The Bayelsa State Government has approved the conferment of the Bayelsa State @30 Award on Anthony George Ikoli, SAN, grandson of nationalist and pioneering journalist Ernest Sisei Ikoli, in recognition of his distinguished service and contribution to the state.
The award ceremony was scheduled to hold on October 1, 2026, at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, beginning at 4 p.m., according to an invitation signed by the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei.
In a separate letter, the state government also approved a posthumous award for Ernest Sisei Ikoli, one of Nigeria’s early nationalists and journalists, in recognition of his contribution to journalism.
The government invited the family of Ernest Sisei Ikoli to attend the ceremony and receive the posthumous honour on behalf of the late nationalist and journalist.
The decision meant that Anthony George Ikoli, who is a grandson of Ernest Ikoli, would be honoured at the same ceremony at which the legacy of his grandfather would also be formally recognised.
In the letter addressed to Anthony Ikoli, the state government said the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State had approved his selection for the Bayelsa State @30 Award under the category of distinguished service and contribution to Bayelsa State.
The invitation conveyed the governor’s congratulations to Anthony Ikoli and requested his attendance at the ceremony in Yenagoa. The second invitation similarly extended the governor’s congratulations to the family of Ernest Ikoli over the posthumous recognition.
The dual recognition brought together two generations of the Ikoli family, with Anthony Ikoli receiving an award for distinguished service and contribution to Bayelsa State, while his grandfather, Ernest Sisei Ikoli, was honoured posthumously for his contribution to journalism.
