Collins Julius Pekene (1933 – 2004)
Collins Julius Pekene (1933–2004) was a distinguished educational administrator and scholar from Nembe, Bayelsa State. He served as the pioneer Registrar of the Rivers State College of Education (now Ignatius Ajuru University of Education), Port Harcourt, for over 20 years. With a strong commitment to education, he helped many Ijaw students access tertiary institutions. He was also an active member of the Ijaw National Congress and contributed to the Pan Ijaw movement. Pekene’s legacy includes his pivotal role in advancing education in old Rivers State, where he empowered countless individuals to pursue higher education and improve their qualifications.