By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
IN AN unprecedented move to restore governance in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator of the state following the declaration of a state of emergency on 18 March 2025.
His decision comes in response to prolonged political turmoil and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, a retired naval officer with extensive experience in security and governance, will assume control of the state’s administration.
His mandate, as outlined by the President, is to stabilise governance, restore peace, and ensure that essential state functions resume effectively.
However, his authority is limited to administrative and regulatory measures, as no new laws can be enacted during this period. Any regulations he deems necessary will require approval from the Federal Executive Council before promulgation by the President.
Importantly, the judiciary remains unaffected by this declaration, continuing to operate independently within its constitutional framework. The President has assured the public that these measures are temporary and aimed solely at restoring constitutional order.
The declaration has been officially gazetted, with a copy submitted to the National Assembly for legislative review.
Born on 27 September 1960 in Nko, Cross River State, Ibas began his education at Nko Primary School before completing his primary studies at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971.
He then attended the prestigious Hope Waddell Training Institute from 1972 to 1976 and pursued further studies at the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja, between 1977 and 1979.
In June 1979, he enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26 Regular Course and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on 1 January 1983.
He has since undergone extensive military training both locally and internationally, equipping him with a broad range of strategic and operational expertise.
Military Training and Qualifications
Ibas attended several professional courses, including:
Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course, INS Venduruthy, India (1983-1984)
Primary Pilot Training, 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna (1986-1987)
Junior Staff Course, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1990)
Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps University, Virginia, USA (1992-1993)
Officers’ Long Course in Underwater Warfare, NNS Quorra (1994-1995)
Senior Staff Course, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1996-1997)
National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan (2005-2006), earning a Master’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University
Distinguished Naval Career
Vice Admiral Ibas held several high-profile positions within the Nigerian Navy, showcasing his leadership and administrative capabilities:
Executive Officer, NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, NNS Ambe (1993-1996)
Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997-1998)
Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka (1998-2000)
Directing Staff, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2000-2002; later Director, Maritime Warfare Department in 2009)
Naval Provost Marshal (2003-2004)
Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff (2004-2005)
Commander, Naval Air Base, Ojo (2006-2009)
Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command (2010-2011)
Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters (2011-2012)
Navy Secretary (2012-2013)
Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command (2013-2014)
Chief of Logistics (2014)
GMD/CEO, Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited (2014-2015)
Chief of the Naval Staff (2015-2021)
Honours and Professional Memberships
Vice Admiral Ibas was also awarded the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in October 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari for his contributions to national security and military strategy. He is also a member of:
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA)
Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM)
Ibas has attended key international conferences, including the 25th International Homeland Security Exhibition in Tel Aviv (2011) and leadership development programs at Harvard Kennedy School (2013).
On his roles as Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas will oversee governance, ensuring stability and adherence to constitutional provisions.
While he will not enact new laws, he will be permitted to formulate necessary regulations subject to Federal Executive Council approval.
His leadership is expected to bring order and restore democratic governance in the crisis-ridden state, among others.
