Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the newly appointed Administrator of Rivers State, has pledged to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure law and order are upheld in the state.
Ibas made the statement after being sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
The ceremony was attended by key officials, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi; the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; and other presidential aides.
Addressing the press, Ibas emphasized: “We all understand the circumstances that have brought us here. The President has clearly stated that maintaining law and order in Rivers State is the main priority. For any meaningful development to occur in the state, this is the fundamental task we must focus on.”
“I am committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to restore peace, security, and stability in Rivers State, benefiting both the people and the government of Rivers, as well as Nigeria as a whole,” he added.
President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, in response to the ongoing political unrest. Ibas was appointed to serve as Administrator for an initial six-month period under this state of emergency.
Born on September 27, 1960, Ibas was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy in 1983. He held various leadership roles before being appointed Chief of Naval Staff by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, a position he held until his retirement in 2021. Following his retirement, Ibas served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana from 2021 to 2023.
