By Towncriernews
Amidst turmoil and political indifference, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, declared State of Emergency in Rivers State.
Following this, a Sole Administrator (SOLAD) was appointed by the president as a measure to quel the security and politicalchallenges occasioned by the internal political disputes between the Rivers State Governor, Similaiye Fubara and his supposed Godfather, Nyesom Wike who is the Minister of Federal Capital Territory.
Against this backdrop, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ekwe Ibas (rtd) was appointed sole administrator to run the affairs of Rivers State for a period of time.
Ekwe Ibas was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria, Ibas began his Education at Nko Primary School and completed it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971.
He attended Hope Waddell Training Institute (1972-1976) and the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja (1977-1979).
His Naval Career commenced 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.
Ibas held various key positions in the Nigerian Navy, including serving aboard NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu as a midshipman.
He was the Executive Officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe between 1993 and 1996.
He also commanded the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997–1998) and Forward Operating Base Ibaka (1998–2000).
His Leadership Roles extended to serving as the Naval Provost Marshal (2003–2004), Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff (2004–2005), and Commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo (2006–2009).
Notably, he was the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy from July 2015 until his retirement in January 2021.
Following his Distinguished Naval Career, Ibas was appointed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana in 2021, reflecting his commitment to National Service.