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Deputy Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (RTD) was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole executive of Rivers State.
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Ibas is an experienced officer, former chief of staff of the Nigerian Navy, with an outstanding career spanning forty years of various naval commands.
He brings extensive experience and leadership to his new role, overseeing the governance of River State after the emergency declaration.
Here are 10 things about Deputy Admiral IBA:
Former Chief of Staff (CNS): IBAS serves as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, overseeing Naval Operations and Maritime Security in Nigeria.
Outstanding military career: He enlisted at the Nigerian National Defense Academy in 1979 as part of the 26th regular course and was appointed as the secondary list on 1 January 1983.
Extensive military education and training: Ibas participates in world-renowned military institutions, including the Armed Forces Command and the Institute of Staff (Jaji, Nigeria), the National Defense Academy (Pakistan), and the United States Marine Corps University (Quantico, Virginia).
Underwater War Expertise: After completing his advanced course at the Nigerian Navy’s Underwater Warfare School in 1995, he specialized in underwater warfare, which played a crucial role in shaping his naval career.
Nigerian Navy command experience: The IBA has held several key leadership positions, including the Naval Air Base Commander, OJO, the flag officer commanding the Western Naval Command and the logistics leader at the Naval Headquarters.
Also read: Tinubu declares state of emergency in the river, suspends Governor Forbala
Experience in defense strategies and policies: He received a Master of Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, enhancing his expertise in military strategy and national security decision-making.
Designated Rivers State Administrator in 2025:
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu appointed him as the sole executive of Rivers State, responsible for overseeing governance after the emergency announcement of the state.
Winners of national and military honors: IBA has received numerous honors, including commanders of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Force Service Stars, Mechanical Service Stars and Outstanding Service Stars.
Famous professional organization members: He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
Family and personal life: Ibas married Theresa Ibas and they have three children. Outside his career, he enjoys a variety of hobbies to complement his disciplined military background.
Military takes over the River Government House, as Forbala’s whereabouts remain unknown
Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s actions remain unknown Tuesday night when the military deployed the truck to the Rivers Government Building in Port Harcourt. The truck was announced on the first night of the emergency by President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu declared emergency rules in a oil installation attack on Rivers. Some militant groups threaten that if the river building blasts the fubara, it could blow up the pipeline.
But the activists exerted threats after lawmakers served the governor for hours on notice of alleged misconduct.
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