Royal Court School Inaugurates New Governing Council, Names Ex-NLNG GM Dienye Chairman

Royal Court Private School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has inaugurated a new Governing Council with former General Manager of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Sir Godson Dienye, appointed as its chairman.

The inauguration, held on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the school’s premises on East–West Road, Rumuokini, near the University of Port Harcourt, marked what the institution described as the beginning of a new phase of growth and development.

The new council is expected to strengthen the school’s governance structure, raise academic standards and expand its contribution to education in Rivers State.

Dienye, a former senior executive at NLNG, heads the 13-member council, while Mrs. Boma Okaka, a member of the previous council, was retained as Vice Chairman.

Mr. Tony Epelle, Managing Consultant at SAMUELSON Advisory Partners, was also retained as a member.

Other members of the Governing Council are Dr. (Mrs.) Ruth Ombo Briggs, Prof. Lois Abraham, Dr. Douye Okoba, Engr. Sunny Ade, Victor Graham-Douglas, Esq., Mr Nnazoba Dunu and Madam Sogba Stella Peterside, the Executive Director and Founder.

The School Administrator, Pastor Ere Kala-Ogolo; Principal, Mr. Barnabas Njoku; and Secretary to the Board, Mr. Somina Erekosima, are also members of the council.

Speaking on behalf of the Adolphus Peterside Trust, promoters of the school, former Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, charged the new council to build on the foundation laid by its predecessors.

Peterside thanked the council members for accepting the responsibility, describing their appointment as a demonstration of confidence in the institution and a commitment to its future.

“We recognise that your experience, time and wisdom are valuable, and that this responsibility will make demands on all three,” he said.

He also paid tribute to members of the first Governing Council for their contributions to the development of the school.

According to him, the new council has the responsibility of preparing the institution for its next chapter while safeguarding its mission of developing future leaders.

He said the school’s responsibility extended beyond academic performance to the development of students with character, competence and a sense of responsibility.

“The young people in our classrooms today will one day make decisions that affect families, businesses, communities and nations,” Peterside said.

“Our ambition, therefore, must reach beyond examination results. We must raise young people who possess both competence and conscience; who can think independently, act responsibly and place service above self-interest.”

Peterside said the school’s motto – Godliness, Excellence and Leadership – provided a framework for the council’s responsibilities.

He said godliness should underpin character, excellence should drive the rejection of mediocrity, while leadership should prepare students to accept responsibility and serve their communities.

He further urged council members to demonstrate the integrity, courage and accountability they expect from the students.

Peterside described the transition to the new council as “a transfer of trust, a mandate to govern and a charge to stewardship.”

“Authority must be matched by accountability,” he said, adding that the council’s performance would ultimately be measured by the strength of the institution it builds, the confidence it inspires and the opportunities it creates for students.

He assured the new council that the Adolphus Peterside Trust would respect its independence in carrying out its lawful responsibilities.

“Our role in the Adolphus Peterside Trust will be to support your success, not to establish a parallel authority or undermine your decisions,” he said.

Earlier, the outgoing Chairman of the Governing Council, Pastor George Izunwa, expressed appreciation to the Adolphus Peterside Trust for the confidence reposed in the outgoing council.

Izunwa also thanked members of his council for their support and cooperation throughout their tenure.

The inauguration brings together professionals and education stakeholders with backgrounds spanning business, academia, engineering, law, public administration and school management.

Founded in 2011, Royal Court Private School is an independent, co-educational, boarding-only secondary school in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The school teaches the British National Curriculum within a Nigerian context and says its mission is to develop students into God-fearing and exemplary leaders.

Its guiding motto is “Godliness, Excellence and Leadership.”