By Okosun Dennis
President Bola Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in River State on Tuesday, after months of protracted disharmony between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the members of the State House of Assembly.
As a result, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and all elected lawmakers of the state House of Assembly have been suspended from office for an initial six months.
Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast today, 18th March 2025, has appointed the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas (retd), as Administrator “to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.”
“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,” the president stated.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria, is a distinguished Nigerian naval officer and diplomat. He served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy from July 2015 until his retirement in January 2021. In recognition of his exemplary service, he was appointed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana in 2021.
Educational Background and Naval Training:
Ibas commenced his primary education at Nko Primary School and completed it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971. He attended Hope Waddell Training Institute from 1972 to 1976 and the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja, between 1977 and 1979. His naval career began at the Nigerian Defence Academy on June 20, 1979, as part of the 26th Regular Course, leading to his commission as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
Throughout his career, Ibas pursued advanced military education, including: Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy, India (1983-1984); Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna (1986-1987); Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1990).
Others include Diploma in Amphibious Warfare from the U.S. Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia (1992-1993); Underwater Warfare specialization at the Underwater Warfare School, NNS Quorra (1994-1995); Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1996-1997); National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan, earning a master’s degree in defense and strategic studies from Quaid-i-Azam University (2005-2006).
Naval Career Highlights: Vice Admiral Ibas held numerous key positions within the Nigerian Navy, including: Executive Officer on NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe; Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997-1998); Commander of the Forward Operating Base Ibaka (1998-2000); Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2000-2002).
He was also Naval Provost Marshal (2003-2004); and Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff (2004-2005).
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