The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has outlined vital lessons learned from the six-month emergency rule in the state.

Speaking on Tuesday during a public lecture organised by the Rivers State Government as part of the transition to democratic governance, Ibas said one of the most important lessons was that “peace is priceless.”

The former Chief of Naval Staff, who was the Special Guest at the event held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, stressed that the emergency rule showed that “without security, no other aspiration is possible.”

He explained that while the decision to impose emergency rule was not a choice but a necessity, it revealed how weakened governance created a vacuum that allowed opportunism to thrive, endangering lives and livelihoods.

According to him, the period also underscored the resilience of the Rivers people.

“The indomitable spirit of Rivers people cannot be broken. They endured, they persevered, and they have remained steadfast,” he said.

Reflecting on the transition, Ibas added: “The stability we have restored is the foundation upon which democracy is now rebuilt. Emergency rule, though imposed by insecurity, political impasse, and a breakdown of trust, has left us enduring lessons.”

He further noted that last Sunday’s Thanksgiving service reminded the people that without God and their resilience, his administration’s efforts would not have been possible.

Ibas concluded that the lecture was more than an academic exercise, describing it as a “covenant renewal with the people of Rivers.”

He said, “As a nation, our democracy must deliver, and governance must always be rooted in service. Standing before you, we are filled with gratitude and humility; gratitude for the support you gave me as your administrator and humility that I was called to serve in such a defining moment in the history of this great state.

“When we began this assignment on March 18, 2025, our core mandate was to restore peace and stability. By the grace of God and with the cooperation of all stakeholders, we have come this far. Most significantly was the peacefully conducted local government council elections that restored democratic governance to the grassroots, the level of government closest to the people.

“My role here is to offer my sincere gratitude to my dear people of Rivers for all that we have worked hard together to achieve in the last six months. The support has been most humbling, and I will remain eternally grateful to you all”.

Ibas pleaded with the people to re-dedicate themselves to their collective destiny and charged them to place Rivers above their personal ambition.

He said, “I plead with you to re-educate yourselves to our collective destiny, one ordained by God. I charge all of us to place Rivers above personal ambition; to commit to tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation to consciously work at building trust among each other, and to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach all households.

“Rivers State has been stabilised under extraordinary circumstances, but much remains to be done. The foundations have been laid. Let’s build on it. Let us prove to the world that Rivers, the Treasure Base of the Nation, can also be the model of good governance in Nigeria”.

Delivering the lecture titled, Good Governance and Democratic Dividends, Prof. Abiodun Amuda-kannike, SAN, called for environmental activism and community development, among others, as the key to success in Rivers.

He harped on the need to ensure security through youth and women empowerment, lamenting that insecurity was pulling Rivers backwards.

The lecturer said, “Empowerment means bringing somebody completely out of poverty. Youth empowerment is key. We should take the youths out of the waterside. Insecurity can destabilise the system. We should take them off the streets and make them better. Education and skills are important. Key the women into the system”.

He said the government should ensure smart agriculture and called on political parties to foster a culture of inclusivity, intra-party democracy, transparent and accountable processes.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Worika, said the lecture came at a defining moment of a transition to democratic governance. (The Nation)

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