The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has appointed Prof. Ibibia Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government following a rigorous selection process.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Sole Administrator praised Worika’s extensive experience in law and public policy, saying his expertise would help drive the administration’s agenda.
The appointment comes after the resignation of George Nwaeke, the Head of Service. While the government thanked Nwaeke for his contributions, it also announced that Iyingi Brown would serve as acting Head of Service until a substantive replacement is named.
The statement read, “Professor Worika’s wealth of experience in legal scholarship, public policy, and governance will be instrumental in driving the administration’s agenda. His appointment underscores our dedication to excellence in public service.”
Vice Admiral Ibas also reaffirmed his commitment to utilizing the state’s human resources to promote peace, stability, and security.
Professor Worika is an internationally recognized legal scholar and administrator from Okrika, Rivers State. He holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Petroleum Law from the University of Dundee, UK.
He is the Director of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at Rivers State University and previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt.
He was a Senior Legal Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London and a General Legal Counsel for OPEC in Vienna.
He has worked with various governments, including Namibia, Malawi, and Guyana, on legal and policy matters.
His contributions to law and public policy have earned him several recognitions, including the OPEC Secretariat Award for Distinguished Service.
