Ten Things to Know About Rivers State’s New Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR as the new administrator of Rivers State, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

As Ibas assumes his new role, here are 10 key facts to know about him:

1. Birth and Early Life: Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State.
2. Education: Ibas 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.
3. Military Career: Ibas enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 26 Regular Course on June 20, 1979, and was commissioned sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
4. Military Training: He attended several military courses at home and abroad, including the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy in India and Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School at Nigerian Airforce Base in Kaduna.
5. Awards and Honours: 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.
6. Professional Memberships: Ibas holds membership of several reputable professional organizations, such as the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
7. International Seminars and Exhibitions: He attended the 25th International Homeland Security Exhibition and the 3rd International Exhibition for Operational Units in Tel Aviv, Israel, in June 2011, and the London International Leadership Course in London, England, in August 2012.
8. Alumni: Ibas is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School in the US, having attended a capacity development course in January 2013.
9. Military Appointments: Ibas has held several appointments in the Nigerian Navy, including executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe, and commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School.
10. Previous Appointment: Before his retirement, Ibas served as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Nigerian Navy from 2015 to 2021.