A former governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, has hosted executive committee members representing over 250 Community-based Cooperativeorganisations for women and youths of Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

Dickson who is the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, hosted his guests in Toru Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Thursday.

The visitors told Dickson that they were at his country home in Sagbama to introduce themselves and present their registration certificates to him.

At the ceremony witnessed by the Senator’s wife, Dr. Mrs. Rachel Dickson, the Women and youth cooperators, thanked Senator Dickson, for the various empowerment programs he has done, both as a governor and now as a Senator.

Madam Lilian Okus and Jeff Amasomo, who spoke on behalf of the groups, promised to key into all programmes of government at both federal and state levels.

They assured the Senator that they would ensure judicious management and use of all resources they receive.

Responding, Senator Dickson thanked the women for forming themselves into cooperatives and advised them to key into every empowerment programme of Bayelsa State or the federal government.

He assured them of histo support, adding that by putting themselves into cooperatives would make it easier for them to get empowered.

Senator Dickson noted that, when the state government commissions the Cassava Processing Factory in Ebedebiri which he built, many people would be required 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 promised to continue to provide Entrepreneurship Training programs, empowerment and other support services for members of the cooperatives.

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