- Ex-OPEC Legal Counsel to Drive Governance Agenda
- Brown Steps In as Acting Head of Service
Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), has appointed Professor Ibibia Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Worika, a seasoned legal scholar and administrator, assumes office immediately.
Announcing the appointment, Ibas highlighted Worika’s extensive experience in legal practice, policy formulation, and academia, stating that his expertise would be invaluable in advancing the administration’s governance agenda.
“Professor Worika’s deep knowledge of law, governance, and international policy will be critical in ensuring effective service delivery in Rivers State,” Ibas said in an official statement.
Brown Steps In as Acting Head of Service
In a related move, Ibas appointed Iyingi Brown as Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service. She will serve as acting Head of Service following the resignation of George Nwaeke, pending the appointment of a substantive replacement.
The government expressed appreciation for Nwaeke’s contributions and wished him success in his future endeavors. While congratulating Brown on her new role, Ibas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to stability, efficiency, and good governance in Rivers State.
Who is Prof. Ibibia Worika?
Born in Okrika, Rivers State, Professor Worika is a globally respected legal expert with a strong background in environmental and petroleum law.
He earned a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom. Currently, he serves as the Director of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at Rivers State University and previously held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt.
Beyond academia, Worika has held high-profile international roles, including:
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Senior Legal Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, where he advised on energy policy and regulatory frameworks.
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General Legal Counsel for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, shaping global energy diplomacy and legal policies.
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Consultant for governments in Namibia, Malawi, and Guyana, contributing to legislation and legal frameworks for sustainable development.
Worika’s contributions to public administration have earned him several recognitions, including the OPEC Secretariat Award for Distinguished Service and an honorary title from the Ogu Council of Chiefs in Rivers State.
With his wealth of experience, his appointment as SSG signals a strategic move to strengthen governance and policy implementation in River.
