By Efetobor Utedjor
The highly anticipated INDG/IPA (Ijaw Nation Development Group/Ijaw People’s Assembly) EMC (Executive Management Committee) inauguration is set to take place on the 28th of May, 2023. This event promises to bring together distinguished speakers from various fields to share their insights and expertise. Let’s take a closer look at the profiles of some of these esteemed speakers who will grace the occasion.
Ambassador Dr Godknows Boladei Igali (OON)
A career diplomat, Ambassador Dr Godknows Boladei Igali has served in various capacities. He was appointed the Nigerian consul general to Cameroon from 1999 to 2005. Igali also served as the special assistant (special duties) in the Nigerian Presidential Villa from 2005 to 2006 under the President Olusegun Obasanjo Administration. He later became the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government in January 2006 while concurrently serving as an honorary adviser and peace envoy to the President in Niger Delta until 2007. In September 2007, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed him as an Ambassador to the Scandinavian Countries, representing Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway. He has held significant positions in the Nigerian government, including the Federal Permanent Secretary for Water Resources and later the Federal Ministry of Power. Currently, he serves as the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (Futa)
Felix Achibiri
Felix Achibiri, an alumnus of Harvard Business School, is an astute entrepreneur and businessman with over 20 years of experience spanning leading companies in several sectors of the Nigerian economy. His extensive corporate experience includes remarkable achievements in oil and gas, engineering and construction, financial services, agribusiness, mobile money operations, digital biometrics, inclusive real estate, and energy sectors. Felix Achibiri possesses core skills in leadership, business conceptualization, development, and strategy. He has served on the boards of prominent companies such as GEL Utility Limited, Genesis Energy Group UK, and Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc. Currently, he is the Founder and Chairman of DFC Holdings Limited, a privately-owned, internationally diversified African Company focused on investment opportunities across different continents.
H.E. Ambassador Richard Nelson Swett (USA)
H.E. Ambassador Richard Nelson Swett, an American politician from New Hampshire, served as the U.S. representative for New Hampshire’s 2nd congressional district from 1991 to 1995. He also held the position of U.S. Ambassador to Denmark from 1998 to 2001. Swett actively participated in the Democratic Party and was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1990. Additionally, he ran as a Democratic Party candidate for the Class 2 seat in the United States Senate from New Hampshire in 1996. With an esteemed background in politics, Ambassador Swett is recognized as a world-acclaimed architect. He currently serves as the Managing Principal for the Washington office of LEO and is the co-founder and CEO of Climate Prosperity Enterprise Solutions. Ambassador Swett expresses interest in partnering with the Ijaw Nation Development Group to foster development in the Ijaw Land, Nigeria, and Africa.
Rusty Jordan (USA)
Rusty Jordan, the CEO of Boss International, brings four decades of experience in the oil industry. His expertise includes working as a drilling rig operator, designer, inventor, and manufacturer. Rig Boss International adopts a solution-driven approach to overcome challenges faced by today’s drilling and exploration operations, particularly in remote and difficult-to-access areas worldwide. The company has successfully developed unique logistics solutions for drilling and producing resources in remote locations such as Papua New Guinea, Peru, Iraq, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. Rusty Jordan’s extensive experience positions him as a valuable partner for the Ijaw Nation Development Group in developing the Ijaw Land, Nigeria, and Africa, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
Prof. Dror Shrem (Israel)
Prof. Dror Shrem brings over 20 years of experience in managing national educational projects in more than 15 countries and consulting with governments. His expertise lies in promoting national GDP growth, understanding innovation market drivers, and implementing relevant training and educational methods for the tech sectors. As the CEO of Avnon Group, established in 1990, Prof. Shrem has led the organization to diversify and enhance its portfolio. The Avnon Group operates in multiple business sectors, including Homeland Security & Defense, Fintech, Venture Capital Funds, Avnon Academy, and Avnon Hotels Group. Prof. Shrem’s interest in partnering with the Ijaw Nation Development Group demonstrates his commitment to contributing to the development of the Ijaw Land, Nigeria, and Africa.
Dr. Dror Shrem. Mustafa Moh’d Alafifi (Jordan)
Mustafa Moh’d Alafifi serves as the Managing Director of the Royal Jordanian Air Academy (RJAA), established in 1966. RJAA is a regional leader in flight training, becoming the first and largest flight academy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Certified by the Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (JCARC) and recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), RJAA maintains high standards in aviation training. Graduates of RJAA have excellent opportunities to join international airlines, reflecting the academy’s commitment to providing top-quality training. RJAA expresses interest in partnering with the Bayelsa Government through the Ijaw Nation Development Group to establish an Aviation Academy, Bayelsa Airline, and Stimulation Centre.
H.E. Sterling Ellis (Chairman, Inaugural Planning Committee)
His Excellency Sterling Ellis is an internationally renowned financial consultant and the CEO of Sterling Ellis Africa. His company offers a comprehensive range of financial investment services, specializing in coordinating functions to deliver high-performing financial products and instruments. With more than 25 years of experience working in Wall Street and catering to high-net-worth individuals and corporate entities, Sterling Ellis Africa provides tailored solutions and strategies for governmental, individual, and corporate clients. Led by experienced consultants who have worked with some of the world’s most respected governments, Sterling Ellis Africa aims to deliver top-notch investment services. H.E. Sterling Ellis brings his expertise and insights to the INDG/IPA EMC Inauguration, offering valuable perspectives on financial matters.
Prof. Prosper Ayawei (Incoming National President, INDG/IPA)
Prof. Prosper Ayawei holds the position of Executive Director of the International Psychometric Centre, overseeing psychometric studies in all polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria. He serves as the African representative of PETROFORCE, a renowned global oil and gas company. Prof. Ayawei is a distinguished researcher and founder of the innovative concept of Psycho-morphology, a branch of organizational and behavioral psychology. This concept has found applications in various fields such as management, environment, medicine, accounting, sports, marketing, communication, and more. With extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, Prof. Ayawei has held high-level positions, including working as a special adviser on NGOs and donor agencies and serving as the Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee and Consultant on Ecological Matters in the Bayelsa State Government.
As the incoming National President of INDG/IPA, Prof. Prosper Ayawei brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. He has presented papers in 37 countries and delivered lectures at numerous higher institutions, both within and outside the country. His diverse background in academia, research, and the oil and gas industry positions him as a valuable asset in driving the development of the Ijaw Land, Nigeria, and Africa through the Ijaw Nation Development Group.
The INDG/IPA EMC Inauguration, scheduled for the 28th of May, 2023, promises to be a remarkable event with a lineup of distinguished speakers from various fields. These speakers, including Felix Achibiri, Ambassador Dr Godknows Boladei Igali, H.E. Ambassador Richard Nelson Swett, Rusty Jordan, Prof. Dror Shrem, Mustafa Moh’d Alafifi, H.E. Sterling Ellis, and Prof. Prosper Ayawei, bring their expertise, experience, and commitment to the table. Their participation underscores the collective efforts and partnerships necessary for the development of the Ijaw Land, Nigeria, and Africa as a whole.
The INDG/IPA EMC Inauguration provides an exceptional platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and forging strategic alliances to drive sustainable growth and progress. With these notable speakers contributing their insights, the event is poised to ignite discussions, inspire innovation, and pave the way for transformative initiatives that will benefit the Ijaw community and the wider region.
As the world eagerly awaits the INDG/IPA EMC Inauguration on the 28th of May, 2023, the expectations are high, and the anticipation is palpable. This gathering of exceptional individuals from diverse backgrounds signals a new era of progress and prosperity for the Ijaw Land, Nigeria, and Africa. It is a testament to the collective commitment to harnessing expertise, fostering partnerships, and working towards a brighter future for all.
