Forum Of State Commissioners Of Finance Congratulate Asuquo Ekpenyong, Others on Election Victory


The Forum Of State Commissioners Of Finance has congratulated the Senator-Elect for Cross River senatorial district, Asuquo Ekpenyong and other candidates who emerged victories in the just concluded national assembly and gubernatorial elections in the country. 


In a press statement, the forum noted that Ekpenyong's victory  was well deserved given his exemplary performance during his time as commissioner for Finance in Cross River State.


"Your victory is fitting, proper and deserving. You merited it, worked hard for it and got it. We are proud of you", the forum said in the statement.


Continuing, it noted that "your election to your respective offices is a testimony to your exemplary contributions to the socio economic development of the nation over the years . 


"We have no doubt that in your new positions you will bring to bear your wealth of experience in public service to further advance the frontiers of good governance in service to the nation to justify the confidence your people have in you" , the statement further read. 


Ekpenyong was congratulated along side two other former Finance Commissioners: Former Governor of Zamfara state,Alhaji Abdul Aziz Yari and Senator-Elect for Zamfara West, and Mallam Umar Namadi, former Commissioner of Finance Jigawa and Jigawa state Governor-elect

*BREAKING: APC Wins 12 LGAs In Cross River As INEC Suspends Collation.*

The Commission will be reconvening on Monday at 9 am to complete the remaining three of the eighteen local government areas.

This is as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won in 12 local government areas of Cross River State out of 15 results declared so far by the Commission in Calabar.

The election results, which were declared at the State Headquarters of the Commission in Calabar, were presided over by the State Returning Officer for the election, Prof Teddy Charles of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
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March 11: Between the ravaging canines of a Caterpillar and the sweetness of a Princely flavour


By Linus Obogo



His parents christened him Bassey Edet Otu. His foray into politics earned him the title, Senator. His regal background invested him withthe appellation of Prince as a veneration of his royalty.
But with the passage of time and a dint of humanity, his followers and supporters alike would fondly call him "Sweet Prince". Regardless, whatever sobriquet or moniker he has come to be associated with in the course of time, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate
can aptly be described as the Phoenix of Cross River politics.
As with the immortal bird in Greek mythology, the Phoenix is a symbol of renewal and rebirth. In ancient times, the phoenix symbols were mostly associated with religious concepts, but over time, they evolved to become emblems of self-improvement, reinvention, and new beginnings.
After two terms of qualitative representation, representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Prince Otu got elected into the Red Chamber of the upper legislative House, the senate.
But just after a term in the senate, not only his journey in the exercise of law making but his representation in the Red Chamber was
cut short and brought to an abrupt end by the power that be. He came to terms with the grim reality of his premature retirement as a lawmaker.
His adversaries, in gleeful chorus, sang his Nunc dimittis. He endured a brief moment of dimmed political klieg light. He clinged on to the chastening book of Ecclesiates which reminds us that “…the race is not to the swift not the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all”.
And like the Greek Phoenix, "Sweet Prince", a moniker that would become famous with his vast concourse of followers and beneficiaries of his relentless milk of human kindness, began his rise from the ashes of disappointments, envy, conspiracies, political bumps and legal battles that strewn his path to once again respond to a crying call for his service. The call this time, was not from his Odukpani enclave but from the entire stretch of the state, spanning
the mountains of Obudu, the rainforest of Boki and stretching farther to the Creeks of
Bakassi.
Like one weaned on the diet of stoicism, Prince Otu would not allow the momentary bruises of life to stymie him from fulfilling his destiny.
For him, when the storms of life stirred, he refused to cast his hope overboard. Otu looked his storm in the eye and kept steering the ship; and hoping that with faith and determination, he would ride his storm to the shore of self rediscovery, self renewal and reinvention.
When in 2015 a wedge was put in his way to make a return to the Senate, not a few had concluded that his light had been turned off and the last chapter of his promising political career written. But unbeknownst to them, it was just a mere sabbatical meant to prepare him for the commencement of a fresh chapter.
For many of his disciples, ardent supporters and beneficiaries of his philanthropy, it was the unkindest cut that was no different from a chokehold on their existence or survival.
As a testament to Prince Otu's charity while in the House of Representatives and later in the senate, there is an unfading consensus that the act of giving is a badge he wears like a second skin, as many became owners of their own houses, while others whose ownership of a car merely existed in the realms of their dreams were also proud owners of what then far fetched.
Aligning with the counsel of the great American poet and essayist, Walt Whitman, Prince Otu did not have to lose sight of the fact that in order to overcome the blip in his political journey, "Keep your face always, toward the sunshine, and the shadows will fall behind you."
And come March 11, his shadows, ultimately, will fall behind him as Cross Riverians await with the air of expectancy to savour the sweetness of his Princely flavour.
A politician without airs and graces, Prince Otu has earned his stripes traversing varied sectors; and the least he deserves at this critical moment to chart a new course for the state is a confluence of support and votes across the three senatorial zones to achieve a great rush of development for Cross Riverians.
With his "People First" agenda, there is already an aura of optimism that Prince Otu will herald a breath of fresh air.
And as a servant leader, there is no gainsaying that he will sure create an environment in which others will be able to self-actualize because his actions will inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more. For that is the stuff leaders are made.
Coming as a trustee, he evinces character, vision, competence, charisma as well as a vast experience and wide exposure.
Shorn of clanishnness and transactionalism, attributes that dog most leaders in Africa, Otu is poised to hit the ground running, knowing full well that there is work to be done from the first day of his swearing in, as he cannot afford to fiddle.
Tellingly, Cross River is at a bend where we can ill-afford to gamble or yield the state to rodents or caterpillars to ravage with leadership experiment. Neither can Cross Riverians be phlegmatic and allow the state be pawned off to offshore brokers. This can only be possible if we choose to play the ostrich by stymieing the momentum of "Back to South" on March 11,
It is therefore, imperative that from the North, Central and to the South, we either ride the current tide of Prince Otu's servant leadership prospect as he prepares for the road that beckons and the allure of the story to be written or be doomed by the baying canines of looming caterpillars. This will be too costly a price to contemplate.

Cross River 2023: Reasons Prince Bassey Otu Deserves Igbo Votes


By Chidi Onyemaizu


Cross River is home to thousands of Ndigbo. Their entrepreneurial and can- do spirit have seen them sprout like Phoenix, in far flung areas of the state like Obanliku, Boki, Etung, Bekwara, Ukelle etc setting the pace in commerce.

All over Cross River, they are deeply rooted in commerce and this is because the business environment in the state is friendly, all thanks to the business- friendly policies of the Ben Ayade administration.

And so, in 2023, what does the Igbo in Cross River desire? Of course they desire a governor who will deepen the existing business climate and further accommodate them in government!

Ndigbo's push for a new dawn, for a sustained, secure and peaceful business environment and accommodation in decision making process is on the cusp of crystallization and the man who will further give flip to it is Senator ( Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Prince Otu is a friend of the Igbo, a likeable personality and God-fearing man who is not coming to learn on the job. He possesses all the requisite experience to steer the ship of a multi- cultural state like Cross River.

An African proverb says that you use today's atmosphere to gauge tomorrow’s weather. Under the Ayade administration, Ndigbo in Cross River have been given more than a fair share of accommodation in terms of participation in the affairs of government through political appointments.

For example, yours sincerely, the author of this piece, a full blooded and proud nwa afor Igbo ( Igbo son) from Orlu Senatorial zone in Imo state and the Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to the governor, is one of the high ranking Igbo political appointees in the Ayade government.

There are also close to 20 others, including Barrister Ugoji Nwabueze, Senior Special Assistant on Non-Indigene Affairs(Igbo) to the governor and Dr Nancy Irek, Senior Special Assistant on Information to the Governor.

And so, what this signposts is that Ndigbo is an integral part of Cross River and I know that Prince Otu who has promised to continue from where Ayade stops will further deepen the visibility and participation of our people in the affairs of government.

It will therefore, be antithetical to the law of reciprocity and self preservation for the Igbo in Cross River to vote for a candidate in whose government they will be outsiders, a government they have no inclination of how it will be run.

From the foregoing, it is incumbent upon us to vote wisely this Saturday. And the only wise way to vote is to vote Prince Otu.

It will be foolhardy for Ndigbo to chase shadows and illusions in the guise of voting a party and candidate with a vague blueprint.

It is my considered opinion that Prince Otu is the proverbial bird at hand.Ndigbo will be making a life- changing political decision by holding tightly to the bird that is already in their kitty rather than chase the illusion in the bush.

Dear Ndigbo, on Saturday, March 11, 2023, there should be no sitting on the fence. There should be no playing of draught in the comfort of your homes or treating yourselves to exotic wines, well prepared ofe onugbo (bitterleaf soup) and pounded yam while an important political decision that can either positively or negatively impact on your businesses is being made.

We as Ndigbo in Cross River owe it a duty to ourselves to be part of the process to choose who rules the state for the next four years and the excellent choice before us is Prince Otu, a humble, fair-minded and accessible man, a man who is not magisterial, who has a sense of fairness and justice, one who will sufficiently serve and protect Igbo interest better if elected as governor.

Ndigbo's vote for Otu is a vote for continued conducive business atmosphere in Cross River, continued participation in government, continued prosperity of our people and above all, continued consanguine relationship and friendship with our esteemed hosts.

For Ndigbo, Cross River state has been a fertile ground for quantum accomplishments and success in various strata of human endeavour. Igbo businessmen here have also immeasurably contributed to the socio-economic growth of the state through investments in commerce, hospitality industry, real estate etc.

All the Igbo in Cross River need is a governor who will continue to guarantee and protect their interest as well as their investments.

There is no doubt that the economic well-being of Cross Riverians and all residents of the state, Ndigbo inclusive, as well as peaceful co-existence of all irrespective of tribe as currently obtained under Ayade, will underpin Prince Otu's administration if elected.

Ndigbo, Saturday, March 11, 2023 is the date, APC is the party and Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu is the man.

Let's all march to our polling units that day to do the needful, bikonu, Umunnem!

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

Ayade congratulates Tinubu on his victory

Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has congratulated the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his victory in the just concluded presidential election.

In a congratulatory message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Barr. Christian Ita, the governor described Tinubu as a pathfinder whose presidency will reinvent Nigeria for the better.

"Our in-coming President is a rare gift to Nigeria, he is pathfinder, a talent hunter and an achiever whose reign will usher in a new vista of hope and reinvent Nigeria for better" Ayade said in the statement.

The governor noted that the election of Tinubu as president "was Cross River's prayer answered because he already has a blueprint for the economic development of our dear state.

"On behalf of the Government of Cross River State, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to you, Your Excellency, on your well deserved victory. You represent a refreshing dawn in our nation's history", the statement further quoted Ayade as saying.

Wishing the President-elect a successful tenure, Ayade said: "As you prepare to take up the responsibilities and challenges of your high office, I wish you a successful tenure.

“My mantra, Mr President-Elect, during the campaigns was loud and clear. And it was that just as you laboured hard to fix Lagos during your time as governor, same trajectory of performance will once again restore Nigeria to its greatness, given your dedication, boundless energy and a clear vision.

"I am of the strong conviction that your long-term political engagement and vast experience are the very foundation on which you will carry out your responsible mandate and mission as President. Congratulations once again, Mr president"

Senator-Elect, Asuquo Ekpenyong Visits a Victim of election violence, clears Hospital Bills


The Senator-Elect for Cross River Southern Senatorial district, Asuquo Ekpenyong Wednesday paid a visit to an election violence victim at the General Hospital, calabar. 
Ekpenyong who expressed shock at the ugly incident, called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and aprehend the culprits. 


"This afternoon, I was informed that one of our supporters in Akamkpa Local Government was attacked by members of a rival political party during Saturday's presidential and National Assembly elections and I decided to come and see how I can assist him.
"Issues like this should not be tolerated and I call on the security agencies to swing into action and arrest the perpetrators of this dastardly act to serve as a deterrent to others; we have another important elections coming up on the 11th of March and we cannot allow thugs run amok and disenfranchise our people" , the Senator-Elect said.


Narrating his ordeal, the victim, Adolf Najimi, disclosed that he and his brothers were attacked by thugs on their way to their Polling unit in Ikpai, Akamkpa local government area. 
Najimi stated that while his brothers were lucky to escape unhurt he was not so lucky as he was beaten to pulp and left with a broken head. 

He thanked Ekpenyong for coming to his assistance and urged security agencies to beef up security around the area to forestall future occurrences.

*C/River: APC Senator Elect Asuquo Ekpenyong wins Local Government for Tinubu*

All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River Southern Senator elect and a member of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign Economic Think Tank, Asuquo Ekpenyong has delivered his Local Government, Odukpani for All Progressive Congress in the just concluded Presidential Elections.

Ekpenyong who has been a key member of Tinubu's Think Tank Team led the party to pull a total of 8,597 Votes to defeat the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party with over 4,000 gap difference.

With the resounding victory of APC in Odukpani, Asuquo Ekpenyong has once again demonstrated his unalloyed support for the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as next President of Nigeria.

©️ STANDARD MEDIA

This one is different. This one will be different.

Senator-Elect Cross River Southern District, Asuquo Asuquo 'Suki' EkpenyongAsuquo 'Suki' EkpenyongAsuquo 'Suki' Ekpenyong Ekpenyong and wife before the altar this morning giving glory to God after his declaration by INEC earlier in the morning.

Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.

*Breaking*

INEC Declares Asuquo Ekpenyong WInner of Cross River South Senatorial Seat

All Progressive Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate for Cross River South, Asuquo Ekpenyong has emerged the winner of 2023 Senate Elections with 57, 870 votes to defeat his closest rivals Hon Daniel Effiong Asuquo of Labour Party who gathered 47,384 votes and Ekpo Okon of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 41,116 Votes.

The result which was declared by the returning officer, Prof Veronica N. Effiom at exactly 1:35am at INEC Office, Calabar Municipal returned Asuquo Ekpenyong elected.

*Election Update*

Asuquo Ekpenyong, APC Candidate is cruising to victory in Cross River Southern Senatorial District, convincingly winning 5 out of the 7 Local Government Areas so far in the ongoing collation: Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Biase, Calabar South and Odukpani.

Senate: What Ayade's Return will Mean to Cross River North


By  Chidi Onyemaizu 


Only a man who knows the way can safely take you to your destination.

His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade knows the way and his return to the Senate will mean to Cross River North a seamless but continued march to economic posterity agenda.


The current  socio-economic and infrastructural crystallization of Cross River North has Ayade's bold imprints.


Check out these:


* Ultramodern vitaminised Rice Mill in Ogoja

* State Polytechnic in Ogoja

* Zipline centre for digital drone distribution of medical supplies, Ogoja

* 147 kilometre Highway crisscrossing the entire Northern Cross River

* Vibrated blocks factory in Yala

* Vibrated Concrete Roofing sheet factory in Yala

* Groundnut oil processing factory in Bekwara

* World-class Obudu-German Specialist Hospital

* Obudu International Passenger and Cargo Airport

* Commercial scale Patoto farm for export in Obanliku


Ayade's return to the senate will further mean to Cross River North and the whole state the following:


* Possibility of producing second  President of the Senate after the late Joseph Wayas


* More economic and infrastructural milestones

*Attraction of employment opportunities in federal parastatals and agencies for qualified youths of Cross River North

* Execution of the Bakassi Deep seaport 

* Completion with federal government support, of the remaining phase of the Superhighway


There is no doubt that Northern Cross Riverians will return Ayade to the Senate to continue to lead them on the path of economic prosperity and infrastructural revolution.


Saturday, February 25th, 2023 is the date, Ayade is the code and the APC the key.

Chidi Onyemaizu is SSA, Print Media to Governor

Ayade swears-in new High Court judges, denounces incessant garnishee orders


Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade Monday swore-in two new High Court judges into the state's judiciary with a charge on them to avoid being used against interest of the state.

The new High Court judges, Honourable Justice Amajama Jacob Eneji and Honourable Justice Edem Nyong Okokon were among the judges recently confirmed by the National Judicial Council, NJC.
Before his elevation to the Bench, Justice Eneji, described as fearless, diligent and thorough by colleagues at the Cross River Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, was a Senior State Counsel.
He is credited with winning intricate cases for the state.
Justice Okokon on the other hand, was until his elevation, a Registrar in the state judiciary.
Speaking at the event held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor's Office, Calabar and attended by the Deputy Governor, Ivara Esu, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Eteng-Jones Williams, state's Chief Judge, Justice Ikpeme Akon, former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Michael Edem and other government functionaries, Ayade harped on the need for judges to be above board in the temple of justice.
He expressed optimism that the two new Judges "will not be sources of pain to our state."
According to him, "I am happy that I am signing two members of our judiciary into the Bench today.
"However, my prayer is that the people we are swearing in today will not turn out to be sources of pain to the state. I am a christian and I will always say my mind. With the support of the Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme, we are lucky to have a dogged fighter like her, we have fought so hard to get many of our judicial officers on the Bench, we have attracted many judges to the Cross River judiciary but some of them have become sources of pain to the state.
"Some of the judges are now sources of garnishee orders on the state's accounts, including salary accounts.You cannot garnishee a salary account, the law is clear on that."
Admonishing further, the governor regretted that "Some of the judges have become sources of protection to people that have refused to pay tax in the state.
"A case that hurts me till tomorrow is the case of a multinational company that was to pay tenement rate to the state but refused to pay because a judgement of our state High Court said it should not. How does our state generate revenue if our courts keep stopping people and corporate bodies from paying taxes?"
Continuing, the governor queried: "How can you have a transaction of 20 years ago and get a garnishee on a state account in 2023? It is unacceptable."
Affirming his belief in the sanctity of the judiciary, Ayade who is himself a Lawyer, maintained that "we have not asked you to compromise the law against any citizen or cooperate body, but when a law is tilted against a state, then l begin to wonder if the law is the same law that l signed.
"For example in Cross River, for security reasons, we have banned scrap metal collection and transactions just like many other states, but some people went to our state High Court and got a judgement against the ban. It is unbelievable.
"I just hope that our consciences will come to play this time"
Justice Eneji in his response pledged to be guided by the tenets of the law and constitution in the discharge of his duties "as an officer in the temple of the justice," adding that "As judges, we have sworn to be above board and hold ourselves to high standards. We must be and appear to be fair and impartial."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqam2HpFajw

Ayade, Otu, Ndoma Egba others visit M.T. Mbu’s widow shortly before the Campaign rally in Boki

The Governor who was accompanied by prominent sons and daughters of Boki nation, couldn't hold back his excitement when he was received by the hail and hearty, energetic, well articulated Mama Mbu in her Boki country home.

"Wow! Mama you're looking so beautiful and elegant, the queen's English and accent is still very much in place, God indeed is awesome. I am so happy to see you," said Ayade.

The Governor recalled the virtues of that Late M.T Mbu, whom he described as one of Cross River finest, a role model, a mentor, a fine gentleman of noble character who served the nation without blemish at a very young age.

The governor used the occasion to introduce the Governorship candidate of the Party, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to Mama ahead of the rally.

"Here is our Governorship candidate, the incoming Governor by God's grace, a fine gentleman, he is tested and trusted, a man that will strengthen the unity of our dear state. Others are ahead to the rally ground else there would have been a small family party here with you. In our thank you tour, because we're winning, we'll factor that in, we'll come and party with you and Boki nation. For now, we are far behind schedule and your people have been waiting since mid day" the Governor says.

The ever smiling and healthy Mbu's widow prayed and wished the candidates and their team well, however expressing her displeasure for lack of time to entertain the Governor and his entourage.

Cross River North Senatorial Election: Awaiting Ayade's Crowning



By Chidi Onyemaizu


February 25th, just a few days away, is a day of crowning for His Excellency, Senator (Professor) Ben Ayade.


On that day, his constituents in the Cross River North senatorial district will crown him with a Senate seat. They will return him to the upper chamber to continue with his good work.


The senatorial election in that senatorial district will be a mere formality for Ayade's sweeping victory is already fait accompli. All indicators point to this.


His indelible prints on the sands of Cross River North are huge and unassailable to ignore;  therefore, on election day, February 25th, the people will troop out en mass to express gratitude to him, through their votes,  for all he has done for them.

But for Ayade, Ogoja wouldn't have dreamed of hosting an Ultramodern vitaminised Rice Mill, the first of its kind in Africa, a state Polythenic whose foundation has just been laid and a Zipline centre for digital drone distribution of medical supplies.

If not Ayade, who would have constructed a 147 kilometre Highway crisscrossing the entire Northern Cross River, who would have built a Concrete Roofing sheet and Vibrated blocks factories in Yala,  a British-Canadian school in Obudu, a Groundnut oil processing factory in Bekwara, the world-class Obudu-German Specialist Hospital and the Obudu International Passenger and Cargo Airport?

Of course, the people of Obanliku know that it could only take an Ayade for them to have an industrial/ commercial scale Patoto farm for export sited in their local government.

Cross River North has every reason to be grateful to their illustrious son; their insistence on his return to the senate is, therefore, fitting and proper.

So, come Saturday, February 25, 2023, Northern Cross Riverians will be left with one choice: Make a life-changing political decision by sending His Excellency, Professor (Senator) Ben Ayade back to the Senate so that he can continue to saturate the district with socio-economic and infrastructural development.


It will be a pragmatic decision that will not only secure for them a purposeful representation but that which will come with a huge political mileage and a new vista for Cross River as a State and the South-south as a geo-political zone.


The gains and impact of Ayade's return to the Senate will be manifold. 


First, having been a Senator between 2011-2015 and then a governor for eight years( 2015-2023), Ayade will be one of the most ranking Senators, not just from Cross River but from the South-South.


Secondly, he will be returning to the Senate as one of the very few Senators with both executive and legislative  experiences.


Thirdly, with the South-south geo-political zone a pole away from producing the 10th President of the Senate in the incoming- APC-led federal government, the search for the most qualified, most educated and most experienced APC Senator from the zone will naturally gravitate towards Ayade.


As it is now, the body language of the APC signals a disposition towards a South-South Senate president and His Excellency, Senator( Professor) Ben Ayade eminently fits the bill.


And leveraging on his experience in the Executive arm of the government, the Senate under the leadership of Senator Ayade will fast-track the establishment and completion of critical infrastructures in Cross River such as the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the Super highway.


No one should begrudge Northern Cross Riverians for their fervent desire to have Ayade back as their ears and eyes at the Senate.

They are eager to have him back because they are alien to purposeless representation- the see nothing, say nothing, move no motion, sponsor no bill, attract no project, sitting duck sort of representation which seems to be their lot currently.

It is in this context that their hunger for Ayade's return to the upper federal chamber is situated.


The people, no doubt, are nostalgic about the past.

Northern Cross Riverians yearn for the return of the old days when their illustrious son, Ayade, was a strong voice on the floor of the Senate where he moved motions, sponsor innovative bills and marshalled his points with an engaging clarity and conviction of a patriot.


Senator Ayade was indeed the ramrod exactness of a quintessential parliamentarian imbued with legislative know-how.  


From Obudu to Obanliku and from Yala to Ogoja and Bekwarra, the ordinary people on the streets of Northern Cross River remember with fond memories of how, as a Senator in the 7th Senate, their representative, Ayade, had forty (41) Bills to his credit, the highest ever by a Nigerian Senator as at 2015.


His Bills centred on Housing Rights, Employment, Poverty Reduction, Social Welfare and the advancement of Nigeria from the third world to the first world.


As a sitting Senator, Ayade gave teeth to his bills in his constituents through various empowerment interventions, including scholarship schemes, job placements, and food banks among others.


Having tasted quality, purposeful and people-oriented representation at the Senate via Ayade, it amounts to a stale joke to suggest that Cross River North electorates will in a few days settle for a pale shadow of the main deal.No! Never! Ayade is the main deal


Ayade's crowning is indeed a walk in the park, and a few days away!

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

Cross River governorship election: Etung, Obubra monarchs reject PDP candidate, ask him to wait for his turn


The governorship ambition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate  for Cross River in next month's election, Senator Professor Sandy Onor appears headed for evisceration as monarchs and chiefs in Etung, his home local government area, and the neighbouring Obubra local government area, all in the state's central senatorial district have rejected him.

According to the monarchs, it was not Senator Onor's  turn to be governor and should therefore, respect the governorship zoning arrangement in the state by withdrawing from the race.

The monarchs who spoke during consultative meetings with the All Progressives, APC campaign team at the weekend were emphatic in their resolve to deliver bloc votes to the party's governorship candidate Senator (prince) Edet Otu.


While bestowing royal blessings and endorsements on Senator Otu and other APC candidates, the royal fathers argued that as it was the turn of the Southern senatorial district of the state where Otu hails from to produce the next governor, the northern and central senatorial districts represented by the incumbent, Professor Ben Ayade and his predecessor, Senator Liyel Imoke having had their turns respectively. 

According to His Royal Majesty, Ntufam Anthony Ntui-Etta (II), the Paramount Ruler of Etung, "what we know in Etung is zoning and zoning is what we shall support.

"Prince Otu is our son and we will support him 100% to be Governor.

"We have consulted the gods and have concluded that APC will win. Let us do the needful and not invite crisis to our State.


"The APC was planted and germinated here in Etung. All of our votes are for APC.


"We will tell our son (Sandy) to put his ambition to rest. As Chiefs and custodians of tradition, our duty is to tell the truth. 


"It cannot happen that Etung will betray or go against any zoning".


On his part, the Acting Paramount ruler of Obubra, Chief Louis Enyam assured the APC governorship candidate that "you're already a governor because my subjects have no other candidate except you.

On behalf of my chiefs, I wish to urge Sandy to wait for his turn because it is the turn of the South to produce the next governor of our state and prince Otu is the person".

Continuing, the monarch argued that "as traditional rulers in the payroll of the government, you're part of the ruling government or government in power"

 He appealed for the development of Obubra to have urban status as other council areas in the state and for the issuance of certificates of recognition to village heads in the council.

The APC campaign team led by governor Ayade was in Etung and Obubra in continuation of the party's electioneering campaign in the central senatorial district.

Speaking at the rallies where a monster crowd of ecstatic supporters cheered endlessly, the Governor assured them that if elected, Prince Otu would consolidate on the gains of the infrastructural and industrialization policies of his administration.

Otu, he said, "is coming to take Cross River to greater heights, he is coming as the finisher and polisher of our prosperity agenda".

Ayade reiterated his appeal that Cross River's principle of governorship rotation be respected in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice, insisting that it was the turn of Senator Otu's Cross River Southern senatorial district to produce the next governor, urging the people not to be swayed by any contrary argument.


He urged the cheering crowd at the rallies held at the open fields of Etung and Obubra council area headquarters  respectively to vote APC from top to bottom,  including the presidential candidate Bola Tinubu.

CR South Senatorial Election: How Asuquo Ekpenyong Left Copycats dazed


The All Progressives Congress, APC senatorial candidate for Cross River South, Asuquo Ekpenyong is teaching his opponents a hard lesson in modern politicking and electioneering and they are learning and copying fast even though they are spent forces.

Ekpenyong's opponents are not in tune with modern electioneering. They are old, archaic in their approach and lack foresight and strategy, hence their copycat mindset.

The ward-to-ward grassroots campaign which Ekpenyong pioneered which is now done and dusted is what those running against him are embarking on right now.

While one of them, an outdated, weather-beaten politician, is currently bogged down by old age and cannot effectively mobilise on a ward-to-ward basis, the other one is paranoid about the National Assembly.

The older of the two first ran an election and went to National Assembly 32 yrs ago, when Ekpenyong was just 6 yrs old.

The other candidate, on the other hand, has successively been in the political sphere since 1998 and is currently serving a “12-year term” for a federal constituency with a total number of zero bills sponsored.


While the former, the PDP candidate does not have the mental, physical or financial capacity to replicate what Asuquo Ekpenyong has done, the latter, the Labour Party flagbearer has only an abridged financial capacity to attempt to replicate Asuquo Ekpenyong’s endeavours.

Though he’s been seen very shamefully trying to replicate Ekpenyong’s campaign model, the electorate knows it’s a case of copycat, given that he has never attempted this in all five elections he’s run.

Thankfully, the people of the Southern Cross River senatorial district are no fools; they know that if it is not panadol, it can not be the same thing as panadol!

Labour party should screen people who they give tickets to. This particular guy is one of the worst politicians in Cross River. Greedy and self serving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eagm332oJg

Same seat he is so desperate to win now. Politicians are just the worst and to think he is in labour party.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFIXDLJiuFQ

Obudu chiefs adopt Otu as own son, vow total support for Ayade, others


In rare display of affection for a worthy son, monarchs and chiefs in Obudu local government area of Cross River state Tuesday, during a consultative meeting with the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, declared 100 per cent support for his senatorial ambition.

Governor Ayade who is APC's senatorial candidate for Cross River North is an indigene of the area. Prior to assuming office as governor in 2015, the Professor of Environmental Microbiology represented the senatorial district in the senate .

To demonstrate total support for the governor, the monarchs later bestowed royal blessings on him.

They also pronounced royal blessings on the APC gubernatorial candidate for the state, Senator Bassey Otu as well as other candidates of the party present.

Besides Ayade and Otu, other candidates, top government government functionaries and party chieftains at the meeting include the Deputy Governorship candidate Hon. Peter Odey, House of Reps member representing Obudu/ Bekwara/ Obanliku federal constitutuency Hon. Legor Idagbor, Deputy Governor, Professor Evara Esu, state APC chairman, Barrister Alphonsus Eba among others also.

The monarchs under the aegis of Obudu Traditional Rulers Council, at the meeting, also adopted Senator Otu as an Obudu son.

Speaking at the meeting , the Paramount Ruler of Obudu, His Royal Highness, Jeddy Agba, represented by Chief Cornelius Olem said they were solidly behind their son, Ayade and Senator Otu.

His words: "Your Excellency the Paramount Ruler of Obudu has sent me to tell you that the chiefs of Obudu are solidly behind you.

"Come 2023 elections we are solidly behind you to ensure you return to the Senate"

According to him, "we Obudu chiefs are solidly behind you…we shall mobilize for you. We are for you 100 per cent. We are also solidly behind the incoming governor, Senator Bassey Otu whom we have adopted as our son"

Turning to the gubernatorial candidate, the representative of the Paramount Ruler stressed that "we are promising you that we are with you from now till May 29 when you will be sworn-in".


Enumerating the Governor Ayade's achievements in the area, Chief Olem said, "there is the airport, the British-Canadian University, the factories, Obudu-German hospital, the dual carriageway that cuts across the five local government areas of Nothern Cross River, the list is too numerous to mention.

"We grateful to you, you will feel our gratitude on the elections day, it is on that day we shall actually say thank you.

"Our prayers are with you till the elections. May you be the next Senate President and make us proud"

Responding, Ayade who spoke in his native Bette language said he had the responsibility to make Cross River work and has done so in his eight years of governorship.

He berated those he described as wicked souls who never wished the state well.

According to him, "they were saying we cannot do the airport and now that they have seen the airport, they cannot talk again because they are in shock.


"It is only wicked people, wicked souls that do not wish the state well that will be unhappy when they see progress.

"If you are a child of God, the progress of your brother or your sister should inspire you"

Making a case for all APC candidates from top to bottom, the governor urged them to beware of merchants of lies.

"Don't allow them to deceive you; they have nothing to offer. We have tested and trusted candidates who are ready to offer quality leadership.

"Prince Otu is a good man and he will put the people first, he will consolidate on the gains of our administration.

"Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, our presidential candidate is a man of integrity; a man with immense capacity and competence, he will fix Nigeria as he fixed Lagos.

On his part, Senator Otu expressed gratitude to the monarchs for adopting him as son, pledging to live up to expectations and to carry on from where Ayade will stop if elected.

The APC gubernatorial candidate urged them " to donate your son, His Excellency, Governor Ayade to the Senate the same way you donated him to Cross River as Governor because Nigeria needs him right now at the centre".

Continuing, Senator Otu said: "Ayade has taken Obudu to the next level, he is a performer and I promise you that as an Obudu son, I will not disappoint you. I will consolidate on the gains of Ayade administration, I will complete all the projects he started because all his projects are world class.

I'm pleading that you allow your son to go and represent us in the Senate.The incoming President,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will need a man who understands him to be there in the Senate as Senate president and that man is His Excellency Governor Ayade.

"All we ask of you is support, support and more support"

Obudu chiefs to PDP: Stop using our name to tell lies


The Obudu Traditional Rulers Council has lashed out at the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State, describing it as a den of liars.

The monarchs described as a blatant lie reports that they purportedly cried of neglect by Governor Ben Ayade during their consultative meetings with the candidates of the party.

Speaking Tuesday, the Paramount Ruler of the Council, His Royal Highness, Uti Jeddy Agba, represented by Chief Cornelius Olem said it was mischief for any sane person or organisation to insinuate that "our son is neglecting or has neglected Obudu, his own local government.

"We cannot understand why a party would decide to tread the path of divisiveness and refuse to acknowledge the good things our son, His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade has done for Obudu.

"It is pure mischief to deliberately turn a blind eye to the transformation His Excellency has brought to Obudu. It is a blatant lie to say that Ayade neglected Obudu"

Continuing, the royal father who is the longest reigning monarch in Nigeria noted that "the lists of projects Ayade has attracted to Obudu are endless. There include the Obudu International Cargo and Passenger Airport, the British-Canadian University, the Obudu-German Specialist Hospital, the dualized Obudu-Ranch- Bekwara- Mfom- Okuku- Okpoma highway, the Agricultural Machinery Equipment Institute( AMEDI) among others. How can anyone see all these and still claim Ayade neglected Obudu?”

Expressing gratitude to Ayade for the transformation Obudu has received, the Obudu Paramount Ruler said: "The projects are endless and we thank you for citing them in Obudu"

They may loose in some positions nothing major but Governorship is certainly going to the APC and Ayade will return to the senate

Ayade, Otu, others get tumultuous reception in Obudu


Obudu local government area, the home council of Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade erupted in wild ecstasy Tuesday as the governor stormed the council in continuation of the All Progressives Congress, APC electioneering campaign in Cross River North senatorial district.

The governor who is the party's senatorial candidate for the district arrived Obudu in company with the party's candidates, including the gubernatorial candidate for Cross River, Senator Bassey Otu and his running mate, Hon. Peter Odey, House of Reps member representing Obudu/ Bekwara/ Obanliku federal constituency Hon. Legor Idagbor and House of House Assembly candidate, Hon. Slyvester Agabi amidst a rousing welcome.

The candidates, while speaking to the jubilant crowd pledged a people- centred leadership if elected.

Thousands of cheering residents and party supporters decked in APC colours filled all available space at the Obudu Township stadium where the rally was held to formally unveil the candidates.

The governor, other candidates, party stalwarts and top government functionaries had earlier held consultative meetings with the Obudu monarch and critical stakeholders in the council respectively.

A mild drama ensued during a meeting with stakeholders comprising the youths, market women, community leaders and religious leaders when the audience insisted that there was no need for the governor to speak or canvass for votes from them as they all have since decided to give him 100 per cent of their votes.

The monarchs also pledged total support for Ayade and all APC candidates, saying their bloc votes are reserved for the party.

At the rally where hundreds of former PDP supporters defected to the APC, the governor whose speech was drowned by effusive praises and chanting of "Ayade back to the Senate", urged the people to vote for all APC candidates.

According to him, "our Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu promised me that he will build the Bakassi deep seaport if he wins the election

"He promised to make Cross River a top priority of his government if elected; so I urge you all to vote for him. Tinubu has the capacity and the competence, he will fix Nigeria the way he fixed Lagos"

The governor also canvassed support for Senator Otu, insisting that he is the right man to succeed him and consolidate on the gains of his administration in the last eight years.

Ayade also reiterated his argument that equity, justice and fairness demanded that the next governor Cross River comes from the Southern Senatorial district "because the North and Central have had their turns"

Reacting to the tumultuous crowd that welcomed the governor to Obudu, one of the political stakeholders in the council, Chief Mathias Ake described it as "a clear and loud message to the PDP that Ayade enjoys unassailable support in Obudu and other councils in Northern Cross River.It shows that Ayade is a prophet that is respected at home"

According to Chief Ake who is the Senior Special Assistant on Renewable Energy to the Governor, "In the February 25th senatorial, Ayade will be contesting against himself, he obviously has no opponent"

Ayade commissions drone-powered drugs delivery centre

Determined to bring health care delivery closer to the people as well as hard-to-reach areas, Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade, Tuesday, commissioned Zipline Drone Distribution Centre, a drone-powered instant drugs logistic delivery service Centre.

Performing the commissioning at Ndok, in Ogoja Local Government Area, while on a campaign trail of the Northern Senatorial District, Governor Ayade said the establishment of Zipline drugs logistic centre was part of his administration's initiative to reduce mortality particularly in hard-to reach areas.

Stressing the idea behind the project, Ayade, in company of his wife, Dr. Linda Ayade, his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, APC governorship candidate Prince Bassey Edet Otu, his running mate, Pete Odey, as well as other candidates of the party, noted that "In other to have optimum value for our pharmaceutical factory, we needed to partner with Zipline for the major supply of our drugs. Zipline core business is essential supply of drugs and logistics services."

Speaking on the benefits of the drone distribution centre, the governor further hinted that "this particular center in Ogoja will be serving over 300 health centers. Our primary healthcare structure will therefore reinvigorate and answer to all challenges of our people.”

The centre which MoU was signed in 2021 between the Cross River State government and Zipline, is a structure that will provide a fast and catalytic relationship between the state government's health insurance agency code-named AyadeCare and Zipline company.

The governor noted that as part of the synergy, "Zipline therefore will be our logistics consultant to receive drugs for our supply chains.

"So Zipline will deliver drugs to our primary health centers and other sensitive localities and even private health centers."

Accordingly, "Zipline will Provide all support systems to deliver quality drugs which will pass the quality control systems.

"With Zipline, a journey that would have taken more than eight hours to deliver sensitive items like drugs, can now be delivered in 30 minutes. We have moved a little from water and drone to the air delivery system.

"I want to use this opportunity to tell Cross Riverians that this is one of the beautiful things our administration has brought. This is a clear difference from a bimodal system to a digital matter."

The governor assured of government's support to Zipline, adding that "Cross River State government will stand by you and provide a shoulder for you to lean on.

“We are ready to support you financially and provide drugs for you to continue to provide logistics support services so that you can save the lives of our citizens.


For instance, if an Ndok man suffers a snake bite in the farm, just a call across to a dedicated line, a drone will locate you using global satellite positioning. The drone can then geolocate on absolute precision, which has a 99.9 percent accuracy.


Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Mrs. Janet Ekpeyong had disclosed that the commissioning of the centre was an outcome of a mandate by the governor to her and her predecessor to understudy similar feats in Ghana.

She thanked Ayade for his vision which she noted had berthed the drugs delivery centre.

Similarly, General Manager of Zipline Nigeria Limited, Mrs Catherine Obiaze said her company has brought a unique and cutting edge technology that will deliver real time, on time delivery of drugs to areas hitherto in accessible. She thanked Ayade and the Cross River State government for the partnership, adding that the project had a hundred percent local content in terms of engineers behind the scheme.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/ayade-commissions-drone-powered-drugs-delivery-centre/?amp

Obanliku monarchs to Ayade: Our drums ready to celebrate your return to senate


The Traditional Rulers and chiefs in Obanliku local government area of Cross River state have told the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade that they have readied their drums for celebration in anticipation of his victory in next month's senatorial election.

Ayade who is the All Progrsssives Congress, APC senatorial candidate for Northern Cross River was in the local government area in continuation of the party's campaign tour of the senatorial district.

To buttress their support for Ayade and other APC candidates, the governor and the other candidates were given traditional blessings by the chiefs.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs and chiefs,the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku, His Royal Highness, Dr Amos Iten said during a strategic consultation they had with governor Ayade that his return to the Senate was a fait accompli.

"Your Excellency, power comes from God and God has destined you to return to the Senate, no human being can change it; you have been there (Senate) before and we all can test to what you did for Northern Cross River. My son was one of the beneficiaries of your scholarship programme as a Senator. We are here for and will do the needful to return you to the Senate.

"We have kept our drums and other musical instrument ready to celebrate your victory and swearing-in as Senator"

According to the Paramount ruler, "Obanliku is a local government that does what they say, if they tell you they have accepted you, just know that you have been accepted"

Eulogising the Governor, the monarch recalled that "Ayade started doing good even before he went to the Senate.”

Further pledging the Obanliku Traditional Rulers Council's total support to the APC and its candidates, Dr Iten said. "All we owe you is prayers, we pray that God's wish should materialize. Your Excellency, we are waiting for your swearing-in day and that of the Governorship Candidate of the APC.

"We will be by your side, give you our votes and sing congratulations in the end.”

Earlier, the governor whose speech was intermittently interrupted by the chants of ‘Back to Senate’ by the mammoth crowd outside the venue of the meeting, told the monarchs that Obanliku was too strategic to the state and his government to be ignored; reason, he said, sons and daughters from the area were appointed into strategic positions in his government.

According to him, the upgrade of the iconic Obudu Cattle ranch resort, the establishment of industrial scale Potato farm in Obanliku among others exemplified the high regard he has for the council.

Enumerating what he has done for the council area, Ayade said: "We are installing another batch of solar lights in Obanliku which is coming very soon. We have two sons of Obanliku who are grade A commissioners in my Administration. That has never happened before.

"I sent several sons and daughters of Obanliku abroad for university education even before l went to the Senate.


"I looked at the temperature climate of the Ranch and put a potatoes factory to be able to grow and export Irish potato and process it into French fries.

"We do not have commercial production of potatoes in Nigeria so, l thought that Obanliku is the best place for the crop after doing soil analysis"

Canvassing support for APC candidates from top to bottom, Ayade told the monarchs that they( candidates) have the capacity and competence to deliver.

Said the governor: "I want to say something to you about Senator Bassey Otu, he's a good man. If he was not a good man, he won't be my candidate.

"We are supporting Distinguished Senator Otu to be governor because fairness, justice and fair play demand that the Southhern Senatorial district of our dear state produces the next governor because the North and Central have had their turns.

"Besides, Senator Otu is qualified and competent, he has a track record of service delivery.

Ayade also made a case for the APC presidential, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu who he said has the the integrity and capacity to fix Nigeria the same way he fixed Lagos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6WLq5LrmT8

Economics of Ayade’s world-class Obudu-German hospital


By Chidi Onyemaizu


"This Obudu-German hospital gives me a great deal of excitement because the same road through which I passed to fetch water from the stream as a little child now happens to be the same road where I have built the best hospital in the world. I'm quite fulfilled, to be honest"

-Cross River state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade.

Silence fell on his emotion-struck audience at the magnificient, world class Obudu-German hospital as His Excellency Professor Ayade dug into memory lane and excavated the dream, vision and dexterity that later coalesced to become one of the best equipped hospitals in Africa.

The Obudu-German hospital is one of Ayade's legacy projects, and according to Barrister John Aniah Adie, an Ogoja based legal practitioner, "our Governor did not just build a hospital, he gifted Cross River nay Africa one of the world's top rate health facility that will not only attract patients but also tourists with attendant economic benefits.”

Economic experts are of the view that Northern Cross River's local economy will witness a quantum boom and a giant leap by the time the hospital commences operation in a few weeks time.

Drawing comparison between the likely economic derivatives of the hospital to the kind of huge indirect jobs Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, United States, created in the last 10 years, Dr.Gilbert Idagu, a medical practitioner in Okpoma, headquarters of Yala local government area, one of the five council areas that make up Cross River North, posits thus: "Apart from medical tourism itself whereby you have patients from within and outside Nigeria coming for medical care at the Obudu-German hospital and in the process boost the local economy, the hospital will pump oxygen into medium scale and allied businesses in Northern Cross River Senatorial district; it will also birth new businesses"

Continuing, Dr Idagu stated: "Think of the pharmaceutical outfits that will spring up in local government areas adjoining Obudu: Obanliku, Ogoja, Bekwara, Yala and even Vandeikya in Benue state"

He argues that "hospitality industry in Cross River North, particularly Obudu and Ogoja, will also boom because patients coming in will be accompanied by their loved ones who will need a place to lodge. Tourist centres within the catchment area such as the Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort will record increased patronage because it is unlikely that a first time high profile visitor will be in Obudu without visiting the iconic ranch"

And for Augustine Akamoye, a commercial cyclist in Obudu, the coming of the hospital and the Obudu passenger and Cargo International Airport will greatly redefine the economy of the town.

"I'm already saving to buy a car I will be using as an airport taxi when the Airport starts operation. I believe most people who will be arriving through the airport will be headed to either the Obudu-German hospital or the Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort and will be requiring car services", Akamoye, a graduate of the College of Education, Obudu said.

Notedly, according to Cleveland Economic Impact Report, Cleveland Clinic provides more than 93,500 direct and indirect jobs statewide and contributes $12.6 billion annually to Ohio’s economy.

Few years back, the Cleveland Clinic contributed 48,570 direct jobs, including employed doctors and other workers, on-campus hotel and parking jobs and positions in spinoff companies.

The Cleveland-based health-care giant also accounted for 44,990 indirect jobs, including positions created by other businesses with the support of the hospital’s spending.

Essentially, the Obudu-German hospital promises to broaden the frontiers of Northern Cross River economy and set a path for the ultimate crystallisation of the prosperity agenda for the people.

Pundits insist that the hospital is an economic enabler that is poised to create multiple indirect, direct and auxiliary jobs throughout the North of Cross River.

Meanwhile, given the state of the art and latest medical technology at the Obudu-German hospital, medical experts are emphatic that when it becomes operational in few weeks time the facility will be the most comprehensively equipped hospital in Africa, toppling Kenya's Medical Research Institute which, according to the Scimago Institutions Rankings (SIR), a research organization based in Spain that has been publishing international rankings of global research institutions since 2009, is currently the number one best hospital in Africa.

In the words of Dr. Sunny Clement, Regional Director of Health Share Solutions of South Africa which is partnering with the Cross River state government to run the Obudu-German hospital, "we have managed hospitals all across Africa- in Kenya, South Africa, Libya and also here in Nigeria- and I can tell you that when this hospital begins operation, it will be the most comprehensively equipped hospital in the entire Africa.

"This is the only hospital in the whole of Africa that has got three modular theatres...in the same hospital, it's a 140-bed hospital equipped with three different theatres. We are very proud that we are associated with this project. This hospital is also equipped with three 4Dx Gamma lights, that's the only one in the country, the ones in Bauchi and UCH are 2Dx. This hospital is also equipped with a 1.5 Tesla MRI"

Chidi Onyemaizu is Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to Governor

Tinubu, Ayade in London, strategizing ahead of 2023

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade Saturday flew into London ahead of Tinubu’s appearance at the Chatham House on Monday.

Immediately after landing in London, the two politicians where seen having a heart to heart discussion about the 2023 general elections.

Ayade is seeking to return to the Senate and is considered to be the favorite for the Senate presidency

As Governor Ayade Joins the Pantheon

By Christian Ita

Governor Ben Ayade and greatness are Siamese twins. Only a surgeon with exceptional skills and expertise in delicate procedures can separate them. However, there is no need for surgery here. His story enriches our understanding of greatness.

Since national honours are truly reserved for exceptional citizens who have set themselves apart by the works of their own hands, it should not surprise anyone that Ben Ayade has been conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). His honour is well deserved. Some would even say that it was a tad too long to come. And they would not be speaking out of turn. In Ayade’s case, morning showed the day!

Ben Ayade bagged his PhD in his twenties and in his early thirties he was confirmed a professor. By any standards, these achievements are exceptional. Inherent in this blaze of glory is a simmering drive for excellence. With Ayade, there are no middle grounds. The graph is bound to go up.

Not surprising, Ayade brought his touch of excellence from the academia to political leadership. He sounded a note of warning when he emerged as the senator with the highest number of sponsored bills. Since the entire legislative business is literally dead without sponsored bills, it is right to say that Ayade had had a phenomenal time in the senate. But even more phenomenal are his legacies as the governor of Cross River State in the past seven and a half years.

Indeed, Ayade has left an indelible mark in the establishment of industries across the state. The Cross River Garment Factory which has over 3000 people in its payroll, the Cocoa Processing Plant in Ikom and the Ultra-modern Rice Mill in Ogoja are a confirmation of this observation. The vegetable oil processing plant in Bekwara, the cassava processing plant in Obubra, the Cross River Noodles Factory, the Calabar Pharmaceutical Factory, the pile and pylon factory in Awi, the Toothpick Factory, the 24,000 birds per day chicken processing plant widely known as Calachika and Africa’s first ever automated rice seeds and seedling factory are all irrefutable proof of Ayade’s stellar performance.

In terms of institution building, there is also the state-of-the-art Teachers Continuous Training College located in Biase, the British-Canadian University of Law and Medicine in Obudu and the West African Fabrication and Construction Academy, Calabar. All these are monuments to the Ayade years. Time and tide cannot erode them.

Ayade’s attention to infrastructure has been robust, visionary and balanced. In road and sea port construction, Ayade has demonstrated unrivalled ambition. He announced his ambition when he commenced the construction of the 147km Obudu-Mfon_Okuku-Yala-Bekwara Super-highway which links up five local government areas in the state. Today, construction of the road has been completed .

The dualization of Calabar-Odukpani Junction Road with an interchange at Odukpani Junction and the 29km Boki East-West Road further confirm Ayade’s derring-do in infrastructure development. But his most audacious legacies remain the Bakassi Deep Seaport, the Super-highway and the passenger and cargo airport in Obudu which on completion will multiply access to the famous Obudu Ranch Resort.

In fact, the floating of Cally Air, a state-owned airline with two Boeing 737 series 300 is a strong statement of intent in aviation by Governor Ayade.

Truth be told, Ben Ayade is entirely in his own world in the aspect of giving a human face to government. Eighteen years after the dislocation of Bakassi indigenes from their ancestral land, their dream of a proper resettlement has been finally fulfilled by Ayade. He did it in style. He built and peacefully allocated an ultra-modern housing estate to the aggrieved Bakassi indigenes who had borne the brunt of the cession of oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon for nearly two decades.

In much the same way, electricity supply may be a national crisis, but Ayade took the matter personally in Cross River State. That was why he built a 23 megawatts power plant along the Parliamentary Extension in Calabar and another gas-powered 26 megawatts power plant in Adiabo.

Indeed, Governor Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade has overcome every challenge he has chosen for himself. He conquered science when he won the Best Doctoral Dissertation Award in Environmental Microbiology and went further to invent a solar-powered sewage treatment plant. He proved himself a learned man when he bagged LLB from Delta State University. He showed his capacity to manage man and matter when he earned an MBA from Ambrose Alli University. He demonstrated his mastery of knowledge and scholarship when he became a professor. He stamped his authority in legislative democracy when he emerged the senator with the highest number of sponsored bills and finally, his two terms as governor of Cross River have birthed a boat-load of enduring legacies for posterity to ponder upon.

As would be expected, Ayade’s outstanding performance has earned him a treasure trove of awards, honours and recognitions through the years. They include the Vanguard Newspaper Governor of the Year and Tell Magazine Governor of the Year (2016), Champion Newspaper Governor of the Year (2019), Leadership Newspaper Governor of the Year and Blueprint Newspaper Governor of the Year on Agro-industrialization (2021).

It is on the back of all these glittering achievements, compelling personal history and demonstrable efforts to expanding the boundaries of the Nigerian possibilities, the Nigerian dream and the Nigerian Life that Governor Benedict Ayade has been found worthy of the coveted national medal of the Commander of the Order of the Niger.

Congratulations, Your Excellency.

Ita is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity/Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ayade
Sent from my iPhone