By Abiola Olawale
A wave of leadership shake-up has begun in Rivers State with the Head of Service, George Nwaeke, tendering his resignation.
This coincided with the appointment of Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) by Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd).
The announcements were made on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, amid an ongoing brief political transition in Rivers State.
Nwaeke, who served under the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, made this resignation known in a statement issued by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator.
The statement reads in part: “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, Vice Admiral Ibas, who assumed office last week following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara, wasted no time in appointing Worika as the new SSG, replacing Tammy Danagogo.
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 the rigorous selection process.”
The New Diplomat reports that Worika is a distinguished academic and legal expert with a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee.
