10 Things to know about newly appointed Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

Here are ten key facts about him:

1. Former Chief of Naval Staff – Ibas served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Nigerian Navy from 2015 to 2021.

2. Born in Cross River State – He was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State.

3. Joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 – He became part of the 26 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1983.

4. Trained in India and the U.S. – Ibas attended several military training programs abroad, including the INS Venduruthy Technical Course in India and the Amphibious Warfare School at the U.S. Marine Corps University in Virginia.

5. Has a Master’s Degree – He holds a Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan.

6. Held Key Military Appointments – He served in various capacities, including Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Chief of Logistics, Chief of Administration, and Deputy Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

7. Former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Navy – Ibas was once the Naval Provost Marshal, overseeing discipline and security in the Nigerian Navy.

8. Received a National Honor – In October 2022, former President Muhammadu Buhari honored him with the title of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

9. Harvard Alumni – Ibas attended Harvard Kennedy School in the United States for a leadership development program in 2013.

10. Member of Top Professional Bodies – He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

With his vast experience in military administration and security, Vice Admiral Ibas is now tasked with managing the affairs of Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Appointment As Sole Administrator of Rivers State

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) 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 Governor Siminalayi Fubara was suspended for an initial period of six months.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” Tinubu stated.

He further clarified that the judicial arm of government in Rivers State remains unaffected by the declaration. “For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate,” he added.

More Insights on Profile

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, is a retired Navy officer who served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021.

He began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1983. He attended various military training programs both in Nigeria and abroad, including the Indian Navy’s Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course and the US Marine Corps University’s Amphibious Warfare program.

Throughout his career, Ibas held key positions in the Nigerian Navy, including Chief of Administration, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Chief of Logistics, and the Group Managing Director of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited. His leadership and expertise earned him the prestigious national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022, conferred by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Apart from his military career, Ibas is a member of several professional organizations, including the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management. He has also attended leadership programs at Harvard Kennedy School in the United States and international security exhibitions in Israel and the United Kingdom.

With his extensive experience in security and administration, Ibas is now set to oversee the affairs of Rivers State under Tinubu’s directive.