List of people from Rivers State
The following is a list of notable people who were born in Rivers State , lived in Rivers State, or for whom Rivers State is a significant part of their identity.
A
Diezani Alison-Madueke
Chibuike Amaechi
Henry Ajumogobia
George Abbey (born 1978), soccer player
Magnus Ngei Abe (born 1965), lawyer and senator of the Federal Republic (2015–2019)
Zacchaeus Adangor , Attorney General of Rivers State
Echendu Adiele (1978–2011), soccer player
Ernest Afiesimama (born 1960), weatherman, environmental and climate scientist
Emmanuel C. Aguma , former attorney general of Rivers State (2015v2019)
Friday Ahunanya (born 1971), world heavyweight champion and boxer
Joseph Ajienka (born 1955), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt
Henry Ajumogobia (born 1956), Attorney General, Commissioner of Justice
Claude Ake (1939–1996), political scientist
Godspower Ake (1940–2016), legislator
Wilson Asinobi Ake (born 1955), Nigerian Senator from Rivers State
Mercy Akide (born 1975), former soccer player
Diezani Alison-Madueke (born 1960), former minister of Petroleum Resources (2010–2015), Mines and Steel (2008–2010) and Transport (2007–2008)[ 1]
Mactabene Amachree (born 1978), basketball player
Otelemaba Amachree (born 1963), former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly , and Group Chairman of Big Ross Int’l. LTD
Elechi Amadi (1934–2016), author, speaker
Okey Amadi , MHA
Chibuike Amaechi (born 1965), Governor of Rivers State [ 2]
Thankgod Amaefule (born 1984), soccer player
Martins Amaewhule , speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly
Chika Amalaha (born 1997), weightlifter
Betty Apiafi (born 1962), economist, retired banker, school teacher
Pere Ariweriyai (born 1983), soccer player
Napoleon Ashley-Lassen (born 1934), Chief of the Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces
Tamunosiki Atorudibo (born 1985), athlete
Izu Azuka (born 1989), soccer player
B
Ipalibo Banigo (born 1952), medical doctor; first female senator and Deputy Governor of Rivers State
Herbert Bankole-Bright (1883–1958), politician
Innocent Barikor , academic and politician
A. Igoni Barrett (born 1979), writer
John Bazia , politician
Bella Bell-Gam (born 1956), pentathlete
Ngeri Benebo (born 1955), medical doctor
Amaopusenibo Siminalayi "Sim" Joseph Black-Fubara (born 1979), Executive Governor, Rivers State
Andre Blaze (born 1983), rapper, reality talent show host
Worgu Boms (born 1968), Commissioner of Justice
Ann-Kio Briggs (born 1952), activist
Nimi Briggs (born 1944), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt
Roseberry Briggs (1925–2013), Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly
Tonye Briggs-Oniyide , Rivers State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism
C
Mercy Chinwo
D
Reynolds Dagogo-Jack
Adams Dabotorudima , Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly
Diminas Dagogo , film director
Reynolds Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack (born 1957), politician
Sumner Dagogo-Jack (born 1930), civil servant
Harold Dappa-Biriye (born 1920), politician
Agbani Darego (born 1982), first black woman from Africa to win Miss World
George Datoru (born 1978), soccer player
Tam David-West (1936–2019), academic and former federal minister
Sam Dede , actor and politician
Blessing Didia , medical doctor
Tonto Dikeh (born 1985), actress and singer[ 3]
Duncan Dokiwari (born 1973), boxer
Hilda Dokubo , actress
Eddy Lord Dombraye (born 1979), soccer player
E
Kaniye Ebeku (born 1961), Commissioner for Education, lawyer
Ngozi Ebere (born 1991), soccer player
Emmanuel Ebiede (born 1978), soccer player
Frank Eke (1931–2013), Deputy Governor of Rivers State
Obinna Ekezie (born 1975), basketball player
Boniface S. Emerengwa , lawyer
Tamara Eteimo (born 1987), actress and singer
Sam Sam Etetegwung , politician and lawmaker
Dino Eze (born 1984), soccer player
Victor Ezeji (born 1981), soccer player
Sandra Ezekwesili (born 1989), radio personality
Chinedu Ezimora (born 1985), soccer player
F
G
Muma Gee
Muma Gee (born 1978), singer and actress[ 4]
Finidi George (born 1971), retired soccer player
Odeni George (born 1995), soccer player
Rose A. George (1946–2010), First Lady of Rivers State
Rufus Ada George (born 1940), Governor of Rivers State
Manuela George-Izunwa (born 1974), co-senior pastor of Gateway Church, lawyer, former commissioner of women affa5irs, Rivers State
Alabo George Kelly , politician and surveyor
Rufus Godwins , lawyer and civil servant
Alabo Graham-Douglas (born 1939), Senior Advocate of Nigeria
Bikiya Graham-Douglas (born 1983), actress and businesswoman
Damiete Charles Granville (born 1988), model
J. A. Green (1873–1905), photographer
Rosemund Dienye Green-Osahogulu (born 1956), vice-chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education
H
I
Tele Ikuru
Lady IB , singer
Ikuinyi O. Ibani , Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly
Christian Ibeagha (born 1990), soccer player
John Ibeh (born 1986), soccer player
Tonye Ibiama (born 1974), businessman
Bernie Ibini-Isei (born 1992), soccer player
David Ibiyeomie (born 1962), founder of Salvation Ministries
Osinakachukwu Ideozu (born 1965), estate surveyor, senator
Catherine Uju Ifejika (born 1959), lawyer
Chinyere Igwe (born 1965), politician
Faith Ikidi (born 1987), soccer player
John Ikuru (1877–1947), Okama of Ikuru Town, Andoni
Tele Ikuru (born 1966), Deputy Governor of Rivers State
Manasseh Ishiaku (born 1983), soccer player
J
Patience Jonathan
K
Isaac Kamalu , Commissioner of Finance, legal practitioner
Ignatius Kattey (born 1948), Archbishop, Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria
Kenneth Kobani , Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment
Roseline Konya , professor
Fred Kpakol , chairman of Gokana Local Government Council
Magnus L. Kpakol (born 1934), former chief economic adviser to Nigerian president Jonathan
George T. Kurubo (1934–2000), former ambassador to Soviet Union
L
M
Prince Eze Madumere
Duncan Mighty
M-Trill (born 1979), rapper
Davis Mac-Iyalla (born 1972), activist
Chiamaka Madu (born 1996), soccer player
Prince Eze Madumere (born 1964), former Deputy Governor, Imo State
Lee Ledogo Maeba (born 1966), politician
Martyns Mannah (born 1975), member of the House of Assembly
Rosemary Marcus , cyclist
Ibiapuye Martyns-Yellowe (born 1945), politician
Maud Meyer , jazz singer
Duncan Wene Mighty (born 1983), musician
Kenneth Minimah (born 1959), Chief of Army Staff
Oliver Mobisson (1943–2010), activist
Barry Mpigi (born 1961), Senator Rivers East
N
Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele (born 1963), academic
Otonti Amadi Nduka (born 1926), dean of education at the University of Port Harcourt
Jerry Needam (born 1966), journalist, newspaper publisher and politician
Martin Newland (born 1961), journalist and executive director
Peter Nieketien (born 1968), former soccer player
Chimaroke Nnamani (born 1960), politician
Ike Nwachukwu (born 1940), politician
Chidi Nwanu (born 1967), soccer player
Olaka Nwogu (born 1965), retired civil servant, and senator
David Nwolokor (born 1996), soccer player
Chibudom Nwuche , politician
Ogbonna Nwuke (born 1959), journalist
Benji Nzeakor (born 1964), retired soccer player
O
Chidi Odiah
Walter Ofonagoro
Philip Obele (born 1958), king of Eleme
Saint Obi (1965–2023), actor
Felix A. Obuah , businessman and politician
Chidi Odiah (born 1983), soccer player
Glory Odiase (born 1993), cyclist
Mary Odili (born 1952), former First Lady of Rivers State , and Justice of the Supreme Court (retired)
Peter Odili (born 1948), Governor of Rivers State doctor, founder of Pamo University of Health Sciences
Walter Ofonagoro (born 1940), scholar, businessman
King Otuo Ogbalakon (1772–1846), Andoni warrior king
Clem Ohameze (born 1965), actor
Emmanuel Okah , lawyer
Daisy W. Okocha (born 1951), former Justice of the Rivers State High Court
Agnes Okoh , founder of Christ Holy Church International
Otonyetarie Okoye , civil servant
Chinelo Okparanta (born 1981), writer
Aaron Samuel Olanare (born 1994), soccer player
Celestine Omehia (born 1959), Governor of Rivers State
Emeka Onowu (born 1984), political leader
Jimitota Onoyume , journalist
Elkanah Onyeali (1939–2008), soccer player
Daniel Onyekachi (born 1985), soccer player
Austin Opara (born 1963), member of the House of Representatives
Yvonne Orji (born 1983), actress
Kelechi Osunwa (born 1984), soccer player
Felicity Okpete Ovai (born 1961), engineer
Frank Owhor (born 1958), Attorney General of Rivers State, Federal Commissioner for RMAFC
Richard Daddy Owubokiri (born 1961), retired soccer player
Ukel Oyaghiri (born 1964), lawyer, politician
Boma Ozobia , lawyer
P
Dakuku Peterside
S
T
Marco Tagbajumi (born 1988), soccer player
Austin Tam-George , communication and industrial relations specialist
Tekena Tamuno (1932–2015), historian
Cleopatra Tawo , radio personality
Odagme Theophilus (born 1974), medical doctor
Elsie Nwanwuri Thompson , lawyer
Timaya (born 1977), singer
Gabriel Toby , Deputy Governor of Rivers State
Nwankwo Tochukwu (born 1986), soccer player
Hector Tubonemi (born 1988), soccer player
U
Mary Uranta
W
Waconzy
Waconzy (born 1983), singer, songwriter
Adewale Wahab (born 1984), soccer player
Obi Wali (1932–1993), activist
Okey Wali (born 1958), president of the Nigerian Bar Association
Ezekiel Warigbani , youth advocate, politician
Taribo West (born 1974), soccer player
Eberechi Wike (born 1972), First Lady of Rivers State
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (born 1967), Governor of Rivers State
Tasie Wike , lawyer
Kay Williamson (1935–2005), linguist
Jim Wiwa (1904–2005), chief of the Ogoni people
Owens Wiwa (born 1957), medical doctor and human rights activist
Chukwuemeka Woke , chief of staff, Rivers State Government ; former chairman of Emohua
Y
See also
References