Professor Ben Ayade Monday commiserated with the widow of late Brigadier General Anthony Ukpo (rtd), Mrs Salome Ufoma Ukpo and their children.
Ayade, who was at the Calabar residence of the late former Military Administrator of Rivers State, consoled the family, assuring them of government support and participation in the funeral rites.
He said the death of the retired General only reinforces his philosophy about life, which is that life is but vanity.
“That is just my philosophy about life. From nothing to nothing, life is just a waste. General Ukpo was a great man, a great warrior, he lived very strongly for this country. He had established factories and industries to create jobs for his people.
“And today, he remains one of the major investors in Cross River State as a Cross Riverian. It is so sad that we have to lose him at this time, particularly with his huge investments in the social medicine, where he was setting up a cancer treatment center that is almost due for commissioning. Having gone at this time is really regrettable and God knows best,” Ayade stated.
He urged the family to stay strong and not despair, knowing that their late father left behind legacies that will etch his name in the sands of time.
“The family has to be strong, they have a Matriarch to take off from here. He is blessed with three children who are level headed and very committed to the ideals of their father. I have told them to be strong and take heart and be aware that he (Ukpo) is resting in the bossom of the Lord. Let them be strong and keep his legacies,” he concluded.

Cross River state governor, Sir Ben Ayade has expressed his excitement following the commencement of production of chocolate bars at the Ikom Cocoa Processing Factory.

The cocoa processing factory is one of the several agro-alied factories established by the Ayade-lef administration as part of its agricultural revolution.

Speaking shortly after being conducted round the various production chains of the factory, Ayade said the time had come for Africa to begin to reap the full benefit of its cocoa value chain.

He regretted the fact that although Africa “accounts for eighty six percent of world cocoa production, it unfortunately, in terms of the economy, gains only six percent which means that Africa produces 86%of cocoa, export the cocoa beans and in turn goes back and import chocolate into Africa.

This process has come to an end. So what you find here is a full cocoa processing plant from the tree to chocolate for final consumption."

Disclosing that the beneficiation process has so much value, he said "the process is very clear. It starts with separation and then cleansing until you get clean beans. The clean beans go through a complete conveyor system and goes through the process of fermentation, maturation and drying until you get to a point were you get the product you want."

Ayade said the chocolate from the Ikom cocoa processing factory is special in the sense that "it has a slightly bitter taste, which is what is now desireable as opposed to the very sugary, very sweet and fattening products that are very unhealthy.

"For our own chocolate brand, we try to use the best of the ingredients which contain that slight bitter taste, which is an antioxidant that is particularly good for the body."

Urging Nigerians to take advantage of the uniqueness of the chocolate from the Ikom cocoa processing factory, he said “it is very important for you to know that as we debut with Ikom chocolate, know that It is African chocolate, 100% organic, grown in African soil, processed in Africa and made available to the world."

The governor who expressed excitement at the commencement of the production of the wholly made in Nigeria chocolate, said: "I feel very very gratified that today we are about to start the commercial production of chocolate in Ikom, Cross River state of Nigeria."

Justifying his venture into agro-industrialization, Ayade explained that "the process we have in place is a necessary requirement to actually create jobs for the teeming youths. If 65% of our 4.5 million population are young people under the age of 35, and if we cannot create jobs, it means that you are going to have more and more #endsars like protests.

"So my inspiration was to actually create jobs and the best way to create jobs is through agro-industrial revolution and that is what this cocoa processing factory stands for."

All is now set for the formal commissioning of the Cross River State-owned 10-ton per hour ultra-modern rice mill located in the Ogoja Local Government Area by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The state Governor, Sir Ben Ayade made the disclosure recently during the test run of the factory.

While thanking the contractors for what he described as their diligent commitment to the project, Ayade said: "I have just watched the test operation and it is fully operational.

"The dream of having the Ogoja rice mill has come to birth today. We have just had a full test run, a pre-commissioning test run from the point of receiving the padding from the pad, through the pre-cleaning to parboiling stage to the preserving where it does the destoning, taking out the outer shell to the whitener and from where it goes further down the system to absorb the grading and making sure that the grain size is uniform and finally to the bagging line."

According to Ayade, the rice also goes through the vitaminization plant, which process has been tested at the pre-commissioning stage and this is fully functional and operational."

Beaming with excitement, Governor Ayade also hinted that "the mill is the first of its kind in Africa and I am particularly proud that we have this outstanding world-class vitaminized rice mill in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State."

He said the establishment of the rice mill in Ogoja has the potential to make millionaires out of the young farmers from the area.

"I look forward to converting the entire people of the state into rice farmers. This is because the storage capacity alone is about 6,500 tons and on continuous production, we have a storage capacity of 240 tons per day, at 24 hours operation. So if we have 240 tons per day, it, therefore, means that even if we are to convert the whole land in Cross River State for rice farming, this factory can take all."

Significantly, he said: "The issue of poverty will come to an end. But you need an aggregate vote that will be made available to farmers to be able to buy, carry and deliver to this factory. So for every local government, we are going to have a supplier to this farm.

"We have a grading system to access the quality of grain. The Cross River rice seedling factory will supply seedlings to the farmers so we could have consistent quality of grains. We will have people who will buy off the padding from the farmers. We are also going to introduce the anchor borrowers program, where key stakeholders will be given funds by the state government and perhaps the federal government to assist them to do large-scale industrial farming like myself."

On how the factories will be run to ensure their survival, Ayade said: "We are discussing at different levels, just as we have put in place a privatization council. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a government finishes a project and it is making it available to the citizens of the state."

Additionally, also revealed that "we have an industrial referendum to determine what happens to each of the industries," noting that "we are at the exit point of my administration, less than two years to the end, so we need to discuss the continuous maintenance and availability of this equipment and plant.

"So it is the outcome of the referendum, which is the opinion of the citizens of Cross River State, that will determine the fate of each of the industries. If we choose concession, we go with concession. If we choose outright privatization, we go for outright privatization. So I wish to inform every Cross Riverian who has logged into the website to vote for what should happen to our industries. Voting will close by the 15th of September, after which we will start the data and statistical analysis, and When we are done, we will have the final opinion on what Cross Riverians are saying about the industries."

The Poultry and Cocoa Value Chains in Cross River State have received a much-needed boost that is expected to generate significant gains for the local and national economies.

This follows the issuance of a 50% Credit Risk Guarantee (CRG) and 20% Interest Drawback (IDB) by the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) on the respective loans of Gbagolo Integrated Farms Limited – a livestock producer and TOAJ Nigeria Limited – a cocoa dealer.

Leveraging on its CRG – an instrument that NIRSAL Plc utilizes to share agribusiness risks with financiers – NIRSAL Plc facilitated the approval and disbursement of N81.8 million and N150 million from Union Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc respectively.

While Gbagolo Integrated Farms Limited will use its N81.8 million Term Loan to finance the purchase of 25,000 Point of lay birds, 25,000 capacity battery cages and feeding compliments, TOAJ Nigeria Limited will channel its N150 million Export/Trade Finance facility towards the sourcing and purchase of cocoa for export.

The injection of these finances into the poultry and cocoa value chains in Cross River State will create a positive knock-on effect for players along each segment of both value chains and the agribusinesses’ host communities at large.

Specifically, the purchase of 25,000 Point of Lay birds by Gbagolo Integrated Farms Limited will impact poultry feeds sellers & other inputs suppliers in the pre-upstream Value Chain segment; producers/sellers of Point of Lay birds in the upstream segment, and consumers of Eggs and Spent Layers in the downstream segment.

Meanwhile, TOAJ Nigeria Limited’s facility will support the thousands of farmers who supply its inventory by providing them with a secure, sustainable, and guaranteed offtake market. Furthermore, the export of cocoa will increase Nigeria’s stake in the global cocoa market and boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Speaking during the official launch of the Gbagolo Integrated Farms Limited and TOAJ Nigeria Limited projects in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, Aliyu Abdulhameed, NIRSAL Plc’s Managing Director/CEO, enthused that both projects are testaments to the fact that NIRSAL Plc in its bid to realize its vision of “transforming the economy, delivering inclusive growth and positively impacting the lives of Nigerians” supports all sizes of businesses, whether small, medium or large across the length and breadth of the country.

Abdulhameed added that, as a guarantor, NIRSAL Plc’s intervention positively impacts both the lender and the borrower, as well as the overall economy, implying that the lender invests safely and earns competitive returns; the borrower’s capacity utilization and productivity is increased, and the economy reaps the benefits of the backward integration occasioned by increased local production at the expense of importation of essential goods.

He concluded by urging all agricultural value chain stakeholders in the South-South region and the entire country to leverage NIRSAL’s CRG as the collateral required for getting commercial bank financing for their agribusinesses, no matter their size or location.

Mr. Peter Akpaudoh, Union Bank Plc’s Area Business Executive, who was also present at the launch event, stressed the value in the suite of NIRSAL’s value offerings. Beyond the credit risk guarantee provided to Gbagolo Farms, NIRSAL PLC is also offering technical assistance and round-the-clock project monitoring, a package that really makes lending to agriculture and agribusiness easy, Mr. Akpaudoh acknowledged.

Indeed, NIRSAL’s value offerings cut across value chains and value chain segments. While credit guarantees, technical assistance, and project monitoring sweeten lending to businesses in the midstream segment of commodity value chains, the innovations and structuring introduced by NIRSAL in the upstream segment also impact the success of projects all through the value chain. Hence, for banks and other commercial lenders, the incentives are too good to resist.

Sterling Bank Plc, financiers of TOAJ Nigeria Limited, also had a representative at the launch event. Mr. Uchenna Agbowo, Business Executive, Commercial, South-East, said that, at 10%, Sterling Bank has the highest loan book for agriculture amongst commercial banks in Nigeria. He stated that the bank has been enjoying NIRSAL’s support and will continue to count on NIRSAL for the safety of their agribusiness investments.

Speaking further, Mr. Agbowo affirmed that it is commendable that “NIRSAL has provided a suitable environment for bank’s investment to be safe and sustainable. TOAJ Nigeria Limited who is into Cocoa aggregation and trading is one of such success stories. Sterling has been at the driving seat of agribusinesses financing and will continue to partner with NIRSAL in providing access to finance for farmers to increase their output.”

In his speech, the CEO of Gbagolo Integrated Farms Limited revealed that it would have been difficult to service the loan they received from Union Bank if not for NIRSAL’s Interest Drawback (IDB) scheme. The company’s poultry department, which received the credit support, has 60,000 birds and runs an on-farm feed mill with four tons capacity mixer per hour.

For TOAJ Nigeria Limited, the success stories are equally manifold. According to the Managing Director, Mr. Taiwo Sunday, NIRSAL’s support has helped the company to acquire a 5,000 MT-capacity warehouse in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. Mr. Taiwo said that the company had been expanding its frontiers to the South-West for the purpose of export and, with NIRSAL’s support, it can now engage more farmers, procure more cocoa, and employ more staff.

Meanwhile, NIRSAL’s discretionary Interest Drawback (IDB) scheme is active on both facilities for the benefit of Gbagolo Integrated Farms Limited and TOAJ Nigeria Limited. The IDB is an interest rebate scheme offered to borrowers to reduce their cost of funds. It is offered in quarterly cycles to borrowers in good standing.

Gbagolo Integrated Farms Limited and TOAJ Nigeria Limited are among hundreds of agribusinesses that have been supported by NIRSAL Plc to boost their operations. Only weeks ago, NIRSAL Plc supported ADT Russet Ltd in Lagos with a 50% credit guarantee on a N1.15 billion facility to source and export cocoa beans.

With these projects, NIRSAL Plc has now facilitated over N128 billion for agriculture and agribusiness across the country since its inception. This translates to the creation of jobs, driving the growth of rural economies, and positively impacting Nigerian lives.

Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade says the state’s 140-bed specialist which is at an advanced stage of completion in Obudu will be a reference point in Africa.
Governor Ayade who was in Obudu to inspect the progress of work at the ultra-moderm hospital, said given the reputation of the partners involved, Siemens and Coscharis, it will no doubt be a touchstone in quality healthcare in Africa.
"This is Siemens hospital basically. Siemens is number one in hospital equipment. Even in American hospitals, they have more of Siemens equipment, so we are convinced that our MRI, CT scan, radiology, diagnostics and dialysis equipment will be world-class," Ayade disclosed.
He said he was convinced the hospital will be a first-class hospital especially given that it will have its own oxygen plant to produce oxygen, even as he disclosed that the hospital will have “a special covid unit, which will cater to covid-19 patients in a special way with oxygen fully generated from within the system."
The hospital is also fitted with a solar power system to guarantee 24-hour power supply, thus not being dependent on the national grid
On the hospital's bed capacity, the governor quipped: "We have a total of 120 beds, plus an additional 20 for those who are going into the recovery phase. So we are going to have a total of 140 beds hospital. Massive!
"So I am very excited this hospital will be the reference hospital for Africa, not just Nigeria. Before we took this design, we had studied all the hospitals in Nigeria in terms of all the critical equipments, even in Abuja, both public and private hospitals. We are convinced that the level of sophistication will be unmatched. Our dispensary unit has an outdoor station, you drive through, sit in your car and a robot delivers your drugs to you. You swipe your card, get your drugs and you are gone without any human interference. The human element is our secondary phase, should the robotic services fail you.
“We also have a partnership with a German firm for drug revolving program and also with Canadian team to support us with drugs. Of course, Cross River State has a pharmaceutical company. So we will also be producing drugs as a state. The hospital will also buy drugs from the Calapharm. I think the circle is completely proper and the social benefit is unquantifiable, it’s a thing of joy for me.”
On staffing, the governor disclosed that a team will be sent to Germany for massive training, six months to commissioning.
“We have a lot of Cross River doctors who will be sent to Germany for training to come back here because this is actually Cross-German hospital, a partnership between Cross River State government and Siemens under the catalysis of Coscharis. Our excitement is actually bringing the best hospital in Africa to Obudu."
Ayade gave reasons why the hospital is sited in Obudu.
According to him, this an axis that is lacking in terms of medical care. Abuja is quite extremely out there, Lagos is far out there. And because we are building an international airport here and because Obudu Ranch Resort is a tourist attraction, we have high level, high profile citizens who will be coming on tourism here. The British Canadian University will be taking very elitist students, so we would not want any challenges. We will need a hospital that can provide for these primary footfalls that will serve as the initial base of patronage. I see Benue, Ebonyi, Cross River and some of the South South states coming here because of the sophisticated level of equipment we will have here."

For a house wife and mother of two, Mrs. Offiong Harrison Efa, the future depends on the Fabrication and and Contruction Academy of West Africa, Calabar, where she and hundreds of others are currently acquiring for free, different skills.


Mrs Effa hopes to become a self-employed skilled woman so as to eke out a living at the end of her training.

The housewife who describes the academy as a life changer has therefore, commended Governor Ben Ayade for offering her the opportunity to fine tune her future.

Efa who is among the hundreds of trainees at the academy is specialising in different types of electrical installations.

The fabrication academy is one of Governor Ayade's skills acquisition programmes established in March 2021 to offer free manpower training to indigenes of the state, especially the youth.

The mother of two who spoke on the sidelines of a written and practical examinations at the academy by students specializing in welding disclosed that "since I got here six months ago, I have acquired so much knowledge on electrical works.

“I can now fix all kinds of electrical issues and handle all kinds of electrical installations as well."

Commending the governor for the free skills training programme, Efa said her excitement knows no bounds, adding that
"I am very happy to be here and to make use of this opportunity the governor has created for the youths.

I am a married woman with two children but the opportunity to learn a trade and be able to fend for and assist my family was too good to turn down and so that's why you see me getting involved even in a male dominated profession. I cannot thank the governor enough for teaching me how to fish."

Similarly Daniel Effiom Archibong, who spoke shortly after his written and practical examination on welding, said the Academy “has impacted very positively on my life in the past six months. I can now construct, weld and fabricate different kinds of machines including iron bending and other kinds of work beyond welding.

Other governors need to emulate Governor Ayade's initiative in order to generate self-employment opportunities for the teeming army of unemployed youths in the country."

On how the academy impacts on the economy of the state and the individual trainees, Charles Parker, an American consultant to the fabrication academy, disclosed that "every graduate of this academy will be well equipped to start their own businesses because one of the courses they are taking while they are here is entrepreneurship.

"This is so because at the end, whenever they graduate they will be given some token to help them set up their own businesses."

Parker said the thinking of the governor "is to empower the youths so as to rid the state of all the social vices associated with unemployment. The academy is not just for men. We have women here, we have physically challenged, we also have hearing impaired students that come here to learn a skill set so that they can provide for themselves and families."

Speaking on why he put the trainees through formal examination, Commissioner for Youths and Skills Acquisition, Signor Omang Idiege, said "the students are being examined both practically and theoretically to test the training received within this six months.

" This examination is not just from the Ministry of Youths and Skills alone as we are collaborating with the National Board for Technical Education and the scheme used is designed by them. They are collaborating with us as well so that they can have a standard test."

Idiege said "Most of the instructors are retired permanent secretaries, retired directors with some of them notable businesses owners both within the state and outside. We advertised for instructors and about 89 people applied through intense interview with the consultants. About 13 of them were chosen among the 89 who applied and this was based on their experience and pedigree."

The Commissioner disclosed that the academy doesn't charge tuition, as according to him, "Governor Ayade, based on his passion, ordered free enrollment as an encouragement for youth to come in, starting from obtaining the forms which saw thousands of youths indicate interest.
The forms were free and no form of tuition is being charged by the academy."

In pursuance of the waste to energy policy of the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration, the Cross State Government has struck a partnership with the French government to convert its wastes to electricity.

Disclosing the collaboration during a presentation to Governor Ayade in his conference room, leader of the team, Mr. Ayodeji Okele, who is also the Managing Director, Asaju Energy, in company of a consortium of French companies comprising Gilles Bacquet, GB Consult and Services; Laurent Lambs, Project Manager Serge Experts, said they were in Calabar to conduct a feasibility studies on the waste management situation in the state.

The feasibility studies is coming on the heels of a recent visit by the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jerome Pasquier to the state, where he discussed areas of economic cooperation, including waste management with Governor Ayade.

Okele told the governor that "We have been having a discussion about this project over a year ago with regard to the waste management situation in Cross River State.

"And we arrived at the idea that we will need to do proper feasibility studies to find out what solution would be best suited and also what solution will be economically viable.”

According to the project guideline, the team is expected to develop a sustainable solution for disposal of municipal waste, both liquid and solid as well as proffer solutions for the generation of electricity from the end products at the end of the day.

Okele and his team had earlier undertaken an inspection tour of the major dump sites at Lemna.

The purpose of the feasibility studies, according to the team, "is to have an idea of the technical and financial basis for the project," stressing that "our feasibility studies will take about six months."

In his remarks, Governor Ayade, while expressing appreciation to the French government for the partnership, charged the consortium to see the project as purely a live saving intervention, and "not something you can periodize as a research. This is not a research, it is a life saving intervention mission and that is why you are here. So, if you approach it from that perspective, your concept of time will become more delicate and sensitive.

"I do not believe that you need six months to do this feasibility study, you just need to put more effort and more time. And why am I saying this? This is because when you finish your feasibility study, you will end up with a position statement which states that it is a feasible project. Then you go back to the French Government to process the actual final milestone which is the actual implementation. So if it takes you six months for feasibility study, by the time you get the final approval it will be towards the end of next year and that is not the level of pulse we need."

Ayade who appealed to the team to see the project as both an existential and humanitarian effort noted: "As you are well aware, with what you saw when you went to Lemna, the city has grown to join the refuse, so people are basically living in a refuse dump. So for us, this project is an existential, fundamental and humanitarian effort by the French government because with the dumping of all of the unsegregated refuse, with fire and smoke billowing from there, that triggers a generation of different types of gases because of insufficient air at the top surface.

"So what you have is the production of methanogenesis producing methane and other associated gases. These are compounds that interfere with the learning capacity of a child. When a child lives in an environment that he or she percieves ordour consistently, retention of knowledge becomes a problem. And so for us three months or at the most four, will be reasonable for a feasibility study that gives us opportunity to go back to the French Government with our proposal in hand that yes, we can do it. So by first quarter of next year we can move into the implementation proper."

Prominent Cross River State veteran Nollywood Actress, Shan George, has called on the people of Cross River State especially politicians to work in harmony with one another for the overall progress and development of the state.

The Abi-born beautiful and experienced Actress in a viral video she made expressed shock at the level at which some Cross Riverians have turned everything into politics.

The Nollywood Actress wondered why some persons are making issues out of Cally Air cancellation of a flight, and why some people in the state would want to make issues out of nothing, expressed sadness and anger over the issue.

Shan George maintained that cancellation of the flight is not a new thing and does not begin with Cally Air, stressing that in Nigeria, America, and other parts of the world flight or flights are usually canceled for technical reasons, and as such, Cally Air cancellation should not be exceptional.

"I am doing this video because I'm really in shock, pains, and anger. Cally Air canceled a flight because of some technical issues like any other Airline here in Nigeria, abroad, and in America.

Sometimes they cancel flights because of technical issues but some persons are turning it into something else, is that illiteracy, wickedness, stupidity, or is it politics? " Shan George lamented.

She said that a flight is canceled is not a strange thing because it has been happening all the time even among top global airliners and nobody makes a mountain out of such issues but in Cross River State, some people want to create an issue out of the flight cancellation.

The Cross River State-born Actress, therefore, appealed to the people of the state especially those who want to make politics out of everything to calm down and work in harmony with the state government for the progress and development of the state.

END.

By David Peter

Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Ben Ayade has rejuvenated illumination in Calabar after ten years of tenebrosity across the streets of 'goldie' down to 'yellow duke' in Calabar South.

The Commissioner of Power, Rt. Hon. Victor Agwu had earlier told newsmen that, the street lights were significant in the fight against crimes in the state, which according to him, “scares away criminals and it makes it easier for people to sight criminals from afar.”

While he demonstrated the prominence of Ayade's Power Plant in Parliamentary extension road as a source of illuminating the street lights in the Capital City.

Speaking in an interview with pressmen during the transformer installation in goldie by mount-zion on Saturday, the Deputy Director/Head of Engineering Services, CRS Ministry of Power, Mr. Effiwatt Ekpenyong said, “the transformer substation was installed in the year 2012 and has never been put to use because it was vandalized but, through the relief of the State governor, Professor Ben Ayade the ministry was able to procure a new transformer as a midpoint to cease blackout in the community,” he said.

Mumbling about the proportion of thefts and vandalization of transformers across the state, Mr. Effiwatt, affirmed that, the transformer is forthwith mounted on the poles to stave off hoodlums looting the iron cores and armoured cables which are the prime source of power distributions.

Commending the state governor's phenomenal development in the neighborhood after ten years of lights despair. Merchandisers and community dwellers in the area are satisfied that, the street lights will foster the security resilience of the vigilantes in the neighborhood, and similarly augments their businesses to thrive during nightfall in the territory.

Recall that, The cross river state government had initially restored lights to no fewer than twenty (20) remote areas in Calabar, the capital city of Cross River state, in a bid to combat insecurity and, ascertain solace among traders and dwellers in the locales.

The Managing Director/CEO, Water Board Limited, Cross River State, Mr Victor Effiom Ekpo has refuted reports making the rounds that chemicals of the state owned water board company have been stolen, saying "there were rather moved from the warehouse with consent of the management".

He explained that, the management took the decision at it's meeting held on August 19, 2021 to either return the chemicals or sell same to pay the supplier, Angood Nigeria Limited, and avoid further embarrassment and litigations.

The management had in a separate reaction said, the attention of the Management of Cross River Waterboard Limited has be drawn to an online news platform and shared by some faceless individuals misinterpreting the collective decision of the Management of the board.

It's not in our styles to reply to cheap blackmails targeted at misleading the gullible public but to set the records straight the Managing Director/CEO(Hon Victor Effiom) of Cross River state Waterboard Limited is an upright personality who believes in team work and collective decision of the board in his quest to ensuring a better and more suitable portable, drinkable water for all Cross Riverians.

In a released made available to journalists in Calabar, Mr Ekpo said, "I am aware of the chemicals, the said chemicals belong to the Water Board Limited, the chemicals was not stolen from the company warehouse, but was rather moved from the warehouse with the consent from the entire management of Cross River State Water Board Limited.

"It is on record that the management of the above mentioned company held a meeting on the 19th of August, 2021 and decided to return the chemicals or sell it to pay back the owners, in other to avoid more litigations.

"The supplier of the chemicals had earlier petition the board to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), which l was invited on the 5th of August, after serious interrogation, l was released on self recognition and later invited the director of account and Head of store for further investigation.

"Angood Nigerian Limited supplied the said chemicals worth N88,350,000 (Eighty Eight million three hundred and fifty thousand naira) with Local purchase order (LPO) 030 which we have not been able to pay the supplier.

"To avoid further embarrassment, we signed undertaking with Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC ), for repayment of N20 million naira per month, which on the 27th of August is the appointment with EFCC to present a bank draft of N20 million naira to Angood Limited as part payment. In other not to face more embarrassment we contacted a buyer to meet up with the due date."

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has declared Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade the best humanitarian Governor in Nigeria.

The Federal Commissioner for NCFRMI, Hajiya
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made the declaration on Monday, in Abuja while presenting the "Best Humanitarian Governor" award to the Governor.

She said Ayade's humanitarian disposition towards refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons was rare even across the African continent, adding that NCFRMI was proud to identify with his achievements.

"Governor Ayade's passion, commitment and concern for the vulnerable members of the society is rare and worthy of emulation. We acknowledge that he has been doing so much to support migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons in Cross River.

"It is in recognition of these efforts to better the living conditions of this category of persons; giving the hopeless, hope; homeless, shelter and the hungry, food; and even going further to create a source of livelihood for them, that we have deemed it necessary to give Governor Ayade the award, to encourage him to continue the good work", she said.

Hajiyya Sulaiman-Ibrahim sought to partner with the Cross River State Government in the task to cater for the needs of refugees, migrants and IDPs in the country.

She stated that the NCFRMI would regularly interface with Gov. Ayade to this end.

Responding, the Governor, thanked NCFRMI for finding him deserving of the honour, saying, " humanity is my religion and I will continue to do all that I can to uphold humanity".

He described NCFRMI as a necessary partner needed to complement the efforts of the state governments to meet the challenges of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons in the states.

Ayade used the occasion to further draw the federal government's attention to the plight of the displaced Bakassi people and other IDPs while calling for more support towards ameliorating their suffering.

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari seeks to perpetuate injustices that Cross River State has suffered over the years, so says Governor Ben Ayade.

Ayade said the law failed to address the concerns of the state in spite of the presentation he made to the relevant senate committee

Governor Ayade stated this while receiving in audience some members of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) led by the state’s representative, Ntufam Eyo Nsa Whiley.

Whiley said they were in the state to sensitize the government and the people on the forthcoming stakeholders meeting with the leadership of the commission to collate views with regards to reviewing the current revenue formula.

Ayade expressed scepticism that the new attempt at reviewing the current revenue formula would herald anything positive for the state, maintaining that he has no faith in RMAFC, as nothing concrete would come out of the exercise.

Recalling how the Senate Committee on PIB that toured the state failed to mirror the grievances of Cross River in the bill before it was finally signed into law by the President, the governor said the experience was enough “for us to express our deep and sincere distrust in the entire exercise and processes of RMAFC."

Ayade who was visibly overwhelmed with anger said: "As I spoke to the Senate Committee on PIB then, I will choose same to communicate the position of Cross River State, which is that we do not have faith in this exercise, neither do we believe that it will end properly."

With particular reference to the PIB, Ayade lamented that "as far as we are concerned as a state, we have been reduced to want in body in spirit and in soul," adding that "there is no indication whatsoever that the review of the revenue allocation will be based on the principle of jurisprudence, equity and fair play."

He recalled that "when the PIB committee visited, I took my time and articulated in the best of professional grammar to explain to them that producing communities are not as delicate and sensitive as impacted communities. Cross River State bears the brunt of production, but today the PIB is signed into law, insensitive to the oil impacted communities to which Cross River State belongs.

"In the same PIB, 30% of revenue is set aside for frontier exploration, luckily the Calabar basin which they refused to recognize in that category which stretches from all the mountain basins, cutting across the whole of Bakassi, Biase Odukpani, Okuni, Ogoja, Yala is heavily impregnated with hydrocarbon. The geo-coordinates have been issued by myself since 2016 to the federal government. Today we watch and see how the 30% set aside for the frontier exploration will be managed. And we will see what will happen to the Calabar basin."

Ayade queried a scenario "where Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States; and Cameroon all have oil and Cross River will not have oil? And you sit on this injustice and it goes on year after year after year?"

According to the governor, "the principle under which RMAFC is set out and the way they are operating so far is inconsistent with the provisions of the law that established it. And I would like to have this on record that you have failed to use your mandate judiciously. You have failed to understand that the law empowers you to review the formula not based on obnoxious principles."

The governor charged RMAFC to do what is fair, just and right, even as he expressed the worry that ”even as we come to articulate our position, if the majority of the people who are satisfied with the present situation, carry the day, we would have spoken in futility and in vain.

"It is clear that the law has taken all our rights and vested them on RMAFC, so no matter how we shout and scream, the buck stops on your table. Even the stabilization funds that are now being shared among all the states, that was not the spirit and intent of the stabilization funds. The basis for everything that the Constitution had envisaged to balance the financially disadvantaged states is being taken off and that is the role of RMAFC."

Urging Whiley to be a good ambassador of the state, Governor Ayade enjoined: "Luckily we have our own son with a very rich Curriculum Vitae and if you are there and this revenue review is done without a specific focus on Cross River State, with an improved interest of Cross River State, balancing the injustice, then it will not be fair to us. Because we cannot continue to build prison yards when we can build farms and factories."

He announced the setting up of an adhoc committee to collate and articulate the position of the state at the South-South meeting with RAMFAC.
The committee, which has a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barr Efefiom Ekong as chairman, has as members, His Royal Majesty Etim Okon Edet, chairman Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Gersh Henshaw, Prof Mike Okom, Stella Odey-Ekpo, Pastor John Ewa, Comrade Ben Ukpepi, Dan Obo, Betty, representative of the market women amongst others.
Earlier, the state's representative in RMAFC told the governor that "The essence of this visit is nothing more than to know where we stand and how we stand and where we can improve in the sense of the revenue that accrues to Cross River.

"What my colleagues in the 36 States and I are doing is a directive of President Mohammadu Buhari to go round and sensitize their own states' indigenes to know that it's time for their revenue formula to be reviewed."

The Federal Government in partnership with the Cross River State Government is set to commence the construction of 1000 housing units to be spread across the three senatorial zones of the state.
The social housing program is under the National Social Housing Program being promoted by the Economic Sustainability Committee in the office of the Vice President.
Disclosing the flag of the project during a presentation to the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade in Calabar, Managing Director of Family Homes Funds Limited, Femi Adewole, said "the scheme is a new program that was instituted in October 2020 as one of the economic sustainability plans of the federal government in response to the effects of Covid-19."
Adewole said the development of the housing units was going to be in phases with the first phase or part that will see to the construction of “a thousand units under the affordable housing programme."
Continuing, he revealed that "the social housing program is one of the economic sustainability plans of the Federal Government in response to the effects of Covid-19 on the economy and also to alleviate its impact on Nigerians on very low income.
"By it's nature, this program is targeted at Nigerians on very low income with the directive from the committee that the houses should cost no more than two million naira and that is basically to ensure that it is affordable to civil servants who are earning the minimum wage."
On how the scheme will be funded, Adewole stated: "The program will be funded under a two hundred billion naira debenture deed between the Family Homes Funds and the Central Bank of Nigeria with the beneficiaries expected to pay for their houses over a 15-year period as a minimum. And if you work that out for the two million naira house, it will give you just under nine thousand naira monthly repayment schedule and that meets the affordability criteria."
Giving a breakdown of how the projects will be distributed, the Family Homes Funds CEO, revealed that "three sites have been identified in Cross River State and they are Odukpani, Ikom and Ogoja and the designs for all of these and the documentations have now been completed and we expect to finalize the funding by the end of this month with a prospective groundbreaking at a date to be agreed with His Excellency.
"The second part is the affordable housing program and that is what we call the vanilla of the family homes funds and this is aimed at low/middle income earners."
According to Adewole, "having done the social housing, we are also making provisions for commercial spaces, green areas and parks and that has reduced the number across the three sites for the social housing to a total of 886 Units which is slightly short of our 1000 units target. So your Excellency that is where we are."
Expressing excitement at the choice of Cross River for the pilot project, Governor Ayade recalled that "Our first discussion on this was back in Russia and back then you told me that you would make sure Cross River gets into the scheme and today you are here to keep your promise. I want to thank you very much."
Ayade said "having listened to your presentation, I know the board of Family Homes Funds will definitely give the final approval on the 24th which is next week Tuesday. So I cannot wait to have your phone call with the good news to tell me all is done."
The governor said with Cross River population at 4.2 million, 886 housing units were grossly inadequate, adding that "We have the NLC here, we have the civil servants, we have market women, so I am worried about 886 units when we have about 15000 people already interested. I think that 886 is such a small number for Cross River State with a population of 4.2m people."
On the cost of two bedroom bungalow as proposed by Family Homes Funds, Ayade beamed: "So your provision of N 2 million for a one bedroom house for the poorest of the poor and not necessarily tying it to a formal income regime is very commendable.

"But we must also be very sensitive to the quality of the houses even though we are desperate to keep the price at N2 million so as to avoid disasters in the future."
Governor Ayade promised that "for us as a government, I will want to do something a little better than what you have offered and this will be at no extra cost to the beneficiaries but to the state because we want Cross River to be your extraordinary shining example. I know that a two million naira house will not be fitted, given the kind of rain fall pattern we have. And the reality is that for this house to last upto 15 years, you will definitely need state government support so you will see some certain modifications which will also help in facilitating repayments because the beneficiaries will be too happy with the quality."

Sent from my iPhone

Cross River State Government has assured the National Rubber Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NARPPMAN) that it would approve 50,000 hectares of land for farmers to enable them to plant rubber and palm trees.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Okon Owuna, gave the assurance when the National President of NARPPMAN, Peter Igbinosun, and delegates of the Cross River State chapter of the group, visited the ministry.

Owuna advised the smallholder farmers in the state, especially those in the natural rubber sub-sector to form cooperatives to enable them access grants, other international agricultural funds and machineries, which the government had attracted to the state.

He said to maintain a top position in rubber cultivation and production, the state government would support farmers with land, being a major requirement of international donors and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“I encourage rubber farmers in the state to be proactive to draw the much-needed funds and grants from international organisations the state is partnering.

“We have the land required by donors as collateral, but you must form groups and cooperatives before you can access the grants. You have to request for land and we are ready to approve such requests,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Igbinosun said his visit to the state was to renew the relationship with the state government and encourage rubber farmers to consolidate Cross River’s position as the second biggest producer of rubber in the country.

He thanked the state government for assuring them of its support and intervention to boost cultivation of rubber among farmers.

Igbinosun, who expressed hope of better collaboration between the state government and the association, said his visit afforded him opportunity to meet critical stakeholders and large scale farmers.

He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for supply of high-yield stumps to members of the association would be signed, adding that the association had perfected arrangements to acquire 160,000 hectares of land for the 24 member-states that produce rubber to plant the high-yield cloned varieties.

The president urged the commissioner to invite the state government to participate in the upcoming Natural Rubber Week holding in Calabar this month and the National Rubber Conference scheduled for Abuja in October during which the Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, would unveil announce Federal Government’s policy on rubber.

By David Peter |

Cross River State, Chairman Anti-Tax Agency, Bishop (Dr.) Emmah Isong, on Saturday, liberated a trader whose commodities were seized from an illegal task impetus along the parliamentary road in Calabar.

The merchandiser, Miss. Tina Ejiroghene Edafe, who deals with assortments for cakes was bullied by an unlawful tax crew for non-compliance with her tax payments.

According to her, “Early hours today, a faction of young men came to my shop demanding for tax fees. “I recall that the Cross River State Governor earlier abolished the payment of tax for small shop owners. “I explained to them but all endeavor wasn't considered as they seized my generator and other items in my shop. “I cried out to the state anti-tax hotline on 07026105177, I was keen they responded swiftly, as my goods, and the generator was returned within 30mins,” Tina said.

Also speaking, The Anti-Tax Agency Boss, Bishop Emmah Isong, hinted that the agency swung into action after they received a complaint through a phone conversation from a vendor in Calabar.

“I received a grievance via our hotlines of an illegitimate tax felon invading into a lady's shop at Parliamentary road along World Palace Church. “Hastily, I alerted the Anti-Tax Agency Quick Response team. They arrived at the territory with the agency's Brigades, Police Officers, and a Civil Defense cop. “The officers were competent to track down the perpetrators in the area and repossessed all seized entities from the illegal tax operators,” Emmah, said.

The Chairman, further issued a rigorous signal to all illegitimate tax masters to be whisked from such operation. He affirmed that the anti-tax mechanisms will not condone such illegal workouts across the State, augmenting that, “unlawful tax perpetrators will be brought to book, in accordance to the cross-river state anti-tax law.”

Tina, however, commended the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, for constituting the Anti-Tax agency and securing its policy strides to bear fruition in the State.

A group in Cross River State, Advocacy For Witches (AFAW) has commended the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, for dismissing his Special Adviser on Forest Security, Thomas Tawo, also known as “General Iron”.

In a statement by its director, Leo Igwe, the group described Tawo as a notorious witch hunter and “blood letter”, who has been terrorising witches in the Boki Local Government Area in central Cross River.

The witch group claimed that in 2020, Tawo led some witch hunters to abduct, torture and lynch about fifteen witches in Boki without anyone taking action against him.

“The victims of those vicious attacks including his mother who was allegedly tortured and set on fire, and unfortunately Mr Tawo or any of those implicated in the atrocious act has yet to be arrested or prosecuted.

“The sacking of this individual is long overdue; his dismissal should mark the end of the nightmare so-called witches have experienced in his hands,” the group stated

French investors, Yann Fortunato of Industriel Sylviculteur and Estelle Mougeot, President Links 4 Value have described Cross River as fertile for commercial-scale cultivation of bamboo and potatoes.

Speaking during a presentation at the Conference Hall of the Governor's Office, Calabar, Fortunato said their interest in the state stems from the availability of bamboos in all parts of the state.

He also described the temperate climate conditions of the Obudu Cattle Ranch as perfect for commercial cultivation of potatoes.

According to Fortunato, a collaboration between the Cross River State Government and France will develop the value chain for Irish potatoes and bamboo.

The collaboration, he said, will lead to the establishment of a seed cultivation and multiplication factory to improve output for export.

On her part, Mougeot described Bamboo as "green steel" capable of boosting the economy of the state and cited Southern France as a veritable example of a bamboo-driven economy.

He said apart helping in the fight against climate change, bamboo is used for so many things, including making of chairs and tables.

Responding, the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade expressed delight at the visit of the French investors, saying Cross River was ready to collaborate with them in Agroforestry and commercial potatoes cultivation.

"Agroforestry is the way to go if we must safeguard our forest reserve. It is the answer to the massive deforestation of our forests.

"Cross River boasts of 58 per cent of Nigeria's forest reserve and with the fast regenerative nature of bamboo, deforestation will be reduced because, with bamboo, we can make school chairs, tables, toothpicks, among others.

"I'm particularly thrilled by the term, " green steel" as used by Mougeot", he said.

The governor mandated Commissioners for Land and Agriculture to work with the visiting investors to ensure the realisation of the bamboo and potatoes cultivation projects.

A delegation from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) led by the Country Director, Ms. Ulla Elisabeth Mueller accompanied by the State Programme Specialist, Reproductive Health, UNFPA, Cross River, Yakubu Aliu, earlier today paid a courtesy visit to the wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade, to seek collaboration with her NGO, the Mediatrix Development Foundation at the NGO level and to solicit backing in pushing for policies that will enable the provision of universal access to sexual and reproductive health, promote reproductive rights, reduce maternal mortality and accelerate progress towards the achievement of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) programme of action.

In her response, Dr Linda Ayade was excited that some of UNFPA’s activities were in sync with what her NGO, the Mediatrix Development Foundation (MDF) does.

With passion in her eyes Dr. Ayade said she was already fighting gender-based violence having facilitated the prosecution of sex offenders and carried out several advocacies to schools, markets, communities, amongst others to educate the people on how to prevent SGBV and the need to speak up when it occurs. She expressed her readiness to partner with the group as she hailed their activities describing them as laudable.

Dr Linda Ayade also promised to use her position as wife of Governor to drive and lobby government for policies that will lead to the prevention of gender base violence.

Briefing Dr Linda Ayade on the purpose of their visit, the Country Director, Ms. Ulla Elisabeth Mueller said they were there to first of all seek partnership with her on the NGO level for programme implementation and secondly to solicit her support to use her office as wife of Governor to drive for policies that will enable UNFPA carry out its mandate which is to work in partnership with the Government of Nigeria to implement development activities that provide universal access to sexual and reproductive health, promote reproductive rights, reduce maternal mortality and accelerates progress towards the achievement of the ICPD declaration.
She revealed that Nigeria has the highest prevalence of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in the world and that is why UNFPA is establishing VVF centers in Nigeria, one of which is located in Cross River State.

In her goodwill message the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu thanked UNFPA for their contribution to the development strides the state has made in providing
sexual and reproductive health, in the provision of free surgeries for Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) repairs and treatment in the state at the VVF Centre, General Hospital, Ogoja, and other activities to promote reproductive rights, reduce maternal mortality.

Dr. Betta said in terms of partnership their quest to collaborate with Dr. Linda Ayade were not misplaced as her NGO, MDF were already carrying out some of the activities of UNFPA and have the experience and manpower to implement their activities.

By David Peter

Cross River State Governor, His Excellency Ben Ayade and his Plateau counterpart, Governor Simon Bako Lalong, recently paid a visit at the French Embassy in Abuja to discussed with Ambassador Jerome Pasquier and prolific investors from France, on areas of investment specifically in potatoes production and its value chain development in Cross River and Plateau State.

In the meeting, Governor Ayade harks back on the Ambassador tours in March early this year at the Ayade Industrial Park in Calabar where the teams discussed the vast areas of partnership and investments in agric-value chains.

Ayade conveyed his gratification to the French ambassador, positing that, despite the global ravaging pandemic, Corona-Virus constraints, the Ambassador was able to ameliorate the visit of the investors who arrived in Nigeria to explore the agricultural investment opportunities in Plateau and Cross River State on behalf of some clusters of the enterprise community in France.

Responding, The Ambassador, hinted to the Governors' that the two investors were in the country specifically to look at agricultural opportunities in areas of potato farming, preservation, and marketing and well as exotic crops and flowers that are in high demand around the world.

He similarly maintained that more linkages were being arranged to ensure the relationship is advantageous to both States.

The high point of the meeting was a dinner reception and a dialogue with the French Investors on Potato Value Chain Programme.

In attendance at the dialogue were; Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, French Ambassador Jerome Pasquier, Cross River Commissioner of Agriculture, Ntufam Okon Owuna, Agricultural Investors, and other prominent personalities.

Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade, Sunday, flew Cally Air for the first time, describing the experience as wonderful.

Cally Air, which is wholly owned by Cross River State, commenced commercial operations about three weeks ago.

Speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, shortly after disembarking from a Cally Air flight from Calabar, the Governor said the experience of flying the airline was world class.

A visibly thrilled Ayade, said the experience was outstanding, adding that " it was smooth, fantastic and timely. I was thrilled by the take off and landing of the aircraft. We got to Abuja 10 minutes earlier".

According to him, " CallyAir has a unique appeal. Its sheer size, aircraft brand, quality of flight and timelines makes the airline unique.”

The airline, which made its maiden flight into the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar two weeks ago, has since commenced daily flight in and out of the city to Abuja and Lagos.

The governor said the airline would help the state to unlock her economic potentials.

“It was a dream we had in 2017 occasioned by the high influx of traffic into Calabar and the monopoly of some airlines dominating the Calabar route,” Ayade stated.

The entrance of the airline into the aviation sector has already triggered ticket pricing war as other airlines have been forced to drastically reduce their fares in response to Cally Air tickets which can be purchased as low as seventeen thousand naira only.

Unlawful Tax: Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency Rescues Trader Commodities in Calabar

By David Peter

Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency Enforcement Team, on Friday, liberated some trader's commodities in Calabar South.

A martyr, Mrs. Apostle Orok, a pharmacist in Calabar South, who retails drugs was humiliated for not reimbursing her business premises tax by unlawful tax operators in Calabar South.

Orok said on persuading them with the Governor's Anti-Tax Exemption Policy all efforts were proved abortive. She immediately called up the Anti-Tax agency hotlines on 07026105177, they arrived forthwith and retrieved her products from the illicit tax operators.

Speaking with the Anti-Tax Representative in Calabar South, Mr. Frank Okon said, “We received a complaint through our hotlines of a small shop owner in Calabar South, lamenting of illegal tax operators assaulting her and also, invading into her shop premises to seize her goods”.

“Our team swung into action with three (3) Anti-Tax Brigades, One (1) Police Officer, and a Civil Defense cop for the operation.”

He attested that the team “was able to regain all her goods which were contained a pack of drugs from the illegal tax operators in Calabar South.”

Recall that, the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Ben Ayade declared Cross River State TAX FREE, with the agency responsibility of building a better economic future for all Cross Riverians, in categories of low-income earners, small businesses, and physically challenged persons in the state, under the established law of Cross River State Tax Exemption No. 13, 2015, which provides the agency to facilitate, CRS Anti-Tax Agency as a cooperative for the implementation of the government policies.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Development Institute in Cross River State.

The institute is for the South-South geo-political zone.

The approval followed an earlier request by the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade to the President for the siting of the institute in the state.

The letter granting the approval was presented, Monday, to the governor at his conference room in Calabar, by the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor M.S Haruna.

Presenting the letter, Haruna told Ayade that "We are here to officially communicate to you that President Muhammadu Buhari has granted your request and approved the zonal Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Development Institute to be sited in Cross River State."

Haruna said the choice of the state followed a rigorous evaluation of states in the South South zone, along with other parameters, adding, "the products of your achievements stood tall, hence the decision to site that zonal office here in Calabar."

According to the NASENI CEO, "President Buhari approved six of these institutes for each of the geopolitical zones and I am happy to announce to you that, that of the south south is to be located in Cross River."

In order to ensure food security and sufficiency in Nigeria, Haruna noted that there was need to embrace research and technology, adding that "the effort and achievements of Governor Ben Ayade have continued to resonate all over the country and this was what informed President Buhari's choice of Cross River as the South South zonal office."

In his response, Governor Ayade, while calling on Cross Riverians to thank President Buhari for considering Cross River as the appropriate choice to bed the Institute, said: "NASENI is the way for us to go, because as a nation, there is no way you can progress without a good research in science and engineering. There is no way, even if we are copying technology, the way China started which is reverse engineering where you import something, deconstruct it and now fabricate yours and even that process requires the backing of science and engineering research."

While decrying over dependence on foreign technology, the governor lamented that "as far as a nation depends on another for agricultural equipments, for ammunition, for food, for drugs, then you are a slavish nation, you are a subhuman nation and that is what is seen in Nigeria today and that is the narrative Professor Haruna is trying to change."

Ayade particularly thanked the President for the choice of Professor Haruna as head of NASENI, as according to him, "Haruna has distinguished himself internationally and brought back that experience to add value to our science and research. I want to congratulate you.

"For us, there is no institute in Nigeria that is bigger than the one you are about to site here. The institute will focus on the manufacturing of the equipment for agricultural purpose and beyond that, whatever is the object clause of NASENI can be done from this institute. I want to thank you so much."

Governor Ayade directed the state commissioner for lands to immediately make land available for the institute while also announcing the provision of a temporary office accommodation and vehicle to NASENI to fast track the establishment of the institute.

By Ebriku John Friday

Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI) has set aside Wednesday, August 4, 2021 for fasting and prayers ahead of its One Million Women March in solidarity of Cross River State Governor, His Excellency Sen Prof Sir Ben Ayade fixed for August 5, 2021 in Calabar, the Cross River State capital city.

The solemn spiritual exercise which will take place by the women in their different closets between the hours of 6am to 12 noon is geared towards the successful hosting of the event.

The President of CROWEI and Vice Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Hon Lawrencia Ita and the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and Chairman Central Planning Committee of the event, Hon Stella Odey-Ekpo noted that the women event is also to show appreciations and support to the delectable wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade, who their describe as the founder and Champion of Women Emancipation in Cross River.

The women event takes off from Mustard point 11/11 Calabar by 10am prompt will see the women drawn from various works of life to march on Calabar in support of Governor Ayade's historic defection and his unwavering support for women emancipation and development.

The women leader had earlier expressed their enthusiasm for His Excellency for the great feats so far attained and for socketing Cross River State to the Center, thanking His Excellency for the 'Broom Revolution' ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) in Cross River State political landscape, taking to news men, the Cross River State women expressed optimism on the greater gain of socketing to the center and putting Cross River State amongst the giant Political States in the Country for the benefit of the Dividends of Democracy.

The Women as well appreciates His Excellency the Executive Governor of Cross River State for his love towards the Women in the State, by carrying women along in his administration, at all levels of leadership and also to the First Lady, Amb. Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade (KSJI) for her leadership qualities towards the female folks in the State.

On this note the CROWEI, Women hereby invite all Crossrivarians resident in Calabar, the CROWEI Women organization, Church Women Organizations, Market Women Organizations, Non - indigenous Women organizations; Ikom, Ogoja, Obudu and other Local Government Area Women Organizations resident in Calabar and Political support groups to join the ONE MILLION MEGA RALLY in solidarity with Sen. Prof. Benedict Ayade, as he has taken Cross River State to the Center.

The Women ably led by Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade and backed by Amazons like Senator Florence Ita Giwa, The Secretary to the Cross River State Government (SSG) Barr. Tina Banku Agbor, The Executive Female Chairmen of Councils- Hon. Mrs. Ada Charles, Chairman Biase LGA, Hon. Mrs. Esther Bassey, Chairman Calabar South LGA, Hon. Mrs. Margaret Inde, Obanlikwu Council Chairman, Hon. Amb. Mrs. Justina Edem, Chairman Odukpani LGA
All Female Members of House of Assembly and Commissioners- Hon. Cynthia Nkasi, Member Yala 11, Hon. Regina Anyogo, Member Yala 1, Hon. Mrs. Stella Odey- Ekpo, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Dr. Inyang Asibong, Commissioner for International Development, Dr Beta Edu, Health Commissioner, Asso. Prof. Alice Eku Commissioner for Establishment, Past. Mrs. RoseMary Archibong Esq. Commissioner for Commerce & Industries Hon. Blessing Egbara Commissioner for Humanities, Wives of National Assembly Members, all Female Vice Chairmen of Councils, Special Advisers-, Directors of Boards, General Managers and plethora of Special Assistants will all be part of the epoch making rally.

Speaking on the importance of the rally on Tuesday shortly after the Green Carnival parade, Hon.Mrs. Stella Odey- Ekpo and Dr. Inyang Asibong said plans are on top gear to bringing Women from across the State and beyound to showcase their love for the Governor.

"Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Lynda Ayade, the beautiful wife of our Governor is our mother and the leader of CROWEI to lead the entire women of Cross River State and in diaspora as we demonstrate our love for our father and to tell him, we the Women of Cross River are solidly behind him" Hon.Mrs. Stella Oreme Odey-Ekpo stated.

By Chidi Onyemaizu

Come on board. It is a Boeing 737 and it is on the fleet of Cally Air, Cross River's newly birthed Airline.

Boeing 737 is a beautiful huge bird in the sky, a wonder in aero- engineering. Its breathtaking design gives fillip to the moniker: If it is not Boeing, I'm not going.

The interior is magnificent. It comes with a residential feeling, with relaxing colours and restful seats.

The floor offers a friendlier atmosphere and comfortable environment.

Indeed, Cally Air is the latest in Governor Ben Ayade's relentless effort to recalibrate Cross River's economy. The Airline is primed to play a huge role in broadening the frontiers of an economy that was before now wholly tied to paltry monthly federal allocation.

Cally Air can indeed recreate in Cross River, Ethiopian and Emirate Airlines' flowery stories.

Essentially, with its multiple indirect, direct and auxiliary jobs creation propensity, the Aviation business is an economic enabler. Ask the Ethiopian Airline, ask United Arab Emirate's (UAE) Emirate Air.

Certainly, Cally Air can replicate in Cross River what Ethiopian and Emirates Airlines have done to the Ethiopian and UAE economies respectively.

The beneficiaries of the direct jobs (e.g pilots, flight attendants, maintenance Engineers etc) and indirect jobs( e.g caterers, airport attendants, tourism and hotel operators, taxi operators etc) that Cally Air will create are Cross Riverians. This will in turn boost the economy of the state.

Notedly, there are different ways of measuring air transport’s impact on an economy.

A look at these variables reassures one of Cally Air's enchanting prospect:

*The jobs and spending generated by airlines and their supply chain, the flows of trade, tourism and investment resulting from users of airlines serving the country or city, and the city pair connections that make these flows possible.

*The air transport sector facilitates and lubricates such auxiliary jobs as airport operators, airport on-site enterprises e.g restaurants, retail, taxi services etc.

The Ethiopian economy, for example, has benefited immensely from Ethiopian airline. The Airline indirectly employs about 19,000 people.

In addition, by buying goods and services from local suppliers the airline supports another 179,000 jobs. In all these, the airline is estimated to support a further 80,000 jobs through the wages it pays its employees, some or all of which are subsequently spent on consumer goods and services.

Foreign tourists arriving by air to Ethiopia, who spend their money in the local economy, are estimated to support an additional 815,000 jobs.

In total, 1.1 million jobs are supported by air transport and tourists arriving by air.

In the case of Emirate Airline, in 20 years, it has attracted to UAE GDP, the sum of $128 billion, according to International Air Transport Association, IATA.

This is in addition to supporting nearly 800,000 jobs.

Accordig to former British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, "Success is the child of audacity". This finds amity with Governor Ayade and the birthing of Cally Air.

Creating an enduring economy requires big dreams and crystallization of such dreams can only be a function of the will power to aim higher than one's carrying capacity. Ayade sums it up: "I rather aim high and miss than aim low and hit...we are only as big as our imagination, if we can dream it, then we can achieve it".

His audacity to dream big and the grit resolve to bring to reality such seemingly tall dreams best explains the crystalization of Cally Air.

How could Cross River, stripped of its 76 oil wells, stifled by suffocating debt profile and left body and soul with a sagging revenue allocation pull such feat as floating an airline even when buoyant states fear to thread that slippery path?

As confounding as this jigsaw may be, the answer can be gleaned from Ayade's resolve against insistent self- doubt and crushing self pity thus validating Robert Goddard's assertion that "it is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and reality of tomorrow.”

Yes, Cross River's meagre monthly allocation is hardly enough to pay salaries and pensions much less acquiring Boeing Aircrafts but people need to remember that the state is under the superintendence of a thinking head who continually thinks out of the box.

Rather than whine and gnash teeth over the state's unsettling cyclone of twisting financial agony, Ayade has used intellectualism to find a way around Cross River's lack.

And so, in the absence of physical cash, he has devised means of employing intellectual money to fill the void.

Intellectual money simply implies using intellect to get things done without necessarily applying liquid cash. This was how Cally Air came about.

With Cally Air and the avalanche of industries built by the Ayade administration in the last six years contributing their quotas to deepen the economy of the state through job creation and revenue generation, the governor's vision of Cross River of tomorrow has ultimately berthed on the shores of reality.

Cross River of tomorrow is Cross River with a solid economic base, one that holds prosperity agenda for the future of its people, especially the youth.

Cally Air has in its fleet Boeing 737 aircraft with the capacity for about 150 passengers per flight and superbly managed by Aero Contractors, West Africa's over 60-year-old Aviation Company with solid experience in aviation services.

And so, in bringing this noble dream to berth on the shores of reality, Ayade has once again proved that he is visionary and goal-oriented.

Chidi Onyemaizu is Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to Governor Ayade

The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) has chosen to build its laboratory complex in Calabar, the Cross River state capital, so says its Director General, Farouk Salim.

The laboratory will be cited at the sprawling Ayade Industrial Park, Calabar which houses a cluster of industries built by the Professor Ben Ayade-led administration.

Speaking during inspection of the Park, Salim said the sheer size of the industrial park and the industries therein was amazing despite Cross River's meagre federal allocation.

"It is amazing what has been done here by His Excellency and to think it was done despite Cross River being number 35 out of 36 in the country in terms of allocation.

"It's amazing that with that little income the state has been able to harness and build such a facility. It is quite impressive and the most important thing about this facility is that locally, it is going to create many opportunities for people from farmers, to processors and to the off-takers who sell the products. It is a very interesting and a special approach by a state government which I have not seen such so far in the country.”

Paying glowing tribute to the governor, the SON DG said: "His Excellency is a man of foresight , as a Professor with great ideas, it looks like there is more harmony between Cross River State and the federal government which is the most important thing because if there is harmony there is going to be progress. The federal government has every reason to contribute to Cross River State because they are now part of the harmonious relationship with the federal government.”

He described the industrial park as "one of the choice areas in the state and it is a wonderful opportunity for our organization to site our operations here.”

Salim expressed SON's readiness to certify the products of the industrial park after passing through the certification process.

Responding, governor Ayade thanked SON for the decision to cite its laboratory complex in Calabar, describing the move as a validation of his industrialisation policy and dividend of socketing to the central government.

"Coming here and feeling excited by what we have done so far, for me, is a vindication and basically a socio political accreditation of my achievements. I want to thank him so much for the encouraging words, thank you for willingness and committment.

"But I think Cross Riverians should know at this point that our socketing into the centre by moving to the APC is beginning to yield far much more dividends at a speed I never imagined.

"Today we have SON here, not by any proxy but by the DG himself coming here, making a choice of a location to build a SON complex in Calabar and we have given them a place at our ultra modern industrial park.

"I am quite excited at the opportunity that SON is bringing to Cross River State and this would not have been possible if we didn't have this socketing to the centre principle. I agree that the harmony existing between federal government and Cross River at this point is so strong and much better and Cross Riverians should expect to see more of this", the governor said.

The governor explained that his industrialisation drive was driven from anthropological perspective "to create jobs for our people.”

On Thursday, August 5, Calabar the Cross River State capital will be adorned in beautiful colors as women from across the state and beyond embark on a mega rally in solidarity with His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade, our dear Digital Governor.

The women will leap for joy and ecstasy as they say “thank you” to His Excellency for the great feats so far attained and for moving to the Next Level in his political voyage.

The event which is organized under the auspices of the Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI) promises to be the biggest women event in history.

It is said that when the woman is happy the homestead is blessed, the earth rejoices and God grants all heart desires and expectations of the family. Cross River State women are in one bond as a family in showcasing their love for our governor. August 5 would be a glaring testament.

The women ably led by Her Excellency, Dr. Lynda Ayade, and backed by Amazons like Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Hon Stella Oreme Odey -Ekpo, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Dr. Inyang Asibong, Commissioner for International Development, Dr. Betta Edu, Health Commissioner, Hon Cynthia Nkasi, member Yala 11, Hon Regina Anyogho, member Yala 1, Hon Ada Charles, Chairman Biase, Hon Esther Bassey, Chairman Calabar South, Hon Margaret Inde, Chairman, Odukpani Local Government Area, Hon. Justina Edem, Obanlikwu Council Chairman, wives of National Assembly members, all-female vice-chairmen of councils, special advisers, directors of boards, general managers, councilors, and a plethora of special assistants will all be part of the epoch-making rally.

Speaking on the import of the rally on Tuesday shortly after the Green Cardinal parade, Hon Stella Odey and Dr. Inyang Asibong said plans are afoot to bring women from across the state and beyond to showcase their love for the governor.

“Her Excellency, Dr. Lynda Ayade, the beautiful wife of our governor is part of us and will be leading our lovely women to demonstrate our love for our father and to tell him, we the women of Cross River are solidly behind him” Hon Odey stated.

She said husbands, fathers, brothers, and friends of women are welcome to support the women in saying,” thank you” to the governor.

“Though, it is a women’s thing our men are sincerely welcome to the event to support us in saying ‘thank you to our father, the Governor.”

By Emmanuel Unah

Cross River State governor, Sir. Ben Ayade, Monday, disclosed that the floating of the state-owned Cally Air will help unlock the economic potentials of the state.

Cally Air, Monday, made its maiden flight into Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar from Lagos en route to Abuja.

Addressing journalists shortly after the aircraft touched down, Governor Ayade said it was a dream come true, recalling that "It was a dream we had in 2017, occasioned by the high influx of traffic into Calabar and the monopoly of some airlines dominating the Calabar route."

The governor said the high cost of flight tickets occasioned by the monopolistic tendencies of these airlines made it "imperative as a government, even though we are performing beyond our financial carrying capacity, to start up Cally Air. And that dream has become a reality today."

Reiterating that the airline is wholly owned by the Cross River State Government, Ayade said no loan was obtained to acquire the aircraft.

His words: "Cally Air belongs to Cross River State. No loan, no facilities were obtained and it is one hundred percent property of the citizens of Cross River State.

"I don't own it, aero contractors do not own it. No one has a percentage share. The recruitment was done by aero contractors, but we have a responsibility to ensure that the sensitivity and ethnic differences in Cross River are reflected.”

He, therefore, urged Cross Riverians to patronize the airline, noting that "Cally Air is intended to serve Cross Riverians. It is for you Cross Riverians. The decision by the airline to ply this route is to serve the people. Your fare which starts from N17,000 is intended to support Cross Riverians. So you must make Cally Air your chosen airline. Cally Air will provide you the sufficiency of comfort as well as safety."

The governor who said the airline will make punctuality the soul of its business, also disclosed that "when we say Cally Air operates on the dot, we mean it will be prompt, it will be apt, it will be time conscious to ensure that Cross Riverians can go to Abuja, do their business and return the same day to save them the cost of hotel bills."

According to him, "the whole concept of Cally Air is to ensure Cross Riverians reduce the cost of transportation and increase footfalls into Calabar so that our hotels can boom and we can then increase our tourism.”

He promised that “as Cally Air begins to prosper, you are going to see more aircrafts being procured by Cross River State Ministry of Aviation and as I said, this is a property of Cross River State Government by extension the citizens of Cross River.

" Your money is there, my money is there, all of our taxes have come to the achievement of this. There is no bank loan and I am saying it on camera for emphasis, no bank here or abroad that will say Cross River borrowed 10kobo. No one will say we borrowed one naira."

On the operational modality between the aero contractors, handlers of the aircraft, and the state government, Ayade hinted that "Aero contractors know that this aircraft is given to them for six months in the first instance strictly because we do not have an AOC, which is the license to run an airline business. We only have a license for the aircraft.

"It takes six months for the license to come and if we have to wait for the license, we will be losing money, so that is why we had to start early, using aero contractors with over 56years of flying without any accident. So based on safety, we chose aero contractors, and against that background, we will continue with them until Cally Air has its full management team and a full AOC. So after the AOC, we can now commence a full direct independent airline. For those who imagine that aero has a hand in the procurement of this aircraft, it is false. No one, except Cross River citizens, owns this aircraft."

...Securities, Traders and Residents laud Ayade's power rehabilitation

By David Peter

In a bid to strengthen the state security outfits to check activities of hoodlums at night as well as to ease sunset trading and residents on evening work out. The state government has restored street lights to no fewer than twenty (20) remote areas in Calabar, the capital city of Cross River state.

Ayade Advocate reporter confirmed recently the interminable tsunami with great admiration among residents and traders at Mayne Avenue, Calabar-South, with the beauty of a strong light falling from the everlasting poles into the heart of the dimness, on Thursday, evening at about 7 pm W.A.T.

Rt. Hon. Victor Agwu, the Commissioner for Power, to Cross River State Governor, told newsmen that the street lights were significant in the fight against crimes in the state.

According to him, “Once the street light is on, it scares away criminals and it makes it easier for people to sight criminals from afar.” He demonstrated the significance of the Ayade Power Plant as a source to power the street lights in the Capital City.

Victor maintained that the state government will work assiduously to ensure surplus remote areas are illuminated at the equitable time.

The commissioner urged the residents to protect the stream power against hoodlum while, decrying the enormous thefts and vandalization enacted by criminals. He buttressed that, the residents and dwellers should report any suspicious individual to the security agencies when caught or put up an alarm.

Also speaking, Engineer Ekpenyong Effiwatts, Deputy Director/Head of Engineering Services, Ministry of Power said, the street lights in the Calabar metropolis are managed by the state government, under the Ministry of Power for routine maintenance.

Engineer Effiwatts asserted that over 70% of lights along the Calabar Highway, Marian Road, Mary Slessor Road, MCC Road, Parliamentary, IBB Roads, Calabar South, and Calabar Road have been illuminated.

“The Ministry of Power has illuminated extreme extension of rural areas in 8miles, Metropolis, and Calabar South - White House along Mayne Avenue, Edibedibe, Target, Atakpa Police Station, Calabar Road. “We have repaired vandalized cables along 8miles at Zone 6, Calabar-Calabar, Ettagbor, Asari-Iso, State Housing, and IBB-Airport,” he said.

The Deputy Director also conveyed that the Ministry is working tirelessly to restore the street light at Mayne Avenue, Target, Ekpo Abasi, and Egerton in Calabar South areas.

Speaking with the residents, traders, and security operatives in strategic neighborhoods, they expressed their distinct satisfaction to the state governor, Ben Ayade for the power rehabilitation in their territory.

Mr. Asuquo Emmanuel (M), a resident in White house (Calabar South) said, “We never knew these street lights were still functional until this evening. This is so commendable and I must appreciate the Governor, Ben Ayade for lighting up our faces at night in this area. “We are more comfortable walking at evening an early hour,” he said.

Mrs. Ruth Uche (F), a trader in Calabar road said, “hoodlum at times attack us in the process of loading our goods at night. But, since the installation of this light. “We are now safe, I even stay up until 8 pm here in the market. God bless Cross River State Government!”

A Security Outfit in Calabar South, Operation Akpakwu, who implored to be anonymous said, “We work here for 24hrs. On our part, we like seeing the street lights on, because it exposes all illegal human activities, especially at night. So, this will boost our striking to see afar at night,” the commander said.

Nigerian Muslims living in Cross River State have been advised to emulate the sacrifice, Obedience, and Loyalty as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim as they join other faithful to celebrate Eid El-Kabir Celebrations.

This as Muslims have been advised to key into Governor Ben Ayade's Vision for New Cross River Development in partnership with the APC Federal Government at the Centre.

Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Muslim Affairs, Alhaji Tanimu Hassan, advised in a Sallah message to the Muslim community in Cross River State, describing the 2021 Eid El-Kabir Celebrations as a unique one because "today is exactly Two Months that the Governor takes Cross River to the Center".

Hassan while calling on the Muslims to always support the Governor and leader of Cross River State and the entire South-South, also enjoin them to always live in peace with their host communities.

Ayade's Aide advised the Ummah to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols as they Celebrate the feast, reminding them that the third phase of covid-19 is still with us.

He enjoined them to observe the known protocols of physical distancing, Washing of Hands, and use of face masks as part of requirements for any religious gathering in Cross River State.

Hassan also reminded the ummah that the health of every Muslim is important to the Government of Cross River State led by Governor Ben Ayade saying" it is only when we are healthy that we can practice our religion in line with the dictate of Allah".

"For us as Muslims, Governor Ben Ayade has given us a special place by creating the Department of Muslim Affairs in his office, which is the first of its kind in the whole of Southern Nigeria.

"We should use the period of Eid to offer prayers to Allah, Our Country Nigeria and the Government and People of Cross River State for the peaceful coexistence and togetherness as People.

"To all the Muslim Umah, I encourage you to emulate the virtues of sacrifice, total obedience, love and care, and loyalty as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim which is the whole essence of this celebration," the statement said.

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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State Tuesday met with the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba at Loius Edet House, Police headquarters Abuja.

Ayade said the visit was necessary to further explore modalities towards ensuring a safer Cross River.

The governor who congratulated the IGP over his recent appointment by President Buhari as the substantive head of the Nigeria Police, also observed that Usman Alkali Baba was a sterling cop with commensurate experience and distinctive qualities needed to police today's Nigeria.

He reiterated that Cross River was mostly a peaceful state, adding that "making the state a zero crime zone" was one of the priorities of his administration.

Ayade further said: " Presently, we are doing massive industrialization and building critical infrastructures and for the people and the state to maximize the economic gains of these projects, security is germane. Without a proper and result-oriented security strategy, our state would not be attractive for investments. No investor would want to put their money in an insecure place".

The governor also highlighted the imperative of a marine and homeland security.

He recalled the #endsars saga which witnessed wanton destruction of both public and private properties in the state, submitting that a more proactive policing was required to effectively check crime and criminality in the country.

Speaking, the IGP, Usman Alkali Baba pledged to collaborate with state government to usher in a new dawn of policing in the state.

While appreciating governor Ayade for the onerous efforts at making Cross River safe and peaceful, he emphasized the preparedness of the police to drastically curb crime and maintain peace and order across the country.

Cross River state governor, Sir Ben Ayade Wednesday received the Report of the Peace, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation Committee on the warring communities of Ebom/ Ebijaghara and Ediba/ Usumutong in Abi local government area of the state with a pledge to bring lasting peace to the war torn communities through massive infrastructural development.

The committee which was inaugurated by the governor in May had former Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ndoma Egba as Chairman.

Receiving the Report at the Conference Hall of the Governor's office, Calabar, Governor Ayade praised the committee for turning in its Report in a recording time.

"Let it be on record that this is the first time a government inaugurated committee will work within the time limits .

"I never doubted the capacity of Senator Ndoma-Egba. I am very sure that when I set up this committee with him as Chairman I was convinced not just because he is a senator or a Senior Advocate of Nigeria but his personal commitment to every responsibility that he set his hands on" , the governor said.

Ayade announced the extention of the tenure of the committee and saddled it with the new task of fashioning out the method of government intervention in the troubled communities.

"I have listened to you very clearly. I think the fundamental issue being raised here is the issue of infrastructure...We will sit down and look at the provision of land, decide on social housing structure. The commencement of the detailed design of the road network and all of that has to be worked out.

"And because this committee has done so very well and because you have worked within the time limit , I want to also extend the tenure and provide a new terms of reference for this same team . Firstly, to provide me a concept design by hiring the relevant consultant to give me the design. Secondly, to provide for me a social housing master plan for the entire Ebijaghara in the first instance. Thirdly, whether water supply is needed and fourthly to provide us a general detail of the infrastructure under discourse particularly in terms of providing me the physical design that I can on the basis of that document initiate either deploy the construction and fabrication academy of Cross River to commence this project or by way of a sub contract"

Ealier, Senator Ndoma Egba recalled that the governor had stated while inaugurating the committee that " it was in response from the Almighty God because the amount of blood shed has reached an unacceptable limit and level of destruction had become cataclysmic.”

According to him, the governor was right because "the committee visited the scenes of crises and while we did not see signs of blood again arising from the passage of time, we actually saw scenes of devastation and ruins, especially in the areas hitherto occupied by the Ebijaghara community and Usumutong.”

The former Senate leader disclosed that the Committee's recommendations if implemented, will heal wounds and bring lasting peace.

He noted that the warring communities which are under the Bahumuno nation are crises fatigued and now yearn for sustainable peace and have on their own initiated and signed peace accord even becore the committe's intervention.

Highlights of the committee's recommendations include urgent, massive infrastructural intervention in the area, including the construction of about 39-kilometre road linking the warring communities and collection of data of the youths in the area.

The committee also called for government's recognition of the Bahumuno Peace and Development Union and Bahumuno Youth council, describing them as critical stakeholders in peace building in the Bahumuno nation.

The Committee's Report is in two volumes: The recommendations and memoranda received.