The Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, has resigned his appointment.
The resignation of the HoS, who served under the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara was contained in a statement issued by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator and obtained by newsmen on Tuesday morning.
The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), thanked Nwaeke for his service to him within the short period since he assumed office and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The statement reads, “The office of His Excellency, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, is saddened to announce the resignation of the Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr George Nwaeke, FCA, Mni.
“His Excellency, the Administrator appreciates the immense contributions he has shown this administration in the short period he served and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”
Meanwhile, Ibas has appointed Prof. Ibibi Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government.
Worika’s appointment was also contained in a statement from the office of the Sole Administrator also obtained on Tuesday morning.
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 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.
“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.”
FULL STATEMENT
RIVERS: VICE ADMIRAL IBAS APPOINTS PROF WORIKA
OFFICE OF HIS EXCELLENCY, THE ADMINISTRATOR OF RIVERS STATE, VICE ADMIRAL (Rtd) IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS CFR.
APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR IBIBIA LUCKY WORIKA AS SECRETARY TO STATE GOVERNMENT, RIVERS STATE
His Excellency, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) 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 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.
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.
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.