Franklin F. Peterside, Esq., is a distinguished Nigerian lawyer and Chairman of Godiya Women Education and Sustainable Development (GoWESDI). He obtained his law degree in 1984 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. As the Principal Partner and Founder of the global law firm, Peterside is a respected member of various professional organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD).

Peterside is a prominent figure in the legal community and continues to play a significant role in the dynamics of the Port Harcourt Bar of the Nigerian Bar Association. He has also demonstrated a strong commitment to youth development, including having served as the Deputy President of the Scouts Association of Nigeria, Rivers State.

Dr. Yakubu Ibn Muhammed is a media consultant, a former Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority and currently serves on the board of many organisations. Ibn Mohammed’s expertise and exposure add to his wealth of experience; he is a versatile, invaluable asset to GoWESDI.

Yakubu Ibn Mohammed began his media career as a civil servant in 1977 when he joined the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Jos, Plateau State, as a current affairs news producer. He served in various capacities, rising through the ranks to attain management status with the media giant. His service experience includes serving as Controller of News and Current Affairs at the Nigerian Television Authority in Jos, General Manager of the Nigerian Television Authority in Bauchi, Director of News at the NTA headquarters, and Executive Director of Special Services at the NTA headquarters.  

With over 30 years of experience as a Lawyer, Barrister, and Advocate, Idris has dedicated his career to promoting justice, human rights, and safety in Nigeria and beyond. As a seasoned consultant, Bawa has worked with government agencies, NGOs, and international organisations to drive reforms in the justice sector, police, and governance.

His expertise spans access to justice, police reforms, legislative advocacy, and human rights, with a proven track record of establishing key initiatives like the Justice Sector Reform Committees and Community Policing Structures. Idris contributed to landmark legislation, including the Child Rights Act, 2003, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. 

Idris collaborated in developing strategic plans for organisations like the Nigeria Police Force and the National Human Rights Commission. Idris’ notable contributions to policing and police reforms include the development of policing plans in line with the Community Policing Framework/Rollout Plan and supporting the development and the restructuring of internal and external accountability mechanisms of the Nigeria Police Force (Complaint Response Unit – CRU, the National Human Rights Commission – NHRC, and the Police Service Commission – PSC). Idris was also the Middle Belt States’ Technical Coordinator for the GIZ PEACECORE Project.

 Iveren Ityoikaa is a senior partnerships and resource mobilization leader with over 20 years of experience building and stewarding multi-stakeholder collaborations across Africa and the global diaspora. Her work focuses on aligning institutional priorities, capital, and execution capacity to drive measurable systems-level impact.

At GoWESDI, Iveren brings strategic vision and global perspective to the board, strengthening the organization’s ability to advance women’s education, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. She supports the design of cross-sector engagement frameworks that bridge institutional partners, philanthropic platforms, and community networks, ensuring that programs not only inspire but are structured for delivery and long-term resilience.

Legal Trailblazer | History Buff | Insolvency Expert | Chartered Arbitrator | GoWESDI Initial Funder

Michael Ochuko Bianeyin's journey is a testament to the power of diverse interests. This proud alumnus of the University of Benin, with dual degrees in History (B.A. (Hons.) 1990) and Law (LLB Hons. 1997), has carved a niche in Nigeria's legal landscape. He was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria after bagging a BL at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja. His academic prowess continued at Rivers State University, where his focused research on "Legal Mechanisms of Tackling Insolvency of Companies in Nigeria" earned him an outstanding LLM.

As a Legal Practitioner, Michael is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt branch, and practices corporate and commercial law in Port Harcourt, Abuja and other parts of Nigeria, bringing expertise and passion to his work. He is also an experienced arbitrator with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to fairness. Skilled in resolving complex disputes through efficient, impartial, and enforceable decisions. Michael is trusted by parties seeking resolutions to conflicts to deliver authoritative and binding awards. 

A Lawyer who specialises in compliance- and ethics related issues. Uchechi holds an LLM (International Law) and an MPhil both from the University of Aberdeen. She is a Notary Public, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and also a qualified Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales. 

Her contribution on compliance issues is available via www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com. Her work also includes the chapter contribution, The internally displaced persons in Nigeria: challenges to implementing the Kampala Convention in the book titled Emerging Legal Frontiers in Nigeria: Crosscutting issues on Governance, Security and Politics, and SK Agwu, U Dibiaezue & N Chijioke, ‘Pathways to Reforming Pre-Trial Detention in Nigeria: PPDC’s Access to Justice Contributions’ (2023) 5 (II) Kampala International University Law Journal (KIULJ) 161 available via  https://doi.org/10.59568/KIULJ-2023-5-2-08. Whilst with the law firm A&E Law Partnership, Uchechi led the publication of the handbook, Guide for Doing Business in Nigeria: Basic Entry/Licensing Requirements and Permits in Selected Sectors in Nigeria available via www.authorhouse.com.

A Trailblazing Communicator and Cultural Advocate. 

With over 30 years of experience in the media industry, Anastasia Ogbonna is a seasoned communications expert and Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Abuja. Her impressive career is marked by numerous accolades, including the prestigious 

Ministerial and Presidential Award for Excellence in 2022, which she received while serving at the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

A prolific writer, Ogbonna has won several literary awards, showcasing her talent and passion for storytelling. Her love for words and narratives extends beyond her professional work, as she collaborates with custodians of culture to 

preserve and promote Nigeria's rich cultural heritage. She is a vocal advocate for the preservation of Nigerian languages, regularly speaking at fora and encouraging parents and guardians to teach children their mother tongue.

Ngozi Okolonji is a seasoned legal practitioner and governance professional with over two decades of experience in legal practice, adjudication, and institutional oversight. She was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and served as a Magistrate in the Anambra State Judiciary, where she presided over civil and criminal matters with integrity, fairness, and disciplined judicial reasoning.

Her judicial background provides a strong foundation in regulatory interpretation, procedural compliance, documentation standards, and ethical governance. With a meticulous eye for detail and a firm commitment to accountability, she ensures that GoWESDI operates in full alignment with its statutory obligations, internal policies, and best practices.

As Compliance Director, Ngozi is dedicated to strengthening institutional transparency, safeguarding organizational credibility, and promoting responsible stewardship in the pursuit of GoWESDI’s mission.

An experienced Legal Practitioner, a dedicated public servant, a skilled mediator, a Rotarian, and an advocate for women's and children’s social justice.

With more than 25 years of expertise in corporate and criminal law, she has a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape and a demonstrated ability to manage complex legal matters effectively. She possesses an Honours LLB degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a BL from the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, and an LLM with distinction from the University of Law, Manchester, United Kingdom, where her thesis focused on "A Critical Evaluation of the Degree to which Nigeria Meets its Obligation to Political and Educational Rights: A Case Study of Women’s Rights in Nigeria".

Ojoma’s professional expertise includes a proven track record of effectively managing high-profile criminal cases, along with extensive corporate experience as an acting company secretary, specialising in contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, and governance. As a Chartered Mediator, she is a trusted partner in dispute resolution, leveraging expertise to facilitate constructive dialogue and drive mutually beneficial outcomes. Skilled in navigating complex conflicts, fostering creative solutions, and promoting lasting agreements.

Marketing Manager, NTA-Educational Television

Aishatu E. Mokebe is the Marketing Manager at NTA-Educational Television, bringing over a decade of high-level experience in broadcast marketing and media production to the network. An expert in content strategy and audience engagement, Aishatu is responsible for elevating the brand presence of Nigeria’s premier educational broadcaster.

Aishatu’s professional journey includes a significant stint with ITV Anglia Television in Norwich, United Kingdom, where she gained valuable international exposure to commercial broadcasting standards and production excellence. This experience, combined with her years of producing 

programmes for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), has given her a unique dual perspective on global media trends and local content needs. She holds an MA in Media Production, a qualification that anchors her strategic marketing decisions in deep technical and creative knowledge.