Who is Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, new administrator of Rivers?

On Tuesday evening, President Bola Tinubu announced the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, for six months.

In a nationwide broadcast, Tinubu also suspended all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

The president declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing prolonged political instability and alleged constitutional breaches by Governor Fubara. The decision follows an ongoing power struggle between the governor and the state’s House of Assembly, which is loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

To oversee the state’s affairs during the emergency period, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state administrator.

Who is Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas?

Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas was born on 27 September 1960.

He is a retired Nigerian Navy vice admiral, who was the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Nigerian Navy from 2015 to 2021.

Ibas was born in Nko, Cross River State, South South Nigeria.

He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 26 Regular Course on 20 June 1979 and was commissioned sub-lieutenant on 1 January 1983.

He began his primary education at Nko Primary School, Nko, in 1966 and completed at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar in 1971. He then proceeded to the prestigious Hope Waddell Training Institute Calabar from 1972 to 1976. Between 1977 and 1979, he attended the School of Basic Studies Ogoja before proceeding to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979.

He is also an alumnus of the National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan, having attended the National Defence Course from August 2005 to June 2006. In addition he holds a master’s degree in defence and strategic studies from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan.

In the course of a distinguished service in the Nigerian Navy, Ibas has earned several prestigious awards, including the Silver Jubilee Medal, ECOMOG Medal, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star and the General Service Star. Others are the Passed Staff Course (DAGGER) and a Fellow of the NDC.

In October 2022, a Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari

He is married to Theresa Ibas and they are blessed with 3 children.

His enjoys reading, watching documentaries and playing golf