Ijaw Foundation Inc., USA Fourth Annual Convention Brochure May 2014

Ijaw Foundation 2014 Convention Brochure 3

4 Ijaw Foundation 2014 Convention Brochure


An outstanding administrator, leader and politician, Barr.

Wike was born to the family of Reverend and Mrs.

NlemanyaWike of Rumuepirikom community, Rivers

State.

Chief (Barr.)Ezenwo Nyesom Wike holds degrees in

Political and Administrative Studies as well as Law. After

a brief stint with private legal practice, Chief E.N. Wike

was elected twice as the Executive Chairman of

Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. He served his two

terms in office from 1999 to 2002 and 2004 to 2007.

While in office, Chief E.N. Wike also served as Deputy

President, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria,

ALGON, in 2004 and was later elected the President of

ALGON. He also represented Africa as a member of the

Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Local

Governments Forum.

Between October 26, 2007 and May 28th 2011, Chief E.N.

Wike served as the Chief of Staff, Government House,

Port Harcourt and was appointed the Director-General

of Governor Amaechi’s re-election Campaign

Organization. On the 14th of July, 2011, Chief E, N Wike

was appointed and sworn-in as the Honourble Minister

of State for Education.

Following the cabinet shake-up on September 12,2013

Chief (Barr.) Wike emerged the nation's Supervising

Minister of Education.

Since assuming duty as the Minister of State for

Education, Chief (Barr) E. N. Wike has made remarkable

impact in the basic education sub-sector, spear-heading

a nationwide reform of the nation’s education system.

The fundamental programmes that have been driven by

the Minister of State for Education include the creation of

access to quality education for 9million Almajiri children

in Northern Nigeria through the construction of

dedicated schools in affected states, construction of

basic education vocational training schools for out-of-

school children in Southern Nigeria and Special

Girl-Education Schools for less privileged girls in 16

states of the country.

The Minister of State for Education is also championin g

the free distribution of books across the nation. Over 60

Millions of textbooks and library resource materials have

been distributed since 2011.

Determined to ensure that teachers have the capacity to

deliver on the Transform- ation Agenda of the Jonathan

administra-

tion, the

Minister has

initiated the

training of

close to

500,000 basic

education

teachers and

school

administra-

tors.

Since taking

over as the

nation’s

Supervising

Minister of

Education,

Chief (Barr.)Wike has taken proactive measures to resolve

key challenges in the basic and tertiary education levels.

His efforts have been recognized by stakeholders within

and beyond the shores of Nigeria. He was conferred with

the Best Performing Minister, 2011 by the Nigerian Pilot

Newspapers, African Network Campaign on Education

For All, ANCEFA, awarded him the Policy Champion

Award for Africa to recognize his roles in the creation of

quality access for Nigeria Children. The Abuja Council of

the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, conferred on him

a ‘Recognition Award for Reviving Basic Education in

Nigeria’, while the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC,

conferred on him ‘Award of Performance in the

Education Sector’. The Honourable Minister of State for

Education has received several other awards from

reputable stakeholders in the education sector who

appreciate his investments of energy and intellectual

resources in the system. On Tuesday December 17, the

entire women journalists in Nigeria under the aegis of

the Nigeria Association Women Journalists, NAWOJ,

honoured Barr. Wike for his performance with the title;

‘Dream Child’ of the Association for 2013.

A holder of several traditional chieftaincy titles, Chief

(Barr.) E.N. Wike is happily married to Justice (Mrs.)

Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, a High Court Judge

with the Rivers State Judiciary, and blessed with three

lovely children; Jordan, Joaquin, and Jazmyne.

Profile of Chief (Barr.) Ezenwo Nyesom WikeSupervising Minister of Education


Hon Kingsley K. Kuku



HONOURABLE HENRY SERAKE DICKSON was born on 28thday of January 1966 in Toru-Ofua Town of Sagbarra LocalGovernment Area of Bayelsa State Nigeria to the family ofMr. and Mrs. Nanaye Dickson of Orliz and a descendent ofthe famous King Kpadia Royal House of Tarakin Kingdom.Hon. H. S. Dickson attended Kokobitional Primary School,Toru-Omua from 1972 to 1978 where he got his First SchoolLearning Certificate and proceeded to GovernmentSecondary School, Toro-Ebini in 1978 to 1983 and obtainedhis West African School Certificate (WASCIGGE)In 1988, Hon. H. S. Dickson gained admission to Rivers StateUniversity of Science and Technology Port Harcourt to readLaw from where he graduated with LL. B (HONS) in 1992.He then proceeded in 1983 to earn his Bachelors in Law (B.L. HONS) from the Nigeria Law School, Lagos whereuponhe was called to the Nigerian Bar the same year.Hon. H. S. Dickson joined the Nigeria Police Force now TheNigeria Police, 1986 in service to his father land and uponhis graduation in 1993 was appointed a Cadet AssistantSuperintended of Police in 1994 whereupon he proceededto Nigerian Police Academy Karo for Officer Training.During the course of his training his voluntarily withdrewhis service after close to a decade as a Police Officer topractice the profession of law. His voluntary withdraw wasduly approved by both the Inspector-General of Police aswell as the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Commandat the time. As a Lawyer, he worked with SERENA DAVIDDOKUBO & CO. holding the position of Associate Solicitorfrom 1994 to 1995 and moved to ALUKO & OYEBODE aprominent Law firm in Lagos also as an Associate Solicitorin 1990 to 1996 after which he founded the Law firm ofSERIAKE DICKSON & CO. in Port Harcourt and later Yenagoaand became Managing Solicitor from 1996 to 2006.Politically and Professionally Hon. H. S. Dickson has heldmany positions some of these are mentioned below. Hewas elected Pioneer Publicity Secretary, Nigeria BarAssociation (NBA) Yenagoa from 1986 to 1995. He waselected the States Chairman, Atlanta for Democracy (AD)1990 to 2000 and elected National Legal Advisor, Alliancefor Democracy 2000 to 2002. He was equally electedNational Legal Advisor of the foremost an-Ijaw Socio-Cultural and Political group called the Ijaw NationalCongress (INC) 2001 to 2003. He became a Member of theNational Executive Committee (NEC) Nigeria BarAssociation in 2004 to 2006 representing Bayelsa State.Considering his track record and achievements Hon.Dickson as Appointed the Honorable Attorney-General andCommissioner for Justice of Bayelsa State from 2006 to2007 by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan GCON thePresident of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who at the timewas the Governor of Bayelsa State.As Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for

Justice Bayelsa State, he strove to reposition the Ministryof Justice and the Judiciary in Bayelsa State by initiatingseveral reforms policies and programs. He also served indifferent professional statutory bodies. He was a memberof the Council of Legal Education in Nigeria, a member ofthe Body of Banchoro of Nigeria, a member of the Body ofAttorney-General of Nigeria, a member of the Bayelsa StateSecurity Council and Vice Chairman, Bayelsa State JudicialService Commission.As a result of the positive impact he made on the peopleand based on his long years of committed and dedicatedservice to the state and the nation at large he wasRETURNED UNOPPOSED and elected in 2007, as HonorableMember representing Sagcama Ekeremor FederalConstituency of Bayelsa State in the House ofRepresentatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja.In the House of Representatives where he representsSagcama Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State,Hon. Dickson serves as the Chairman, House Committee onJustice and also a Member of sever committees.Hon. H. S. Dickson is a Member of the Nigeria BarAssociation, International Bar Association, CharteredInstitute of Arbitrations (UK) Nigerian Chapter and aMember of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.Hon. Dickson happily married with children and holds thetraditional title of OLOKODAU of ORUA. His hobbiesincludes Swimming, Reading, jogging, Wrestling, Boxingand Badminton.

Honorable Henry Seriake DicksonExecutive Governor, Bayelsa State


Akwa Ibom State


Delta State


Edo State


Imo State


Ondo State


Rivers State


Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe, CON is the immediatepast Honorable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs(MNDA) and Member Federal Executive Council, FederalRepublic of Nigeria. He holds the National Honor as theCommander, Order of the Niger (CON)conferred by HisExcellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR.In order to actualize the 7 Point Agenda of the Yar’aduaAdministration, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs wascreated in 2008. Elder Orubebe, CON was appointed asthe pioneer Honorable Minister of State for the Ministryof Niger Delta Affairs. He worked assiduously, toestablish the infrastructure, the human structure and the“info” structure that is required to enable the Ministryturnaround the decades of neglect and under-development that have been the bane of a region that isresponsible for 80% of Nigeria’s revenue.In recognition of his excellent performance as theHonorable Minister of State, President Goodluck EbeleJonathan, appointed Elder Orubebe, CON HonorableMinister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in 2010 and he iscurrently serving in this capacity.In 2008, Elder Orubebe, CON was appointed HonorableMinister, National Planning Commission (NPC) andDeputy Chair, National Planning Council. During hisstewardship at the NPC, he focused on organizationaldevelopment and restructuring of the NPC to bettergalvanize the human resource of the organization foroptimal efficiency and effectiveness. He wasinstrumental in NPC moving from a rented officeaccommodation into its own befitting property. Thissaved the Commission a lot of resources that is nowchanneled into staff capacity building. He contributedto formulating socio-economic development orientedpolicies which formed the backbone of the Vision20:2020 agenda of Late President Yar’adua’sgovernment.Between 2007 and 2008, Elder Orubebe, CON served asthe Honorable Minister, Special Duties performingdelineated Presidential functions according to thedirectives of Mr. President. Working with late PresidentYar’adua, Elder Orubebe, CON contributed to thePresident’s Seven-Point Agenda through a series ofroutine comprehensive reports on governmentactivities. These reports were submitted to Mr. Presidentevery three months, while Elder Orubebe, CON served inthis direct policy advisory role. He was also a member ofa special committee headed by then Vice-President, HisExcellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who workedon the amnesty solution to the Niger-Delta crises. The

amnesty programme is been successfully implementedand has restored peace to the Niger Delta region.From 2004 to 2005, Elder Orubebe, CON was the SpecialAdviser to the Delta State governor on Urban andRegional Planning where he focused on building acomprehensive urban renewal and development plan.Elder Orubebe, CON served as second Member, StateEducation Board, Supervisory Councilor in charge ofEducation and Chairman, Burutu Local GovernmentArea, Delta State. He changed the landscape of the localgovernment, by ensuring the development ofinfrastructure including schools, water, ruralelectrification and health care facilities. The health carecenter he built in 1992, is what is still serving women,children and his entire community in Burutu LocalGovernment Area, today.He holds a Master’s degree in International Relationsfrom Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma and a Bachelor’sdegree in Political Science from the University of Lagos.He has attended a number of continuing educationcourses. He was a Student Union Leader and served as aPublic Relations Officer and a member of the Parliamentduring his time at the University of Lagos.Elder Orubebe, CON is a philanthropist and an advocateof peaceful co-existence, he loves to read generally &thebible in particular. He manages a farm with fish, plantain& cassava plantations and many other produce in hisvillage, as a hobby.He is married and blessed with children.

Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, CONHonorable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs


He is both an outstanding young leader and anaccomplished scientist. He is an enigma to several youngpeople who look up to him for inspiration. He has,probably, earned for himself an enviable fellowshipwhich no young person of his political age has. He is theleader’s leader, a biomedical scientist who has a rareanalytical mind and sharp diagnostic wits. Born in 1970 to a middle class family of Senibo AdolphusPeterside, a scion of a famous warrior precipitatemerchant who is called SeniboNibilaghPeterside in BiriyePolo,Opobo; Dakuku Adolphus Peterside grew up inAzumini, Aba, both in present day Abia State, Kadunaand Port Harcourt at various times. Hon. DakukuPeterside returned to Rivers State Universityof Science and technology, Port Harcourt and earned aMasters Degree in Management. He is presently adoctoral candidate of the University of Port Harcourt.When he graduated from RSUST, he joined public servicewhich quickly became a passion. He was first appointedSpecial Assistant to Governor of Rivers State (Dr. PeterOdili) on Student and Youth Affairs in August 1999. It wasin this position that he perfected the Art & Science ofbridge building between the youth and the leaders,between today and the future. It was at his demandingoffice as Special Assistant to the Executive Governor ofRivers State that he was invited to serve as Chairman,Opobo-Nkoro LGA in December 2002. At the LGA heproved that he is an administrator per excellence, anachiever and a scientist with the mind of a politician. Heearned the prestigious sobriquet of the BEST LOCALGOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN of his time in just six months.Several years after he left the chairmanship ofOpobo/Nkoro LGA, he is still being celebrated as ahuman machine who accomplished rare feats andbrought back hope in grassroots governance. Hecontributed alongside others to establish the ‘Vanguardof Opobo Nation’ (VON) in 1994 and was its secretary. Healso served as the National President of VON From 2000-2008. Hon. DakukuPeterside, not being a disciple of inactivity,was appointed Senior Special Assistant to the StateGovernor on Works after his tenure as the chairman ofOpobo/Nkoro Council. It is to his credit that he broughtnovelty, ingenuity and credibility to public infrastructureworks. He kept contractors on their toes and gave Riverspeople value for money on all projects he supervised. In2005 Hon. Dakuku went further to pursue another of hispassion –leadership grooming. This he did through an

NGO he founded earlier –Development and LeadershipInstitute (DLI). The rapid growth and transformation ofDLI to a leading NGO in its area of work-leadershipgrooming and development work is as a result of theMidas Touch of DakukuPeterside. In just 12 months theWorld Association of Non-Governmental Organizations(WANGO) recognized DLI as a leader in its sector inNigeria and by 2009 DLI was on the Board of all KeyInternational Committees of WANGO.. It is on record thatglobally we need transformation minded leaders of hisstature to safely berth us in the next generation. Todaywe have too many people with high sounding words,and too few corresponding actions. In 2011 he waselected to the National Assembly to represent – Andoni,Opobo and Nkoro Federal Constituency. He wasthereafter appointed Chairman, House ofRepresentatives Committee on Petroleum Resources(Downstream). Hon. Peterside is an ardent Christian, a loving father, anda statesman to the core. A detribalized Nigerian with anunflinching repute for transparency and accountabilityin governance. His five-point legislative focuses include: •Infrastructural Development of the Niger Delta•Good governance, Transparency and Accountability inGovernance•Education•Youth Empowerment•Environment

Hon. Dakuku Adolphus Peterside (MP)Member Representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, House of

Representatives.


Major Lancelot Owajironiche Anyanya (Rtd) hails fromAtaba in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State,of the Ijaw ethnic stock.

Major Anyanya obtained his First School LeavingCertificate (FSLC) from the Army Children’s School, GRA,Port Harcourt before proceeding to the Nigerian MilitarySchool (NMS) Zaria and the prestigious Nigerian DefenseAcademy, Kaduna (NDA) where he graduated with anupper second class Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree inHistory, winning the Prize for the Best Graduating Cadetin history. He later obtained a Masters Degree inInternational Law & Diplomacy (MILD) from theUniversity of Lagos.

His insatiable appetite for learning led him to acquiremore academic and professional education, whichearned him relevant certification including a Post-Graduate Certificate in National Security from GalileeInternational Management Institute, Israel, a Certificatein Seaport and Coastguard Management from SouthKorea. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious HarvardUniversity’s Kennedy School of Government (KSG) SeniorExecutive Programme on National and InternationalSecurity.

In 2011, he was conferred with a honorary doctoratedegree in International Security and Diplomacy by theCommonwealth University of Belize.

During the course of a significant and positivelyimpactful public service career, Lancelot had stints atdifferent units and assignments within the Nigerian

Army Intelligence Corps, the elite Guards’ Brigade as wellas the Presidency (Office of the National SecurityAdviser), during which his reputation as a great thinker,strategist, beacon of sacrificial professionalism andexemplary performance driven leadership was greatlyenhanced. Some of the notable assignments that earnedhim national and international acclaim include servingas Member of the Committee on the Establishment ofNigeria’s Presidential Command, Communication andCrisis Control Centre (PC4) and pioneer Secretary,Presidential Implementation Committee on MaritimeSafety and Security (PICOMSS}. He was also a member ofthe Nigerian Team to the Tripartite Meeting (US, UK andNigeria) on Gulf of Guinea Energy Security Strategy, andserved as Member/Secretary of the InternationalMaritime Organization (IMO) /Maritime Organization ofWest and Central Africa (MOWCA)Working Group ofExperts on the establishment of an Integrated RegionalCoast Guard Network for West and Central Africa.His extraordinary commitment to the discharge of hisduties contributed immensely to Nigeria’s compliancewith the global deadline of July 1 2004, with respect tothe implementation of the provisions of theInternational Ship and Port Facilities Security (ISPS) Code.

Highly respected by superiors, peers and subordinates,Major Anyanya’s impressive and rich public servicepedigree amongst others, must have underpinned hisrecent appointment as Chairman of the GoverningBoard of the National Oil Spill Detection and ResponseAgency(NOSDRA) by President Goodluck Jonathan.Since his voluntary retirement from the military inDecember 2007, Lancelot has been engaged in privatebusiness, deploying his multi-faceted skills set to greatuse while still contributing to national development byserving on various occasions as resource person todiverse public and private sector entities. He is theManaging Director, Vortex Communications (Nigeria)Limited, Spear & Shield Security Consult Limited.Lancelot Anyanya is a notable philanthropist and socialentrepreneur, who support many philanthropic andsocial (not-for-profit) endeavours. He is a Trustee of theSolomon Giwa Amu Foundation (SGAF), Initiative forDiaspora Knowledge Transfer (IDKT), Initiative forNational Unity and Integration in Nigeria and Member,Bayelsa State Diaspora Mobilisation and ContactCommittee.

In these times in our country where there is a dearth oftruly good men, Lancelot stands out as one of the fewremaining.

Major Lancelot Anyanya (Rtd.)Board Chairman, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA)



FRIDAY MAY 9, 2014

WELCOMING RECEPTION

6PM – 10PM

Master of Ceremony

6:00pm Arrival of Invited Guests and Awardees

7:00pm Opening Prayer

Opening Remarks –

Amasenibo Steve Benstowe,

Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Ijaw Foundation.

7:15pm Welcoming Remarks

- Representative of the Mayor of Houston

- Representative of the Texas State Government

- Representative of the Nigeria Government

SATURDAY MAY 10, 2014

MORNING SESSION- - 9AM – 12:00PM

Building Human Capacity for the Socio-Economic Development of the Niger Delta

Comrade Shedrack Fubara & Ms. Thelma Horton---- Masters of Ceremony

9:00am *Call to order and Introduction of Special Guest of Honor, Chief Host& Special Guests –

Amasenibo Steve Benstowe,Chairman

Caretaker Committee, Ijaw Foundation.

His Excellency: Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR), President & Commander-in-Chief

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor,

Bayelsa State

*Opening Prayer – Bishop Inye Hart

*National Anthems:

United States, The Star Spangled Banner

Nigeria, Arise, O compatriots

9:30 am *Opening Remarks -Convention declared open by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

*Opening Remarks – Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency, Gov. Dickson Seriake

*Opening Remarks – Hon. Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike

10:15 am *Introduction of the Panel Moderators:

Engr. Ben Okoro – Moderator, Ijaw Nation Forum (INF)

&

Dr. Young Fiabema


PAPER PRESENTATIONS BY SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS:

10:30 – 10:45 am Comrade(Engr.) Charles A. Ambaowei, MNSE, Acting President, Ijaw National

Congress

“State of Ijaw Nation and the Quest for Justice, Equity

and True Fiscal Federalism”

10:45 – 10:55 Moderator comments – Introduction of next presenter

10:55 – 11:10 am Major Lancelot Anyanya (Rtd), Board Chairman – National Oil Spill Detection &

Response Agency (NOSDRA)

11:10 – 11:20am Moderator comments – Introduction of next presenter

11:20 – 11:30am International Water Company - Sponsored Presentation

11:30-11:45noon Questions and wrap-up: Engr. Ben Okoro – Moderator

11:45-12noon Closing Remarks – Master of Ceremony

12:30 – 1:45pm LUNCH BREAK


AFTERNOON SESSION - 2PM – 5PM


Mr. Anthony Otokito & Ms. Thelma Horton - Masters of Ceremony

2:00pm *Call to order and Introduction of Special Guest of Honor

2:15pm *Recognition of Invited Guests and Introduction of Moderator:

Dr.Young Fiabema – Moderator

PRESENTATIONS BY SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS:

2:30 – 2:45pm Hon. (Dr).Kingsley K. Kuku, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta & Chairman,

Presidential Amnesty Program

“Presidential Amnesty Program: Successes,Challenges and future of the program”

2:45-2:55pm Moderator comments – Introduction of next presenter

2:55-3:10pm Presenter: Prof Mobalaji Aluko, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Otuoke,

Bayelsa State, Nigeria

“Building Human Capacity for the Socio-Economic Development of the Niger Delta”



3:20-3:35pm Presenter: Pastor P. Z Aginighan, Former Managing Director NDDC

“Addressing the Educational Foundation in Ijaw Nation”

3:35 – 3:45pm Moderator comments – Introduction of next presenter

3:45-4:00pm Sandra Dafiaghor, PhD, Vice Chair, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization, Americas

“Transformation Agenda: The role of Niger Deltans in the Diaspora”


4:10-4:20pm Julong Dredging & Mining Machinery Co. Ltd Sponsored Presentation

4:20-4:30pm *Questions and wrap-up – Dr. Young Fiabema – Moderator

4:30pm *Introduction of Launching Chairman:

*Call for Donations to the Educational Trust Fund

5:00pm *Closing Remarks – Master of Ceremony


THE IJAW FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING GALA: 8PM – 2AM


Dr. Onimi Wilcox - Masterof Ceremony

8:00pm Call to order and Introduction of Special Guest of Honor

Opening Prayer

National Anthems:

United States

Nigeria

Opening Remarks – by the Special Guest of Honor

8:30 DINNER IS SERVED….Light Music

Introduction of Special Guest Speaker:

8:30 – 9pm Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe, Former Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta

“Good Governance: A Panacea for Niger DeltaSocio-economic Development”

9:00 – 9:10pm Introduction of Chief Launcher: Hon. Minister of Education: Chief Hon. (Barr) Nyesom

Wike

9:10 – 9:20pm Launching Chairman’s Remarks

9:20 – 9:30pm Amaopusenibo (Dr.) Rueben Jaja, Former Chairman, Ijaw Foundation Board of

Directors.

“Ijaw Foundation Vision and Commitment”

10:00 - Call for Donations to the Educational Trust Fund

Announcement of Donations to Date and Closing Remarks – Dr. May Banigo, Vice Chairman.

10:00 tillt 2am AWARDS, DANCE AND ENTERTAINMENT

SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2014

THE IJAW FOUNDATION BUSINESS MEETING & ELECTION OF NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

9AM – 2PM


Ijaw Foundation Inc., USA

Scholarship Program

List Of Awardees

Source: www.fuotuoke.edu.ng

The Students whose names appear below have, on the basis of their academic performances, qualified for and beenawarded the Ijaw Foundation Scholarship for 2013/2014.

The value of the Scholarship is Ninety Thousand (90,000) Naira broken down as followsI. School fees and charges - N50,000.00II. Books/Equipment - N30,000.00III. Accommodation - N10,000.00

The University Administration will, in conjunction with course Lecturers and Heads of Department of the awardeesdetermine the books and equipment needs of the beneficiaries, procure and then distribute them to the students.

By reason of this scholarship these meritorious students shall not pay school fees for the 2013/2014 academic year. Thosewho have paid will have their fees and charges refunded.

Refund on item iii (accommodation) above is dependent on the availability of hostel accommodation.

The Ijaw foundation is an Association of Academics, Consultants and Business men of Ijaw extraction currently residingin the United State of America. This gesture is to encourage hard work and academic excellence in universities in Nigeria.

List Of 50 Awardees, Ijaw Foundation Scholarship

A: Faculty Of Humanities And Social Sciences

Accounting And Finance

1 Akolam Stella Tochukwu 2 Biaze Preye Kelly

3 Dimaro Ezonasuode 4 Easterday Imomotimi

5 Nieseimo Eniye 6 Eweke Gamaliel Oghenerugba

7 Kpolode Philip Oghenevwo

English And Communication Studies

8 Fegha Ebinipere 9 Karamor Samuel Eyerinkabowei

10 Lemanya Gospel Gospel 11 Loveday Dan

12 Nimbo Felix Dickson Dickson 13 Okuboarere Joseph Tamaraumiene

14 Omonigbaubo Jordan 15 Oruama Anyam Wilchard

Economics And Development Studies

16 Atimapre Tuku 17 Awharive Faith

18 Robbert Akpojoukumo


History And International Relation

19 Awudu Godspower Bietoru 20 Collins Tarilado

21 Dibor Benemor Ben

Political Science And Strategic Studies

22 Amangele Raphael Femi 23 Inibie Victoria Tariebi 24 Justus Austin Osain

Sociology And Anthropology

25 Anthony Eden Robinson 26 Ferebei King-Pepple Akpumi

27 Japhet Zikeyi Williams 28 Otobo Daniel Inimeya

29 Uwom Daniel Agbakupe 30 Wisdom Ozi Esther

B: Faculty Of Science

Biochemistry

31 Peter Akpos

Chemistry

32 John Isabella Evans

Computer Science And Informatics

33 Akpaingolo Barafakumo 34 Didi Chimdi George

35 Emareyo Obakpororo Kenoly 36 Ikinako Legborsi

37 Reuben Nengimote Godwin

Microbiology

38 Ake Iyidamiebhon Bertha 39 Akpoti Janet

40 Ejewentotor Elohor 41 Iroulor Benjamin Anariochi

42 Manga Daopu Taribo 43 Perewari Doubra Otis

44 Solomon Sophia Oghenebrume 45 Umogbai Deborah

46 Williams Nanaboemi

Physics With Electronics And Power

47 Asaboro Joshua Ovoke 48 Chimezie Grace Odirichukwu 49 Eniame Goodluck Oromena

50 Ikogi Allen Ikogi

Amangi-Edomo Andabi Sar, ERSSOFor Registrar


Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the caretaker committee and members of

the Ijaw Foundation Inc., I thank you for honoring our invitationto attend this convention/fundraiser. We started this programsince 2011 and this one makes it the fourth.

The Ijaw Foundation was formed in 2003, with goals ofhelping the Ijaw people to achieve milestones that will help bringthem out of poverty, neglect and backwardness. I cannotmention all of the issues that had held the Ijaws back in the unionof Nigeria, but the foundation after its formation in 2003, decidedto focus on the educational development of Ijaw Students ininstitutions of higher learning. This focus of the foundation tiesinto the overall aspiration of our umbrella organization the IjawNational Congress, a pan Ijaw organization whose aim is toemancipate Ijaws from oppression, poverty and to bring Ijawissues to the forenationally and worldwide. Ijaws are peaceful andfriendly people and we need to make friends that will continue tosupport our aspirations. A scholarship program was conceivedby the board of directors under the leadership of Dr. Reuben Jaja(2010-2013); this scholarshipprogram can only be achieved byorganizing annual conventions and fundraiser to support thescheme and Ijaw students.The federal University Otuoke in Bayelsa State of Nigeria waschosen as a pilot. The University was chosen because we want tostart our support in the first federal university established in theonly homogeneous state of the Ijaw people. We use theUniversity`s administration to identify Ijaw students that areeligible to benefit from the money raised annually. We hope touse the successes at Otuoke and extend same to other NigerianUniversities,where Ijaw students are pursuing studies in differentdisciplines. The funds realized in this year’s convention, willsupport existing scholarships and afford new opportunities forother students. Every year, we carefully choose a theme that reflects our concernsin Ijaw communities of the Niger Delta, this year, the topic is“Building human capacity for the socio-economicdevelopment of the Niger Delta” According to Dr Rueben Jaja“We choose the theme because of our core beliefs in the:1. Power of literacy to end poverty, injustice, discriminationand violence2. Power of literacy to strengthen peace, democracy andprosperity3. Power of literacy to transform lives, families, communitiesand societies4. Power of literacy to reduce high infant mortality andpreventable infectious diseases, and 5. Power of literacy in adapting to the challenges ofglobalization and technologyThis is a major event designed to build a lasting foundation forour great organization”It is expected that we shall ponder on the theme throughout thisconvention and individually reflect on it for the improvement anddevelopment of the Ijaw people.Despite the fact that this convention isbeing organized by theIjaws in diaspora, it should be seen as a gathering of Nigerians indiaspora committed to supporting the development of our dearcountry. We as Nigerians have in recent times increased

ourparticipationsin the activities ofNigeriaassociations indiaspora such asAssociation ofNigeriaNationals indiaspora(ANNID) andNigeriaDiasporaorganization(NIDO) as well asother regionaland ethnicunions. We particularlyenjoin Nigeriansto continue ourunity through these platforms to promote our cultural andtraditional bonds, portray our original country and repatriateknowledge that will help in all areas of development. We shouldnot see our Sojourn in Diaspora as a neglect of our origin; ourorigin is the beginning of the journey on earth. Therefore, we usethis opportunity to salute all Nigerians that have made us proudin diaspora; your successes have continued to place Nigeria onthe map of Nations.In this gathering today, we have invited guests specifically fromour home country Nigeria, they are here to support the IjawFoundation; they are not only supporting Ijaw Foundation, butNigerians in general. For four years, we have had this fundraiser,we are currently supporting 50 students on scholarship at FederalUniversity Otuoke, and we are hoping that after thisconvention/fundraiser, we may be able to increase the numberand possibly move to other Nigeria Universities. Our interest inEducational development is in line with President GoodluckJonathan’s Transformational agenda on education.I will end this short speech by thanking all my committeemembers and their families; especially Dr. May Banigo, AmaboMcharry, Julius Enarusai, Chris Abili, Chief (Dr.) Chris Ekiyor,Shedrack Fubara,Tony Otokito , Andrew Isiayi , Jenkins Ebeware,Timi Ogun and Dr Sotonye Briggs for the wonderful work theydid to makethis convention a reality.In all, I thank God by this prayer/song written by Isaac Watts, 1674-1748:

O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.

The good lord has been our help and will continue to be helpingthe Ijaw Foundation and Ijaws in general to succeed. Thank you.

Amasenibo Stephen Benstowe,Distinguished Title Citizen of Grand Bonny Kingdom.

Speech Presented by Stephen Benstowe; Chairman, Caretaker Committee of

the Board Ijaw Foundation Inc. at the fourth Convention/Fundraiser,

holding at Hilton Southwest Hotel , Houston, May 9-11, 2014


He is an

activist and

frequent

commen -

tator on

Nigerian

and African

affairs. He

was recently

(February

2011)

appointed

as the Vice-

Chancellor

(ie

University

President) of

the Federal

University,

Otuoke, in

Bayeissa

State of Nigeria, one of nine new federal universities

established by the Federal Government.

Professor Aluko was born April 2, 1955: in Lagos, Nigeria)

was a professor of Chemical Engineering at Howard

University, Washington, DC and was Chair of its department

from 1994-2002. With an BSc degree (1976) in Chemical

Engineering from the University of Ife (Nigeria; now

Obafemi Awolowo University), he also attended Imperial

College, University of London; University of California,

Santa Barbara; and State University of New York, Buffalo (for

graduate and post-doc studies). He has had sabbatical

teaching and research stints at various times at the

University of Washington, (Seattle; Materials Science

Department): the University of Maryland (College Park:

Chemical Engineering), and the University of Ado-Ekiti

(Nigeria: Mechanical Engineering Department). He started

teaching at Howard University in August 1984. His research

interests are mathematical modeling, chemical reaction

engineering, electronic materials processing, energy

systems, information technology and education pedagogy.

He is presently President/CEO of Alondex Applied

Technologies, LLC: one time Lead Consultant and

International Coordinator of the LEAD Program at the

National Universities Commission (NUC) in Nigeria: and

Principal Academic Constulant and Member of the Board

of AfriHUB (Nig.) Ltd., a ICT resource provider for

universities in Nigeria.

Prof. Bolaji AlikoVice Chancellor Federal University Otuoke

FUO classrooms and office buildings


Stephen J Benstowe, a native of Bonny in Rivers State,

has been in forefront for the unity of Nigerians in

Diaspora with the aim of supporting rapid growth

back in Nigeria, he has used his association to see

Nigeria image propagated in more positive view

internationally. He has been involved with National

and regional organizations of Nigeria, brainstorming

on how Nigeria will move forward. As Chairman of

“Ijaw foundation Inc. Caretaker Committee of the

board”, he has advocated stronger solutions to end

poverty in Niger delta and improved regional security

in Nigeria.

He is a seasoned marine engineer, projects manager,

safety and environmental consultant, strong

community development advocate and an

accomplished intellectual.

He holds membership of prestigious international

professional organizations; a member of the Society

of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, American

Society of Safety Engineers, Nigeria Society of

Engineers, Philadelphia Maritime Society and a

Registered Engineer.

He holds the most distinguished title of “Ama-Senibo”

of Grand Bonny Kingdom, which places him in high

rankings in the protocols and Administration of the

Kingdom after the King and the High Chiefs. He lives

in New Jersey, and is married with Children.

Amasenibo Stephen J Benstowe Chairman, Care-taker Committee

He is a seasoned

marine engineer,

projects manager,

safety and

environmental

consultant, strong

community

development

advocate. He holds

the most

distinguished title of

“Ama-Senibo” of

Grand Bonny

Kingdom, which

places him in high

rankings in the

protocols and

Administration of the

Kingdom after the

King and the High

Chiefs.

“


Born to late Warisenibo Rowland Idaso Banigo and Mrs

Elizabeth Soba Banigo of Bonny Island, Dr May Lolo

Banigo was raised in Port Harcourt and Bonny where

she learnt a lot about the history of the Ijaws from her

maternal grandmother, Amaopuorubo Ethel Kotey-

Pepple, one of the first titled female citizens of Bonny

Kingdom from the Perekule Royal House.

After graduating with a grade one in the sciences

(WASC) from Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls'

school (ACMGS), she was accepted into the College of

Medicine of the University of Lagos (Medilag) where

she graduated with an MBBS degree in Medicine and

Surgery. She went on to do her internship at University

of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and post

graduate diploma in Anesthesiology at University

College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. She did her residency

in Anesthesiology at the Lagos University Teaching

Hospital (LUTH), the Royal Victoria Hospital/Queens

University of Belfast, and the South West Thames

Regional Health Authority Group Of Hospitals in the

United Kingdom.

On her return to Nigeria, Dr May Banigo discovered a

nightmarish standard of practice of Medicine in

Nigeria. Consequently, she moved to the USA where

she was accepted into the University of Southern

California (USC) Anesthesiology Residency Program.

After a successful residency and Board Certification,

Dr May Banigo became a Diplomate of the American

Board of Anesthesiologists. She is presently in full time

Private Practice as an Independent Physician

Anesthesiologist in several hospitals in Los Angeles

and Southern California.

She is a member of the American Medical Association

(AMA), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA),

California Society of Anesthesiologists (CSA),

American Board of Disability Analysts (ABDA),

American Society of Regional Anesthesiologists

(ASRA), World Affairs Council and President Obama's

Kitchen Cabinetstand

Dr. May Banigo Vice-Chairman, Care-taker Committee

She is a member of

the American Medical

Association (AMA),

American Society of

Anesthesiologists

(ASA), California

Society of

Anesthesiologists

(CSA), American

Board of Disability

Analysts (ABDA) and

American Society of

Regional

Anesthesiologists

(ASRA)

“


Dr. (Chief ) Christopher Pere KatimiIredia Ekiyor was

born to the family of late Chief (Dr.) T. F. Ekiyor and Mrs.

Victoria Ekiyor of the great Ekiyor Dynasty of Ekise

Quarters of Patani and Olikiabor Dynasty of Benin

Kingdom in the early 70s.

The fifth child in a polygamous family of sixteen, he

started his academic career at Opu-kabo Primary

School, Patani from where he moved to Government

Secondary School, Rijau in Niger State. After his

secondary school education, he had a brief stint with

DHL courier services as a casual staff.

He is anAlumni of the prestigious University of Benin

Medical School where he trained as a Dental Surgeon.

He holds an honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy

from Pacific Western University, Denver, Stateof

Colorado, USA. He also bagged the nonviolence

stages I & II certificates of the University of Rhode

Island and is a Fellow of the Centre for Nonviolence in

USA, 2006. He is a post-graduate student of Public

Health in the School of Health Technology, Federal

University of Technology (FUT), Owerri.He is currently

the Transition Committee Chairman, Patani Local

Government Area of Delta State

While in the University of Benin, he was the President

of the Student Union Government as well as other

positions held during his stay. He is the founder of

RAHI Medical Outreach, an NGO that has met the

health needs of the people of the Niger Delta region

and beyond with a vision to expand its frontiers to

rural Africa, hence the acronym RAHI – Rural Africa

Health Initiative. He is a dedicated Philanthropist who

has generously supported education and health for

the downtrodden.

He is a recipient of the Nigerian Ambassador of Peace

Award 2009, BERN Switzerland, Youth Federation for

World Peace Award, Geneva – 2009, Award of Honour

for Leadership Excellence, SUG Uniben, Nonviolence

Compliance Award King-Lituli Transformation Centre,

South Africa, Best Performing Chairman, Grassroots

leadership Network 2013, Distinguished Alumnus

Award, University of Benin Alumni Association and

others.

Membership/Positions held includes; Member,

Nigerian Medical Association, Edo State Chapter,

Federal Government/Ijaw Joint Committee on

Roadmap to Peace in the Niger delta region, FGN

Amnesty Implementation Sub-committee, President

Emeritus, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Head of

Medicals, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and

others.

Dr (Chief ) Chris Ekiyor is endowed with the tempering

of a philosopher, the tact and charisma of a diplomat

and the steely intellect of a politician.

As President,Ijaw Youth Council worldwide, he was an

advocate of Nonviolence and championed a lot of

national discuss in resolving the Niger Delta question

with special emphasis to the Amnesty programme.

He is married with four children.

Dr. (Chief) Christopher Pere Katimi Iredia EkiyorMember, Ijaw Foundation Care-taker Committee

He is a recipient of the

Nigerian Ambassador

of Peace Award 2009,

BERN Switzerland

“


Chris Abili is a Nigerian-born U.S-based software

engineer, academic, writer, global issues commentator

and recovering journalist.

He studied mass communication in Nigeria and after

graduation relocated to Lagos, Nigeria's most

populous conurbation and commercial hub. It was in

Lagos that he started professional writing as a

freelance journalist and wrote extensively for various

newspapers and magazines in Nigeria.

When Newswatch, Nigeria’s then foremost news

magazine advertized for the best reporters in the land

who "can squeeze water out of stone", Abili applied

and got hired for a full time journalism position. He

was assigned to Newswatch’s subsidiary, Quality

magazine. While at Newswatch he travelled

extensively across Nigeria to cover news stories with

cutting-edge investigative journalism, thereby

revealing evidence of an uncommonly independent

and adventurous mind.

Later Abili excused himself from journalism and

immigrated to The United States. Upon arriving United

States he switched profession and furthered his

education in a different trajectory, double-majoring in

computer science and physics for undergraduate

degrees. Graduate work for a Master of Science (M.S)

in software engineering was later successfully

completed and PhD work in information security is in

progress.

Meanwhile, since arriving The United States Abili has

maintained a low profile posture, focusing only on his

new profession of Software engineering. He put

professional writing in the back burner. But a

2009/2010 turbulent political event in Nigeria which

led to 78 days of power vacuum caused him to rethink

a come-back to professional writing. The plan was to

use it as platform to weigh in on the Nigerian

exigency.

On January 28, 2010 Abili made good on his come-

back plan with an article titled Mr. President, you are

wrong! The essay took direct aim at the crux of the

Nigerian political crisis, which was the refusal of late

Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua’s to pave way for

voluntary handover of power to former Vice President

(now President), Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, while he

(Yar’Adua) was away in Saudi Arabia for medical

emergency.

Further, Abili is the secretary of Ijaw Foundation

caretaker committee which was empanelled May 2013

to run the affairs of the foundation pending

reconstitution of a new board of directors at the

foundation’s May 2014 annual convention in Houston,

Texas.

Chris AbiliSecretary, Ijaw Foundation Care-taker Committee

He made good on his

come-back plan with

an article titled

Mr. President, you are

wrong!“


Mr. Julius Enarusai is currently employed as a SeniorManaging Consultant/IT Architect at IBMCorporation in the United States. He has worked inthe IT field for almost 23 years (17 at IBM) in variouscapacities ranging from Software Engineer, SeniorSoftware Engineer, Managing Consultant and SeniorManaging Consultant. He has published severaltechnical articles in the IT industry, focusing on theInformation Security and Identity Managementfield, both within and outside IBM, including aUnited States Patent.

Mr. Enarusai leverages his solid technicalbackground and experience in Information SecurityManagement, Telecommunications and Networktechnologies, and his Relationship Managementskills, to collaboratively bring value to his currentand previous employers, as well as the variousorganizations that he volunteers his time.

He has both Bachelors and Masters Degrees fromSouthern University and A & M College, in BatonRouge, LA 70813, USA.

In addition to his official career, Mr. Enarusai is alsoa very active member of the Nigerian immigrantsociety. He is the current president of the IjawNational Alliance of the Americas (INAA) and amember of the board of directors of the IjawFoundation. He is also the Chairman of the DiasporaIjaw Technical Assistance Corps (DITAC).

Mr. Enarusai has been married to his wife, IreneEnarusai for 31 years and their marriage has beenblessed with 5 children.

Julius EnarusaiMember, Ijaw Foundation Care-taker Committee

He has worked in the

IT field for almost 23

years (17 at IBM) in

various capacities

ranging from

Software Engineer,

Senior Software

Engineer, Managing

Consultant and Senior

Managing Consultant.

He has published

several technical

articles in the IT

industry, focusing on

the Information

Security and Identity

Management field.

both within and

outside IBM,

including a United

States Patent.

“



Comrade Shedrack Fubara, is a human rights activistand social crusader for justice and equality. He isalso a community leader. In 1998, he was elected National President, NationalUnion of Opobo Students, National Secretariat(NUOS). Together with his exco, he led the unionmeritoriously; created alot of awareness of Student’sUnionism in Opobo Kingdom and also founded TheManilla Magazine (voice of Opobo youths).

Since leaving the Union, he has held variousleadership positions at Home and DiasporaOrganizations. He is currently the President ofOpobians in Diaspora – an umbrella Organization ofOpobo indigenes living abroad. He is also theChairman, Publicity Committee - Community ofRivers People in Diaspora (North America Chapter).He is currently the Chairman- Convention PlanningCommittee of Ijaw Foundation Inc, .USA.

Comrade Shedrack Fubara holds a Bachelors Degreein Math from University of Ibadan; certificate in

Computer Science and a Masters Degree (in view) inEnvironmental Management with Specialization inEcological Sustainability. He is a member of variousprofessional bodies including: National institute ofSafety Professional.

Upon graduation he performed the mandatory oneyear National Youth Service (NYSC) Corp at Shell’sForcados Terminal. His drive for community serviceled him to volunteer his spare time to teachMathematics to students at Ogulagha SecondarySchool and prepared them to pass their externalexams. He continued this selfless service for severalyears while working in the Shell Terminal. He ledother Youth Corp members to carry out severalawareness campaigns in the Community. He left anenviable record for which many Students whopassed through him and entire Ogulagha Kingdomremains grateful till date.

He has 16 years post graduation work experience inthe Oil & Gas industry. He worked with Shell asService contract personnel in Operations and laterDrilling Waste Management Services. In 2007 herelocated to Canada to work for Plains MidstreamCanada ULC- oil & gas Pipeline Company. He hasattended several conference and trainings in oil andgas Operations, Environment, Drilling WasteManagement, Safety, Remediation, etc.He has strong work ethics and a team player.

He is a strong voice for the Unity and Emancipationof Ijaw Nation. He is a firm believer and a championof resource control by the owners of the land aspracticed in developed countries, like Canada andUSA. He is an advocate for True Fiscal Federalism inNigeria.

He enjoys Community Service, organizing,travelling, reading and writing. He is married andblessed with children.

Comrade Shedrack FubaraChairman Convention Planning Committee

He is a strong voice

for the Unity and

Emancipation of Ijaw

Nation

“


Anthony Otokito is a London-based Chartered

Certified Accountant with years of experience as

Group Finance Manager and professional Auditor.

He has had over 20 years of working experience

within the UK public sector, specialising in public

sector VAT/taxation and funding of Capital

Investment Programmes. Tony has numerous

years of working in close collaboration with the

UK’s Her Majesty Revenue &Customs (HMRC) on

Taxation &VAT matters, and the likes of PWC,

KPMG, Deloitte, RSM Tenon, having been lead

contact officer on these matters on behalf of his

Authority.

Prior to relocating to the UK to pursue his

Accountancy qualification and career, Tony

worked in the Accountancy Dept of the then

NICON (National Insurance Corporation of

Nigeria) in Lagos and latterly at the Companies

Office within the Exchange Control Dept of

Central Bank of Nigeria, Tinubu Square, Lagos,

from where he departed for the UK.

Tony is currently also an Executive Director of

London-based Finance Consultancy Firm, KitCrest

Consultancy, which specialises in taxes/VAT and

advising on funding streams for major capital

projects.

Tony Otokito is a renowned personality within the

London social circles, and particularly, within the

Ijaw Community, having been a previous President

of the Federation of Ijaw Communities (FEDICOM)

and the wholly-Ijaw 16years old Social Club, London

Tari Club (Lontar) - www.londontariclub.com . Tony

is also the current President of the Ogbia

Community-UK, a social/cultural body catering for

the interest of UK-based indigenes of the Ogbia

Community, originating from Bayelsa State of

Nigeria. Some of Tony’s engagements with and for

the Ijaw Community are readily available for public

viewing on YouTube.

Tony is married to Florence Chineze Otokito (Nee

Rapu), a qualified Medical Secretary, currently an

Administrator within the UK Public Sector. They are

blessed with two boys and two girls.

Tony's hobbies include regular swimming,

international travelling, Amateur photography,

music and participating in various Internet social

discussion networks. He has been an active

contributor to the Ijaw Nation Discussion Forum

(INF). Tony has been closely associated with the Ijaw

Foundation for numerous years, having been a

member of the Foundation’s State Creation

Committee under the previous regime. He is

currently the Ijaw Foundation’s appointed

Representative/Ambassador in Europe and

Secretary to the 2014 Convention Planning

Committee.

Mr Harcout Anthony OtokitoFCCA


Andrew Brayena Isiayei, was born on the 20th ofMarch 1969 in Ughelli, to Late Hon Chief V.C.M. IsiayeiJP of OsumaibioAgge and Ogulagha, and Mrs TimaRoseline Isiayei, née Prebor, of Amazor and Odimodi.

The third child, and 1st son of the family, he attendedZuokumor Primary School Ojobo, from 1974 to 1978,when his father was transferred from his duty post asPrincipal of Gbesa Grammar School Ojobo. Hecontinued at Ogedegbe Primary School, Warri until1980, when he started High school at Hussey College,Warri, obtaining his WASC in 1985. He attendedFederal Government College, Warri from 1985 to 1986,for advance levels but left on gaining admission to theUniversity of PortHarcourt in 1987 to 1991, asPharmacology major.

In 1994, he joined his father's business as a supervisor,and took over the servicing unit in 1997, after thedemise of his father. He was a light-craft transportsupport provider for the ForcadosYokri Integratedproject (FYIP) drilling team from 2000 to 2001.He joined SPDC-EA, Bonga field Community Interfaceteam in October 2001, as a Community Focal Rep. InJanuary 2006, he was seconded to the Bayelsa StateBureau on Oil and Gas, as a Local Content ComplianceOfficer, in the office of the Special Adviser on Oil andGas with special focus on the Gbaraun-UbieIntegrated Gas Project. He was at the same time, amember of the Ekeremor LGA, Oil and Gas Adhoc

Committee set up by the then Deputy Governor'soffice for the SPDC re-entry in June 2006, where helast served before relocating to the New York City, withhis wife Miebi Stella Isiayei, née Igangan, and theirdaughter, Konne Lucy Isiayei, in August 2006. Theywere blessed with a son, Miebi Guy Isiayei in March2008, in New York, while he was pursuing an AssociateDegree in occupational studies at the Mandl College,Midtown, New York.

He got elected as Pioneer Chairman of Ijaw YouthCouncil (IYC) USA and joint Council Chairman, IYCNorth America, in April 2008 in New York and wasinaugurated by then President, Dr. Chris Ekiyor.

He was a signatory to the Ijaw Foundation Statecreation communique of 2008/2009. He completed the AOS program in August 2008 androse to the post of Client and Support servicesManager at Peak Plus Inc, Brooklyn, New York. In 2009he left his job at the thick of the Gbaramatubombardment and went back to full activism. Herelocated with his family to Houston Texas in January2011, and has been in private business and politicssince then. He is a card carrying member of PDP inEkeremor LGA and was an electing delegate to theChairmanship Primaries in EKELGA in December 2012.He was the Supervisory Councillor for Works andHousing from August to December 2012, during thegreat floods of 2012. He was a member of the EKELGA senior staffverification committee in October 2012.

He is currently, a member of the SPDC GMOU boardfor KOU cluster in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and memberof the Technical Standing committee. He isCommunity High Chief in Agge, where he is theSecretary of the Agge Community Trust. He is also thePalace Bebefiewei of Amatu from 2001 till date.

He was a diaspora delegate to the INC convention inYenagoa in March 2013, and an accredited Diasporaobserver to the IYC convention of October 28th, 2013.

He lives in Houston Texas, USA and is currentlyenrolled at the Houston Community College, for adegree in Science.

Comrade Andrew Brayena Isiayei(aka Otutu 1)


A passion for life, a commitment to live life to the full

and a purpose in living it! This is how those who know

Thelma Horton would describe her. Thelma is a gifted,

dedicated and innovative, creative visionary woman

of transformation. She is a high-energy, results-

oriented leader with proven ability to manage

multiple projects. As a social entrepreneur, she uses

her skills, gifts and talents to contribute to the growth

and development of Africa, promote the

empowerment of African people and illuminate the

cultural history of Africans and African Americans by

providing services that promote leadership

development, social justice, youth and women

empowerment and sustainable economic

development.

Thelma is a global strategist and international

business consultant, the founder and CEO of Zoweh

Holdings LLC, a US based company, which provides

strategic business development consulting,

entrepreneur and leadership development, and

executive coaching services. Zoweh Holdings current

client list includes the Federal University Otuoke,

Nigeria and the Africa USA Chamber of Commerce.

She is a founding member of Global Women – African

Network (GLOW) and presented at the Global Town

Hall Meeting during the 2012 World Bank IMF

meetings in Toyko, Japan.

Recognized as a leader by her peers, Thelma serves as

the Executive Director of the Nigerian Diaspora

Electoral Reform Group (NDERG), a US-based, non-

profit non-governmental organization whose main

aim is to work with Nigerians and friends of Nigeria

within and outside of Nigeria towards participating in

the political, social and electoral reforms in the

country. She currently serves as a the Director of

Strategic Planning, Nigerian American Public Affairs

Committee and AGOA 2014 Civic Society Forum

planning committee. Thelma was appointed an

Ambassador of Peace by the Universal Peace

Federation, and served on the advisory board of the

Nigerian Women Leadership Council International and

The AD King Foundation. She is a graduate of North

Carolina State University, where she received her

bachelor’s degree in business management with a

concentration in accounting and finance and is a

graduate of the PhD Leadership and Coaching

Curriculum of The Legacy Center in Morrisville, NC. She

has successfully completed the Management Training

Institute through UDI Community Development

Corporation and the School of Business at North

Carolina Central University.

With more than 30 years of progressive experience in

management, sales, marketing and finance, and even

more experience overcoming obstacles and meeting

difficulties head-on, Thelma is not ashamed of her

purpose or her faith. She credits God with giving her

the ability to be a successful businesswoman and

international leader. Although she has been through

many personal and professional challenges, she

continues to stay focused and firmly

grounded…always looking for ways to turn adversity

into accomplishments and helping others to do the

same. Always in pursuit of positive change.

“I could not at any age be content to take my place in

a corner by the fireside and simply look on.”

Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer

www.zowehholdings.com

Thelma HortonEntrepreneur ~ Strategist ~ Life Coach ~ Humanitarian


Comrade Engr. Ebieridei Charles Ambaiowei, (MNSE) wasborn on 1st October 1962.

He is an Indigene of Amassoma in Ogboin Clan ofSouthern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State. Educated at various primary, post primary and postsecondary institutions, culminated in obtaining theBachelor of Technology (B.Tech) Degree in CivilEngineering (1990) from Rivers State University ofScience and Technology, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt.

His activism started in his early days at the University. Hewas President, Nigerian Universities EngineeringStudents Association (NUESA), RSUST Chapter, (1984/85& 1985/86). And Member, Student Union Self-help HostelBuilding Project Committee (1986), RSUST.

His working career began as a Marine Engineer Cadet(1989-91), Banuso Fisheries Ltd. Obtained practical Seafaring experience and training on ship mechanical,electrical and refrigeration systems.

In 1991/92 he proceeded on the mandatory NYSC wherehe served under J.C Architects & ConstructionManagement Consultants, P.H.

Later he was appointed as both Camp-bosses for theRumuogba Residential Estate of Schlumberger NigeriaLtd. and Trainee Construction Manager while the firmcontractually managed / maintained estate facilities.

In 1993 he became Party Chairman, National RepublicConvention (NRC) for Southern Ijaw LGA Chapter until

the dissolution of NRC and SDP by late Head of State,Gen. Sani Abacha (GCON).He teamed up with compatriots and other protagonistsin 1994 and struggled to achieve the creation of BayelsaState in 1996. Actively involved till date in Bayelsa StateFounding Fathers Forum.

He was MOSIEND's active participant. MOSIEND isprecursor to Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

In January 2006, Engr. Charles Ambaiowei wasappointed Honourable Commissioner of Works andInfrastructure, in the Executive Council of Bayelsa State.A position he held until June 2007.In May 2012, he was appointed Vice Chairman,Directorate of Project Monitoring and Evaluation(DPME), Bayelsa State, for 4 years tenure. He is alsoMember; Bayelsa State Infrastructure AdvisoryCommittee inaugurated on 17th October 2012.

He was elected National Organizing Secretary of IjawNational Congress (INC) from 2009 -2013.

And on March 16, 2013 he was elected National VicePresident of Ijaw National Congress having served asNational Organizing Secretary.As fate would have it, onNovember 2013 he became the Acting NationalPresident of INC following the unfortunate demise of theNational President, Late HDHSenator (Dr.) Tari Sekibo(odo-abaji of Okirka.)

Comrade (Engr.)Charles Ambaiowei is a member ofseveral professional bodies and a recipient of severalawards:− Corporate member, Nigerian Society ofEngineers. Currently Ex-officio of NSE Yenagoa, Branch.− Nigerian National Think Thank (NTT), Nigeria.− Association of Professional for Good Leadership(APGL), Nigeria.− Professionals of the South-South (PSS), Nigeria.− Recipient of Development in Nigeria (DINMA)2007 merit award.

He is also the CEO of two Engineering Corporations− Technological Services, Network Ltd. − Technological and Investments Network Ltd.

He is happily married with six (6) children. He enjoysSwimming, Reading and debating.His philosophy of Life is - uplifting total quality ofhumanity.

Comrade (Engr.)Ebieridei Charles AmbaioweiActing President, Ijaw National Congress (INC)



































Ijaw Foundation Inc., USA Fourth Annual Convention Brochure May 2014

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