President Bola Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the Sole Administrator for Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, for six months.
This move comes in the wake of a state of emergency declared in Rivers to address the ongoing political unrest.
Admiral Ibas, a seasoned military officer with an extensive career in the Nigerian Navy, was previously the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a role he held from 2015 until his retirement in 2021.
His new appointment places him at the helm of governance in the state, where he will oversee efforts to restore order and stability.
Below are things to know about the new administrator:
- Born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Ibas embarked on his military career in 1979 when he enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy.
- He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1983 and has since undertaken numerous prestigious training programmes, including courses in Underwater Warfare, Amphibious Warfare, and Defence and Strategic Studies.
- Ibas has held various commanding and staff roles throughout his career, both at sea and in the administration of military operations. He served on several ships, including NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu, before becoming the commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School.
- His other notable positions include Director of Logistics at the Nigerian Navy, Chief of Administration at Naval Headquarters, and Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command.
- In addition to his military expertise, Ibas has contributed to national security and maritime affairs, serving as a key advisor on numerous strategic matters.
- His leadership in the Nigerian Navy culminated in his appointment as Chief of the Naval Staff in 2015, a position he held for six years.
As the Sole Administrator of Rivers, Admiral Ibas will be tasked with overseeing governance and restoring peace in a state grappling with significant political turmoil.
The region has been in crisis following the governor’s suspension and the dissolution of the state legislature, a situation exacerbated by widespread instability and militant activities.
Ibas’s extensive leadership experience in high-stakes environments, particularly his track record in managing complex military operations, positions him as a crucial figure in stabilising the state.
