22/08/2025
"SERVE WITH INTEGRITY, INNOVATION," IBAS TELLS NEWLY INAUGURATED BOARDS
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has charged newly inaugurated Boards and Agencies to rise to the moment with integrity, urgency, and innovation.
He declared that their appointments must translate into tangible progress across the state.
Vice Admiral Ibas spoke during the inauguration ceremony at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.
The Administrator reminded the appointees that their roles are not ceremonial. "This is a call to duty," he said. "You are here not to fill seats but to lead boldly, professionally, and transparently."
The newly constituted boards include the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, the Senior Secondary Schools Board, the Internal Revenue Service Board, the Microfinance Agency, the Contributory Health Protection Programme Board, the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Board, and the Rivers State Waste Management Agency.
Addressing the education sector, the Administrator gave a stern warning. "Government will continue to support education, including meeting funding obligations, but accountability must guide every kobo spent. Transparency and efficiency are not negotiable," he said.
“We must also overcome one of our greatest weaknesses, the absence of reliable data. Without accurate information, there can be no effective planning or progress."
He charged the Universal Basic Education Board and the Senior Secondary Schools Board to address overcrowding in classrooms, improve infrastructure, enforce discipline among teachers, and reverse the state’s declining education metrics.
“I charge both boards to establish strong systems to track enrollment, teachers' deployment, infrastructure and performance. I also charge you to leave the comfort of your boardrooms to visit the schools, not only in Port Harcourt, but in the remotest parts of our state.”
Turning his attention to economic institutions, Vice Admiral Ibas stated clearly that Rivers State must begin to reduce its reliance on federal allocations. “The work you are about to embark on is not just about collecting taxes. It is about building trust, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that resources of Rivers State are mobilised to serve our dear people.”
He tasked the Internal Revenue Service Board with modernising tax systems, closing revenue leakages, and ensuring fairness in tax collection.
“Your responsibility is to identify, harness, and harmonise every legitimate source of revenue. This means expanding the tax net so that more individuals and businesses contribute fairly, while ensuring that the burden on honest taxpayers is not unfairly increased.”
To the Microfinance Agency, his message was one of empowerment. “You are to stimulate our economy from the bottom up. Make credit accessible to small businesses. Give our young entrepreneurs a fighting chance. Support market women, artisans, and those who power our informal economy.”
On health, the Administrator spoke with visible conviction. “The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme will play a central role in the health ecosystem of our state. This programme is not only about healthcare, it is about dignity, security and the promise of a better quality of life.”
He reinforced his administration’s goal to provide affordable, and in many cases free, healthcare for the most vulnerable. “Pregnant women, children, the elderly and those living with chronic conditions deserve the assurance that their health needs will not be neglected. This programme must deliver on that promise.”
He also addressed the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Board, underscoring its dual role in providing specialist care and training future health professionals.
“As a teaching hospital, it is not only a center for advanced medical healthcare but also a hub for training the next generation of doctors, nurses, and health professionals. The progress we make here will directly influence the quality of healthcare delivery across the state and beyond.”
Vice Admiral Ibas addressed the newly inaugurated Waste Management Agency, calling their task both urgent and critical to public health. “The management of waste is not a cosmetic issue. It is a matter of public safety, environmental protection, and urban renewal,” he said. “You must lead the charge to rid our cities and communities of filth.”
He revealed that the state had already taken proactive steps, including the procurement of modern equipment and the construction of access roads to landfill sites. “These investments demonstrate our seriousness, but their effectiveness will depend on your commitment and capacity to deliver.”
He challenged the Agency to think beyond disposal and begin converting waste into value. “Around the world, waste is being transformed into power, fertilizer, and raw materials for industry. Our state cannot be left behind. I expect this board to explore partnerships, innovations, and technologies that will convert our waste from nuisance into an asset for sustainable development.”
“Discipline and enforcement must be restored. Dumping refuse indiscriminately on the streets, drains and public spaces is a crime against ourselves and our future, he said. “Lead with integrity. Act with urgency. Think boldly. Rivers State is watching, and expecting results,” he added.
Those inagurated for the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Commission are:
1 Barr. Samuel Ogeh- Chairman
Members are-
2 Monday Ledee Yimonah
3 Ibiene Cotton Amachree
4 Margaret Ngozi Ikegwuru
5 Emi Clifford Ikalaso Min of Finance Rep.
6 Mrs. Magdalene Wilcox Min of Education
7 Mr. Donatus Samuel Nigerian Union of Teachers
8 Elebedim Gift Agency for Adult and Formal Education
9 Comrade. Boma Watson Allison Parent Teachers Association
10 Mr. John T. Pepple Secretary
The Rivers State Senior Secondary Education Board has the following:
1 Mr. Tony Egwurugwu - Chairman
Members are:
2 Dr. Austin ThankGod Jonah
3 Princess Clara Denirari Woke
4 Mr. Nwisabari Bani Samuel
5 Mrs. Baniba Abella Briggs Iti
6 Mrs. Iniseliekabo Tam-Job Technical Education
7 Mrs. Alua Adiela Min of Education
8 Okechukwu Nwogu FCA Min of Finance
9 Haoma Ekelechukwu-Umejuru Member / Part Time
11 Charley Barinu H. Bourdilon Member / Part Time
12 Allison Godswill Fubara Member / Part Time
13 Mrs. Nkayi Gift Prince Member / Part Time
The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service Board has:
1 Sir. Israel Egbunefu- Chairman
Members are:
2 Prof. Tamunonimim Anipiworima Ngerebo
3 Osepiribo Ben-Willie
4 Mr. Okas Wike
5 Imaoneyani Roseline Ephraim-George Mins of Budget & Planning
6 Henry Uzor Mins of Land
7 Rowling Waribo Mins of Transport
8 Pamela Ibiene Mbano Mins of Justice
9 Mabel N. Webilor Mins of Finance
10 Mitchell Iyeneomie Aminigo Mins of Commerce & Industry
Those inagurated for the Rivers State Waste Management Agency Board (RIWAMA) are:
1 Dr. Samuel O. Nwanosike -Chairman
2 Wokoma Amakiri Ibimina -Managing Director
Members are-
3 Dr. Augusta Ayotamuno
4 Engr. Gershon Owajikagop Ogbuluijah
5 Prof. Iyenemi I. Kakulu
6 Dr. Thankgod Bariyaa
7 Karebi Gorden Offe Min. of Environment Rep.
8 Dr. Nnamdi Micheal Ahiamadu Nigeria Environment Society
9 Dr. William Azuka Iyama Waste Management Association of Nigeria
10 Ofor Samuel Ukeame Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria
11 Christopher Ettete ALGON
12 Dr. Owene Wonodi Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria
For the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, the following were inagurated:
1 Prof. Princewill Chike- Chairman
Members-
2 Dr. Vetty Agala Executive Secretary
3 Dr. Mangibo Daniel
4 Mr. Jack Tamuno Tonye
5 Laleobe Alemami Favour
6 Amb. Victor Nwikpo
7 Mrs. Doris Igbanibo Min. of Health
8 Dr. Siyeofuri Dede RSPHCMB
9 Dr. Nnesochi Offor Nigeria Medical Association
10 Mr. Chris Itodo National Health Insurance Authority
11 Dr. Chijoke Mbelu Health Care Providers Association of Nigeria
12 Mrs. Ibiye Uzoma Min. of Budget & Economic Planning
13 Pharm. Promise Anele Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria
14 Dr. Ishmael Jaja Hospital Management Board
15 Mr. Otaraku Jonathan Oye JOHESU
16 Mr. Charles Cheta Local Government
Inaugurated for the Rivers State Microfinance Agency are;
1 Prof. Adolphus Joseph Toby - Chairman
Members are-
2 Mrs. Onene Osila Obele-Oshoko Managing Director
3 Prof. John Ohaka
4 Mr Desire Danagogo Bob-Manuel Member
5 Philip-Brown Tomunobere Mins. Of Finance Incorporated
Also inagurated for the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Board were:
1 Dr. Sampson Tamunoiyoriari Parker - Chairman
Members are;
2 Prof. Chizindu Akubudike Alikor Chief Medical Director
3 Dr. Simon Sylvester Uriah Deputy Chief Medical Director
4 Prof. Kenneth Wariso
5 Prof. Elizabeth Akon Awoyesuku
6 Mr Gordon Tornwe JP
7 Prof. Kiikpoye Aaron
8 Dr. Vincent Wachukwu Director Medical Services
9 Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro, NMA Chairman
10 Vopnu Junias Bona JOHESU
