“It is not easy to serve with honesty in Nigeria” – PDP senator laments

Senator Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lamented that it is difficult to serve with honesty in Nigeria’s public service.

Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the Senate made the comment while receiving a transparency in leadership award conferred on him by the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness.

The lawmaker previously served as commissioner, House of Reps member and governor of Bayelsa state.

Reflecting on his past experiences, Dickson said he navigated what he described as an unfavourable climate with a personal creed of service to man and service to God.

His words: “It is not easy in this country to serve with honesty within the public realm. In a society where everyone is often painted with the same brush. It is a tough environment to serve in a society filled with propaganda, blackmail, and misrepresentation.

“But despite all that, I can say from my own experience that there are honest Nigerian public officers. There are hardworking and patriotic Nigerians. They may be few, but they exist.

“I urge you to recognize and appreciate such people. They are present in all walks of life. If you look closely, even in institutions that are often criticized, including the judiciary, you will find honest, hardworking judges, magistrates, and justices.

“The same applies to the police, which is heavily criticized. By the way, I was once a policeman myself. That is why I was firm on law and order as a governor. I worked to restore sanity in my state, flushed out criminals, and addressed not only crime itself but also the root causes of crime and criminality.” h