News
11 Quick Facts About Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, New Administrator of Rivers State
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following the protracted political crisis in the state.
Tinubu made the proclamation during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy Ngozi Odu; and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.
The president nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for the first six months.
Here are 11 quick facts to know about Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas
- Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas is a retired Vice Admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff, a position he held from 2015 to 2021
- He was born in Nko, Cross River State, South South Nigeria on September 27, 1960
- He began his primary education at Nko Primary School, Nko, Cross River State in 1966 and completed it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar in 1971.
- He was at Hope Waddell Training Institute Calabar from 1972 to 1976, and attended the School of Basic Studies Ogoja from 1977 to 1979.
- He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 26 Regular Course on June 20, 1979 and was commissioned sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
- He attended several military courses at home and abroad, some of which include Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy in India; Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School at Nigerian Airforce Base in Kaduna; Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna for the Junior Staff Course, and later the Senior Staff Course; Amphibious Warfare School of the United States Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, US; and National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan.
- He holds a master’s degree in defence and strategic studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
- He was a midshipman on board NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma and NNS Aradu, and served as executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun and NNS Ambe.
- He was the commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare; commanding officer of the Forward Operating Base Ibaka; directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji where he also served as director of the Department of Maritime Warfare, and deputy commandant of the College.
- He served as Provost Marshal; Principal Staff Officer to CNS; Command Operations Officer at the Headquarters Western Naval Command, Lagos; Commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo; Chief Staff Officer at Headquarters, Naval Training Command, Lagos; chief of administration; Navy Secretary; Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command; Chief of Logistics GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited.
- He is married to Theresa Ibas and their marriage is blessed with 3 children.
International News
Transfer: Real Madrid , Cucurella Reach Verbal Agreement
Chelsea reliable defender, Marc Cucurella may join Spanish giant, Real Madrid before the end of the current transfer window.if information from transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano are anything to go by.
Romano In a latest transfer update, said Real Madrid has reached verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.
“Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho” the update read.
News
Hakimi, Vinicius Barred From Speaking Spanish At World Cup
FIFA has come under scrutiny after several high-profile players, including Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior, were discouraged from speaking Spanish during media engagements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The issue first surfaced ahead of Morocco’s Group C clash with Brazil when a Spanish-speaking journalist attempted to question Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in Spanish.
Despite Hakimi, who grew up in Madrid and speaks the language fluently, indicating he was comfortable answering in Spanish, event officials reportedly insisted that questions be asked in English.
Hakimi attempted to reassure organizers that language would not be a barrier, but officials maintained that no Spanish translator was available for the session. A compromise was eventually reached, with the reporter asking the question in Spanish while Hakimi responded in English.
The controversy intensified during Brazil’s media session when Vinicius Junior was also interrupted while responding to a question in Spanish.
The Real Madrid forward, who is more comfortable speaking Portuguese or Spanish than English, was reportedly asked by organizers to switch languages.
Rather than continue in Spanish, Vinicius opted to answer in Portuguese before turning his attention back to Brazil’s World Cup preparations.
The incidents sparked widespread debate among journalists and fans, many of whom questioned why Spanish—a language spoken by millions across North America—was effectively restricted at a tournament being hosted largely in the United States.
According to Spanish media outlet El País, FIFA only provides Spanish-language translation services at World Cup press conferences involving Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
For all other teams, questions and answers are expected to be conducted either in English or the official language of the participating country.
The policy has generated criticism online, with many supporters arguing that multilingual communication should be encouraged at a global event like the World Cup.
The backlash was particularly strong in Vinicius’ case, as the Brazilian forward appeared visibly uncomfortable being asked to communicate in English.
The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a highly anticipated encounter between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
With the issue now drawing international attention, FIFA may face increasing calls to review its media language guidelines as the tournament progresses.
News
It’s Illegal’…Falana’s Bombshell Indicts Govs, FG.
Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has warned federal and state governments against negotiating with and rewarding terrorists.
According to Falana, the practice is illegal.
He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Amnesty International Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026.
Falana claimed it is public knowledge officials of the Federal Government and some State Governments have been holding meetings and negotiating with terrorists and bandits, which has led to thousands of ‘repentant’ criminals being forgiven and given cash gifts of undisclosed sums of money.
Asserting that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Falana insisted that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”
Highlighting the legal consequences, he quoted Section 22 of the Act, stating: “A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”
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