Remarks by Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas At the Public Lecture on “Democracy and Good Governance” Rivers State – Tuesday September 16, 2025
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
Just two days ago, on Sunday, September 14, we gathered at the Ecumenical Center to give thanks to Almighty God for the peace and safety we have enjoyed in Rivers State over the past six months.
That thanksgiving was not just ceremonial—it was deeply significant. It reminded us that without God’s grace, and without the resilience of our people, this journey under my administration would have been impossible.
Today’s public lecture is more than an intellectual exercise. It is, in truth, a covenant renewal with the people of Rivers State—an affirmation that democracy must deliver and that governance must always be rooted in service.
Standing before you, I am filled with both gratitude and humility: gratitude for the trust and support you have given me as your administrator, and humility because I was called to serve at such a defining moment in the history of this great state.
When we began this assignment on March 18, 2025, our core mandate was clear: to restore peace and stability. By the grace of God, and with the cooperation of all stakeholders, we have come this far.
Most significantly, we have peacefully conducted local government council elections, thereby restoring democratic governance at the grassroots—the level of government closest to the people.
Let me be clear: emergency rule was never our choice. It was a necessity, forced upon us by insecurity, political impasse, and a breakdown of trust. Yet, in hindsight, it offered enduring lessons.
That peace is priceless. That without security, no other aspiration is possible. That when governance is weakened, opportunism fills the vacuum, endangering lives and livelihoods.
And, most importantly, that the indomitable spirit of the Rivers people cannot be broken. You endured, you persevered, and you remained steadfast.
The stability we have restored is the foundation upon which democracy must now be rebuilt. Our guest speaker has already done justice to the theme of this lecture “Good Governance and Democratic Dividends.” I will not attempt to revisit his scholarly submission. Rather, I recommend that copies of the lecture be circulated widely for deeper reflection and action.
My role today is to once again offer my sincere gratitude to the people of Rivers State for all we have achieved together over the past six months. Your support has been humbling and overwhelming. I will remain eternally grateful.
I now plead with all of us to re-dedicate ourselves to our collective destiny. Let us place Rivers State above personal ambition. Let us commit to tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Let us consciously work to rebuild trust amongst ourselves. And let us ensure that the dividends of democracy reach every household.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Rivers State has been stabilized under extraordinary circumstances. Much remains to be done, but the foundations have been laid.
Let us build on them. Let us prove to the world that Rivers State, the treasure base of the nation, can also be a model of good governance in Nigeria.
May God bless Rivers State.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you all.
