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How They Have Been In The News For Over 30Yrs
For three decades, City People Magazine has documented the lives, achievements and influence of some of the remarkable women who have helped shape Port Harcourt’s social, political, business, cultural and entertainment landscape. Beyond gracing magazine covers and featuring in lifestyle reports, these women have built businesses, occupied public offices, broken professional barriers, created employment opportunities and contributed to the development of Rivers State and Nigeria.
From politics and public administration to medicine, journalism, fashion, beauty, hospitality, law, education, entertainment and philanthropy, their individual journeys reflect the changing aspirations of women in Rivers.
As City People Magazine celebrates 3 decades of lifestyle reporting, Emeka Amaefula, the Rivers State Bureau Chief, takes a retrospective look at some of these women whose accomplishments, professional journeys and public profiles have helped define Port Harcourt’s lifestyle scene over the years.
The women profiled in this anniversary feature represent different generations, professions and paths to public recognition.
Some built businesses from the ground up, turning personal interests and professional skills into enterprises that served customers and created opportunities for others. Others rose through the ranks of public service, medicine, journalism, law, fashion, hospitality, education and entertainment.
Several combined their professional careers with philanthropy, community development, mentorship and advocacy, extending their influence beyond their immediate workplaces.
Their journeys also reflect the changing character of Port Harcourt itself: a city whose social life, commercial activity and public institutions have been shaped by the contributions of people from different backgrounds and professional fields.
Port Harcourt’s lifestyle industry has evolved over the years, responding to changing tastes, economic conditions, technology, migration and the influence of global culture. Fashion houses, beauty businesses, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues and other enterprises have helped create a distinctive urban identity for the Rivers State capital.
Women have played a significant role in this evolution, not only as business owners and professionals but also as cultural influencers, public administrators, entertainers, educators and community advocates.
Their experiences demonstrate that success is rarely confined to a single professional path. Some have moved from private enterprise into public office; others have combined professional careers with entrepreneurship or pursued new opportunities outside Nigeria.
For City People Magazine, these stories represent more than a collection of personalities and social occasions. They form part of a three-decade record of ambition, achievement, enterprise and changing lifestyles in the Niger Delta.
As the magazine marks 30 years of lifestyle reporting, revisiting these women offers an opportunity to recognise their individual contributions, reflect on the paths they have taken and document the continuing influence of women on Port Harcourt and the wider Nigerian society.
The significance of this retrospective lies not merely in where these women are today, but also in what their journeys reveal about the changing opportunities available to women, the challenges they have navigated and the institutions and enterprises they have helped shape.
For 3 decades, City People Magazine has chronicled the people behind the headlines, the lives behind the photographs and the stories behind the city’s changing social landscape.
At 30, that record remains a reminder that the history of a city’s lifestyle is also the history of the people whose enterprise, ambition and public service give it meaning.
ADAEZE CHIDINMA OREH: MEDICINE, PUBLIC SERVICE AND A PROFESSORIAL MILESTONE
Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, formerly Adaeze Chidinma Odili, is a medical doctor, family physician, public health specialist and healthcare administrator. She is the first daughter of former Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Otunuya Odili, who governed the state from 1999 to 2007, and retired Justice Mary Ukaego Odili of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Oreh obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She subsequently pursued specialist training in family medicine, alongside further academic development in international health management and public health.
Her professional career has spanned clinical medicine, public health policy, healthcare administration and health systems development. She served as Rivers State Commissioner for Health under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, where she was associated with initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and expanding access to medical services.
In 2026, reports emerged of her elevation to the rank of Professor of Medicine at PAMO University o
f Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt PUMS.
ABASIAMA AJAYI: BUILDING A FASHION AND BEAUTY BRAND
Through her brand, Heels, Abasiama Ajayi established a fashion and beauty business serving women in Port Harcourt.
The brand’s offerings included clothing, footwear and styling-related products, providing customers with access to items suited to different personal styles and social occasions.
Her entrepreneurial journey reflects the contribution of independent fashion businesses to Port Harcourt’s retail economy and the role of women-owned enterprises in meeting the city’s changing lifestyle needs.
AMAKA REA: FROM FASHION TO HOSPITALITY
Amaka Rea made her presence felt in Port Harcourt’s fashion industry through Arena Couture, a label associated with high-end dressing and styling for women attending major social occasions.
Her business catered to clients seeking distinctive outfits for celebrations, public appearances and other special events. By incorporating broader fashion influences into her work, she contributed to the city’s growing appetite for contemporary and luxury-inspired styles.
Her subsequent interests in hospitality and travel in Tourism business in Malaga, Spain marked a further expansion of her entrepreneurial pursuits beyond the local fashion scene.
ANGEL OKOYEOCHA: EXPANDING THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY
Angel Okoyeocha established a presence in Port Harcourt’s beauty and personal-care industry through De Chic Beauty Home Ltd.
The business offers a range of beauty-related services, including hairdressing, braiding, styling, tattoo services and body massage.
Drawing inspiration from international beauty trends and her exposure to Maryland, United States, she sought to introduce practices that would appeal to clients looking for a comprehensive beauty experience and with headquarters at No.12A Eligbam Street GRA Phase 3 Opposite Captain Elechi AMADI Polytechnic Rumuola Road Port Harcourt City Rivers State Nigeria.
Through its range of services which includes, Body Massage, Hair dressing, Tattoos, Braiding , hair styling and emphasis on professional presentation, De Chic Beauty Home Ltd has contributed to the expansion of Port Harcourt’s beauty and personal-care market.
ASUMPTA OBUAH: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ACADEMIC ADVANCEMENT
Asumpta Obuah is the founder of Asumptee Fabrics, located around the YKC Junction axis of Port Harcourt.
Her business serves customers seeking fabrics and materials for different styles of dressing, including traditional and contemporary outfits.
Beyond entrepreneurship, she has pursued legal education, with a Law degree following her earlier university education at the University of Port Harcourt.
Her combination of business interests and academic advancement reflects the diverse professional paths pursued by women in Port Harcourt.
BOMA BANJO: BUSINESS, WRITING AND CANCER ADVOCACY
Boma Banjo has combined food, fashion, writing and advocacy in her professional journey.
As the founder of Bistro Garnet and a fashion designer, she has participated in Port Harcourt’s business and lifestyle sectors.
Her personal account of surviving cancer and her work as an author have also added an advocacy dimension to her public profile. By sharing aspects of her experience, she has contributed to conversations about resilience, personal recovery and the importance of pursuing one’s interests despite life’s challenges.
Her story illustrates how personal experiences can become a source of encouragement and awareness for others facing difficult circumstances.
BELEMA PREST: FASHION, PERSONAL STYLE AND THE SOCIAL CIRCUIT
Belema Prest, née Eremie, is associated with Port Harcourt’s social scene and is known among her acquaintances for her distinctive fashion sense and elegant presentation at social gatherings.
Of Okrika ethnic origin, Prest is married to Michelle Prest, a geophysicist associated with the oil and gas industry.
Her public profile reflects the influence of fashion, personal presentation and social networking within Port Harcourt’s lifestyle circles. At social occasions, she is recognised for her interest in stylish outfits, elaborate hairstyles and accessories that complement her overall appearance.
Her personal style, including her tattoos and varied hair-braiding designs, forms part of the distinctive image she presents at social events.
Port Harcourt’s social scene has long brought together professionals, entrepreneurs, business executives and personalities from different backgrounds. Individuals such as Prest contribute to this environment through their participation in social gatherings and celebrations, where fashion and personal expression often form part of the occasion.
Her inclusion in this retrospective reflects the magazine’s interest in documenting the people and personal styles that have contributed to Port Harcourt’s evolving social culture.
CHINELO CHIDUBEM ODILI: A WOMAN ON THE JUDICIAL BENCH
Hon. Justice Chinelo Chidubem Odili is a judge of the Rivers State Judiciary. She is a daughter of former Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili and retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Ukaego Odili.
Her appointment to the Rivers State Judiciary was announced in December 2021, when she was sworn in as a judicial officer alongside other appointees.
As a member of the bench, Justice Odili’s responsibilities centre on the administration of justice, the interpretation of applicable laws and the fair determination of cases brought before her court.
Her professional journey is of particular interest because of her mother’s distinguished career in the Nigerian judiciary and her sister Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme’s service on the bench of the FCT High Court in Abuja.
Her public profile has also attracted attention because of her reported marriage in 2007 to Prince Uche Nnam Obi, a former Rivers State lawmaker and son of the late Chukwumela Nnam Obi II.
Her judicial appointment represents an important professional milestone and places her among the women contributing to the administration of justice in Rivers State.
DAISY OKOCHA: A CHAPTER IN RIVERS STATE’S JUDICIAL HISTORY
Justice Daisy Okocha, is a member of the prominent Okocha family of Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
DAUKORU FIBERESIMA: PROFESSIONAL LIFE AND SOCIAL PROMINENCE
Daukoru Fiberesima, popularly known as Dak, is a social personality associated with the Okrika ethnic group in Rivers State.
Over the years, she has maintained a visible presence in Port Harcourt’s social circles, earning recognition for her distinctive personality and lifestyle.
She was previously married to the late Chief A.K. Dikibo, whose death attracted public attention. Following his passing, she subsequently remarried.
Beyond her social profile, Fiberesima has pursued a professional career in the oil and gas sector. She has been reported to work with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in Abuja, although her current position requires confirmation.
Her story reflects the intersection of professional advancement, personal resilience and social prominence among women whose lives have attracted interest in Port Harcourt’s lifestyle circles.
DAWN SUNRISE DUMO LULU-BRIGGS: BUSINESS AND FAMILY ENTERPRISE
Dawn Sunrise Dumo Lulu-Briggs is associated with business interests in the oil and gas industry and the wider commercial activities of the Lulu-Briggs family.
Her reported role as Deputy Chairman of Platform Petroleum places her within the corporate environment of the energy sector, while the family’s business interests have extended across different areas of commercial activity.
Her profile reflects the intersection of business, family enterprise and social influence among prominent families in Rivers State.
DORIS FISHER, LATER DORIS COWAN: MEDICINE AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Dr. Doris Cowan, formerly known as Doris Fisher, combined medical training with public service in Rivers State.
She served as a Commissioner of Water Resources under former Governor Rotimi Amaechi and was known for her professional background in medicine and her family connections to Asari-Toru.
Her experience illustrates the participation of medical professionals in public administration and the contribution of women to governance in Rivers State.
EBERE AKADIRI: TAKING ENTREPRENEURSHIP BEYOND NIGERIA
Ebere Akadiri established Just Relish, a fast-food business that became part of Port Harcourt’s food-service industry.
Her entrepreneurial journey subsequently extended beyond Nigeria when she relocated to the Netherlands.
Her experience highlights the international dimension of entrepreneurship among Nigerians whose business interests and professional activities have crossed national boundaries.
ELENDA DOKUBO: FROM FASHION ACCESSORIES TO TOURISM
Elenda Dokubo built a business in fashion accessories, serving customers who sought items to complement their outfits for social and formal occasions.
Her work formed part of the retail fashion environment that catered to Port Harcourt’s growing demand for accessories and personal styling.
She later moved into tourism management in Calabar, extending her professional interests into another sector of the lifestyle and hospitality economy.
EUNICE IGWE: WOMEN’S ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Chief Eunice Igwe combined public service, women’s advocacy and entrepreneurship during her career in Rivers State.
She served as State Chairperson of the National Council of Women’s Societies, a position that placed her within a network of organisations advocating women’s participation, welfare and empowerment.
She later served as a Resident Electoral Commissioner, taking on responsibilities connected with electoral administration.
Her interests also extended into hospitality through hotel ownership. The combination of civic leadership, public administration and business made her one of the women whose careers crossed several influential sectors.
GRACE MBATA: CREATING SPACES FOR SOCIAL LIFE
Grace Mbata was associated with several hospitality and entertainment establishments that helped shape Port Harcourt’s social scene, including Night-Box, Barracuda and G’s Place.
These ventures formed part of the city’s evolving nightlife and dining culture, providing venues for social gatherings, entertainment and relaxation.
Her involvement in the sector reflected the growing role of privately operated hospitality businesses in creating spaces where residents, professionals and visitors could meet and unwind.
HILDAH DOKUBO: NOLLYWOOD, ADVOCACY AND POLITICS
Hildah Dokubo has built a public profile spanning Nollywood, education, advocacy and politics.
Widely known for her acting career, she has also participated in political activities in Rivers State, including serving as chairperson of the Labour Party in the state.
Her presence across entertainment and politics has kept her in the public eye, while her work in the creative industry has contributed to the visibility of Nigerian and Niger Delta storytelling.
Her career illustrates how practitioners in the creative industry can extend their influence into public affairs and political engagement.
IBIBA OMOTOSHO: FABRIC CITY AND THE CULTURE OF ELEGANT DRESSING
Lady Ibiba Omotosho has developed Fabric City into a recognised name in Port Harcourt’s fabric and fashion retail sector.
Her business caters to customers seeking materials for traditional attire, formal dressing, celebrations and other occasions requiring distinctive fabrics.
By serving clients with varied tastes and fashion requirements, Fabric City has contributed to the city’s textile retail market and the wider culture of elegant dressing for which Port Harcourt is known.
IBINABO FIBERESIMA: FROM BEAUTY PAGEANTS TO NOLLYWOOD
Ibinabo Fiberesima is an actress, filmmaker, former beauty queen, event manager and environmental advocate whose career has spanned modelling, pageantry, acting and entertainment administration.
She has family roots in Rivers State and an Irish maternal background. She attended the Federal Government Girls’ College, New Bussa, and later obtained a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Ibadan. She also pursued postgraduate studies in audiovisual management at the Media Business School in Ronda, Spain.
Fiberesima initially gained recognition through beauty pageants. Her achievements included winning Miss Wonderland and placing among the leading contestants in the Miss Nigeria and Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria competitions.
She subsequently moved into Nollywood, making her acting debut in Most Wanted in 1998. Her film appearances have included Mortal Sin, Letters to a Stranger, The Twin Sword, Camouflage, St. Mary and ’76.
Beyond acting, Fiberesima became the first woman to serve as President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, a milestone that strengthened her position in the country’s entertainment industry. Her work has also extended to film production, directing, event management and environmental advocacy.
She has been associated with Miss Earth Nigeria as its national director, linking beauty pageantry with environmental awareness and conservation.
IBINABO RAMI DINA: FASHION AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
Ibinabo Rami Dina operated the ITEM Fashion Beauty brand, which served clients seeking fashion and beauty-related services.
Beyond her business interests, she is associated with a philanthropic contribution to religious development in Port Harcourt through the reported donation of land for a Redeemed Christian Church of God congregation in GRA Phase 1.
The reported donation represents a contribution to the community and illustrates how private individuals can support institutions that serve social and spiritual needs.
Her death was so devasting to her friends and well-wishers and to those who patronized her goods and services in Port Harcourt as she sold quality ornaments including gold and others Fashion accessories brassieres top clothes that blended well on her costumers.
IBISO EDWARDS: GOSPEL MUSIC WITH A KALABARI IDENTITY
Ibiso Edwards, professionally known as Ibiso, is a gospel singer from Rivers State whose music draws inspiration from Christian worship, Kalabari language and the cultural traditions of the Niger Delta.
A native of Fouchee town in Rivers State, she studied Linguistics and Communication Studies at the University of Port Harcourt. She also obtained a certificate in basic broadcast presentation from the Alpha Institute of Broadcasting and Communications.
Ibiso gained recognition for her gospel music and released the album Still Here in 2011. In March 2015, she returned with Dima-te, a project whose title conveys the idea of change in the Kalabari language.
Her recorded songs include “Ani Pakabara,” “Dabo,” “Imiete” and “Gelebo.” These works draw on themes of gratitude, faith, redemption and encouragement, while incorporating Kalabari expressions and contemporary musical arrangements.
In “Ani Pakabara,” which she recorded with Afy Douglas, the message centres on perseverance and encouragement. “Dabo” celebrates God’s fatherly presence, while “Imiete” expresses gratitude. “Gelebo” focuses on redemption, restoration and divine mercy.
By combining gospel messages with indigenous language and contemporary sounds, Ibiso has contributed to the preservation and promotion of Niger Delta cultural expression through music.
Her career illustrates how gospel musicians can communicate spiritual messages while preserving linguistic identity and introducing local cultural traditions to wider audiences.
IBIM SEMENITARI: FROM JOURNALISM TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Award-winning journalist Ibim Semenitari has built a distinguished career spanning journalism, publishing, public communication and public administration.
She founded Business Eye, a business news magazine, and earned recognition for her work in Nigerian journalism.
Her career subsequently took her into government. She served as Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications under former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, contributing to public communication and government information management.
In December 2015, she was appointed Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Her tenure placed her at the centre of the commission’s administration and development responsibilities in the Niger Delta.
Her professional journey from journalism to public administration illustrates the opportunities available to experienced media practitioners in government and institutional leadership.
IDOWU PETERS: BEAUTY, CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Through El Sharma Salon, Idowu Peters established a recognisable beauty business in Port Harcourt, earning a reputation for gele styling, elaborate headgear and other beauty services.
Her work connected fashion, beauty and personal presentation, particularly among women attending weddings, traditional ceremonies and high-profile social events.
Her business journey also reflects the opportunities available to female entrepreneurs in the beauty industry, where creativity, customer service and professional skill can develop into sustainable commercial ventures.
IFEYINWA ANELE: FASHION AND HOSPITALITY ACROSS BORDERS
Ifeyinwa Anele, popularly known as Ify, is an Imo State-born entrepreneur with interests in estate management, fashion design and hospitality.
During her time in Port Harcourt, she operated a fashion design business around Iwofe Road and was also associated with Clenphil Suite, a hospitality establishment.
She subsequently relocated to the United States.
Known among her acquaintances for her distinctive fashion sense, Ify has maintained an interest in personal style and presentation at social occasions.
Her journey reflects the mobility of entrepreneurs whose interests and experiences span different locations and sectors.
IRENE AIGBE: NATIVE EN VOGUE AND FASHION EXPRESSION
Through Native en Vogue, Irene Aigbe established a fashion business that served women seeking distinctive outfits and styling services in Port Harcourt.
Her work contributed to the city’s fashion scene by offering customers alternatives for dressing at social events, celebrations and other important occasions.
She later continued her journey in the United Kingdom, marking a transition from the local fashion market to life abroad.
JOY EJIOFOR: A LEGACY IN FASHION RETAIL
Joy Ejiofor made her mark in Port Harcourt’s fashion retail industry through Vonbel Fashion.
Her business, located in Omoku Street in the D-Line area of the city, served customers seeking fashionable and affordable clothing.
By providing options for working women and other customers who wanted contemporary styles at accessible prices, she developed a recognisable presence in the local fashion market.
Her untimely passing brought her entrepreneurial journey to an end, but her contribution to the city’s fashion retail scene remains part of its history.
MONALISA CHINDA: NOLLYWOOD, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE PORT HARCOURT CONNECTION
Monalisa Chinda is a renowned Nigerian actress, film producer, television personality and entrepreneur whose career has earned her recognition in Nollywood and beyond.
Born on September 13, 1974, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, she is of Ikwerre origin. She studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, an academic background that laid the foundation for her professional journey in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Monalisa began her acting career in the 1990s and gained wider recognition through her performances in Nigerian films. Over the years, she has established herself as a versatile actress, appearing in numerous productions and working alongside leading figures in Nollywood.
Beyond acting, she has explored film production, television presentation and entrepreneurship, expanding her professional interests within the entertainment and media industries.
Her career reflects the growing influence of women in Nigerian filmmaking and the opportunities available to performers who combine acting talent with business initiatives and media engagement.
As City People Magazine celebrates three decades of documenting Port Harcourt’s lifestyle, business and public life, Monalisa Chinda’s journey represents the contribution of Rivers State-born entertainers to the growth and international visibility of Nigeria’s creative industry.
MAUREEN IHUA: A VETERAN ACTRESS
Maureen Ihua is a veteran Nigerian actress whose career spans several decades in the country’s film industry.
Born in Rivers State, she began developing an interest in acting while attending Mariam Girls Secondary School, where she participated in drama activities.
She later became known to Nigerian movie audiences through films including Domitilla (1996), Blood Money (1997), Spirit of Love and more recent productions such as Unplanned and Unpredictable.
Her acting career has included roles alongside prominent performers from different generations of Nollywood.
Over the years, she has built a reputation as an experienced screen actress whose work reflects the evolution of Nigerian home-video productions into the wider Nollywood industry.
Ihua has also spoken publicly about taking time away from acting to concentrate on family life before returning to the screen.
Her career reflects the contribution of veteran performers who helped establish the foundations upon which subsequent generations of Nigerian actors and filmmakers have built.
MAUREEN TAMUNO: LEGISLATIVE SERVICE, DIPLOMACY AND CORPORATE LEADERSHIP
Dr. Maureen P. Tamuno has built a career spanning legislative service, diplomacy, corporate management and leadership development.
After representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, she served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica.
She subsequently became Group Managing Director of Abuja Investments Company Limited, according to published corporate information.
Her professional journey reflects the growing participation of women from Rivers State in national leadership, international relations and corporate management.
Across these fields, Tamuno has developed a profile combining public service with business leadership.
MARIAM ENEBELI: DEVELOPING HOSPITALITY ENTERPRISE
Mariam Enebeli built Royal Palmgrove into a hospitality business associated with the Rumuolumeni area of Port Harcourt.
Her entrepreneurial interests placed her within the city’s hospitality sector, where businesses cater to accommodation, leisure and other customer needs.
Her experience illustrates the opportunities available to entrepreneurs who establish businesses in developing urban communities and build their operations around changing consumer demands.
MARY UKAEGO ODILI: A DISTINGUISHED JUDICIAL CAREER
Justice Mary Ukaego Odili occupies a prominent place in Nigeria’s judicial history.
She served as First Lady of Rivers State during the administration of her husband, former Governor Peter Odili, from 1999 to 2007.
She subsequently continued her judicial career and rose to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, from which she retired.
Her career represents an important chapter in the history of women in the Nigerian judiciary.
Her family’s continued participation in public service has also attracted attention, particularly the career of her daughter, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, who served as Rivers State Commissioner for Health.
Justice Odili’s journey illustrates the possibilities of professional advancement through the legal system and the significance of women’s participation in the administration of justice.
MERCY CHINWO: FROM NIGERIAN IDOL TO GOSPEL MUSIC STARDOM
Mercy Nnenda Chinwo, popularly known as Mercy Chinwo, is a gospel singer, songwriter and actress whose career has established her as one of the country’s prominent contemporary gospel music performers.
Born in Port Harcourt, she grew up with an interest in music and performance. Her breakthrough came in 2012 when she won the second season of the television talent competition Nigerian Idol.
The victory introduced her to a wider audience and provided a platform for her subsequent musical career. After gaining recognition through the competition, she pursued gospel music and developed a distinctive style combining contemporary worship, African rhythms and powerful vocal delivery.
Her debut album, The Cross: My Gaze, was released in 2018, followed by Satisfied in 2020.
Among her best-known songs are “Excess Love,” “Chinedum,” “Obinasom,” “Na You Dey Reign,” “Akamdinelu,” “Onememma,” “Wonder” and “You Do This One.”
“Excess Love” became one of her signature recordings, helping introduce her music to audiences across Nigeria and beyond. “Chinedum” and “Obinasom” also gained considerable attention among gospel music listeners, while “Na You Dey Reign” became a popular worship song.
Chinwo’s transition from a television talent-show winner to an established gospel recording artiste demonstrates the possibilities available to performers who build on early recognition through sustained creative development.
Her career has also included live performances, collaborations and major worship events. Her marriage to Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa in August 2022 marked another important chapter in her personal life.
Through her music, Chinwo has contributed to the visibility of Nigerian gospel music internationally, demonstrating how indigenous talent can reach audiences through contemporary recording, digital distribution and live performance.
MERCY COSTELLO: HOSPITALITY AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Mercy Costello became associated with Port Harcourt’s hospitality and social scene through Casablanca Restaurant and Sports Bar.
The establishment developed a profile as a meeting place for customers seeking dining, entertainment and social interaction.
Its appeal among members of the city’s business and entertainment communities helped establish its place in Port Harcourt’s hospitality landscape.
Her interests also extended into fashion accessories, demonstrating the possibilities of diversifying from restaurant operations into complementary lifestyle businesses.
MEDILINE TADOR: BROADCASTING AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
Mediline Tador made a notable contribution to broadcasting and public communication in Rivers State.
She served as Commissioner for Information and later as General Manager of Radio Rivers, taking on responsibilities connected with public information, broadcasting and institutional communication.
She was also known for her work as a master of ceremonies, bringing experience in presentation and public speaking to formal occasions and social events.
Her career reflects the importance of communication professionals in government, broadcasting and public engagement.
NNEKA ONYA: MEDICINE MEETS FASHION
Dr. Nneka Obianma Onya has combined a demanding medical career with an interest in fashion and lifestyle.
As a consultant family physician and the first female Head of Family Medicine at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, she achieved a notable professional milestone in a field requiring extensive training, clinical experience and commitment to patient care.
Beyond medicine, she developed NNEKA’s TOGG, a fashion label reflecting her interest in dressing and personal presentation.
Her professional journey illustrates how medical practice and creative entrepreneurship can coexist, while her interests in lifestyle medicine and mentorship extend her contribution beyond clinical work.
NICE ALERUCHI AMADIWOCHI ALAMIEYESEIGHA: PHILANTHROPY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
High Chief Nice Aleruchi Amadiwochi Alamieyeseigha is associated with humanitarian and community-based initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable groups.
Through the Nice Esther For All Foundation and related activities, she has focused attention on the needs of widows, orphans and other disadvantaged people.
Her involvement in political mobilisation has also placed her within grassroots organisational networks in the state.
Her career demonstrates how philanthropy, community engagement and political participation can intersect in the public lives of women in the Niger Delta.
NJIDEKA NWOSU-IHEME: FOLLOWING A FAMILY TRADITION OF JUDICIAL SERVICE
Hon. Justice Njideka K. Nwosu-Iheme is a jurist serving as a judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. She is one of the daughters of former Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili and retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Ukaego Odili.
Her appointment to the FCT High Court was announced in 2021, when she was sworn in alongside other newly appointed judicial officers.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme’s professional responsibilities involve the interpretation and application of the law, the determination of disputes and the administration of justice within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
Her career is particularly notable within the context of the Odili family’s contribution to public service. Her mother rose through the judicial system to become a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, while her sister, Justice Chinelo Chidubem Odili, also serves in the Rivers State Judiciary.
The presence of multiple members of the same family in public service has attracted public interest. However, Justice Nwosu-Iheme’s judicial career stands on its own professional responsibilities and obligations to the rule of law.
Her appointment reflects the continuing participation of women in Nigeria’s judiciary and the importance of an independent and professional justice system.
PREYE EDUBAMO OKOSI: BUILDING A HOSPITALITY BRAND
Preye Edubamo Okosi is the Chief Executive Officer of Tavern 19 Restaurant and Bar, located off Mummy B Street near the MOPOL 19 Police Base in Port Harcourt.
Her establishment has developed a following among customers seeking a place to dine, relax and socialise.
Its appeal to professionals, entertainers and other members of the city’s social community has contributed to its profile in Port Harcourt’s hospitality sector.
A native of Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Okosi previously served as a liaison officer for the Bayelsa State Government in Rivers State.
Her journey from public service into hospitality reflects the varied professional experiences that have shaped the careers of women doing business in Port Harcourt.
QUEEN OBI: HEALTHCARE AND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Queen Obi, an ophthalmologist, combined medical practice with educational consultancy.
Through Envision Eye Clinic, she provided specialised eye-care services to patients.
Her subsequent interests included assisting Nigerian students seeking admission into foreign universities through an education consultancy based in Canada.
Her professional interests therefore span healthcare and international education, two fields that address different but important aspects of human development.
ROSEBELL UVIOVO: LAW, HOSPITALITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Barrister Rosebell Uviovo, a Delta-born Lawyer and entrepreneur, was among the personalities who combined professional legal practice with business interests in Port Harcourt.
During her time in the city, she headed Mega Grill Fast-Food and maintained her legal practice at Victoria Plaza along the East-West Road, around the Rumuodara axis of Port Harcourt.
Her academic background includes a first degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Port Harcourt, followed by legal education and postgraduate studies.
She also pursued further academic studies in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Her professional interests spanned law, hospitality and entrepreneurship before she relocated to the United States with her family.
RUTH IBAMU DAVIES: FASHION, ACADEMIA AND WOMEN’S ADVOCACY
Mrs. Ruth Ibamu Davies Ikyana, a native of the Oropotonma area of the Evo Kingdom, has combined fashion design, academic interests and entrepreneurship.
She is the Chief Executive Officer of Ruthie’s Clothing in Abuja, a fashion business focused on helping women express themselves through distinctive dressing and personal style.
She is also associated with the organisation of fashion shows that provide opportunities for emerging designers and other creative talents to display their work.
Beyond business, Davies has been associated with leadership in the Nigerian League of Women Voters, particularly its Rivers State activities.
Her reported responsibilities include chairpersonship in Rivers State and a national coordinating role among chairpersons.
Her interests in fashion, education and women’s participation reflect the wider contribution of women who combine business with professional and civic leadership.
SOTONYE TOBY-FULTON: MEDIA, BUSINESS AND POLITICAL MOBILISATION
Sotonye Toby-Fulton has built a public profile spanning entrepreneurship, media, civil service and political mobilisation.
She established Toby Jug, a hospitality business in GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt, and has been associated with the publication of Gist Newspaper, a media platform serving audiences in the South-South region.
She also founded Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), a women-focused mobilisation platform associated with political activities supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
A former Commissioner in the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Toby-Fulton has maintained an active presence in the state’s political and public affairs environment.
Her career illustrates the multiple avenues through which women participate in business, media and political organisation.
TARI BOZIMO: FROM HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT TO ACADEMIA
Tari Bozimo, a Cross River State-born professional, is associated with Port Harcourt’s hospitality industry, academia and high-profile social circles.
She was married to the late High Chief Gordon Bozimo, who served as Chairman of the Board of the National Youth Service Corps before his death.
During her years in the hospitality sector, she managed Lotus Hotel in Abuloma, Port Harcourt, gaining experience in an industry that plays an important role in the city’s commercial and social life.
Bozimo subsequently advanced her academic career, earning a doctoral degree and becoming a lecturer at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.
Her transition from hospitality management to academia illustrates a professional journey combining practical business experience with higher education and teaching.
TONYE BRIGGS-ONIYIDE: CULTURE, TOURISM AND GRASSROOTS GOVERNANCE
Tonye Briggs-Oniyide moved from the fashion industry into public administration and politics, taking on responsibilities at state and local government levels.
She served as Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and later as Chairperson of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
Her public career placed her at the intersection of cultural promotion, tourism development and grassroots administration.
Her experience reflects the transition some women have made from private enterprise into political leadership and public service.
TORU OFILI: WOMEN’S AFFAIRS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Toru Ofili emerged as a prominent female political figure in Rivers State through her involvement in public administration and social development.
She served as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development under former Governor Peter Odili.
She later served as Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals under former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Beyond public service, she pursued hospitality and other business interests in Port Harcourt and Lagos.
Her career reflects the intersection of government service, entrepreneurship and women’s participation in the state’s economic life.
UDEAKU SHELDAS: A PRESENCE IN RIVERS STATE’S ELITE SOCIAL CIRCLES
Barrister Udeaku Sheldas became a familiar name in Rivers State’s high-profile social and business circles following her marriage to the late High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs.
Her association with the Lulu-Briggs family connected her to one of the state’s prominent business and industrial families.
Her public profile has been linked to the family’s social, business and philanthropic environment, placing her among the personalities whose lives have attracted attention within Rivers State’s elite social circles.
WUNMI AGBOOLA: FROM FASHION TO COMMERCIAL CATERING
Wunmi Agboola introduced her fashion design interests to Port Harcourt through the brand Highs before expanding into food services and hospitality-related business.
Her later operations included catering services for companies, individuals and offshore clients, connecting fashion entrepreneurship with the commercial food-service sector.
The diversification of her interests illustrates how entrepreneurs can build on experience in one industry to explore opportunities in another while contributing to employment and service delivery.
YIME NUNIEH: ACCOUNTABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE NIGER DELTA
Yime Nunieh attracted national attention when she served as Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, the regional intervention agency responsible for addressing development challenges across the Niger Delta.
Her tenure brought considerable public attention to the commission’s administration, accountability and project implementation.
Her leadership period became part of wider discussions about institutional governance and the management of development resources in the oil-producing region.
Nunieh remains associated with an important chapter in the NDDC’s institutional history. She is the daughter of second Republic Distinguished Senator Cyrus NUNIEH who passed on years ago and widely known as the Spirit of Ogoni ethnic group.
MUMA GEE: MUSIC, CULTURAL IDENTITY AND A RETURN TO THE STAGE
Gift Eke, popularly known as Muma Gee, is a singer and entertainer associated with Afrocentric fusion music and traditional cultural influences.
A Rivers State-born entertainer of Ekpeye origin, she established her presence in the music industry from the late 1990s, developing a distinctive performance style that blends contemporary sounds with African rhythms and cultural expression.
Her stage persona, striking appearance and energetic performances helped distinguish her in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
A graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, Muma Gee has also been associated with acting and other creative pursuits.
After a lengthy break from music, she announced her return to the stage, explaining that she had devoted much of the intervening period to family responsibilities and academic development.
She has also pursued legal studies at the University of Port Harcourt, although her current level of study and academic status should be reconfirmed before publication.
On September 30, 2026, she staged a comeback concert in Port Harcourt, signalling a renewed engagement with her music audience. Plans were also reported for performances in Lagos and Abuja.
Her return represents another chapter in the career of an entertainer whose musical identity draws heavily on African cultural expression.
- ANTHONIA OMEHIA: EDUCATION, LIBRARY SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Anthonia E. Omehia, wife of former Rivers State Governor Sir Celestine Ngozichim Omehia, has established a professional profile in education, library science and academic administration.
Born in Edo State, she pursued a career in education and library science, eventually becoming a senior academic at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.
Her academic career includes postgraduate qualifications and professional development in Library and Information Science. Published academic records have associated her with research, teaching and institutional development in the discipline.
Her contributions extend to private education. She has been associated with Trinitate International School in Port Harcourt, where she served in a leadership capacity.
The school provides education within Nigerian and international curricular frameworks, reflecting her interest in educational development and the preparation of young people for academic advancement.
Her career illustrates how education, research, administration and private-sector initiatives can complement one another in the development of human capital.
QUEEN DR. JOSEPHINE DIETE-SPIFF: THEATRE, LAW, BUSINESS AND ROYAL SERVICE
Her Royal Majesty Queen Dr. Josephine A. Diete-Spiff is associated with the Twon-Brass Kingdom in Bayelsa State and is recognised for her interests in education, law, business and community development.
She is married to former Rivers State Military Governor, Navy Commander Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, and has been associated with royal, educational and humanitarian initiatives.
A graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, she subsequently studied law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, now Rivers State University, in Port Harcourt.
Her pursuit of further education took her to the United Kingdom, where she earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool in 2012.
She later obtained a Doctor of Business Administration from Walden University in the United States in 2015. She has also received further academic recognition, including an honorary doctorate.
Her professional interests have extended into banking, finance, business management and education.
She has been associated with Titare Micro Finance Bank and has held leadership responsibilities connected with private education and other business ventures in Port Harcourt.
Her educational interests include an institution associated with the Titare name. The precise historical relationship between the school and Bereton International School should be confirmed before publication.
Diete-Spiff’s journey from theatre arts to law, business administration, education and royal service illustrates the breadth of professional interests that can shape a woman’s public life.
By Emeka Amaefula
Rivers State Bureau Chief, City People Magazine
Contact: +234 811 181 3069
