The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced the appointment of the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika.
In a statement from Government House on Tuesday morning, Ibas said the appointment followed careful consideration of Worika’s credentials, extensive experience, and performance during a rigorous selection process.
The former SSG, who served under suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is Dr. Tammy Danagogo.
Ibas has also announced the appointment of Dr. Mrs. Iyingi Brown as the new Head of Service in an acting capacity. Brown is the Permanent Secretary, Welfare, from the office of former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, who, according to the statement from Ibas, has tendered his resignation letter.
Ibas thanked Nwaeke for the short period he served under his administration and wished him well.
According to Ibas, the appointment of Professor Worika as the SSG reflects the administrator’s commitment to harnessing the great human capital of Rivers’ people to work with him to achieve the much-needed peace, stability, and security.
PROFILE OF PROFESSOR IBI BIA LUCKY WORIKA
Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika, from Okirika, Rivers State, is a globally recognized scholar, legal expert, and administrator with a proven track record in public service and institutional leadership. He holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom, and has served in prestigious roles across academia, international organizations, and government advisory capacities.
Currently the Director of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at Rivers State University, Professor Worika has previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt, where he played a pivotal role in curriculum development, accreditation processes, and fostering collaborations between the university and public institutions. His leadership in academia has been marked by a commitment to excellence, ethical governance, and the advancement of legal education in Nigeria.
Beyond academia, Professor Worika has made significant contributions to public policy and international governance. As Senior Legal Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, he provided expert counsel to member nations on natural resource management, energy policy, and regulatory reforms. His tenure as General Legal Counsel for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna further solidified his reputation as a strategic thinker, where he advised on complex international agreements, litigation, and energy diplomacy.
His consultancy work for governments, including Namibia, Malawi, and Guyana, underscores his ability to design and implement legal and policy frameworks that promote sustainable development and good governance. Notably, he has contributed to drafting key legislation, negotiating multilateral agreements, and strengthening institutional capacities in the energy and natural resources sectors.
A recipient of the OPEC Secretariat Award for Distinguished Service and honored by the Ogu Council of Chiefs in Rivers State, Professor Worika combines intellectual rigor with a deep understanding of public administration. His expertise in policy formulation, conflict resolution, and intergovernmental relations will be invaluable in ensuring stability, efficiency, and transparency in the administration.
