students

Today, I presented an educational support grant to deserving students of Bayelsa origin totalling 90 whose names and LGAs are listed below and are currently in the 2021/22 session of the Nigerian Law School.
They will receive N100, 000.00 (One hundred thousand naira) grant each. I also approved the sum of N870, 000. 00 (Eight hundred and seventy thousand naira) educational support grant for Miss Emmanuel Ebilaere Favour, an indigent Bayelsan student studying in Zanakuro Iscom University, Benin Republic, which has been paid directly to the school account.
Throughout my public career, I have left no one in doubt about the primacy of position I attach to the issue of Education, building educational institutions, infrastructure, policies and the development of human capital in general.
This was why as governor I awarded an unprecedented number of scholarships, both local and foreign even in a recession.
Now in my present capacity as a senator, I have continued to use the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation (HSDF) to support Education, scholarships, sports and human capital development in whichever little way I can.
We have kick-started this today as the first batch and some others will follow. I congratulate the awardees and urge them to accept this as a token of my appreciation for their efforts and to encourage them to do more in their educational pursuits.
As someone who has always been passionate about education, I deliberately extended this batch of beneficiaries beyond my Senatorial District in the same way I extended scholarships and other opportunities as governor to all Ijaws outside Bayelsa.
My Constituency office and officials will follow up on the Postgraduate Educational Support program for PhD. and masters students. Some have already been contacted and others have been noted but for those who are qualified and intend to participate, feel free to contact my constituency office through the numbers listed below for verification.
Tony Ogula – 07066781356
Bar Bordillon Ogugubeni – 08064283764

List of current beneficiaries

1. Amangala M. Joshua
2. Amiekumo Oyeinkule Priscilla
3. Tarilayefa Ogidi
4. Tarinabo-Debi Ebinyo Toyin
5. Timipre Obiene Barigha
6. Maccarthy Izibetoyin
7. Tiebogiren E. Possibility
8. Ebiegberi Zidafamor
9. Ebisuobo Rufus Thankgod
10. Oborie Ephraim Hope
11. Okoko Nathaniel
12. Gigi Benjamin Marcell
13. Azibaolanari Obana
14. Dumbo Desmond Mutu
15. Solomon Samson
16. Hillary Okorotie
17. Nanapere Prudence Tamarapreye
18. Agadaga Donald
19. Favour Onoriode
Yola
20 Sam Jonah Godstime
21 Ebitimi Ebidoughebofa Kingsley
22 Lokoson Veronica Ebiwari
23 Amakiri Yibamiemunu
24 Youpele woringidiepreye Sophia
25 Kenigua Pere-ere princess
26 Okpotolomo Ebiowei
27 Victoria Pree ifidi
Abuja
28 Samuel Abila
29 Akuna Powedei
30 Winston Mercy Ayebatari
31 Bekeowei Tamaradie
32 Ezekiel Ikionana Ellen
33 Onungo Princess Ibiwari
34 Emily Robert Ayalla
35 Peres Mitiya
36 Abowei Annex Bernard
37 Timibra Jonah Wilson
38 Okoko Joy Perefinere
39 Otuogha Gesiye
40 Charles Onyema Chukwuma
41 Jim Ogbo Queen Mienenimebebi
42 Ekanem Tarinabo Helen
43 Happy John Honour
44 Nat- Beregha Hope
45 Ogidi Tarilayefa Ben
46 Arisou Enebikedou
47 Gift Keriebo
48 Afentu Oyindeinyefa Duke
49 Ebiere Theresa
50 Iyudu Usivwi Keren
51 Ukieh Gift Ikioha
52 Beregha Esinfa Temple
53 Abidde Theophany James
54 Dagana W Faith
55 James E Allagoa
Yenagoa
56 Kainti Ebiladou Tabitha
57 Anthony P Deborah
58 Genesis Toboulayefa Vivian
Lagos
59 Igbadiwei Macdonald Ebimoboere
60 Puromeiziba Ipigansi
61 Ebiason Ayebainagbo Annabel
62 Janet T Abiri
63 Ken Austine Izibenifien
64 Ebikeniye Sandra
65 Smith Livinus-Agala
66 Friday Kuroyifa Wisdom
67 Esegi Maureen Izibevie
68 Oyinkepreye Louis
69 Tom Ebibo Ayawari
70 Soroghaye Rebecca
71 Uyabara A Boneghen
72 Daniel Doubra Esther
73 Edevie Delia Afinavie
74 Igbelekumo Emilia Preye
75 Debbie Laye Andrew
76 Primrose Epiekiri
77 Buruboyefe Ukiye simeon
78 Vic-Sandra George
Kano
79 John Prosper Obokparo
80 Akamu Oyakemeagbegha Roland
81 Jimmy James Calmday
82 Appam blessing tamarakuro
83 Bestman Queen
84 Ebitimi Osain
85 Olali, Karinate Deborah
86 Frank Naniye Okpara
87 Ogbosain Apeikumo Poweide
88 Akoukiri Rita Douyerinlayefa
89 Igwela, Samuel Obiosa
90 Igodo, Ebiowei Frank Geofrey

PA NANAYE DICKSON WRESTLING COMPETITION: WINNERS EMERGED FROM EKEREMOR CONSTITUENCY 3

…AS ALADDIN OKEREBI OF AGBIDIAMA EMERGES CHAMPION TO TAKE HOME ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND NAIRA.
Mr Aladdin Okerebi of Agbidiama has emerged winner of Ekeremor Constituency three after beating Mr Alex Lugard of Agge. He went home with a N100,000 cash prize and a gold medal.
Mr Alex Lugard came second and got #70,000 with a Silver medal while Victor Omoro of Agge defeated Mr Passman Timothy of Egbema-Angalabiri, to finish third and got the bronze medal and #50,000 prize money.
This ends the Constituency wrestling matches for Ekeremor and Sagbama LGAs. Attention will now shift to the Local Government Finals in Ekeremor and Sagbama the which holds on the 12th and 13th of January 2022.
The Pa Nanaye Dickson annual wrestling tournament which is sponsored by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation is a tournament designed to discover hidden talents in traditional Ijaw wrestling amongst the youths of Bayelsa West and help promote and project such talents to the world.

Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament: Sagbama Constituency 2 Produces Champions

Lucky Contractor From Toru Ebeni Emerges Champion, takes N100, 000 Cash Prize

…As Constituency 3 Starts Today

The one going Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament organized by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation has reached its final stage in SAGBAMA LGA, as Constituency 3 is all set to have its contests today, December 4th, 2022 at the country home of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson in Toru-Orua by 12noon.

Earlier on Sunday, 2nd of January 2022, Constituency 2 had its day and produced its champions. Coming in the first position was Lucky Contractor from Toru Ebeni Community who grappled with other contestants to take home the Constituency cash prize of N100, 000 donated by the sponsor. In the second position was Ayanka Gideon from Sagbama Community who won a cash price of N70, 000 while Kolo Tamaranpreye from Toru-Ebeni came third with a cash price of N50, 000.

In an interview with our reporter, they expressed their gratitude to God and the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation for providing the opportunity for them to showcase their talents and also win prizes at the tournament. They stated that in the history of traditional Ijaw wrestling tournaments, no one has organized such a far-reaching wrestling competition as what they are presently experiencing. The Local Organising Committee members also commended the sponsor for this initiative that it said promises to produce many future champions as participants have now been talent-spotted from the local communities who have never participated in any national or international competitions.

Today, January 4th is day 3 of the tournament designed to produce champions who will move on to the next round of the annual tournament in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The venue is in Toru Orua, designated for all Sagbama LGA matches at the Country Home of Founder of the HSD Foundation, Former Governor of Bayelsa State and serving Senator, Henry Seriake Dickson.

The Consultant to the Tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe reaffirmed that invited youths for SAGBAMA CONSTITUENCY 3 shall wrestle on the 4TH of JANUARY, at TORU ORUA, SAGBAMA from 12 noon daily.

The Ekeremor LGA Tournament dates for Constituencies 1-3 are scheduled to take place between the 6th and 10th of January, 2022 in Ekeremor Town, Ekeremor LGA.

The statement further said that the Sagbama Local Government Area finals holds on the 12th of January while the Ekeremor Local Government Finals will hold on the 13TH of January, 2022.

Prize money for the tournament will be Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000) for the first prize, while the Second Prize is Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300, 000) and Third Prize is Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000) respectively for each of the top three Champions.

Just as the sponsor has said everybody in this tournament is a champion, One Hundred Thousand Naira will be given as consolation prizes to Seven finalists. Other prizes will be given as follows,
Sagbama & Ekeremor LGA champions will receive Two Hundred Thousand Naira (200, 000).
Six constituency Champions will receive One Hundred Thousand Naira each while Runners up will get Seventy Thousand Naira (N70, 000) and the third position will receive Fifty Thousand Naira each (N50, 000). The statement said logistics shall also be given to all Wrestlers.

The statement said further that, the Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament is for wrestlers who have not participated in any State, National or International Competitions.

In conclusion, the statement asked all interested wrestlers to contact LOC Chairman; SUOYE LOKOJA on 08030870370 and LOC Secretary; ARE AGBEREKEME on 08030870370 or OWU FINIDI OWU on 08038826931.

The Nanaye Dickson Grassroots Traditional Wrestling Tournament is sponsored by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation and its aim is to talent spot future national and international wrestling champions.

Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament: Harrison Isreal of Ofoni Community emerges Champion of SAGBAMA Constituency 1

…As Constituency 2 wrestlers lock horns  in Toru Orua

Young , well built and energetic, Harrison Isreal of Ofoni Community overpowered a line up of 31 young and vibrant wrestlers to emerge champion of Constituency 1 and take home the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) cash prize at the annual edition of the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament.

The tournament  flagged off from Toru Orua at an opening ceremony laced with exciting and inspiring music embedded in the rhythmic pattern of Ijaw drum beats , horns and sonorous songs to urge the combatants on. With strained sinews, grappling against each other, youths of SAGBAMA Constituency 1 in Bayelsa State clearly showed why Wrestling is touted as a sport ingenious to the Ijaw people.

The second position went to Bekekala Ebimobowei from Bolou-Orua community and he got a prize money of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70, 000), while the third position went to Bekesuomowei Marine from Bulou-Orua community and he received a cash prize of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50, 000) donated by the sponsor, Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation and presented by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

Also during the New Year Break, January 2nd, battle is currently ongoing in SAGBAMA Constituency 2 with over 30 registered wrestlers lined up to engage each other once again in Toru Orua, venue for all wrestling tournaments in SAGBAMA LGA. It would be the turn of Constituency 3  on the 4th and 5th of January, 2022 at the same venue to complete the Constituency qualifiers.

The LOC according to a press release by the Tournament Consultant, Mr. Ono Akpe, has also decided to hold all the wrestling bouts for the Ekeremor  Local Government Area in Ekeremor Town. Thus the matches would hold between the 6th and 10th of January 2022.

The Sagbama Local Government Finals will take place on the 12th of January in Toru Orua, while the Ekeremor Local Government Finals will hold on the 13th of January, 2022 in Ekeremor

Speaking earlier to press men during the opening ceremony in Toru Orua, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, on behalf of his Foundation, thanked the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee Suoye Lokoja and other members of the LOC for the good organization of this grassroots community based Wrestling Tournament.

Senator Dickson earlier noted that, Bayelsa State has more wrestling champions than any State in Nigeria or country in Africa and that this effort of the Foundation will help to talent spot future African Champions and Olympic medalists like Blessing Oborodudu, Victor Kodei, etc.

He said beyond those who won the first, second and third positions, all participants in the tournament today and those who will take place to the end were winners. He said his foundation was more interested in the future of the youthful participants.

He said the Grassroots  community based Traditional Wrestling Tournament is in honour of his late father, and an attempt to  keep to the legacy of his father, a great wrestler in his time who groomed many young wrestlers, that he is sponsoring this tournament through the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.

He added that his desire to keep the art of  wrestling alive in Ijaw land because it was a land of champions, further inspired him to support the sport more. He added that he has been told by the LOC that they have already  spotted many prospective champions at the beginning of the tournament which was quite impressive. Senator Dickson equally gave all participants five thousand naira each as logistics support.

Senator Dickson later led a procession of wrestlers, spectators and other guests to his fathers compound, the final resting place of his late father, Pa Nanaye Dickson amidst drumming and dancing.

Pa Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Competition Schedule

The LOC invites youths from Sagbama and Ekeremor LGA to the ANNUAL NANAYE DICKSON Wrestling Tournament @ Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA & Ekeremor town, Ekeremor LGA on;

SAGBAMA CONSTITUENCY 3
4TH JANUARY
VENUE; TORU ORUA, SAGBAMA
TIME: 8AM DAILY.

EKEREMOR LGA
CONSTITUENCY 1-3 MATCHES
6TH & 10TH JANUARY
VENUE; EKEREMOR TOWN,
EKEREMOR

SAGBAMA LOCAL GOVT FINALS:
12TH OF JANUARY
&
EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVT FINALS:
13TH JANUARY
1ST PRIZE: N500k
2ND PRIZE; N300k
&
3RD PRIZE; N200K
N100k consolation prize for 7 wrestlers

 

Sagbama & Ekeremor LGA
CHAMPIONS shall receive N200k each 6 CONSTITUENCY CHAMPIONS:
N100k each.
RUNNERS UP; N70K
&
3RD PLACE: N50K

Logistics shall be given to all Wrestlers.
This tournament is for wrestlers who have not participated in State, National or International Competitions.

FOR PARTICIPATION:

LOC Chairman; Suoye Lokoja;
08030870370.
Secretary; Are Agberekeme; 08030870370.
&
Finidi O. 08038826931.

POWERED BY;
Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.

SENATOR DICKSON HOSTS COMMUNITY BASED COOPERATIVES FOR WOMEN AND YOUTHS OF BAYELSA WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

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.

PHOTOSPEAKS: Highlights and result from the maiden Ofurumapepe Cup final

Odoni FC of Sagbama LGA has won the 2021 edition of the Ofurumapepe Cup by a lone goal scored by Benatare Bob.

They will go home with N2,000,000 courtesy of Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation and the Bayelsa State government who announced the addition of 500k.

2nd place goes home with 1,300,000, courtesy of the HSD Foundation 800k and the Bayelsa State Government 500k.

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson in his remarks called on IOC’s, Corporate bodies others to support Bayelsa government in sports development as Odoni Community Sagbama LGA beat Toruogbene 2 Community of Ekeremor by a lone goal to win the maiden edition of the ofurumapepe cup sponsored and organised by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.

Blessing Oborodudu Eulogizes Senator Dickson, HSD Foundation for Consistent Support For Sports Development

…As Senator Dickson Gifts Her N2Million For Winning Silver Medal At The Tokyo Olympics

By Michael Egiethua

Blessing Oborodudu, the Bayelsa born wrestler who won Nigeria’s only medal at the Tokyo Olympics, a Silver medal, has been presented a check of Two Million Naira (N2, 000, 000) by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation at an event in Abuja on Tuesday, 14th of December 2021. The award and Presentation were for her role in inspiring our youths and girls as a Living Legend.

Speaking to the publisher of Crossfire Reports after the ceremony, Blessing Oborodudu said that in the 2014 Glasgow Games (Commonwealth Games), then Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson was the first Governor to visit the athletes in Camp.

She, along with other Wrestling Living Legends and Icons of Ijaw extraction was honoured by the Henry Seriake Dickson (HSD) Foundation in recognition of their outstanding performance over the years.
Oborodudu described Senator Dickson as a unique man in the sense that, in 2014, at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he was the first Governor to visit the Nigerian Wrestling Team. She said he did not stop at that, but that he was also the first Governor to receive the Nigeria Wrestling Team in 2018 after the Commonwealth Games and that he gave generous cash donations to the athletes.

Oborodudu said she was not surprised at Senator Dickson’s donation today as he has been consistent with his love and support for sports development, but that, what surprised her was the amount involved, Two Million Naira (N2, 000, 000) which she was gifted by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.

She noted that there are many dignitaries in Bayelsa State that can do this kind of gifting but that because of Dickson’s unique nature, he is indeed the first to make such a generous donation by publicly honouring her and her coach and also went as far as inviting a good number of wrestlers from Bayelsa State to Abuja for the recognition and award as Living Legends and Icons of Traditional Ijaw Wrestling.

She thanked and appreciated Senator Dickson for his love and promotion of wrestling in Bayelsa State and Nigeria. She said with the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament, she was sure that it will produce younger Wrestlers who will take over from her and others and that they will bring bigger honours to Bayelsa State and Nigeria. It was her prayer that the younger athletes will surpass her performance and go to the Olympics to win Gold medals for Nigeria.

She thanked Senator Dickson and the Henry Seriake Dickson (HSD) Foundation, his family members, the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, Senator Obinna Ogba, Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Royal Father of the Day, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, representative of the President of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation and Vice President of the Federation, Mr. Christopher Amkpila as well as her coaches and all others who made the occasion a truly special one.

She advised Nigerian and Bayelsa youths in regards to sports excellence to maintain their focus always and never give up on their dreams. She also advised the youths in athletics to always train and never miss their training sessions no matter what the circumstances may be. She said it was her consistent training that paved the way for her performance at the Tokyo Olympics and other competitions she has excelled in.

She promised the HSD Foundation, the Minister of Sports and Nigerians in general that she will work harder to win Gold at the next Olympics once her knee was fixed. The Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, had earlier in his address requested that Oborodudu hand over her medical care and treatment to the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to enable the ministry to do the needful to make her get the required surgery.