Ibas To Navy: Rivers Remains Your Willing Partners For Enhanced Maritime Operations

Rivers State administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting enhanced maritime security, protection of national assets, and economic growth through strategic collaboration with security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Navy.

Ibas gave this assurance yesterday while hosting the Nigerian Naval War College Course 9 participants on a study tour to Rivers State at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Represented by the secretary to the state government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, the sole administrator lauded the theme of the study tour, “Optimising Technology for Effective Maritime Security Operations,” emphasising that leveraging modern technology is critical to safeguarding national assets, coastal communities, and ensuring sustainable economic development.

He said: “We are witnessing a time when threats in the maritime domain—ranging from piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing to environmental hazards—are becoming increasingly sophisticated. To counter these challenges, we must deploy equally advanced solutions.

“Integrating modern technology—from satellite surveillance and autonomous systems to AI-powered threat detection and integrated communication networks—is no longer a futuristic ideal but a present-day necessity.”

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Ibas commended the Nigerian Naval War College for prioritising technological innovation in maritime security, underscoring its dedication to advancing national security strategies. He reiterated Rivers State’s readiness to collaborate with federal security agencies, stating:

He said, “Rivers State remains a willing partner in this endeavour. We are committed to supporting all federal security agencies operating within our territory and will continue to invest in strategic infrastructure and cooperative frameworks that enhance safety on land and at sea.”

Ibas urged the participants to ensure that the study tour strengthens collective stakeholder resolve and broadens professional approaches to achieving sustainable maritime security outcomes.

In his remarks, the commandant of the Nigerian Naval War College, Rear Admiral Akinola Olatunde Olodude, highlighted Rivers State’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy. The state accounts for 30% of Nigeria’s coastline (approximately 853km), over 40% of the nation’s crude oil output, and 33% of its GDP and foreign exchange earnings.

Olodude said, “Given these critical assets, transitioning from traditional maritime security methods to optimising technology is imperative for addressing contemporary challenges in Rivers State’s diverse maritime environment.”

The study tour underscores the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to fostering operational excellence and technological advancement in maritime security, with Rivers State playing a pivotal role in this national effort.