Linda Olisa Esego Middleton
President RSN INC
Leadership
Our leadership oversees,runs and coordinate all administrative function of the foundation with a view to bring all River State descent in diaspora together.
Executive Officers
Our executives bring tremendous experience, visionary thinking and a shared commitment to excellence, creativity and innovation to the day to day operation of the foundation.
Linda Olisa Esego Middleton
President RSN INC
Deaconess Linda Olisa Esego Middleton is the CEO of Kaleidoscope Business Group LLC, a company born out of passion for the promotion of investments in Africa; particularly Nigeria and she is the organize of the Annual kaleidoscope business conference. She has taken on the role of an ambassador who promotes Nigeria’s image globally. Linda has held various positions such as Public Relations Officer, Voice of Women in Africa; Chief Welfare Officer, Rivers State Women Association Abuja, Board member Gold Star Wives of America Inc, NIDO Event Coordinator 2015, . In service of the Nigerian Diaspora community, Mrs. Linda Middleton has established a proven track record of successful, selfless volunteerism; with strong vision, high energy and dedication to promoting the image and organizing activities of several Diaspora-based organizations. The most recent Nigeria Diaspora events include: the 2015 Annual General Meeting of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in the Americas (NIDOA, the head of Nigerian Youth Development in Abuja and is also a promoter of the inclusion of physically challenged individuals in Nigeria and India.
Linda is also the CEO of African Theatrical Projects Limited which promotes Nigerian cultural content. Her most recent venture; Nigerian Aquaponics LLC, was conceived with the intent of training Nigerian youth in agriculture for self-sustenance. Linda was married to late Harold A. Middleton and has two children. She became a member of the Gold Star Wives of America in 2013 and was elected as president of the Atlanta chapter in April 2014 till date. She is the newly Elected PRO Rivers State Foundation Inc. USA and enjoy assisting fellow Rivers People in any where possible. Deaconess Linda Middleton holds BSc. Linda feel very special to promote Nigeria Infrastructural Development Project globally and passionate about the state of Nigeria affairs and eager to use these fundaments to enhance lives within our community by reaching out to international donors to help with our goal and vision.
Business Development & Project Management, Professional Marketing; which is focused on business promotion between North America and Africa. Specialties: Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Sales & Marketing, Private Equity, Start-ups, Social Development and Market Growth Concept/Idea development.
Experience Advisory Consultant: Managing major concept and event project(s) for the companies; working closely with International partners promoting art and culture, while sourcing and negotiating new opportunities for the companies and partnering with various countries, such as India, Hungarian, Israel and OPIC.
Engr. Stephen J. Benstowe (JP)
Vice President RSF INC
Engr. Stephen J. Benstowe (JP)
Vice President RSF INC
Stephen J. Benstowe is a dedicated indigene of Bonny Kingdom and a well-respected professional in public service with the State of New Jersey, United States of America. He is a strong community advocate and supporter of the advancement of Nigeria. He holds a Master of Science (MS) degree in Occupational Safety and Health Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, New Jersey, a Bachelor of Technology degree (B. Tech) in Marine Engineering from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. He is an experienced engineer, strong community development advocate and an accomplished intellectual.
A man well recognized for his numerous achievements and immense contributions to the society, and general welfare of his people, he was found worthy by the Governor of Rivers State to be appointed a Justice of Peace in 2016.
He has remained in the consciousness of his friends and contemporaries as a builder of human social bridges, a teacher, technocrat, a man of transparent honesty and humility and an unshakable believer in the unity not only of Bonny Kingdom, Rivers State, but also of Nigeria. He was a scholar at the USA National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) a registered engineer and holds membership of several prestigious national and international professional organizations such as: the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, COREN, the American Society of Safety Professionals, the Nigeria Society of Engineers, and the Philadelphia Maritime Society. Stephen is a founding member and one time chairman of the Ijaw Foundation Inc. USA, Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress – North America, Chairman of the Bonny Kingdom Study Group, leader of the Ibani-se (Bonny Community) USA, member of the Nigeria Diaspora Organization USA and a regional director of the Rivers State Foundation Inc.
Born in Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State Nigeria, he had his primary and secondary education at Boyle Memorial and Bonny National Grammar Schools Bonny. For professional and university education he graduated from Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt with a B. Tech degree in Marine Engineering and later obtained a master’s degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark in the area of Occupational Safety and Health Engineering.
Stephen served Nigeria in the compulsory “National Youth Service Program” devoting his time as a servant with the Nigeria Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research Lagos 1985-86, lecturing students in “Marine Engineering and Nautical Sciences“. Upon completing the service, Stephen gained an appointment with the then Nigeria National Shipping Line Lagos as a Marine Engineer. He contributed his expertise in maritime operations to the Nigeria nation between 1986 and 1995.He has worked for Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. as Construction planning engineer in new ship constructions and currently works for the State of New Jersey as Environmental/Safety Manager managing human resources, high-end projects, and environmental/ safety operations to safeguard the environment, workers, and the public. He is an authorized safety trainer in all regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of the United States of America.
Stephen has been and a participant in most professional enrichment seminars of affiliated associations in the USA and Nigeria. He has presented several papers on Niger Delta problems such as; Using Peaceful Strategies to Address the Niger Delta Development Issues: The Bonny Module and alsoSustainable Development Policy: A Tool for Peace and Increased Oil and Gas Operations in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.
He is the currently the Vice President of Rivers State Foundation Inc. USA.
Mike Akoka
Public Relations Officer
Mike Akoka
Public Relations Officer
Joy Nathans
Treasurer
Joy Nathans
Treasurer
Board Members
Rivers State Foundation INC is an organization made up of individuals with like minds, bringing a diverse range of knowledge, perspective and experience to guide and drive long-term goals of the Foundation.
Atty. Francis S Barikor
Chairman Board of Directors
Atty. Francis S Barikor
Chairman Board of Directors
Francis Sunday Barikor was born in Bomu, Gokana-Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria. Mr. Barikor has an interesting background. He attended Government Vocational Training Center, Port Harcourt, where he obtained his City and Guilds Certificate in Telecommunications in conjunction with the General Certificate in Education (GCE). Upon completion of his post-primary education, Mr. Barikor worked with the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation as a Technical Officer. He later taught at Government Trade Center, Brass, in the old Rivers State, before proceeding to the former Rivers State College of Science and Technology (CST), Port Harcourt, where he enrolled in the Department of Electrical Engineering. Mr. Barikor left CST upon completion of his first year and travelled to the United States.
In the US, Mr. Barikor attended and graduated from Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN, with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering (with a minor in Mathematics). Following a brief stint of employment, Mr. Barikor enrolled at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, where he obtained a graduate degree (MPH) in Health Administration and Policy. Following graduation, Mr. Barikor was offered an Administrative Fellowship by the National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., Washington, DC and posted to a Community Health Center in Tucson, AZ. Upon completion of his Fellowship, Mr. Barikor was retained by the Health Center and served in various positions of increasing responsibility for a period over 8 years.
In 1999, Mr. Barikor opted to try a new vocation. He enrolled full-time at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, School of Law. During his last two years of Law School, Mr. served as a Legal Intern in the Office of General Counsel, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Inc., Albuquerque. Upon graduation and passing the bar exam, Mr. Barikor was retained by the Organization where he worked in healthcare regulatory compliance administration for 3 years before joining Bannerman and Williams, PC, a medium size law firm in Albuquerque, as an Associate. Mr. Barikor remained with the firm for 3 years before relocating to Maryland in 2008. Mr. Barikor is currently in private practice as a solo practitioner. Mr. Barikor is a member of the Maryland Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, and the Bar of the State of New Mexico (Inactive Status).
Mrs Caroline Egbelu
Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Mrs Caroline Egbelu
Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Caroline Egbelu is the Financial Secretary of Rivers State Foundation, Inc. She is an American Citizen of Ekpeye decent and a member of Usama Ekpeye USA, an organization for Ekpeye in diaspora. Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality is an ethnic group in Rivers State, Nigeria that is located in Ahoada West and Ahoada East Local Government Areas in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Caroline joins RSFI with years of leadership experience in social organizations including Usama Ekpeye where she served as the financial secretary and Vice President on the executive team as well as member and Chair of Usama Ekpeye board of directors.
Caroline is the owner and managing director of Health Enhanced Foods, a food processing and manufacturing business in New Jersey.
Caroline was educated in Nigeria and USA. She is a proud graduate of County High School, Ahoada, a premier boarding high school in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Her academic qualifications include:
Ordinary National Diploma in Agricultural Economics from Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria; B.Sc. Agricultural Economics and Farm Management; and MBA in Finance, both from Penn State University in Pennsylvania USA.
Caroline is a licensed insurance agent and financial advisor. Her professional experiences range from risk manager, as a college funding advisor, real estate developer to food processing and manufacturing entrepreneur.
Outside her professional interests, Caroline’s passion is Ekpeye history and finding practical solutions to contemporary issues challenging ethnic communities including women’s issues.
She is interested in creating opportunities to encourage entrepreneurship and financial independence among youth in Rivers State.
Her goal as the RSFI Financial Secretary is to ensure that financial decisions are transparent and well communicated to members.
She can be contacted by email at EKPEYETALK@GMAIL.COM.
Dr. Eric U. Dogini
Member
Dr. Eric U. Dogini
Member
Dr. Eric U. Dogini is the Director and Coordinator of Mass Communication Program and professor of Mass Communication in the Department of English Foreign Language and Mass communications at Alcorn State University.
Dr. Dogini has broad experience in Higher Education, Audio Production, Public Relations, Sport Media, Digital Filmmaking and Video Production. Dr. Dogini have taught at several Institutions of Higher learning, and he is a researcher, producer, reviewer, and a publisher. He has published several scholarly articles in refereed journals. His most recent publication was “Niger Delta Migration: The Trials and Triumph of Rivers Folks in Diaspora”, “Journal of Social and Political Sciences”.
Dr.Dogini moderated and presented at several conferences. Dr. Dogini partnered with Glassrock Entertainment to screen the movie CRU, that won an award at the American Black Film Festival and Bronze Lens Film Festival. He was recognized as the Academic Advising All-Star, honored by the Former Governor of Mississippi State, His Excellency Governor William Winter as the William Winter Scholars at the 28th Annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration, founder and advisor of Alpha Chi Alpha Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta an honor society of National Communication Association, member of University Faculty Senate, founder and the advisor of University Broadcast Club, nominated for Aldridge-McMillan Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching and won several awards and certificates. He was the President of Usama Ekpeye USA, Inc., Board Director member of Usama Ekpeye USA, Inc. and South Atlantic Regional Board Director member of Rivers State Foundation Inc. He is a member of Audio Engineering Society (AES), Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Leadership and Mentoring Institute (LMI), American Association of Black in Higher Education (AABHE) and Georgia Communication Association (GCA).
Sir (Dr) Eddy B. Kaka
Member
Sir (Dr) Eddy B. Kaka
Member
Sir (Dr) Eddy B. Kaka is currently the District Manager with the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, in the State of Illinois, USA. A former Project Administrator & Program Director with the government of the City of Chicago. He holds a BA in International Relations and an MS in Public Service Management from DePaul University in Chicago, IL and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. He is an erudite Community leader and a Commander of the Order of the Knight of Saint Christopher—CKSC of the Anglican Communion.
He is a Partner and Public Policy Consultant with Ed & Ed Global Services. A fellow with the Institute for Polarities of Democracy and an environmental rights advocate. He is an adept innovative problem solver, communicator, results-driven project and program management professional with first-rate skills in directing complex, integrated programs, and initiatives. He is particularly an icon in project planning, analysis/evaluation, and policy development in both public sector and non-profit organizations.