About us

Dr Dede Siyeofori Belema, (MBBS, MScPH)

Is a Public Health Physician with over 15 years’ experience in various sub-fields of Public Health. He is a seasoned Public Health Administrator with a passion for effective health systems strengthening to achieve universal health coverage. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery, a Master’s degree in Public Health and several certifications in leadership and capacity building. He has a preference for Public Health Genomics and Precision Health, and has several certificates from the West African Bioethics Training Program.

He is the Acting Director of the Department of Medical Services (April 2020 – till date) and is responsible for improving the quality of care in over 340 Primary Health Care facilities through health strengthening and resource allocation strategies. These include: individual and institutional capacity building, equitable distribution of the health workforce, maintenance of infrastructure and equipment, monitoring, integrated supportive supervision, strategic partnership and the introduction of specialized primary care services in Primary Health Care facilities for effective, efficient and equitable health service delivery.

He has held several leadership positions including the Coordinator, Public Private Partnerships/National Health Insurance where he facilitated the design, setup and coordination of several community health insurance schemes in the State. He was involved in the design and review of the Operational guidelines for both the Basic Health Care Provision Fund at the National level and the State Health Protection Bill at the State level for achieving universal health coverage. He was the Medical Officer of Health for several Local Government Areas (LGAs) including Ahoada- East (April 2011- January 2012), Oyigbo (Jan 2012 – December 2012) and Bonny LGAs (Jan 2015 – Jan 2017), where as head of the Public health department, he was responsible for the administration of all public health activities including primary care, maternal and child services, health promotion campaigns, mass immunization campaigns, disease surveillance and prompt response to public health emergencies in a population of over three hundred thousand (300,000) people in each Local Government Area. He was also Head, Policy Thrust, Clinical Development and Planning (Jan 2013- Jan 2015), where as an expert in capacity building, he was involved in identifying strategic gaps in Human Resources for Health and coordinated cross-cutting capacity building workshops for over 500 Health workers in critical leadership and clinical skills. He served as the Head, Public Private Mix (PPM-DOTS, 2009-2011) for the Tuberculosis Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Program where he supervised the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership framework for management of Tuberculosis in private clinics.

He is a former Chairman, National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Rivers State Chapter, a medical association with a membership of over 500 Doctors (2018-2020).

He is a Member of the World Medical Association, Nigerian Medical Association, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, American Public Health Association, Canadian Public Health Association and the Public Health Association of British Columbia.

He is a Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow of The Rotary Foundation. His hobbies are watching soccer, swimming, traveling, listening to music and exploring history. He is married with a son.

He can be reached at siyeoforidede@yahoo.com or www.linkedin.com/in/siyeofori-dede-71a00326

Mrs. Ngozi Igwe holds HND in Accounting from the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, in 1997. She later proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, and obtained BSc Accounting in 2013. She also bagged BSc in Banking and Finance from the University of Port Harcourt in 2014. In furtherance of her career in academics, she continued with the University of Port Harcourt and obtained MSc in Project Management in 2025.

Mrs. Ngozi Igwe holds Professional qualifications from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), ACA, 2011 and FCA in 2022. She is also an Associate Member Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, 2016.

Mrs. Ngozi Igwe has received numerous local and international trainings to enhance her capacity on the job such as Internal Audit Training, World Bank – 2014, Financial Market Regulation: Understanding the New Global Architecture for Reform, Washington DC, USA – 2011, Flexible Accounting 2000+, Kaduna State – 2010, Strategic Management skills, Lokoja, Kogi state – 2010, RVSG Procurement training, Port Harcourt, Rivers state – 2009, Public Finance Management Issues and Solutions, London United Kingdom – 2009, to mention but a few.

Mrs. Ngozi Igwe is the current Director of Finance, Finance and Accounts Department at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board. A position she assumed on the 8th day of May 2024.

She is Senior Accounting Professional with over 17 years of progressively responsible experience in public and private sector accounting and finance. She has a knack for accuracy, high standards of ethics, professionalism, results and detail-oriented and multi-functional accounting practice, with in-depth knowledge of Public Sector Accounting Principles, GAAP, Tax Laws and Regulations with the ability to work productively and deliver results in pressure-intensive situations.

Mrs. Ngozi Igwe has served as Project Accountant on the RVSG WORLD BANK/EUROPEAN ASSISTED SEEFOR Project from April 2016 – December 2020 and was responsible for processing budget updates and estimating budget for the RVSG SEEFOR Project, distributing and interpreting the full scope of project accounting to internal staff, processing cost transfers and maintaining contract and change orders of the project, creating and maintaining complete accounts of the project in the accounting system, maintaining project documentation and handling of all facets of project accounting issues and activities and reviewing client contracts and creating the percentage of project revenue recognition.

Mrs. Ngozi Igwe has also served as Assistant Project Accountant on the RVSG WORLD BANK/EUROPEAN ASSISTED SEEFOR January 2015 – March 2016. She was responsible for managing all aspects of project specific budgets and preparing account information for the internal and external staff, conducting variance analysis, profitability analysis and actual cost accounting, developing project account tracking systems and performing modifications as required, authorizing access to the project account as well as performing the monitoring of project status and progress, and reviewing and approving expenses, as well as performing analysis of monthly accounting reports

Mrs. Ngozi Igwe in course of her career, has severed as Project Internal Auditor on the RVSG WORLD BANK ASSISTED MCBP from January 2012 – December 2014 and responsible Planning and arranging the audit of all departments relevant to the project, preparing audit reports and submission to the World Bank, the top management and related staff, following up with the compliance of the procedures and policies, assisting with the information to the external auditors, planning, arranging and auditing the quality management system.

Mrs. Ngozi Igwe, during her early years in the civil service, worked as Project Finance Accountant at the RVSG Project Financial Management Unit (PFMU), from February 2009 – December 2011 and designated to work on a team that tracked grants given in Rivers State. She responsible for compilation of summary reports on all regional state programs and any budget concerns, worked with state officials to coordinate funding allocation.

Mrs. Ngozi Igwe, at the early years in civil service also worked as Assistant Cashier at the Ministry of Environment and was responsible for receiving and processing payments, preparing daily cash settlement and bank deposits, assist with the collection and receipting of approved expenditures due to the Ministry, handled enquiries about payments of, and general enquiries, assist with the payment of all prescribed cash disbursements/overheads, implement procedures for the security of all monies received until they are transferred to the bank and reconciled and account for cash and cheque taken on a daily basis.

Dr. Wihioka is the current Director, Community Health Services Department overseeing the Immunization and cold chain system; Reproductive, Maternal, New born, Child, Adolescent health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) including the State Health Education and School health units at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board.

She is a strategic leader and seasoned Public Health Specialist with over 15 years of valuable experience in both clinical and field management, coordination and implementation of various levels of health programs. She has worked with a number of individuals, donor agencies, implementing partners and MDAs to deploy essential primary health care strategies in line with the goal of health care for all.

Barely assuming office as the Director, Community health Services, she contributed towards the successful roll out and completion of the first Phase of the COVID-19 vaccination for populations in Rivers-State. In addition, there is an increased visibility for the Adolescent, Youth Sexual and Reproductive health program in Rivers State thus supporting more young peoples’ rights to quality sexual and reproductive health information and services.

Prior to her current position, Dr. Wihioka served as the Medical Officer of Health/ Primary Health Care Coordinator of Ikwerre Local Government Area (2016 to December 2020) responsible for planning and implementation of all Primary Health care and health-related programs in the LGA including new policy formation and implementation.

From 2014 to 2016 she served as the Head of facility of Model Primary health Centre Rumuolumeni, and at Model Primary Health Centre Rumuigbo (2012 to 2014) both wards of Obio-Akpo the largest LGA in Rivers State, providing comprehensive primary health care services to significantly large target populations. She ensured notable community participation and ownership in the health sector in a bid to improve overall community health. Previously, she served as a Medical Officer in the paediatrics department of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital where she provided clinical care for children and dedicated a significant hours to the Special Care Baby Unit. (2009-2012).

She has experience in private sector practise as she has worked in private hospitals in Rivers state and beyond.

Dr. Wihioka obtained her medical degree from the University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State Nigeria (2005) and holds a Master of Science degree in Public Health from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, United Kingdom (2018) She is certified humanitarian response expert in conflict and disaster from HarvardX University, USA.(2019).

Envisioned to promote creativity and collaboration, Dr Wihioka’s mission is to inspire a generational pool of talented and innovative individuals who would catalyse dauntless initiatives to improve the health of the Rivers people; extending same nationally and globally. She is a serving member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners of Nigeria (NAGGMDP), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) and Lions Club International.

She is a wife, mother and a lover of God. She has two dogs and likes music, reading and dancing.

Dr. ThankGod C. Frank as fondly called is a reputable Public Health Specialist and Consultant in Environmental and Public Health Management, with a special flair in Health Promotion and Health System Policies/ Program Development and Administration as well as in Environmental Impact Assessments.

He is a Fellow Institute of Environmental and Public Health Management (FEPHM) of Nigeria; a Fellow National Association of Health Educators of Nigeria (FNAHE); and a Fellow Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (FPHPN). He is a holder of doctorate degree – Ph.D (Public Health) 2012, and a double master’s degree holder – MPH (Epidemiology) 2005, and MPA (Human Resource & Career Development) 2001, all from the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State. He bagged MBBS degrees from the premier and famous University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1992. He is also a holder of a Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Theology of the World-Class Redeemed Christian Bible College, Lagos Nigeria.

Dr. Frank was decorated with a National and State Youth Service Corps Awards as one of the best performing Medical Doctor in 1996 during the administration of Col. Mike Attah, the Military Administrator of Anambra State, Nigeria. He had also served severally as the Principal Medical Officer in charge of various health institutions- cottage and general hospitals in Anambra State (ie Agulu, Ekwulobia, Umunze, Agulu-zuigbo and Ebenebe) between 1996- 2006.

He has served as the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) in charge of not less than seven (7) Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State for over 14 years. He was the Chairman of the Association of Medical Officers of Health (AMOHN), Rivers State Branch between 2011 and 2016. He has also served in various capacities as member of various Health Committees, EOC, AGM, OGM of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and its affiliate bodies in Rivers State.

He is currently the Director /Head of Department of Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety Services of Rivers State Primary Health Care Board (RSPHCMB). He is also an ordained Minister of God in the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Dr. Frank hails from Ahoada-East LGA in Rivers State, and he is happily married and blessed with children.

He is a Member of the World Medical Association, Nigerian Medical Association, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, American Public Health Association, Canadian Public Health Association and the Public Health Association of British Columbia.

He is a Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow of The Rotary Foundation. His hobbies are watching soccer, swimming, traveling, listening to music and exploring history. He is married with a son.

He can be reached at siyeoforidede@yahoo.com or www.linkedin.com/in/siyeofori-dede-71a00326

Dr. Temple Akagbue

Dr. Temple Akagbue was Casualty Officer Braithwaite Memorial Hospital now Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (2009-2012); Medical Officer Ebubu MPHC(2012); Medical Officer MPHC Ihuaje (2009); Lecturer Institute of Environmental Health, University of Port Harcourt (2016-2019); Lecturer/Instructor Community Health Officers Program, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (2018-2020). He is a member of Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria, Nigerian Medical Association, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners of Nigeria.

Pharm. Bariatoa Neyeko Demua is the Director, Pharmaceutical Services,

Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board. He graduated from the University

of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where he obtained his B. Pharm degree in 2000. Pharm Demua

also studied at the Imo State University, Owerri for his master’s degree in Public Health

(MPH) in 2016. He holds an international certificate in Quantification for Health

Commodities Programme conducted by the Eastern and Southern African Management

Institute, Arusha, Tanzania. He joined the Rivers State Civil Service in 2006 as a

Pharmacist Grade 1 and worked first at General Hospital, Degema after a brief stint with

Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Lagos, Nigeria as a Medical Representative.

In 2008, he was posted to the Public Health Services Department, Rivers State Ministry

of Health to head the newly established South South Zonal Tuberculosis and Leprosy

Drugs Store of the Federal Ministry of Health, a position he successfully occupied for

over a decade and developed innovative Supply Chain Management strategies and

solutions that resulted in less than 2% Stock -outs rate of TB and Leprosy Medicines in

the Zone. In the same year, he was also appointed to serve on the Project Implementation

Unit (PIU) of the Rivers State Malaria Control Booster Project (WORLD BANK

ASSISTED) as Procurement and Supply Chain Management Officer where he

contributed to the achievement of 84% State Ownership of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets

(LLINs) in households in 2014 through a well-coordinated LLIN replacement campaign.

In 2017, with the increasing roles and responsibilities of the Rivers State Logistics

Management Coordinating Unit (RSLMCU), he was appointed the State Performance

Improvement Coordination (PIC) Officer where he worked to provide strategic

Leadership, built capacity and skills of programmes’ officers required for better

performance of the State Supply Chain System.

In 2019, He was a Research Assistant with the United Nations Office on Drugs and

Crime during the National Survey on Quantification of Narcotic Medicines and

Estimation of Psychotropic Substances and Precursors funded by the European Union. In

2015, he was a member, Rivers State Essential Medicines List (EML) Review

Committee.

Driven by his insatiable appetite for knowledge and his passion for better health services,

Pharm Demua has attended several procurement supply management and logistics

trainings on Public health commodities. These include: Nigeria’s National Integration

Supply Chain Management (ISCM) course, Applied TB Quantification and Pipeline

monitoring, Store and warehouse management, Quantification of Narcotics Medicines

and Psychotropic Substances/precursors, Malaria Commodity Logistics

System(MCLS),Logistics Management of MDR-TB Medicines & Pharmaceutical Care,

Performance Management and Pharmacovigilance amongst others.

He is dynamic and intentional in his pursuit for excellence and service delivery. His

expertise and interests are in: Learning & Leadership, Supply Chain Management,

Personnel Management, Performance Management, and Public health, Pharmaceutical

Research & Development, Pharmacovigilance and Logistics.

He is happily married and blessed with four (2 boys and 2 girls) children. He is a member

of several professional bodies including the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Rivers

State. He has innate passion for reading, travelling and music.

Berthy Iniabuabere Peters is the Director, Administration Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board. She graduated from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state where she obtained her B.Sc degree in Political Science/Public Administration in 2002. She joined the Rivers state Civil Service in 2007 as an Administrative office 1.

Driven by her insatiable appetite for knowledge and passion for a better Administration Berthy I. Peters had attended several training on Administration.

She is dynamic and intentional in her pursuit for excellence and a member of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (ICAD).

Her expertise and interest are learning and leadership, personal management and performance management.