The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has appointed Prof. Ibibia Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) following a rigorous selection process.
In a statement, the administrator highlighted Worika’s extensive experience in legal scholarship, public policy, and governance, making him well-suited to support the administration’s mandate as set by President Bola Tinubu.
Acting Head of Service Appointed
In a related development, Iyingi Brown has been appointed as the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service and will serve as the acting Head of Service following the resignation of George Nwaeke.
The government acknowledged Nwaeke’s contributions and wished him success in his future endeavors. Meanwhile, the Sole Administrator reaffirmed his commitment to peace, stability, and good governance in Rivers State.
Profile of Prof. Ibibia Worika
Hailing from Okrika in Rivers State, Prof. Ibibia Worika is a globally recognized legal expert, scholar, and administrator with a specialization in environmental and petroleum law.
Educational Background & Academic Career
- Holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee, UK.
- Currently serves as Director of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at Rivers State University.
- Former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt.
Professional & Policy Roles
- Former Senior Legal Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, specializing in energy policy and regulatory frameworks.
- General Legal Counsel for OPEC (Vienna), where he contributed to energy diplomacy and resource management.
- Consultant to governments in Namibia, Malawi, and Guyana, helping draft sustainable development laws.
Awards & Recognition
- OPEC Secretariat Award for Distinguished Service.
- Honorary title from the Ogu Council of Chiefs in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator emphasized that Prof. Worika’s legal expertise and public service experience would be crucial in driving the state’s governance agenda, ensuring excellence in administration and policy implementation.
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