Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, praised President Bola Tinubu for his "timely" and "reassuring" intervention in addressing the political crisis that affected the state earlier this year.
During the grand finale celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Ibas remarked that the President's decisive actions have reinstated order and bolstered governance within the state.
I would like to sincerely thank His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, for his steadfast dedication to fostering peace and stability in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.
Ibas stated, "His timely and decisive intervention in restoring order and governance within the state was profoundly reassuring. The President consistently shows a strong political will for regional development, economic equity, and national cohesion. We are truly grateful."
The politically unstable situation in the oil-rich state was triggered by a disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. This conflict resulted in turmoil within the state assembly and heightened tensions throughout the region.
In response, President Tinubu announced a six-month state of emergency in March, suspending Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu, while appointing Ibas as their replacement.
The action elicited both commendation and legal challenges.
In June, following a peace meeting with Tinubu, Fubara and Wike mended their differences and vowed to collaborate in order to restore stability in Rivers State.
Later, they were spotted at a public gathering following the peace talks.
Reflecting on the Commission's journey, Ibas remarked that the NDDC had evolved into a "symbol of regional integration and intervention," significantly contributing to closing infrastructure gaps, enhancing livelihoods, and supporting community aspirations throughout the Niger Delta.
As the host state for the headquarters of this crucial Commission and a key participant in its activities, Rivers State recognizes its special relationship with the NDDC.
“Our state has both contributed to and benefited from various initiatives, ranging from road construction and rural education to youth empowerment as well as water and health projects. The influence of these efforts across every part of our state is undeniable,” he remarked.
Ibas also emphasized the need for collaboration to broaden initiatives in key areas like sports development, structured skills training for young people, and exploring the region's potential within the blue economy.
We need to start shifting our focus—not entirely away from building roads and bridges—but towards aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, Bola Tinubu.
He stated his strong conviction that the Niger Delta region, in partnership with the NDDC, can easily achieve more than half of this target by utilizing the potential of our blue economy.
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