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On behalf of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), I, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel Chibuzor, stand with the nation to celebrate a true icon of statesmanship, His Excellency, Senator Chief Barr. Henry Seriake Dickson, as he marks his landmark 60th Birthday.
At 60, Senator Dickson does not merely celebrate years; he celebrates six decades of courage, intellectual depth, and an unwavering commitment to the democratic sustenance of the Nigerian State.

A Legacy of Purposeful Leadership
Having closely observed his trajectory, from the hallowed chambers of the House of Representatives to his transformative eight-year tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, and now his principled presence in the Senate, we recognize a leader of “uncommon quality.”

His public service journey is a masterclass in:
• Institutional Reform: Spearheading foundational changes that streamlined governance.
• Human Capital Development: His massive investments in education and healthcare remain the bedrock of modern Bayelsa.
• Environmental & Regional Advocacy: Standing as a fearless, principled voice for the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.

The Quintessential Mentor
Beyond the titles of Governor and Senator, Henry Seriake Dickson is a man of profound character. He is a mentor who leads by example—a leader who has consistently demonstrated that the true measure of a man is found in his integrity and intellectual rigour, rather than a quest for material wealth.
In an era of political fluidity, he remains a “constant”—speaking truth to power, defending due process, and upholding the tenets of constitutionalism with a rare blend of vision and consistency.

Our Prayer and Felicitation
“True statesmanship is the art of building the future without losing the values of the past.”
On this auspicious day, we celebrate your discipline and your role as a bridge-builder across party lines. You have earned the respect of colleagues and citizens alike as a lawmaker who puts the national interest above all else.
Happy 60th Birthday, Your Excellency! May the Almighty continue to grant you the strength of a lion, the wisdom of the ancients, and many more years of service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
NWAMBU GABRIEL CHIBUZOR, Ph.D.
Director General,
Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness

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Governor Chukwuma Soludo had on Monday ordered that Onitsha Main Market be shut down for one week due to traders’ perceived compliance with the Monday sit-at-home order by non-state actors.

One of the traders in Onitsha Main Market, Gibson Okafor, has explained the reasons behind traders’ inability to open their shops on Mondays.

The Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, had on Monday ordered that Onitsha Main Market be shut down for one week due to traders’ perceived compliance with the Monday sit-at-home order by non-state actors.

The governor also warned that if traders failed to open at the end of the one-week shutdown, the market would be closed for another week, and subsequently for longer periods.
READ ALSO: Soludo Shuts Down Onitsha Main Market For One Week Over Sit-At-Home
Reacting to the governor’s directive on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Wednesday, Okafor said that while the governor has provided security around the market, there is still no security presence on the routes to the market on Mondays.

“The governor promised security, but only what he will do, because some people are coming from Nkpor, Asaba, and other areas. They need transporters to operate and security along the routes so traders can come to the market.
“If they don’t see security men and transporters, they can’t come to the market. Everything has to be in order so that traders would have the means to reach the market. The governor promised us that — that is what I heard from them — but we haven’t seen it,” Okafor said.

He stressed the need to increase security presence while also calling on the governor to ensure that banks operate on Mondays so business can flow smoothly in the market.

Okafor lamented that the continued closure of commercial banks in Onitsha on Mondays makes it difficult for customers to access cash to purchase goods.
“Governor Soludo has put security everywhere, but for the Monday sit-at-home, they have to increase it and tell the banks to open. When the banks are closed, our customers won’t come to the market because they don’t have money to buy goods — that’s the problem,” he stated. stated.

‘Anambra loses ₦8bn’
The Commissioner of Information for Anambra State, Law Mefoh, was also a guest on The Morning Brief on Tuesday, where he disclosed that the state loses ₦8 billion every Monday due to the sit-at-home order.

The commissioner noted that the practice is seriously affecting the socio-economic life of the state.
“Statistics have it that Anambra is losing an average of ₦8 billion every Monday that the market is shut,” he said.

Mefoh insisted that the government has a responsibility to ensure the economy continues to run which was why the governor took the action he took.
“Those who are opposing it are simply being mischievous. That is why the governor rightly called it economic sabotage,” he said.

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The Senate has deferred consideration of the report on the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2026, resolving to reconvene in an executive session to scrutinize the proposed legislation before taking a final decision.

The decision followed deliberations on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters during plenary, which took place in the absence of the committee chairman, Senator Simon Lalong.

Lawmakers agreed to step down debate on the report to allow senators time to study the bill in detail, with consideration now expected to resume on Thursday.

An executive session has also been scheduled to enable closed-door discussions on sensitive aspects of the proposed reforms.

Although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio underscored the need for thorough scrutiny, given the bill’s implications for the nation’s electoral process.

“This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” he said.

According to the committee’s findings, a clause-by-clause analysis of the bill indicates that enacting the legislation would leave Nigerians with an enduring legacy of electoral integrity, enhance transparency, and boost public confidence.
The committee recommended that the Senate consider and pass the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, as amended, noting that the reforms would expand voter participation, safeguard against electoral fraud, and strengthen INEC’s institutional capacity.