President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. The appointment, announced on Tuesday, March 18, comes after the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara for an initial period of six months.
Early Life and Education
Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State. He began his primary education at Nko Primary School and completed it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971. He then attended the prestigious Hope Waddell Training Institute in Calabar from 1972 to 1976. Afterward, he proceeded to the School of Basic Studies in Ogoja before enrolling in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 26th Regular Course on June 20, 1979. He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
Military Career
Vice Admiral Ibas has had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Navy, holding several key positions and undergoing extensive training both locally and internationally. His notable appointments include:
- Commanding Officer: He served as the commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997–1998) and the Forward Operating Base Ibaka (1998–2000).
- Directing Staff: He was a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from 2000 to 2002 and later returned as the Director of the Department of Maritime Warfare (2009–2010) and Deputy Commandant (2014).
- Chief of Naval Staff: Ibas served as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) from July 13, 2015, to 2021, overseeing significant reforms and modernization efforts in the Nigerian Navy.
Professional Development
Ibas has attended numerous military courses, including:
- Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy, India (1983–1984).
- Primary Pilot Training at the Nigerian Airforce Base, Kaduna (1986–1987).
- Amphibious Warfare School, United States Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia (1992–1993).
- National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan (2005–2006), where he earned a Master’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University.
Honours and Recognitions
In October 2022, Ibas was conferred with the Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is also a member of several professional organizations, including the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
Appointment as Sole Administrator
As the newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibas brings a wealth of experience in leadership, administration, and crisis management. His role will involve overseeing the affairs of the state during the six-month state of emergency, ensuring stability, and addressing the underlying issues that led to the crisis.
President Tinubu emphasized that the declaration of a state of emergency does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which will continue to function independently.
