₦airaland Forum

*SGF Commends Gov Ayade for a great response to COVID-19, promise immediate support from PTF to replace COVID-19 Laboratory vandalized by EndSARS protest*

Dr Betta Edu sterling performance commended as she takes center stage at Presidential Taskforce national Briefing on Tuesday!

The Presidency again opened the year with its first Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 National Briefing on Tuesday 5th January 2021. At the briefing, the Secretary to the Government of The Federation and Chairman of the PTF-COVID-19; Boss Mustapha
​on behalf of the PTF welcomed all Nigerians to the year 2021, wishing everyone a happy, prosperous and healthy New Year. He appealed to all Nigerians to stay safe and act in most defensive and protective ways by complying with the guidelines already prescribed. Calling on Nigerians to take responsibility at individual levels. “Closely associated with that is the increasing daily numbers that we are recording. Yesterday 4th January, 2021, we recorded 1,204 infections. This was the highest daily number ever recorded since we commenced the national response. From our analysis, we are beginning to see the effect of activities carried out during the Christmas festivities. We can only hope that numbers will not escalate beyond control. We however, still appeal to all citizens to take full responsibility through compliance and vigilance”

The SGF commended Gov Ben Ayade and his Commissioner for Health Dr Betta Edu for the great work and innovation done to sustain the COVID-19 response in Cross River state. He commended her Leadership of the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum as the National Chairman calling on her to encourage all commissioners to improve on risk communication and sensitization of communities as well as key stakeholders on the second wave of the COVId-19 pandemic, while stepping up testing and reopening their isolation centers to isolate new cases. He assured Cross River State that the PTF will immediately intervene to restart the Laboratory following the EndSARS protest that led to the vandalization and looting of the reference Laboratory in Cross River state. “We commend the great work you have done in Cross River State, We shall work together with your State to get things rolling well again.”

The NCDC DG, Dr Chikwe noted that 85% of Equipment required to rebuild and equip the Cross River Reference Laboratory has been purchased and would be deployed to Cross River state immediately. “We are almost there and Cross River will be back to full steam soon. I assure the state ”

The Honorable Commissioner for Health Cross River state and Chairman of the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum Dr Betta Edu who spoke for the first time at the National Brefing of PTF on COVID-19, carefully enumerated the progress made in the Cross River state response which brought innovation to the national response, she however noted that these have been setback by the End SARS Protest which affected the reference Lab and 100 bed Isolation center leaving the state with only 14 bed space left in the state(4 in UCTH and 10 at GH Ogoja). She said in the face of the second wave of COVID-19, the support required by Cross River state is an emergency!, she is counting on the Leadership of PTF and NCDC to intervene immediately

She thanked the PTF for its support to all states last year noting that lots more still needs to be done to strengthen the response in all the states, especially the cold chain equipment as we expect the arrival of the COVID vaccines this January.

Dr Betta Edu later held meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha in his office chatting a positive course for Cross River state and other states in the Federation experiencing some challenges in the national COVID-19 response.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZNbK_aunI4

*The Winners of the Dr Betta Edu Literary Competition Receive Their Prizes*

The three winners of the First Edition of Dr Betta Edu Literary competition ‘ My Impact to the Society; How it's has affected the people positively" received their prizes and met with media representatives at the award presentation held on 29th December 2020, at the Cross River State Ministry of Health Headquarters, Calabar.

Out of 53 entries submitted to the competition, the essays of Ogwa Alicia Johnson, Ottoh Patience Arikpo and Ogar Terence Edung won the first, second and third prize respectively.

Ogwa Alicia Johnson, a radio OAP and presenter with FAD 360 FM highlighted in her essay that in Dr. Betta Edu, she has learnt commitment and value due to her Sterling performance as a DG, Cross River State Primary Health care development agency, a former adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on community health and today Commissioner for Health Cross River State came first and won a monetary reward of N40,000 in cash and a dinner with the Commissioner.

First runner up, Ottoh Patience, a writer and content developer describes Dr Betta Edu as her mentor and role model worth emulating by every young girl who desires to be successful. Her commitment to service and humanity won a monetary reward of N15,000 in Cash and a dinner with the Commissioner.

Second runner-up, Ogar Terence Edung a Social Media Influencer and also a writer, presented in his essay the reasons that Dr. Betta Edu's impact to the society is not something that can be erased from memory in a hurry; from saving a dying child and catering for the mother, to putting smiles on the faces of children faced with hardships in her own very community and so on won a complimentary cash of N10,000 and a dinner with the Commissioner.

Dr Betta Edu congratulates the three winners and all participants in the competition, and promises to continue to contribute, in any way possible, to the advancement of human development and Healthcare delivery in Cross River State.

She disclosed that the Competition will be held next year with a more revealing topic to write on and in a more bigger way that will accommodate thousands of entries.

Dr Edu reveals that the competition with a rational to evaluating the impact of her services in the society was to encourage creative writing as part of the activities to mark her birthday in 2020.

The three winners was later treated to a first class dinner outing at E3 Restaurant and Boutique, Calabar by the Honorable Commissioner For Health, Dr Betta Edu.

*Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr hosts Odukpani Constituents, Stakeholders to end of Year Thanksgiving*

The Commissioner For Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr on Wednesday 30th December, 2020, hosted an End of The Year thanksgiving event for his constituents, stakeholders, teeming supporters, friends and well wishers to appreciate their support, prayers and dedication to the Senator Prof Ben Ayade led administration.

The annual event which took place at his private residence was part of the Commissioner's ways of connecting closely with his constituents and appreciating them for their support over the past year. The event which had in attendance the PDP Chapter Exco of Odukpani led by Mr Edet Anam, members of the 13 political wards, Councillors and Supervisors was declared open by the State House Member Representing Odukpani, Hon Francis Asuquo who Congratulated the Odukpani People for successfully making it to the end of the year and embracing peace across the LGA.

Hon Asuquo lauded the Commissioner for gathering everyone together to celebrate the successful end of a turbulent year in which many have lost their loved ones to either COVID-19 or one form of civil unrest but in all gave God the adoration and praises for ensuring peace returned to Odukpani land amidst the challenges.

He called on the Odukpani People to be more United against detractors and support the present State and Local Government administration.

Commissioner For Finance and the host, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr had earlier called on all Cross Riverians to use the occasion of the Christmas and new year celebrations to renew their faith and pray for a peaceful and prosperous 2021 especially in Odukpani LGA, Cross River State and across the Nation.

In a message to felicitate with his constituents, friends and well wishers he said that Christmas and New year symbolizes the celebration of the birth of a new dawn for the salvation of souls for all humanity especially for the Christians and should therefore not be used for only merry-making.

The Commissioner used the opportunity to call for fervent prayers for a new dawn and prosperous future for individuals and the Odukpani nation.

The Chairman of the Local Government Council, Hon Mrs Justina Edem in her remarks eulogized the people for their topmost support and cravings for good leadership by announcing the Odukpani reaffirmation to the leadership of his Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade.

Commissioner for Transport Mr Oqua Edet Oqua called on Odukpani people to be patient and look forward to a better future, saying with an abiding faith in Jesus Christ all of the Local Government, State and country’s challenges would be a thing of the past as it moves to next level of development.

Ntufam John Okon, Ntufam Okon Owuna, State Chief Protocol, Mr Emmanuel Asikpo, Mr Udiba Effiong Udiba, Elder Onoyom Ette, amongst many other Stakeholders were present at the occasion.

The Commissioner gave N1,000,000 as well as other gifts to the PDP Odukpani Chapter.

Honestly you are an illiterate. Why is the Governor signing a budget paining you? Oh I forgot you don't even know what budget is. Google is your friend Sha. And for the records all the gibberish you wrote here are all lies. The ranch resort is working perfectly well, Tinapa is not Ayade's fault but the fault of fg to dredge the port and make the zone a freetrade zone and since the launch of operation Akpakwu, Calabar has been relatively safe with series of arrests being made. This information is for those who you tried to fool here with your stupidity.

Ayade signs 2021 appropriation bill of N281.9bn into law


Cross River state governor, Sir Ben Ayade Wednesday signed the state's 2021 budget into law.

Christened, budget of Blush and Bliss, the 2021 budget has a total sum of N281.9billion, a sharp reduction from the previous budget sizes of over 1.01trillion.

Speaking at the signing ceremony which held at the State Executive chambers of the Governor's office, Calabar, Ayade disclosed that the budget has made provisions for the establishment of a state polytechnic.

It also has provisions for social welfare schemes like grants and other financial benefits to help cushion the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the people.

He disclosed that the size of the budget was smaller when compared with previous budgets that were in the region of over one trillion naira.

The governor attributed this to the fact that his administration has decided to reduce the financial commitments of the state in key projects such as the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the 275km superhighway to just five percent.

These projects, according to him, are now to be built on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

"For the budget of 2021, the bugdet of "Blush and Bliss" the gross component is in the dramatic reduction of the budget size from over N1.01 trillion to 281 billion. One will ask what will then happen to that missing gap?

"We had explained this in the budget presentation that we are shifting from all the big big dreams to the basic, primordial things of survival and ensuring that there is food on the table.”

Continuing, the Cross River state number one citizen said: “We had planned in 2020 that by 2021, we are going to move away from "food on the table" to "food on the table and hands on the plough", but with Covid-19 and Endsars protest, we realized that we have to sustain the food on the table further.”

The governor maintained that the 2021 budget was streamlined in order to meet the intended focus, hence it provided only for 5 percent cost for such capital projects as the 275 kilometre Superhighway, the Bakassi Deep Sea port, Calas Vegas Island among others saying the state's privatization council in partnership with KPMG as their consultants will work to select the best Investors available who are able and willing to invest in the capital projects.

Ayade however, expressed optimism that with the plethora of industries he has so far established taking off fully in 2021, the economy of the state will get a huge boost.

He commended members of the state House of Assembly for sacrificing their comfort and personal pleasure during the Christmas holidays to ensure that the 2021 budget was ready for signing.

Earlier, the Speaker, Hon. Eteng Jones Williams explained that the House made some adjustments in the appropriation bill the governor submitted to it in October to accommodate new realities that were captured in the bill such as the establishment of the Cross River state Polytechnic which bill the governor recently signed into law.

FG MSME Payroll Support: C/River State Beneficiaries Extol Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr.

*When I thought all hope was lost Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr came to our rescue by enrolling us free for FG MSME Payroll Support grant.....Odey George*

*I registered under one Marcel Edet in the Commissioner's office for free, I was assured that it wasn't a scam. Today I and my 8 staff have been paid 30,000 for 2 months now........Mrs Angela Okon*

In what started like a joke some months ago, precisely October, has turned out to be a thing of joy for over 1000 Cross Riverians across the 18 LGAs who enrolled free of charge for the Federal Government Survival Fund Program Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises which includes Payroll Support, Guaranteed Offtake and MSME Grant.

Some beneficiaries across the State have expressed their feelings in randomly selected testimonials collated by the Office of the Commissioner over the weekend.

They noted that they didn’t have to know anyone to benefit from the payroll support grant. According to some of them it was the effort of the Honorable Commissioner for Finance to sensitize and pay for their registration cost to enable them partake in the grant.

Duke Effime a business owner and a resident of Calabar South revealed that part of the social responsibilities of any public office holder or senior citizen is to draw the attention of his people to important grants/opportunities like this. He applauded the Commissioner for his good heart and called on others to emulate this kind of gesture.

"Beneficiaries of survival fund names are too numerous to compile. I received various calls showing appreciation for the Commissioner for creating the opportunity for them to key into the platform they’re benefiting now.

“I’m also saying a big thank you to the commissioner on behalf of the Ogoja people” says Simon Umari, the coordinator of Ogoja LGA during the free registration period for the payroll support grant.

The Cross River State Commissioner For Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr reacting to the testimonies across the state thanked the Federal Government for the initiative, as well as the State Governor for the opportunity to be of service.

He said the idea of setting up free registration centres across the State was to ensure Cross Riverians utilise the slots allocated to the State for the grant.
According to him, oftentimes Cross Riverians, due to a lack of adequate sensitization, do not actively participate in the Federal Government social investment programs.

*Ayade’s Commissioner Dr Betta Edu Pays fees and other Levies for 738 pupils in Adadama. Reaches out to citizens of 7 clans,chiefs, widows, less privileged and aged*

“If Betta has; small or big, Abi and Cross Riverians enjoys, she is a compassionate giver” - Chief Eval Ezong


It was indeed a merry Christmas for the people of Adadama ward in ABI Local Government, Councilors from the 10 wards in ABI and the party Chapter leadership as they were beneficiaries of the Christmas gifts from Governor Ayade’s Commissioner Dr Betta Edu.

As narrated by Chief Eval Ezong, “ Dr Betta Edu has been a blessing to us since 2011 even before she got into any political position. Our Daughter Dr Edu will always come back to either carry out free health outreach or distribute food and clothing items free to our people. She raised the Bar in 2017 when she started paying fees and other Levies for all our children in this ward. Even when she left as DG of Primary Health she still continued to pay the fees before she got appointed as Commissioner. The Entire ABI LGA is very grateful to Governor Ben Ayade for the gift of Dr Betta Edu as a commissioner, we feel the impact already; she is a leader that listens with open heart ready to help. If she has small or big, ABI, Cross Riverians will enjoy she is a compassionate giver”

The Heads of the schools said “ words are not enough to appreciate our daughter and mother for the consistent gift of free Education and Levies for children in the ward since 2017. One thousand one hundred and fifty Naira (#1150) as fees for each child against the number of children in the ward is a lot. It only take a heart which understands the value of Education to continue this investment in our Children. The children pray for her all the time at morning assembly. We see the results of their prayers! Thank you for this relieve to parents in Adadama”

Highlight was the hand over of fees to children, gifts including cows to the community members, chiefs, councilors represented by the Leader of council and councilor from Adadama, presentation of Christmas package to children, less privileged, aged and other members of the 7 clans. The schools are PCN Ekpon Adadama, St Benard School Adadama, PCN Imina, CPS Atani, PCN Isong Iyang Adadama ABI Local Government Area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCsOA4UQQLk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhVK5GJlJRo

*Asuquo Ekpenyong Foundation Facilitates CBN AGSMEIS Loan for 1,000 Cross Riverians*

Cross Riverians seeking capital to fund a business idea or for money to expand an existing business now have a golden opportunity through the Asuquo Ekpenyong Foundation (AEF) in collaboration with the NIRSAL Bank’s approved Entrepreneurhip Development Institute, Moure Consult in the Agric Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme, AGSMEIS, established by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as an empowerment programme which also benefits all age categories willing to get into agriculture or any other small and medium scale business.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Mr Emmanuel.

According to him Cross Riverians can access a soft loan facility to the tune of N10 million. The loan covers all categories of small and medium enterprises, yet the most interesting part is that the recipients have seven years to pay back the loan and at a concessionary five per cent (5%) interest rate. He commended the applicants for their coordination through out the training exercise while urging them to efficiently utilize the cash when it comes in.

The Cross River State Commissioner of Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr the trustee of the foundation who closed the training said 1,000 Cross Riverians will benefit from the first phase of the loan.

He revealed that all that is required is for interested persons to apply and attend the 3 day training for free as the foundation have paid the training fees for all trainees which also covers lunch for the training days, venue and resource persons as well as facilitation fees for application assistance as well as business plan development to facilitate access to the grants.

He said selection process was done by the Consultants who made open the applications to everyone across the 18 LGAs of CRS without interference from any Political class.

Mr Ekpenyong poured encomium on the participants and prospective beneficiaries for taking the training very serious and making Cross River State a shining star among other states.

Asuquo said “give a man a fish and he will feed his family for a day, but teach a man to fish and he will feed his family in perpetuity”

Speaking with newsmen, the Chief Facilitator of the training, Mr Omotayo Omolade said the Entrepreneurship Training programme has been designed to take your business to greater heights, and if you’re a start-up, the information you’ll get will give you a very comfortable footing to start your business. So, you have no reason to miss this great opportunity.”

The Lead Facilitator from Moure Consult, Mr Muhammed Tahir disclosed that many Nigerians are already benefiting from the loan facility while lauding the Cross River participants to have been the most well behaved and well coordinated across the country so far.

Highlight of the event was presentation of Certificates to trainees by the Honorable Commissioner For Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong.

*Health: Christmas bonus for mother’s and children in Cross River State as Deputy Governor Prof Esu flags off Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week*

361127 children under five and 981583 mothers in hard to reach areas are to benefit from health care Christmas bonus package targeted at protecting the lives of mothers and children across the state.

The Deputy Governor Prof. Ivara Esu who was ably represented by The Honorable Commissioner for Health Dr Betta Edu said “ cross River state must ensure maternal and child mortality is reduce by 50% of present rate by 2021 ending. This can only be achieved when mothers and care givers deliberately seek health care. While we hold Government accountable, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders should instruct their subject and mobilize target vulnerable population in communities to participate in health activities, with Donor partners doing more to improve our health system.

The state Government has provided several useful interventions to improve health care quality and coverage in the state. For this intervention, free nutritional supplements, deworming tablets, screening for malnutrition, Malaria treatment, Long lasting insecticide treated nets, health promotion, vaccination, HIV screening and testing, Haematinics for pregnant women, vaccination for pregnant women and other health services will be provided. We are counting on health workers to deliver 100% on this assignment. He thanked all the Development partners and traditional rulers for their great support so far.

The DG SPHCDA Dr Janet Ekpeyong who spoke in details of the intended coverage for the maternal new born and child health week stated that 8 LGAs with highest burden of malnutrition and other health issue will be give the highest priority during this period. She charged health workers especially those at Primary Health Care Level to take the exercise seriously and ensure all mothers and children are covered. “ we want to reduce malnutrition in population, maternal Mortality and under five mortality in the state and all hands must be on deck to achieve this”.

She noted that the state Government and partners like Unicef, Federal ministry of Health and NPHCDA has supported the state to hold a successful MNCH week in the state.

Others who spoke were the DG SACA Dr Ansa, SA Health Dr Ushie, Sec of Board Bar Effiom, WHO state Coordinator Dr Raji and the SNO Regina Adie as well as chairman Ward Dev Committee Calabar south ward 11 all gave their commitment to the success of the maternal newborn and child Health week. They further committed to helping the state reduce maternal and child mortality using various strategies.

High point was the flagging off by the Deputy Governor ably represented with the administration of vitamin A to children and nutritional supplements to pregnant women at PHC Mayen Avenue Calabar south. Don’t be told enjoy the Christmas package from Governor Ben Ayade to mothers and children. Merry Christmas

*Covid-19 Aftermath:Cross River Partners UNFPA On 2021 Development Strategy*

Cross River State Government has unveiled strategic plan 8! Partnership with the United Nations Fund and Population Agency (UNFPA) to achieve Global Program for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Strategic Partnership was sealed during a two-day 2020 end of the Year review and 2021 annual work plan event held in Calabar.

Declaring the meeting open, the State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, *Inyang Asibong*,called on all partners to assess the extent of UNFPA’s program implementation and results achieved in relations to the planned intervention in 2020 associated with COVID-19 pandemic.

Asibong said the partnership will also unveil a 2021 strategy which would serve as post-COVID-19 recovery plan across board.

She added that "The strategic plan should be in tandem with the State Government’s priority and the UNFPA key agenda on 2030 principles to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, focusing on women, adolescents and youth,advising that the strategic plan should ensure everyone is carried along with premium concentration on reaching vulnerable people in the hinterlands as a key priority".

In his opening remarks, the Head of Office, UNFPA, *Dr Polycarpe Takou*, called on all partners to use the experience they have gotten over the year, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to agree on high impact activities to be implemented in 2021.

He also assured the state partners of continuous support to ensure no one is left behind, and that; "The strategic plan should focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services, Gender Based Violence (GBV), prevention and response, risk communication and community engagement, and provision of life-saving supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The State Commissioner for Health, *Dr. Betta Edu*, and the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), *Dr. Janet Ekpenyong*, also added their voices to the strategy development and implementations.

Cross River gets additional 1000 soldiers to support internal security

The efforts of the state governor, His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade to ensure security of lives and property in the state has received a major boost with the drafting of additional one thousand soldiers to the state to assist with internal security.

Following this development, the state is grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Defence Minister, the Chief of Army Staff, LT General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Defence Staff, the General Officer Commanding, 82 Div, Enugu and Brigade Commander, 13 Amphibious Battalion, Calabar.


Signed
Christian Ita
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Governor Ayade

Federal High Court affirms Stephen Odey as PDP candidate for Cross River North senatorial election

A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar on Thursday affirmed Dr Stephen Odey as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Cross River North Senatorial bye election.

Ruling in a suit with number FHC/CA/CS/87/2020, presiding judge, Justice S.A. Amobeda held that Dr Stephen Odey was the validly nominated candidate of the PDP for the said bye election.

Relying on relevant provisions of the the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), provisions of the Electoral Act 2020 and Articles of the People’s Democratic Party Guidelines for conduct of its primaries, Justice Amobeda ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name of Dr Stephen Odey as the duly nominated candidate of the People’s Democratic Party to contest the election.

Citing the relevant provisions of the constitution, the electoral act and articles of PDP guidelines for conduct of primaries, the court held that INEC “is compelled and bound by law to publish the name of the 1st defendant (Dr Stephen Odey), who was validly nominated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and whose name was submitted by the PDP to INEC list of nominated candidates to contest the Cross River North Senatorial District bye election now scheduled to hold on the 5th day of December 2020.”

The court further directed INEC to “publish the name of the plaintiff (Dr Stephen Odey) as the duly nominated candidate of the People’s Democratic Party to contest the Cross River North Senatorial District bye election now scheduled to hold on the 5th of December 2020.”

It also granted a perpetual restraining order on INEC, restraining it “either by themselves, agents, privies or surrogates from doing anything whatsoever and however, that will adversely affect the candidature of the plaintiff (Dr Stephen Odey) to contest the Cross River North Senatorial District bye election now scheduled to hold on the 5th day of December 2020 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP.”

YoonSung64:
Someone should explain the meaning of Akpakwu

Isn't it the same like that Terry G song? �

*"WORLD AIDS DAY; Cross River state is Resilient; we are attacking HIV/AIDS to a stand still! - Gov Ben Ayade*

Every Year, on 1st December, the World commemorates The World AIDS Day where stakeholders globally, unite to show support for People Living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS. With this Year's theme being "Resilience and impact; ending HIV Pandemic" the Cross River State Governor Sen Prof Ben Ayade ably represented by His Deputy Governor Prof Ivara Esu has called on his citizens not to lose faith but to remain resilient and committed towards bringing HIV/AIDS to an end by 2030.

Speaking during the World AIDS Day event piloted by the Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA) in collaboration with the State Ministry of health and other partners, Prof Esu, charged everyone to join the fight against HIV/AIDS by uniting together to end AIDS even in the midst of COVID-19. As a State, we have left no stone unturned in this fight; prevalence rate dropped from 6.6% to 2%. all hands must be on deck to ensure that we bring it down to zero percent. Every Year we keep making progress in this sector as even in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic, We have set up one of the best HIV/AIDS response Situation Room, inaugurated State Management Team headed by me and Local Government HIV team known as Local AIDS and STIs Control Program (LASCP) team amidst other numerous outstanding achievements. “I flag off the World HIV AIDS ADVOCACY DAY”

The Honorable Commissioner for Health Dr Betta Edu said “On our part as a people, we must continue to be resilient in this fight and do our best to prevent the Mother to Child transmission of this virus while we ensure that we practice abstinence, avoid multiple sex partners, ensure regular HIV/AIDS testing at least once in 3months as well as regular access to drugs for those who are already positive, together we will overcome HIV/AIDS."

On her part, the Director General of the State Agency for the Control of Aids Dr Etcheri Ansa reiterated the tremendous support of the CRSG in the fight against HIV/AIDS while calling on cross riverians not to concentrate on COVID-19 and neglect HIV/AIDS as well as other deadly diseases.

"As we know, the whole World is today celebrating those living with HIV/AIDS as well as those who have lost their lives to this disease. With this Year's theme, it is of importance to note that the fight against HIV/AIDS is a collective one and as such we must all unite to end AIDS thereby contributing our individual quota. We're blessed as a State with the right leadership as the Government of Sen Prof Ben Ayade has paid so much attention to the health and welfare of cross riverians and in the part of HIV/AIDS, our major targets are; reducing our prevalence rate to zero percent as well as making HIV a thing of the past by 2030 even in the midst of our outstanding achievements."

Highlight of the event was the flagging off this Year's World Aids Day by the Deputy Governor Prof Ivara Ejemot Esu who led the Speaker of the CRS 9th Assembly Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones, the Honorable Commissioner for Health Dr Betta Edu, The House Committee Chairman on Health Hon. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, the DG of the CRSPHCDA Dr Janet Ekpenyong, DG SACA Dr Etcheri Ansa, Permanent Secretary CRSMOH Barr. Takon Asu, the Special Adviser on Health Dr David Ushie, other very important personnel and cross riverians on a walk from Rabanna Roundabout to Calabar Municipal Council were our partners (FHI 360, CCCRN, NACA zonal, ECEWS, Heartland Alliance, Unicef etc) Medical Women Association of Nigeria, NGOs, CSO and person living with HIV/AIDS also spoke.

Yuletide: C/River assures citizens, tourists of safety



Cross River State Government has assured the citizenry as well as tourists visiting the state during the yuletide of safety of their lives and property.


Executive Secretary, Cross River State Carnival Commission, Evangelist Austin Cobham, who gave the assurance while briefing newsmen in Calabar said as a tourism state, the Commission will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the citizenry and visitors to the state celebrate the season peacefully.


According to Evangelist Cobham, “the state government through the pragmatic leadership of Prof. Ben Ayade, has rejiged as well as strengthened the security architecture of the state and has put every machinery in motion in ensuring that the state security apparatus is roll out adequately during this period.


“Though the security challenge we are facing is recurring decimal in the country as a state we want to ensure visitors to Calabar that we will tackle any breach of security during the yuletide headlong for their safety to retain our status of the safest state in Nigeria.”


On the hosting the Africa’s Biggest Street Party, Carnival Calabar, Austin disclosed that the stakeholders are ready to host the event, adding that, "We have been hosting this fame event for 19 years running and I can proudly tell you that for us, Carnival Calabar is now a plug and play event and has come to stay"

Infrastructure, Agriculture: Asibong woos Japan Cooperation to Cross River

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is set to collaborate with the Cross River State Government through the Ministry of International Development to boost Agriculture and Power supply in the State.

This was made known by the Honorable Commissioner for International Development, Dr. Inyang Asibong, who was hosted by the Chief Representative of JICA Nigeria Office, Okumura Makiko, in her Abuja Office on Tuesday.

The meeting, according to the Commissioner, is to harmonize ways of harnessing the potential advantages the State has following the setting up of Cross River State by HE , Sen Prof Ben Ayade as the Agro- industrial hub of South- South Nigeria, her vast last land mass and diverse climate through the support of Japanese skills and advantages, and also proffer solution to power supply as well.

In her response, Madam Okumura pointed out that JICA has been supporting small scale farmers with transferring rice post-harvest skills and technologies, and has taken this further by strengthening their capacity and improve quality of rice.

JICA has also shifted its focus to sustainable and stable power supply to industries and local residents by providing support to transmission sub-sectors as well, a feat the Cross River State will also benefit from as they throw spanner in the works.

In related news, the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) implementation has been earmarked to hold between February 2020 and 2024, with Cross River now amongst the benefiting states of the federation.

This will also give new frontiers to agricultural development in the state as nearly a thousand horticultural farmers in the state will benefit from the training and empowerment programs. This is in line with the agro-industrialization with drive of Cross River State by His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade, Dr. Asibong said.

*School Of Nursing Itigidi Upgraded To College As Deputy Governor Welcomes Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria To Cross River State for Retreat.*

The Deputy Governor of Cross River state H.E. Prof Ivara Esu has received a high powered delegation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council led by the Secretary General/Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria Dr Farouq Umar Abubakar as they came into calabar to hold their Annual top Management Retreat.

Welcoming the Secretary General/Registrar and his team to the State, the CRS Deputy Governor Prof Ivara Esu congratulated the registrar on his re-appointment as Registrar for another 4 years noting that his effort to reshape the Nursing profession has not gone unnoticed, he thanked him for introducing Community Nursing which will lead to increased man power for the Health sector. He thanked him for the Approval given for the upgrade of school of Nursing Itigidi to College of Nursing Sciences while trusting that the three schools with provisional accreditation will get full accreditation status this year.

"Let me commend the Universally loved Dr Betta Edu the Commissioner for Health, who is a goal getter for her Masters stroke on the Schools of Nursing and the health system, I have total confidence in her pragmatic leadership; we remain the top State in Nigeria as far as the health sector is concerned while assuring the team of a peaceful and lovely stay in Calabar”.

In a welcome address, the Honorable Commissioner for Health Dr Betta Edu thanked His Excellency the Deputy Governor of the State for the privilege to meet with the team even at a very short notice which he has again showed the great commitment of Sen Prof Ben Ayade administration to the health sector.
"As a State, we are blessed to have the Secretary General/Registrar of the Nursing Council and his team in our State and we'll ensure they get the best of comfort and safety all through their stay.

"We thank the Governor and his deputy for the exploits and changes in the schools and colleges of Nursing Sciences, ensuring standards are regained. Three of our schools have now been fully accredited and three that were partially accredited will get full accreditation before they leave. With the arrival of Dr Farouq Umar Abubakar and his team, i want to assure us that Nursing Services will be taken to the Zenith as he's already producing great results for the Country."

In response to the CRSG for the warm reception, the Secretary General/Registrar of the Nursing Council Dr Farouq Umar Abubakar on behalf of his team thanked the State Governor Sen Ben Ayade, Deputy Prof Ivara Esu, the Secretary to the State Government Barr. Tina Banku, the capacity Health Commissioner Dr Betta Edu and the entire State for the warm hospitality accorded him and his team. "Our retreat will birth a plan to improve the Nursing profession, fill manpower gap and reduce attrition of Nurses from the country to under 10%."

"We chose CRS to conduct our retreat and plan for the 2021 Calendar year because This administration has demonstrated strong leadership prowess by achieving great results especially in the health sector and this is evident on the hard work of the Health Commissioner whom i must say is a round peg in a round hole. We'll positively accomplish our assignment and we'll continue to partner/synergize with the State to continually strengthen the health sector."

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of award of excellence to Dr Farouq Umar from both the State Ministry of Heath and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). Present in the meeting was the SA on health to the Governor Dr David Ushie, Director of Nursing Mrs Pauline Obute, Chairman Accreditation Committee Dec. Abasi Offiong Offiong and a host of other important dignitaries.

Cross River conducts open, competitive bidding for Obudu airport project



Cross River state government Tuesday conducted an open, competitive bidding for the Obudu International Airport Project.

Six construction firms participated in the Tuesday bidding. They are: Sumec Nig Ltd, CG Engineering, CIBA Nig Ltd, Wokor Services, A&K Construction and Poa Adit Nig Ltd.

Sited in Obudu local government area in the Northern part of the state, the International Cargo and Passenger Airport is one of the signature projects of the Ben Ayade administration.

Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Aviation, Dr. Jacob Otu Enyia explained that the project was first advertised in three national dailies in February and opening scheduled for March but was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic prompting a rescheduling for October 27 but was again stalled by the Endsars protest.

The Commissioner assured of the unwavering political will of governor Ayade towards the realisation of the airport project, citing a provision for it in the 2021 Cross River appropriation bill.

According to him, the Airport, when operational, will boast tourism in the state, grow the economy and create jobs.

"We are convinced that the Obudu International Cargo and Passenger Airport holds a lot of promise for us as a government and people determined to raise the bar of Industrialisation and tourism in Nigeria", he said

The state House of Assembly represented by Nelson Ofem, House Committee Chairman on Aviation, commended the transparent bidding process and urged the executive to ensure that the eventual winner of the bid delivers quality project.

Describing the Airport as the pride of Cross River, he thanked governor Ayade for driving the vision.

Similarly, the three firms that bid for the project lauded the process, describing it as transparent.

They further praised Governor Ben Ayade for the vision and commended him for the fair and open process.

Representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Cross River State Due Process Office witnessed the exercise.

*Cross River 30 Years Growth and Development Plan, An Opportunity For Small and Medium Enterprises -Asibong*


Exactly Twenty-two years after the last business census of establishments in the country, the National Bureau of Statistics, with the support of the World Bank, has commenced the process of implementing the 2020 National Business Sample Census (NBSC) in Nigeria.

The exercise which has begun, and is expected to end on December 4, 2020, forms a part of the Government’s resolve to restructure the economy for faster growth through support to Small, Medium and Large-scale enterprises, in order to increase their productivity.

The main objectives of NBSC includes; to compile, frame, and develop instruments and concepts, establish standards and methodology for industrial and business surveys in Nigeria; to serve as a benchmark for updates of subsequent commercial and industrial sector statistics; to develop a national directory of commercial and industrial business establishments, with all their associated social and economic characteristics; and to provide the country with comprehensive and detailed information about the structure of the Nigerian economy.

According to the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, *Inyang Asibong*, the exercise is important in Cross River State, especially as the *Gov Ben Ayade* led Administration has formulated the 30- year Growth and Development Plan for Cross River State.

Also speaking, the CRS Statistician- General, *Dr Josephat Ogar*, has said that all commercial and industrial businesses in each of the 18 LGAs across the are expected to provide information such as name, location address, postal address, phone number, email address, year of commencement, number of activities engaged in, main type of activity, and others to the enumerators designated to collate the data.

This data will also be used to support MSMEs under the Area 3 of the World Bank/Cross River CARES program set to take off later this year.

For easy access to get your business enumerated, below is the list of enumerators for the 18 LGAs.

Police arrest looters of Rice Seeds and Seedlings Factory in Calabar

The Cross River Police Command has arrested three suspects who looted insecticide pumping machines from the Calabar Rice City during the EndSARS protest on Oct. 24 in Calabar.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulkadir Jimoh, who paraded the suspects on Thursday in Calabar, said they were arrested at 8miles axis of Calabar on their way out to Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

According to him, the state command had earlier announced and gave out 48 hour grace period to looters who looted both private and public properties to return them to the police or face arrest.

"In line with the Inspector General of Police directives, we gave out a grace period for all those who looted public and private items to return them to the state.

"Earlier today, our vigilant officers intercepted a lorry loaded with insecticide pumping machines that were looted from the Calabar Rice City.

"After much interrogation, the suspects failed to explain how they came about the machines. It was an aide to Gov. Ben Ayade on Agriculture that came in an identified the machines," he said.

*Cross River State Secures World Bank SFTAS Grant award of $5,000,000 for its Amended 2020 Budget*

The Honroable Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Cross River State SFTAS Steering Committee, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr has revealed that Cross River State has earned $5,000,000 for its 2020 amended budget meeting relevant criteria and objectives set by the world bank under the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Program for Results. The State SFTAS Committee under the supervision of the Commissioner for Finance amended the 2020

It would be recalled that the independent verification agents from the Office of Auditor General of the Federation had lauded His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade and the administration during their visit for its amended transparent, accountable and sustainable state-level fiscal/budget framework.

“The federal government of Nigeria (FGN) has disbursed to the eligible States on the basis of the Amended 2020 Budget results achievement.”
Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr. Hassan Dodo, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, yesterday in Abuja.

Cross River, Dantata group, CBN partner to create jobs in agriculture


To create posterity, reduce social tension and keep restive youths at bay, Cross River state government is partnering the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and the Dantata group to create 20,000 agro- based jobs for young people in the state.

Governor Ben Ayade disclosed this at the Conference Hall of the Governor's Office, Calabar, while playing host to officials from the Dantata group and the CBN.

"The meeting between CBN and Dantata group and indeed Cross River State is to cement a factor and create opportunity first for livestock, cattle and poultry. I have made an offer of job opportunities to 20000 young people with immediate effect but you are actually going to be your own employer.

"We will provide the money, we have signed an agreement with CBN that they will provide us money to support 20000 young farmers", the governor said.

The young farmers, he further explained, will be deployed to cotton production, livestock, maize and soya beans farming, rice farming, cocoa processing, groundunt cultivation among others.

According to Ayade, the state in partnership with Dantata group is also to set up an abbatoir in Obudu cattle ranch "aimed at growing cattle, production of beef and exporting it within the west African sub region"

The governor stated that his administration was taking the lead in Agro- Industrialisation because " this is the only way we can create jobs and reduce youth restiveness and allow young people to realize their full potential"

He argued that with massive arable land in Nigeria, it was an anomaly for the country to continue to import food, adding that "the advent of Covid 19 and the Endsars protest are like a clarion call that time has come for us to end food imports and, so I identify fully with President Buhari's philosophy and policy of ban on imported foods to force us to start creating jobs for young people"

Earlier in his remark, the leader of the Dantata team, Alhaji Tajuddeen Dantata who is also chairman and CEO Dantata Food and Allied Product Company Ltd said his company was delighted to partner with Cross River in Agro production.

He maintained that the time has come for Nigeria to take its destiny in it's own hand in terms of food production.

"We have to really work on ourselves because we have to produce what we eat and we have to eat what we produce. We can’t sit down and continue to be fed with whatever comes", he stated.

What hack writers, journalists of fortune won't tell you about Gov Ayade


By Chidi Onyemaizu


It amuses how what was a national conflagration is now being politicised in Cross River state.

It smacks of vapid self glory when some people adorn the garb of advocates of good governance to vent personal anger, personal animosity against Governor Ben Ayade over requests refused, favours not granted or refusal to grant incessant favours requests.

Some of these today’s critics, were yesterday’s hallelujah boys when they had the ears of the governor. But like the British weather, they have become consistently inconsistent owing to self interest.

Such persons' public grandstanding should not be taken seriously for it is parented by vendetta.

It is even more sickening that those who should know have decided, for mischief and pecuniary gains, to mask behind the EndSars protest that turned violent to spew inanities just because they have personal axe to grind with certain political leaders.

Evidently, hack and paid writers latching on the violent Endsar protest in Calabar to vent personal bile at Governor Ayade are doing so for their own selfish end.

I think it behoves on fair minded Cross Riverians to remind such arm chair critics and pay- as- you - write superstars that beside lining their pockets with lewd proceeds from yeomanry, they will win no medal ventilating falsehood.

Every government, all over the world, comes with a definite policy that underpins and defines its life span. It didn't start with the Ayade administration in Cross River.

It is therefore, baffling that the governor's choice of massive and aggressive Industrialisation of the state as the main kernel of his administration has left some people masturbating in their boxers with the rage of a deranged bull. Sad.

It is even more ludicrous given that some of these hack writers were the ones that the governor used either as contractors or consultants to establish one or two of the industries that today dot the state’s landscape.

While industrializing the state with the view to changing for good, its fixated narrative as a Civil Service state to one that creates jobs for its teaming young population, Ayade has not neglected other sectors.

Evidences of Ayade's multi- sectoral strides abound but nay sayers would rather grimly deny the evidences of their eyes than admit the obvious.

It is supremely sad that outsiders who visit the state recognise the enchanting vision embedded in the Ayade mission while those for whom the governor daily thinks out of the box choose to play politics with governance.

They deliberately refuse to acknowledge that governor Ayade, in the face of meagre federal allocation and Cross River having reached the threshold of borrowing, is practically squeezing water out of stone to carry on with cardinal projects of the administration and at the same time meeting the social contract he signed with the people of the state in terms of good governance.

For example, the October 2020, federal allocation to the state stood at little above 500million naira- an all time low, yet October salaries, Pensions and non payroll personnel cost approximately about N3.1Bn have been taken care of. Many states are still struggling to meet their October financial obligations.

This is besides the debt service repayment of legacy loans inherited by the Ayade administration.

Now, the paltry allocation figure above which came to the state in October and which has virtually been a recurring decimal since the advent of the administration is gleefully avoided in the tepid assessment of the governor by hired guns.

Notedly, unbiased, clinical evaluation of the Ayade administration in the last five years requires that what comes into the state's coffers monthly be also factored in.

As we speak, internal roads in the Calabar metropolis are being completely overhauled, the Odukpani-Itu- Calabar highway, a federal road, is being dualised, with second level asphalting commencing in a matter of days, workers who were illegally recruited into the civil service and were delisted from payroll are back into the system and their October salaries paid out of the magnanimity of Ayade.

Similarly, as a way of lowering social tension and youth restiveness following the COVID-19 pandemic and EndSars conflagrations, the Ayade administration is currently partnering some private and government institutions to create 20,000 jobs for young people in the state.

In five years, Ayade has brushed aside limitations imposed by lean financial resources to embark on a plethora of signature projects, including establishment of ultra mordern industries.

Many of these industries are either completed or on the verge of completion and awaiting commissioning. More jobs for Cross Riverians are assured when these industries commence production and this will be soon.

A glance at Ayade's strides in five years reveals the following:

Rice Seeds and Seedlings Factory, Calabar (Completed and operational), Cross River Garment Factory, Calabar (Completed and operational), Instant Noodles Factory, Calabar (Completed), Feed Mill, Calabar (Completed), Calachika, a 24000 per day Frozen Chicken Factory, Calabar (Completed), Toothpick Factory, Ekori, Yakurr (Completed and operational) , ultra-modern Cocoa Processing Factory, Ikom (90% completed) and Calabar Pharmaceutical Factory (90% completed).

Other key achievements of the governor include: Nigeria’s first vitaminised rice mill, Ogoja (90% completed), Piles and Pylon Factory, Akamkpa (Completed), Roofing Tiles Factory, Yala (Completed), Teachers Continuous Training College, Biase (Completed), British-Canadian School, Obudu (90% completed), Bio-fertilizer Factory, Calabar (90% completed), Over 100km of 145km dual carriage Mfom-Okpoma-Bekwarra-Obudu- Obanliku highway completed, 23 megawatts power plant in Calabar completed and already powering street lights in the town, while another 26 megawatts gas fired power plant at Tinapa is nearing completion.

There are also: Ongoing construction of Boki East-West road to be completed next year, 52 units of fully furnished two- bed room flats, an ultra-modern housing estate for Bakassi returnees (Completed and handed over to the IDPs), construction of Obudu International Airport (Ongoing), Groundnut Oil Factory, Bekwarra (80% completed) and the ongoing construction of referral hospitals in Obudu and Akpabuyo local government areas.

There is undeniable presence of the above projects in the areas they are sited. But those who thrive in infantile blackmail would rather gloat over the EndSars violent protest in Calabar and play politics with it rather than take time to visit the projects to confirm for themselves the veracity or otherwise of their existence.

The Endsars protests and the attendant arson and vandalization came like a hurricane and swept across the country, particularly southern Nigeria. Cross River was not isolated

Lagos, for example, was probably the worst hit in terms of destruction and looting of public and private properties and business, including palliatives warehouse, yet no Lagosian has termed the incidence a referendum on governor Sanwo Olu.

Similarly, the Nigerian police lost 205 police stations- completely looted and razed to the ground, and 22 personnel, yet no one is politicising the police losses or calling it a referendum on the Inspector general of police.

Those who giddily speak about the Endsars protest's violent dimension in Cross River as a referendum on Ayade would have added more interesting comic to their theatre of the absurd had they also told us that he too governs states where Endsars protest equally spiraled into blood- chilling mayhem!

That they only singled out Ayade for a "referendum" made in their own warped image is beyond the pale.

However, no amount of rambling and ranting or unleashing of a stream of bitterness and bile will do anything to dime a star on an unstoppable ascendancy, for Ayade's determination to accomplish his mission of reinventing Cross River is stronger than any prospect of failure.


Chidi Onyemaizu,

Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Print Media

Agro-industrialization: You're a trailblazer in food security, Buhari’s Minister tells Ayade


Minister for Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Hussein Adamu, has described the Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade as a trailblazer following his agro-industrialization policy aimed at ensuring food security in the country.

Adamu, who paid a courtesy call on the Governor said "even though you are in a different political party, you have keyed very well into President Buhari's policy of providing and enhancing our food security in the country. You are a trailblazer in that aspect."

While commending the governor for the establishment of the rice seedlings and seeds multiplication factory, the minister said there exists a lot of opportunity for us to cooperate with you through the River Basin.

“I am aware that you have graciously approved for us to take over the Songhai farms and we hope to continue to see more of this cooperation because the Cross River Basin in the state cannot be an island of its own.

“They are supposed to be working and cooperating with the state and the farmers. So there must be strong cooperation between the Cross River Basin Development Authority and the state government because at the end of the day, it is about the people. So I hope that this cooperation will continue to be strengthened."

The minister was in the state to take stock of the damage to the Cross River Basin Development Authority during the recent endSARS protest which turned violent.

“I also want to take the opportunity to launch the 2020/2021 dry cropping season,” he disclosed.

In his remarks, Governor Ayade thanked Adamu for the visit, adding that in spite of the ugly events of the recent past, there was still reason to be optimistic about the future.

He called for a more robust relationship between the state and the Cross River Basin Authority.

According to him, “there must be a relationship, there must be a partnership between the basin development authority and the state government because the land is ours, the location is ours and you are here to serve us."

On water challenges faced by Cross River State farmers, the governor cited that "I have a rice farm in Obanliku and my greatest challenge is water. So if I sit here as a governor and I am having challenges of water in my farm, so who else can farm? Cross River is doing 3000 hectares of potatoe farm for export and 2000 hectares of flower for export up the Obudu Cattle Ranch, but our greatest challenge is water.

"The main raw material for rice is water. So we have got challenges of technology, which is the irrigation methods. The basic thing is that farmers need water and that is why you have a catchment structure, that is why we have the basin development authority to bring technical expertise, bring collaboration, hand hold us through the difficulty to ensure that we have increased yield.

"I decided to breathe life into President Muhammadu Buhari’s non-oil policy thrust. I took agriculture as one of my key components, besides the industrial components. So we procured a lot of equipments from John Deere because land clearing is a major challenge, but beyond land clearing is water supply to the farms.

"So I ask myself; how much has the Federal Ministry of Water Resources put in Cross River State in relationship to the other parts of the country, in relationship to our commitment to the presidential thrust on agriculture as an alternative to oil? What kind of support can I say we have gotten from the federal government for consistently breathing life into President Buhari's statement?

"How can we benefit from the existence and presence of the Cross River Basin Development authority? You need to address that because Cross River gives you a great opportunity to demonstrate your capacity and efficiency to deliver."

So APC has promised him that presidency will be zoned to south east? If he believes that then he is a fool