The Ijaw Diaspora Council (IDC) has formally announced the appointment of Professor Nimi Wariboko as its new President Worldwide, alongside four newly selected regional Vice-Presidents. The appointments come as part of a leadership transition process following the dissolution of the previous IDC Executive Council, effective from May 24, 2025.
This was announced in a statement signed by MacDonald Mopho, the Chairman, IDC President Search and Appointment Committee, on 18th May 2025.
According to the statement, the appointments are the result of a rigorous selection process undertaken by the Committee, which was formed earlier in the month with a mandate to find credible candidates for the top leadership roles within a tight three-week deadline.
Despite initial concerns over the feasibility of meeting this deadline, the Committee received a total of 11 applications—three for the position of IDC President Worldwide and eight for various Vice-Presidential roles across continents. Following comprehensive interviews and assessments, the Committee used a corporate scoring system to objectively determine the most suitable candidates.
The newly appointed leaders are:
- Professor Nimi Wariboko – IDC President Worldwide
- Chief (Ambassador) Dr Regina Yaboh – Vice-President, America
- Mr Suoton Dambo – Vice-President, Australia and the Pacific
- Dr Bene Ekine-Afolabi – Vice-President, Europe
- Dr Preye Buowari – Vice-President, Africa
The Search and Appointment Committee, originally composed of 12 members and later operating with 10, described the selection process as challenging due to the high calibre of applicants. However, the Committee expressed satisfaction with the outcome and confidence in the new leadership’s ability to advance the IDC’s mission both globally and within Nigeria.
Chairman MacDonald Mopho noted that the newly appointed executives are expected to bring renewed vision, energy, and commitment to the IDC, strengthening its presence and influence among the global Ijaw community.
Read full statement below:
IJAW DIASPORA COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH AND APPOINTMENT COMMITTEEAPPOINTMENTS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENTS.
Dear Distinguished IDC Chiefs, Elders and Fellow IDC Brothers and Sisters,
You will recall that a special announcement was made on this platform on Saturday, 3 May, 2025, about the formation of a Presidential Search and Appointment Committee made up of 12 personswith a mandate to search for and appoint a new IDC President Worldwide and Continental/RegionalVice-Presidents.
While on the one hand we felt honoured to be appointed to the Committee, given that prior to thisannouncement there was a previous announcement about the dissolution of the current IDCExecutive Council with effect from 24 May 2025, the Presidential Search and Appointment Committee approached the task it was given with some trepidation that it may not be possible to getcredible candidates to fill the positions of IDC President and Regional/Continental Vice-Presidentswithin a period of 3 weeks or 21 days.
We feared that IDC might end up with a leadershipinterregnum. However, in this short period of time we had 3 excellent candidates who applied to fill the position ofIDC President worldwide and 8 excellent candidates who applied to fill the positions of vice- presidents of the regions/continents.
We were yesterday able to interview all 3 candidates for the positions IDC President Worldwide and 7 candidates for the positions of regional vice-presidents.
We had to apply corporate assessment scoring method to select the candidate with the highestscores for appointment because there was no other way we could eliminate candidates as they wereall good.
We are pleased to announce to you that fate and chance conspired to our favour and rewarded ourhard work and determination in such a way that we now have achieved the appointments of thefollowing persons as president and vice-presidents:
1. PROFESSOR NIMI WARIBOKO – IDC PRESIDENT WORLDWIDE
2. CHIEF (AMB) DR REGINA YABOH – VICE PRESIDENT, AMERICA
3. MR SUOTON DAMBO – VICE PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIA AND THE PACIFICDR
4. BENE EKINE-AFOLABI – VICE PRESIDENT, EUROPE
5. DR PREYE BUOWARI, VICE-PRESIDENT, AFRICA
The Members of the Presidential Search and Appointment Committee which at the time of makingthese appointments went down from 12 to the following 10 persons –
1. MacDonald I J Mopho, (Chair);
2. Chief Mrs Tarreh Oki-Akinlade,
3. Mrs Margot Oyake,
4. Rev. Dr. Pereyiekakemo Apreala,
5. Mr Eddy BelloYingomone,
6. Mrs Zibimoafa Johnny Ememrruai,
7. Chief Dr Bob Nabena, Mrs Adeline Orife,
8. Mrs EbiereCole and
9. Dr Abiye Hector-Goma,
all believe that these new leaders will elevate IDC’s mission globally and at home in Nigeria.
Please join us in congratulating the new IDC President and Vice-Presidents.
May God Arise for the Restoration and Prosperity of Ijaw Nation!
Signed:
MacDonald I J Mopho
Chairman, IDC President Search, and Appointment Committee.
18th May 2025
