Festus Porbeni

Festus Bikepre Igbeyinadun Porbeni, CFR is a Nigerian retired naval officer, politician, and sports administrator.

Background and personal life Porbeni was born in May 1946 in Abari, Delta State, Nigeria. He married Gladys Dubling-Green in 1974; the couple had two sons and two daughters. Gladys Dubling-Green is now deceased.

Career

Naval career In 1971, He was appointed as Executive Officer, NNS Enugu, and Commanding Officer of NNS Argungu in 1974, and was redeployed as Pioneer Officer in-charge of Naval Training School, Port Harcourt in 1976. He became Navigational Officer and First Lieutenant in 1977, and in 1978 NNS Obuma and Commanding Officer, NNS Ruwan Yaro, and was appointed as Executive Officer, NNS Akaso in the same year. In 1979 he became the Flotilla Operations Officer.

He was appointed Minister of Transport during the transitional government of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, serving from 1998 until the return to civilian rule in 1999.

Sports administration Porbeni has been active in sports governance. He served as President of the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation (NRCSF) and as Vice President of the Confederation of African Canoeing (CAC).

Later roles After retirement from active service, Porbeni entered business and served in corporate roles, including as a non-executive director for Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc. He also held the position of Honorary Consul of Romania to the Niger Delta Region.

Honours and awards

Member of the Nautical Institute, London Forces Staff Medal (Nigeria) Medal of Equatorial Guinea Military Merit, Second Class