Meet Vice Admiral lbok-Ete Ekwe Ibas: The New Sole Administrator of Rivers State

Vice Admiral lbok-Ete Ekwe lbas, born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria, is a distinguished Nigerian naval officer and diplomat. He served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy from July 2015 until his retirement in January 2021.

In recognition of his exemplary service, he was appointed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana in 2021.

Educational Background and Naval Training:
Ibas commenced his primary education at Nko Primary School and completed it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971.

He attended Hope Waddell Training Institute from 1972 to 1976 and the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja, between 1977 and 1979. His naval career began 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.

Throughout his career, Ibas pursued advanced military education, including:

• Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy, India (1983-1984)
• Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna (1986-1987)
• Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1990)
• Diploma in Amphibious Warfare from the U.S. Marine
  Corps University, Quantico, Virginia (1992-1993)
• Underwater Warfare specialization at the Underwater
  Warfare School, NNS Quorra (1994-1995)
• Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1996-1997)
• National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan, earning a master’s degree in defense and strategic studies from Quaid-i-Azam University (2005-2006)

Naval Career Highlights:

Ibas held numerous key positions within the Nigerian Navy, including:

• Executive Officer on NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS
  Ambe
• Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997-1998)
• Commander of the Forward Operating Base Ibaka (1998-2000)
• Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2000-2002)
• Naval Provost Marshal (2003-2004)
• Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff (2004-2005)