Rivers Administrator Ibas Swears In New Head Of Service Before Exit

The outgoing Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), on Wednesday, swore in Mrs. Inyingi Brown as the substantive Head of Service of the State.

The brief ceremony, held in Port Harcourt before his handover and exit, formally confirmed Brown, who had been serving in an acting capacity since the resignation of former Head of Service, George Nwaeke.

Speaking at the event, Ibas commended Brown’s performance during his interim administration and urged her to extend the same commitment to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“I charge you to offer Governor Siminalayi Fubara equal loyalty you gave to the interim administration when you served in an acting capacity,” he said.

He highlighted key milestones during his administration, including the successful conduct of local government elections, the return of elected chairmen and officials to office, the reconstitution of statutory boards and commissions, the passage of the state budget, and the restoration of the lawful framework for governance.

“Behind each of these milestones are you all seated here—the engine of government, often unseen but always essential. You are the custodians of public service, the guardians of continuity, and the conscience of government. Administrations may change, but the civil service, led by you the permanent secretaries, ensures institutions endure beyond individuals and administrations,” he told the audience.

He stressed that governance was “a living process” requiring vigilance, sacrifice, and dialogue, warning that “the exercise of power without restraint can cripple institutions, and rivalry without dialogue clearly endangers democracy.”

LEADERSHIP recalls that President Bola Tinubu had in March declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly, and appointing Ibas as Sole Administrator to stabilise governance amid a deep political crisis.

LEADERSHIP reports that Tinubu has officially lifted the emergency rule, restoring democratic governance in the oil-rich state and paving the way for Fubara’s return to office on Thursday.