Victor EzejaSole Administrator in Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has appointed Prof. Ibibia Worika, a legal expert and administrator, as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
This was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday morning.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the statement, the appointment, which takes immediate effect, followed a thorough selection process. It said Worika’s wealth of experience, academic background, and policy expertise were particularly noteworthy.
The statement reads, “His Excellency, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) CFR, the Administrator of Rivers State, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG).
“His appointment follows careful consideration of his credentials, extensive experience, and performance during a rigorous selection process.
“Professor Worika’s distinguished career spans academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles, making him uniquely qualified to support the administrator in the onerous task of achieving Mr President’s mandate. His appointment takes immediate effect.
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“Professor Worika’s appointment reflects the administrator’s commitment to harnessing the great human capital of the Rivers’ people to work with him to achieve the much-needed peace, stability, and security.”
In another development, the Rivers State Head of the Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, who served under the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has resigned.
In a statement, the Sole Administrator thanked Dr Nwaeke for his contributions while serving and wished him success in his future endeavours.
READ ALSO: I’ve Come To Serve, Restore Peace, Order – Rivers Sole Administrator
Ibas subsequently appointed Iyingi Brown as the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service to act as the Head of Service pending a substantive appointment.
About Professor Worika
Professor Worika, who hails from Okrika in Rivers State, is a scholar, legal expert, and administrator with a background in environmental and petroleum law.
He holds a PhD in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom.
Prior to becoming the Director of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at the Rivers State University, Worika had served as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt.
He has also worked as General Legal Counsel for the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna.
He has also served as a consultant for various governments, including Namibia, Malawi, and Guyana, helping to draft legislation and design legal frameworks for sustainable development.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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