In recognition of his decades of community service, philanthropy, and contributions to ICT, law, education, and media development in Nigeria, Africa, and globally, Delta-born professor and cybersecurity expert, Prof. Alex Atawa Osondu Akpodiete, has been conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of “Atavwa” by the Okparabe Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The title, which translates to “The One That Tells the Truth” in Urhobo language, was bestowed upon him by His Royal Majesty, Andrew Oghenevwodo Osakpa III, the Ovie of Okparabe Kingdom, on February 14, 2025. The ceremony coincided with Valentine’s Day celebrations and was attended by dignitaries, traditional leaders, and members of the community.

Speaking to Vanguard Newspaper in a telephone interview, Prof. Akpodiete expressed gratitude for the honor, reaffirming his commitment to community development and humanitarian service.

“On February 14, 2025, I was honored by my ancestral community as they bestowed upon me the traditional chieftaincy title of ‘Atavwa r’ Ovie Okparabe Kingdom’—the one that tells the truth. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly, and I will continue to serve my people and Africans in general,” he stated.

Prof. Akpodiete highlighted his various humanitarian efforts, which include education, disaster relief, medical assistance, school and exam fee aid, and micro-business startup support for women. He expressed appreciation to the traditional ruler, the Palace Council of Chiefs, and the community at large, dedicating the honor to God’s grace and guidance.

Prof. Alex Akpodiete is a distinguished Professor of Law, Cybersecurity, and Cyber Forensics, with expertise spanning digital forensics, security and intelligence studies, data science, and legal consultancy. He is the CEO and Senior Cybersecurity Analyst at Atawa Technologies LLC, with offices in the United States, Dubai, and Nigeria.

His academic and professional credentials include:

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD – Law) – University of Miami School of Law

PhD in Cybersecurity Leadership – Capitol Technology University

MBA in Business Administration – Mt. St. Mary’s University

Bachelor’s in Computer Science – Florida State University

Associates in Applied Science (Cybersecurity) with High Honors – Frederick Community College

Graduate of: U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP), and Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)

Industry Certifications: AWS Cloud Practitioner, ITIL, PMP, Security+, Network+, and CASP+ (CompTIA’s highest global cybersecurity certification)

Prof. Akpodiete currently serves as a Professor of Cybersecurity and Cyber Forensics at a U.S. university and consults on cybersecurity and leadership projects in the Middle East. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked in various capacities, including as a legal practitioner, intelligence and security studies professor, business law and ethics lecturer, and systems analyst for PwC.

Prof. Akpodiete has also contributed to U.S. government cybersecurity initiatives, including serving as a curriculum evaluator for the State of Maryland Higher Education Commission and contributing to the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

His leadership in cybersecurity, metaverse technologies, NFTs, digital forensics, business strategy, and project management has earned him global recognition.

With the Chieftaincy Title of “Atavwa”, Prof. Akpodiete has now added a traditional honor to his already illustrious career, further solidifying his reputation as a truthful and dedicated leader committed to societal development.