₦airaland Forum

Governor Ayade calls on northern leaders to prevail on Buhari for 275km superhighway project


Worried by the lack of support from the federal government for the ongoing construction of the state's superhighway, Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade has enlisted the support of northern Nigerian leaders for the project.

Ayade also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfill his earlier pledge made while performing the groundbreaking for the project.

Expressing what he described as righteous anger with the federal government's indifference to the superhighway project, which was conceived to bring the northern region closer to the Atlantic Ocean, Governor Ayade said: "As I watch time run and my tenure runs to a close in a couple of years, as I watch the superhighway and indeed, the deep seaport which form the basis of a new Nigeria, a generational and a philosophical change I had envisaged for this country, being treated with indifference by the federal government, I seethe with rage that a country so awash with solid mineral deposits, crude oil deposits, huge human resources, young, intelligent and smart minds, is being reduced to want in body, in spirit and in soul, occasioned by the poor exploitation of our own resources."

The governor, while calling on northern leaders to prevail on the federal government and indeed, President Buhari to support the ongoing construction of the superhighway, insisted that Nigeria had no business with poverty given its resource endowment.

According to him, "As a country, we are so rich and so blessed that we have no business with poverty. I believe that this is the time to say it before it is too late, that as the entire people of Northern Nigeria, you have a reason and you have a responsibility to join me in this cry, to seek and ask President Muhammadu Buhari to recognize the value of export agriculture, to recognize the value of solid mineral for export, to recognize the vast mineral resources from coal tar to Cobalt to titanium to columbite to bauxite and iron ore. The list is endless."

Charging the region to take advantage of the huge opportunity being thrown up with the construction of the superhighway, the governor said: "Agriculture is also in excess in the northern part of the country. But the North will continue to remain in turmoil until there is a direct connection and access to a maritime domain and that can only be provided by the superhighway. The superhighway will connect the northern part of Nigeria to the Atlantic Ocean, shortening their travel time, increasing their business and making them an export oriented region, particularly the North East.

"It is important for us to note as a nation that God, in His own mercy made us the richest country in Africa and Africa the richest continent in the world in terms of mineral resources. The avalanche of resources available to us as a country is sufficient for Nigeria to have no business borrowing money or have any business with poverty."

Calling on President Buhari to demonstrate statesmanship and redeem his promise to support the construction and actualization of the superhighway during his performance of the groundbreaking, Ayade reminded: "With the same respect, may I remind you, Mr. President, of your promise, while you were in the state for the ground breaking ceremony of the superhighway and the Bakassi Deep Seaport to see to their construction and commissioning.

"I call on you today with the spirit of God that the people of northern Nigeria who are dying to evacuate their solid minerals, who are dying to evacuate their agriculture resources for export, the people of Bakassi who are dying of the opportunity to have a deep seaport to assuage their frustration and agony occasioned by the loss of their oil wells are looking up to you and are looking up to your commitment that indeed you would do what you are doing in Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project to the superhighway and the deep seaport."

Continuing the governir said: "And as far as you have the muscle, the tenacity, the capacity as President to be able to source over $2 billion to support the AKK project, we believe that you still have the infinite power as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for the superhighway, the evacuation corridor, the solid mineral base, the mining corridor of Nigeria."

Maintaining that Nigerians have no reason to be hungry, Ayade said: "It is only those who lack understanding that will be hungry in the presence of plenty. Nigerians are intelligent people, we believe that the superhighway and the Bakassi deep seaport is a major way out to end poverty and to strengthen our local currency because once we become an export oriented country, the strength of the naira will be restored and the value and dignity of Nigerians will be restored. Until that is done, the continuous devaluation of the naira will only cause more cataclysm for the economy of this country.

"I believe that at this point, Mr. President, your emphasis will be on the macro economic policy of Nigeria with focus on strengthening the naira that has become very imperative and urgent as capacity utilization drops with factories and shops closing down occasioned by the high cost of the dollar."

Ayade further appealed: "I prevail on you and I know you have the capacity and the goodness of mind and I know you have the soundness of character, the firmness of purpose to insist on the immediate recalibration of the value of the naira. This is so because if that is not done and the naira continues to slide, we might get to a state where it becomes unbearable for the young people who are under very severe pressure and because that pressure is uncontrollable, they will reach their maximum tolerance limit and we might have a high concentration of deviance which we are beginning to witness today."

Work on superhighway excites Coscharis boss, seeks to invest in Cross River


Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade has said that while his administration was crystallizing industrialisation of the state, private investors are needed to drive it.

The governor made the assertion at the weekend while conducting the President of the Coscharis group, Dr Cosmos Maduka round the administration's projects in Northern Cross River.

Elated by what he saw, especially a section of the 274km Superhighway linking Cross River with Northern Nigeria, Maduka said he was willing to invest in the state.

According him, before his visit, he had always dismissed the project as a facade, hinting that Coscharis, a multi- sectorial conglomerate, would explore the possibility of maximising investment opportunities that abound Cross River.

"Absolutely what we are seeing here is incredible to say the least. It is better seen than imagined. Anytime you hear news about the superhighway from Ikom all the way to Benue State, everybody says forget it, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

"One day I asked His Excellency, where is this superhighway? He said do not worry, one of these days I am going to take you there. And I asked, are you just planning to start it? He said, No, 90km of it is waiting to be asphalted. And today I am standing on the road myself and I am just short of words to say the least.

"We came in here yesterday, we have looked at the British international school, we went to Obudu, we have seen the hospital being built, we are just coming from the airport and I was wondering where he is getting the resources to do all these. What we are seeing here is capacity of thinking, of brainstorming", Dr.Maduka said.

The Coscharis President who disclosed that the conglomerate has investments around Africa, said he was disposed towards investing in Cross River.

"Cocharis is looking for business opportunities. We are doing something in Anambra State in a very massive way in agriculture. We are looking at opportunities in agriculture, so if opportunity presents itself we will take a stake in this place. We are willing to invest. The president of Malawi is asking me to come and invest there. If I find a better opportunity here in Cross River, I will invest instead of going anywhere", he said.

Meanwhile, the governor described the Coscharis boss as "a core investor with credible track record", adding that he was encouraging him to invest in Cross River.

Ayade: "The reason Cocharis is here in Obudu is to ensure that the specialist hospital here becomes a reality. He is the representative of Siemens and that hospital is going to be equipped by Siemens.

“Also, We want to encourage him to invest in at least 50km to 100km on the superhighway. We want to encourage him to invest in the British-Canadian University we are building.

"As a core investor, as a man with credible track record, a man who has a history of consistent success from start to finish, we believe that a handholding with him will bring great success to Cross River State. That is basically the philosophy that underlines our decision to have him go through all of our projects"

According to the governor, as a major investor in rice production, he would like Coscharis to invest in the ultra-modern rice mill in Ogoja which is nearing completion.

"We will be encouraging him to buy into the supersonic ultra modern rice mill. It will blow his own mind because I know he has one.

"For Cross River State, we are only catalyzing industrialization process, but Cross River does not intend to run all of these assets and investments. So we are looking for businessmen that have succeded in their private capacity from start to finish. Nobody will say he doe not know Dr. Maduka in this country.”

He again reiterated the imperativeness of the Superhighway, saying it remained central to the Nigerian economy.

"It has become very critical for this country to recognize that the superhighway is the real epicenter and the neckpoint through which there will be harmony between the North and the south. When the people of the southern part of Nigeria look unto oil, the people of the North look unto solid minerals but they need an evacuation and an access to the Atlantic coastline to be able to have full utility value of the great assets and deposits of the northern of Nigeria.”

*Covid-19: C'River State Govt Proposed N147.130 Billion 2020 Amended Budget*

The Cross River State Government has forwarded a bugdet review and amendment proposal of N147,130,166,996 ( One hundred and forty seven billion, one hundred and thirty million, one hundred and sixty six thousand, nine hundred and sixty six Naira ) to the Cross River State House of Assembly, this amendment is to streamline the State’s estimates of revenue and expenditures in line with current economic realities. Approximately 16% of the amended budget expenditure has been earmarked for Covid-19 response programs for relief, restructuring & recovery.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr during a joint press briefing by the Ministry of Finance and Cross River State Internal Revenue Service on Monday at New Secretariat Complex Calabar.

He said the world is experiencing one of the worst health crisis in the last century which has lasted more than expected and has adversely affected all countries across the world. He stated that what started as an outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019 grew rapidly into a global pandemic had ultimately consolidated into a global economic crisis with it's negative attendant effect on the GDP of the nation, unemployment and contraction of the economy.

Ekpenyong Jr said consequently the Cross River State Government led by his Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade has thought it imperative to come up with economic policies and measures inorder to forestall the hardship and cushion the effect of the pandemic through the budget review and amended it inline with current economic reality and has been submitted same to the Cross River State House of Assembly for their consideration, review and possible resolution.

On his part, the Executive Chairman of Cross River State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Akpanke Ogar said as part of tax reliefs and incentive package approved by the State Governor, Senator Prof Ben Ayade for mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and inorder to cushion the economic effect, the State government has formulated tax relief and palliatives for businesses and individuals operating and resident in Cross River State.

According to him some of the package includes 100% abatement on PAYE "Pay As You Earn Scheme" for individuals who earn less than 100,000 Naira monthly as well as 100% abatement on levies and tax for low income earners such as Artisans, Hawkers, Okada Riders, Tricycle riders (Keke Napep), Taxi drivers, pretty shops, as well as other Micro and Small Business enterprise inline with the provisions of the Cross River State Tax Exemption Law 2015 as amended.

Work on Superhighway, Bakassi Deep seaport on course, says Ayade.

...Renews calls for federal government support


Cross River state governor, Sir Ben Ayade has expressed happiness at the pace of work on the 270 kilometre Superhighway linking the state with Northern Nigeria.

Ayade however, renewed his call for federal government's support for the project, lamenting that the state was left to shoulder such a gigantic project alone.

The governor enumerated the economic importance of the Superhighway and Bakassi Deep seaport and concluded that the two projects, when completed would lift Nigeria out of economic doldrums.

Governor Ayade who spoke to newsmen while inspecting the progress of work at the Bekwara axis of the Superhighway in Northern Cross River disclosed that earth work has already been completed in a major part of the six-lane highway.

"We have over 270kms stretching from the beginning of Cross River boundary with Benue State up to the Bakassi deep Sea port on a six lane superhighway. The good news is that earth work has already been completed in a major part of the Superhighway in readiness for stonebase and then asphalting. Behind me you can see how much we have done on the superhighway. I am still in a state of shock how a country like Nigeria cannot understand the depth, the value that the superhighway will bring to this country", the governor said.

The economic importance of the Superhighway, he said, has made the project imperative.

He said when when completed, the Superhighway will serve as a veritable corridor for the evacuation and export of farm produce and other natural resources from the North through the Bakassi Deep seaport which is also under construction.

His words: "I have said it time and time again that today Nigeria is dependent on hydro carbon, the hydro carbon importance is gradually going down, its value and utility is reducing while alternatives are on the Increase. The world is fast moving away from oil. Nigeria has remained monolithically dependent as a slave to oil and because of that there is an intellectual stagnation, reducing us to want in body, spirit and in soul without a deliberate effort to find an alternative.

"In the fullness of time Nigeria is going to pay hard price for this silence and for this laziness. I have only envisioned that the greatest opportunity this country has got is to look into the future and create an opportunity. It is only a future that you picture that you can capture. I capture a prosperity agenda that will be dependent on this superhighway that will serve as an evacuation corridor from the northern part of Nigeria down to Bakassi deep Sea port.

“The North is awash with a lot of mineral resources from tantalite to columbite to tin to iron to coal. They everything over there but there is need for access to the coast land and this is the shortest cut because in few hours you will be leaving the northern part of Nigeria and emptying into Atlantic ocean.

"Once you create an opportunity for northern Nigeria to have an access to an export processing point like a maritime corridor such as the Atlantic ocean, prosperity will set in, Boko Haram will go down, youth unemployment will reduce, banditry will drop.

"So what I have just done by this superhighway is to take Atlantic ocean closer to northern Nigeria to allow for export agriculture, to allow for full extraction of our solid minerals, to allow for the full beneficiation of all the value chain processes because we cannot continue to depend on oil. I am shocked that up till this moment that the federal government has not seen the deep value that this project will bring".

Governor Ayade however, solicited the assistance of the Federal Government on the two critical projects.

"Let me once more call on the federal government of Nigeria to come to the aide of Cross River. We do not need your money, just give us a sovereign guarantee, just give us any institutional support that we need to get the superhighway and the deep seaport ready. That is all we ask, if for nothing else, at least for the loss of the Bakassi oil wells.”

Ayade to build social housing for Obudu Ranch Resort host communities


Worried by the squalid and deplorable living conditions of the host communities of the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obanliku Local Government Area, Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade has promised to change their situation with the provision of social housing.

Governor Ayade who was on a one-week working visit to the Obudu Ranch Resort, made the promise during his tour of the communities.

Expressing sadness over the abject condition, highlighted by shanties and dilapidations, Ayade decried: "We are here at the Ranch and when you look to the left and right, what you see in the entire place are the aborigines, the original owners of Obudu Cattle Ranch.

"They are relegated to the worst form of human existence; reduced to want, in body, in spirit, in soul and in the most sub-human living conditions with collapsing roofs and huge massive temperatures that run your blood chill and your bones cold."

He vowed to change the ugly narrative for the better very soon.

On his one week visit to the Ranch, he disclosed that the visit was meant to give him the opportunity to see things for himself as his administration gets ready to revamp the prime jewel of hospitality in the state.

"I decided to take a guided tour to spend one week with the people to feel their pulse as we prepare to make the Ranch the most attractive centre for visits in Nigeria. I want to see how the citizens, the aborigines have been living side by side with the glaring reality of the luxury of the ranch resort."

In what could be likened to a tale of two cities, Governor Ayade lamented: "It is a shame that where I live which is the presidential Villa is as if am in Europe and just a few minutes walk from there, this is what you find. The contrast is unacceptable to my conscience because I have a background akin to this people and so I understand the feeling. I understand the pain.”

Bemoaning the high level of deprivations being experienced by the people, the governor said: "As I see this, my heart bleeds that I have failed to be sensitive to the people who need government most. And so my government is committed to constructing social housing to change their course and prove to them that God uses humans as a vessel."

The governor promised "to make your town and your place look beautiful as well. So, for us as a state, we are committed to exterminating this kind of extreme poverty.

"My performance efficiency should be measured by how much I have lifted people from extreme poverty to comfort not by how many culverts, how many bridges, how many superhighways, how many deep seaports I have built. The real growth is human growth and that is why I do not believe in Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

“I believe in human happiness index. I want to be assessed on the basis of how happy these people are with the onset of me being governor. When I leave office, what will be the difference I have in their lives? Until I make such a difference, I would have failed as governor."

On his determination to reposition the ranch, Ayade hinted: "Very soon the ranch will be the biggest attraction in this country because we are building an international airport to support the ranch for export of potatoes and export of ornamental flowers.

“So, if we are going to do that, and go into commercial farming in Obudu cattle ranch and industrial tourism, where does that leave the host communities? That is why we are here today to assure them that they have a critical role to play. We had a meeting with the leaders of the community and have assured them that the squalor and the sub-human conditions will be exterminated in the next six months. We will be here and you will see the difference.

"Cross River does not have enough but I care enough to make a difference for them and we surely will as a state.This is my commitment."

Obudu Airport project gets backing from host communities as Ayade promises early completion


Construction of the Obudu International Airport in Cross River state has received further impetus as the five host communities where the project is sited have declared their absolute support for the project.

This is even as Governor Ben Ayade disclosed that the Airport, when completed, will boost the state's economy through export of ornamental flowers and other resources found in abundance in Northern Cross River.

The communities; Atiekpe, Ikwuomkwu, Igwo, Okamibi and Abonkib made the declaration Monday in their separate presentations during an interactive session with the governor at the project site.

The five communities disclosed that in view of the enormous economic spinoffs that will be derived from the construction of the airport, they freely donated their land to the state government.

Most of the youths that turned out for the meeting displayed several placards with messages of support for the governor and the projects.

"We are extremely proud that Igwo is one of the communities that donated land for this project. We are happy that in our life time, Igwo will be hosting an airport. This airport will bring jobs and development to our people. We are grateful to His Excellency," a representative of the Igwo community said in his presentation.

On his part, the Councilor for Obudu Urban Ward 2, Honorable Emmanuel Akomaye stated that contrary to insinuations, the land was not acquired by government, but was freely given.

"Nobody forced us to give up our land. Our land was not acquired by government for this airport project, it was freely given," Akomaye said.

On his part, the Clan Head of Abonkib in Obudu Urban 1, His Royal Highness, Augustine Ikashi, said the people were fully behind airport project.

The royal father said the project when completed will bring development to the area.

"It is not because the governor is our own son, but because we need development, because we love progress, therefore, we are fully behind the airport project. We believe it will bring development to the entire community.

"I think the project is the only good thing that has happened to Obudu and Cross River State. So if we have this International airport, Obudu is going to be on the world's map."

Responding Governor Ayade disclosed that the state government has so far paid N500 million as compensation to the communities that donated their land for the project.

He expressed optimism that in no distant future, the airport will be completed and operational as the federal government has already given the necessary approvals.

His words: "We are right here at the site of an international cargo airport in Obudu, Cross River State. The intention of this airport is to provide cargo support services and export of ornamental and special flowers from the Obudu Cattle Ranch. As you are well aware, a country like Kenya does average of 39 million Euros annually exporting flower from an altitude even less than that of Obudu cattle ranch.

"So for Cross River State, we need to have an airport here to be able to assist us take advantage of the Obudu cattle ranch. More so Obudu Cattle Ranch is a beautiful place of nature which has been heavily under utilised because of access. So we are building an airport that can allow us benefit from the full potentials of the ranch."

Continuing, Ayade stated that the airport will also help create access to the rich agricultural potentials of Northern Cross River to the world.

"We have very very essential elements to find which is the agricultural heritage of Cross River State and with all the precious stones available to us, the cargo airport will be very critical"

On the land donated by the Obudu communities for the project, the governor said: “N500 million has been paid and the work is going on. And as you can see the communities are celebrating, they are excited that I have come here in person to speak to them and hear their concerns with a view to addressing them.

"Every single contributing village here today is excited about the potential of this airport. And we have also received the approval from the Federal Ministry of Aviation already. We have all the necessary approvals and construction work is on going. We are working very hard to see that this airport is ready by the close of this year.”

Earlier, the Cross River state Commissioner for Aviation, Dr Jacob Otu Enyia disclosed that the airport runway will be the longest in the country at 5.6km.


"We have also been able to remove the top soil and the next phase will see us go into filling to attain the required level as requested by the consultant," the Commissioner quipped.

STATE COUNCIL ON PRIVATISATION PAYS FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO MINISTRY OF COMMERCE

Louisa Tatey, Reporting from Ministry of Commerce

The Commissioner for Commerce, Pst.Mrs. RoseMary Archibong, has welcomed members of the State Privatisation Council to her Ministry.

The Commissioner, who is also a member of the Committee, told the group that the task before them is an enerous one that will entail brain storming, travels and research in order to ensure the profitability of the numerous Industries, Palm Estates and other ventures in the Commercial Agricultural hub.

She emphasised the importance the State Government attaches to the State Privatisation Council,noting that Governor Ben Ayade-led Administration has laid solid foundational Industrial infrastructure and is ready to transfer control partially or wholly to private enterprise.She expressed deep appreciation to the Governor, on their appointment.

Earlier, the Chairman of the State Privatisation Council, Mr.John Odo, expressed delight over their appointment stating that council members will work as a team to actualize a common goal set before them.

He appealed that Government, should make available an office space as well as a vehicle that will aid movement to various places of assignment. He further expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Governor, for the confidence reposed on them.

The following,are members of the Committee;
Mr.John, Monday Odo Chairman
Mr.Festus Ita Okon
Mr. John Odey
Mr. Johnson Eyibio
Mr.Butum Ubi
Barr.Tanko Ashang, Attorney General
Barr.RoseMary Archibong,Commissioner for Commerce
Mr.Asuquo Ekpenyong, Commissioner for Finance.

Edo 2020: ‘No Sidon Look’, Backs Obaseki Re-Election, Starts Branding Processes

As the 2020 Edo State Governorship election is fast approaching, a civil society organization under the aegis of “No Sidon Look’ has thrown its weight behind the re-election of Edo State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Mr Godwin Obaseki.
In the organisation's effort to ensure that Obaseki is re-elected in order to continue with his numerous achievements in the last three half years, the organization has started branding processes in the state through erection of bill boards, placement of posters and placing of stickers on vehicles and tricycles within Benin-City with the inscription “Say No Godfatherism” and “ Edo No Bi Lagos”

The Director-General of ‘No Sidon Look’, Mr Portrait Peterson in a statement made available to newsmen said , they are strongly behind Obaseki because of the lofty achievement he has attained since he became the Governor three and half years ago. He said Obaseki need to be re-elected so that he can complete the good work he started.
Peterson disclosed that since his assumption of office, Obaseki has always put his mind on people-oriented policies and programmes that would not only put smiles on the faces of the teeming populace of Edo State but also stand the test of time.

According to him, in realising his political mission, the governor initiated several reforms to fast track socio-economic development and transforms the state to serve as a benchmark to other states across Nigeria.

He maintained that to sustain and boost the state’s economy, Obaseki-led government identified six areas his administration’s political economy would rest on, adding that that the six areas of interest include – culture and tourism, sports, economic development, environmental sustainability, institutional reforms, infrastructural development, and social welfare.

“As part of commitment to ensure that these policies and programmes are realised as well as open up the state to more investors, create lasting legacies for successive generations and unlock the state’s potentials, the governor initiated an annual Edo State Investment Summit tagged ‘Alaghodaro,’ to chart a possible way forward.

“In less than four years, Gov Godwin Obaseki has recorded significant achievements across all sectors; from the area of economic growth, education, agriculture, infrastructure, health, sports development, among others,” he disclosed.

Peterson pointed out that the mandate of the organization is the continuous advocacy for good governance amongst young professionals and community engagement in the process of proper electioneering processes with the believe that political leaders in office should be held accountable in office.
The group which has over seven years of experience in activism and campaign engineering with a national membership spread of 13723 active electorates, is spread across Cross Rivers, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Bayelsa, Anambra , Osun State and Edo States.
“We identify with the right leadership which is the people’s choice and through our various strategies engage citizens in making the right choice. With over seven years of experience in activism and campaign engineering, it is safe to say that we exist beside no other. Mr Peterson in his remark on behalf of the organization stated, that we as a people refuse to fold our hands and watch the rape over our democracy repeated as was the case with Bola Ahmed Tinubu the self acclaimed king of kings of Lagos state, where H E Gov Ambode the immediate past Gov of Lagos state was unjustly removed from office , and compelled to step down against the will of the good people of Lagos State.No political party should be bigger than its electorate, hence we say NO TO GODFATHERISM IN EDO STATE, EDO STATE NO BELONG TO ONE MAN AND EDO NO BE LAGOS. He further calls on all Edolites , home and abroad to dust their voters card and come out enmass , because this election is an election between Gov Godwin Obaseki and the APC led Govt. We call on all civil society organization in Nigeria, and the international communities to join hands with NO SIDON LOOK ORGANIZATION to protect and defend the mandate of the Edo people come September 19th 2020.
www.nosidonlook.org

COVID-19: Cross River’s response innovative, imaginative-FG


The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has described as excellent, the various measures adopted by Cross River State against the pandemic, including a drive through test centre established by Governor Ben Ayade for the testing of samples for COVID-19.

The team was in the state on Monday to assess its readiness for the management of the phase two of the pandemic.

Speaking immediately after inspecting the testing center, a drive through testing facility as well as the state garment factory where they witnessed the production of Personal Protective Equipment including face shields, leader of the PTF team, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, lauded Governor Ayade for what he dubbed his creative imagination.

His words: "I Think it's excellent. I think it is incredible the level of innovation, creative imagination seen in Cross River since the team arrived here earlier today (Monday) and we are really impressed with what is going on in Cross River State and we believe that the sample collection centre will be a boost to the Covid 19 outfit response that the Cross River State government has elaborated in the last few weeks and I think it is really impressive."


Elaborating on the mission of the team to the state, Dr.Shaibu who is also the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Healthcare Department Agency disclosed: "One of the reasons we are here today as the PTF and the Federal Ministry of Health is to come and see what Cross River State has done so far as a second phase of interactions with Cross River State. Just like the first team that came here were also impressed with the level of seriousness, the level of innovation that the Cross River State government has brought to bear."

On assessment of the face masks and face shields produced by the state's garment factory, Shuaibu stated: "We where earlier at the garment factory where we have seen face masks and face shields and overalls being produced. Our partners, NAFDAC, the Standard Organization of Nigeria were really impressed with what is going on there.
“ So we made a commitment to dig deep and see how we can collaborate with the government of Cross River to make sure that all of the work that is going on there will easily meet global standards. We have already assessed physically and our representatives from these two organizations are happy with what they have seen."


According to him, "We just need some further testing to make sure that we can now scale up and make sure that Nigerians are able to benefit from the manufacturing that we are already seeing in Cross River State. It is an opportunity to encourage other governors to be very proactive in making sure that we use such an instance where there is necessity to become great innovators for PPE's like we need right now."

Speaking on the partnership with the state government, the National Health care December Agency's CEO said: "It's really Incredible what we have seen in the last few hours and the federal government will continue to partner with Cross River State government so that other governors can be encouraged by what is going on. In the next few hours we are going to continue our collaboration to look at the Public health emergency operation centre"


He further said:"We will also look at the issues around the borders to see how FG can support Cross River State to maintain intergrity and security along the borders. But overall, we have had very fruitful conversations with His Excellency and his team and we are really amazed by all of the work that is going on."


Responding, Governor Ayade thanked Shuaib for his understanding of the issues around the state's handling of COVID-19.


"Let me specially commend Dr. Faisal for his personal intelligence and understanding of the local situation. Let me thank the team and I want to thank the federal ministry of health for deeming it fit to send a team to come and look at what Cross River has done. I want to thank you for for your kind words and I want to say that the federal government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the PTF and Covid 19 response Team, the Minister for Health, the DG NCDC for sending a team with NAFDAC, SON to look at our PPE's from the face shields to the face masks to the overalls with a view to supporting encouraging and patronising us."

According to the governor, "that is the incentive that Nigerians want to see and that is the impetus that will encourage other governors to go into it."

DG CRS Investment Promotion Bureau Set to transform Calabar Municipal To An Investment Hub

By David Peter


The Cross River State Director General on Investment Promotion Bureau, Barr. Tutu Ekeng has guaranteed the transformation of Calabar Municipal to an investment hub for other local government areas in the state.


The Director General, made this pledge during her synergy visit to the Chairman of Calabar Municipal Local Government Area, Hon. Effefiong Eke Nta, at the Municipal Council.


Barr. Tutu Ekeng hinted that, Calabar Municipality was the First Capital City in Nigeria and the Capital of Cross River State. In line with these fact, the Capital City of Cross River State has a superior edge of enticing investors and bringing investment opportunities to the State.


Her word: “The Local Government is a basic arm of the government that deals directly with the grassroot. So, in accordance to the Governor industrial vision, His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade to industrialize the State for the betterment of the citizens.”


“The Cross River State Investment Promotion Bureau is an agency created by law in 2007, 2008 with a prime responsibility to promote investment opportunity of the State. “Also, we are at helm of business entry facilitation for investors. If an investor comes in and is willing to meet with the local government council, get a land, or meet with the internal revenue our office coordinate the whole ball of wax, so that, the investor can have a short over time with a narrow bottle neck.”


“We also have the AFTER CARE SERVICES focus on Corporate Social Responsibility's to ensure that the investor takes charge of the community basic responsibility. So we are here proffer our in dept supports and formally familiarize with the council.”


In response, The Chairman of Calabar Municipal Council thanked the agency for the tremendous opportunity and pledged his partnership as they beam light in search of talents that will advance the State. Hon. Nta further called for the agency's support as the council will be well focused on reigniting sports and agriculture.”


On her part, The Director General, Investment Promotion Bureau assured the chairman of the agency's determination and readiness to assist the council succeed as well as leave a legacy at the end of their administration.


Highpoint of the meeting was the creation of synergy and better working relationship between the Cross River State Investment Promotion Bureau and Calabar Municipal Council, as well as the presentation of a flash drive and souvenir to the Council.

Also present at the event was Special Assistant Investment promotion Barrister Patience Obim

GM Tinapa, others  pay condolence visit to Customs


The General Manager of Tinapa Free Zone & Resort, Dr. Francis Ekom Friday led a team of Heads of the various government agencies operating in Tinapa including the MDs of the Free Zone Enterprises to pay condolence visit to the Customs Comptroller of Cross River state Command, Ahmed Azerema following the sudden demise of the Assistant Comptroller of Customs serving in the Tinapa Free Zone, Mr. Charles Ofodile who died Tuesday, 2nd of July 2020.


Speaking during the visit, the Tinapa GM commiserated with Mr.Azerema and the Customs High Command.

He described the late Ofodile as a fine officer whose expertise will be sorely be missed, especially now that efforts are on by the Tinapa Management to forge friendship and cordiality among staff of the various Federal Government Agencies operating in the facility.

This  according to him, will minimize inter-agency rivalry and conflict while at the same time enhancing the investment climate in the Zone.


Dr.Ekom prayed God to grant the deceased officer's immediate family and the Customs Command the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.  


In his response, Azerema thanked the GM and the Zone's Management for the visit and promised to convey the condolence to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.

Ayade seeks greater collaboration between Cross River and Nigerian Navy


Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade has advocated for a greater collaboration between the state and Nigerian Navy in the area of security.

The governor who spoke in Calabar Tuesday during a courtesy call on him by the new commandant of Nigerian Navy Ship, (NNS) Victory, Calabar, Navy Commodore Idi Abass, commended the Nigerian Navy for playing a critical role in securing the state, particularly Calabar the state capital

Ayade however, sued for amicable resolution of the dispute between Cross River and the Navy over land.

Ayade: "Let me commend the Chief of Naval staff for his patriotism and commitment to the maritime security of Nigeria and to Cross River in particular. To put it on record, the CNS has done his very best to bring progress and make us feel the presence of the Nigerian Navy.

"As the commandant of the NNS Victory, you will recognize that you will be playing a daily role, attending our security meetings, assisting in collaborating with us on the Operation Skolombo we constituted, and to also thank your predecessor that had played a major role in controlling cultism and sea piracy as well as smuggling between Calabar and the Cameroon.

"Let me put it on record that the Nigerian Navy played a major role in controlling smuggling that at a point, the number of arrest made by the Navy was as if they were even competing with customs in terms of all the illegal transactions illegal weapons and illegal importation of rice into Nigeria. As you can see from your records, a whole lot of food items particularly rice was impounded by the Nigerian Navy and handed over to the customs. So, I want to commend his services and corporation and relationship that we enjoyed between Cross River State government and the Nigerian Navy through the Instrumentality of that office"

The governor noted that "not too long ago, the same Nigerian Navy approached us to bring in the naval war college and we graciously, as a state approved an inimitable size of land towards the water front for you a place to build a world class international war college at no cost at all.

"Therefore, let me use this opportunity to bring to your notice that this great healthy relationship is almost being compromised and let me use you as a voice of God to pass a message to the CNS and to the president, that Cross River State has a whole lot of Nigerian Navy presence. You have the Naval reference hospital here , you have the old Navy hospital, you have the Navy war college you have the barracks as well as the Navy guest house and each of this is situated in a sizable plot land.


"However, Cross River State government was appalled to see that as you step out of here you see a new high rise building coming up as a Naval guest house which we understand is also the business wing of the Nigerian Navy building and it will be available to the public"


He lamented that the structure lacks basic building approvals and appealed to the Navy to make amends.


"As you see that building coming up, it has no design, it has no land title it has no land ownership, it has no application for approval. The Nigerian Navy is supposed to be an agent of government that enforces law and order, when law and order is being compromised it becomes worrying. I am sorry this is part of the problem you have inherited, because you didn't start it and you didn't cause it but, it doesn't look nice that a Governor sits in the state and sees a building sprawling by his office in a strictly official office zone,a hotel is springing up, whether it's being called a guest house or not it's a hotel"


Continuing, the governor told Commodore Abbas: "I plead with you to take this message to the chief of naval staff that as a son of the soil, we will not do anything to bring him to disrepute and so to that extent we have resolved to stay on a diplomatic discussion.

Speaking earlier, the new commandant commended the governor's giant strides and pledged to join hands with other security agencies in the state to make Cross River safe for business and leisure.

"I have been briefed by the outgone commander about the security situation in the state and I was also able to go round myself and I can say that I have a fore knowledge of the security situation of the state.

"On this note sir, I would pledge to work together with all the relevant security agencies and other people concerned with making sure of the security of this our dear state to make sure it is safe for business and the protection of lives and property", Commodore Abbas said.

*Cross River State Government receives NCDC Recommended Covid-19 Diagnostic Reagents & Test Kits from Stanbic IBTC*

As the need arises for standardized and reliable testing and the activation of Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Infectious Diseases Hospital in Calabar, Cross River State, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, has donated reagents and test kits to the Cross River State Government capable of carrying out 1,000 tests.
Receiving the Diagnostics reagents & test kits in Lagos on behalf of Cross River State Government on Tuesday, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr lauded Stanbic for the remarkable gesture.

According to him the State Government is grateful to Stanbic IBTC for the donation. This will ensure early testing of suspected cases and accurate diagnosis of Covid-19.” He urged other corporate organizations and good-spirited individuals to support the government in the fight against the coronavirus.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC, the Team Lead, Mr Sola Coker said “now more than ever before, the country needs every available resource to fight this pandemic. In recent times, the country has experienced an increase in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases and the Cross River State the Government is committed to tackling the pandemic; hence the need to assist the state by providing these NCDC Recommended reagents and test kits for standardized and reliable testing.”

Canadian, Belgian firms bid for Cross River's Bakassi Deep Seaport Project


The Cross River State’s Integrated Bakassi Deep Seaport project inched towards reality Wednesday with the opening of bid for its construction.

Port of Antwerp International of Belgium and CPCS Transcom of Canada were the two main bidders.

The event which took place at the conference room of the State Planning Commission, Calabar had the bidders participating through virtual zoom from Belgium and Canada.

The bid opening was witnessed by the Calabar Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by Keneth Asim Ituah and the Civil Society Organisations represented by Mrs Glory Patrick Etokeren of BudgetTransparency and Accountability Network, BTAN.

Speaking at the event, Chairman Steering Committee for the Integrated Bakassi Deep seaport project, Dr. Francis Ntamu assured that the project will not suffer abandonment.

According to Ntamu who is also the Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model of the seaport project has completely eliminated uncertainty about its completion.

"The beauty of PPP is that it takes away the anxiety of whether or not the next administration will want to carry on with the project. Once there are shareholders and stakeholders, it means that the project is already in the market place and this eliminates uncertainty factors.This is what the PPP model seeks to achieve.

"Cross River State Government is not necessarily bringing money to the table for the Bakassi Deep Seaport project. The money will be coming from highly credible international players in the maritime sector. That for us is the key strategy that His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade foresaw when he came into office in 2015. And that is the way forward because most world economies today are private sector driven,” Dr.Ntamu said.

Outlining the economic potentials of Cross River, he said: "Cross River is one of the few states in Nigeria that have the benefit of three economies- blue economy which has to do with the opportunities that come with maritime, the green economy which is the opportunity that comes with our rich forest reserve and the brown field economy e.g Tinapa, International Conference Centre etc. When you fuse these three economies what you have on the table is massive triple posterity.”

On his part, the Director- General of Cross River Bureau of Public Private Partnership (BPPP), Odiba Odiba explained that the PPP model for the seaport project "will be on the basis of design, built, operate and transfer.

"The private sector is the engine for driving economic development and that is basically what we are doing with the Bakassi Deep Seaport project. Whether or not His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade will finish the project before his tenure runs out is not the question, the main thing is that we have a visioner, someone that opened the space and that person is His Excellency", the DG stated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEam8BVC6kg

Bakassi IDPs: Ayade has restored our dignity, our name


The displaced persons of Bakassi in Cross River state have commended Governor Ben Ayade for keeping his promise and coming to their aid by providing a befitting accomodation for them and their families.


The IDPs who lost their ancestral homes and land 18 years ago following the ceding of the Bakassi peninsula to Cameron in compliance with the ruling of the International Court of Justice in the Hague were recently resettled in 52 units of two- bedroom flats built and furnished by governor Ayade.


Speaking during the celebration of world refugee Day at the newly built Bakassi IDP estate, the camp leader of the Bakassi refugees, Chief Etim Ene Okon lamented the neglect the IDPs had suffered through the years before Ayade came to their rescue.


"For several years we have been living in very inhuman conditions and our Governor has indeed come to our rescue and he has restored back our dignity, he has restored back our name. We are very proud and we are so grateful for the opportunity to live a good life in good condition with our families. "


Continuing he said, " before now we have been sleeping in the primary schools, sleeping in churches, turned to beggars in our own land, our livelihood totally lost but our Governor came to see us and made a promise and today he has kept that promise giving us a befitting accomodation, we are very happy about that".



While thanking Governor Ayade for being their only saviour in recent times, Chief Ene appealed to the federal government to complement the efforts of the state government by providing for the IDPs adding that they are still Nigerians no matter the situation they have found themselves.


"We plead with our dear president not to allow this burden on the state government alone, our Governor has done his best for us by providing this housing units with the lean resources at his disposal with a promise to do even more to help kickstart our livelihood, but we still have a lot of challenges and we call on President Buhari to come and assist us. "


On his part, the secretary of the Bakassi IDPs, Mr Okon Etim Effiom, debunked the rumour that the houses have not been allocated to them and advised Cross Riverians not to listen to those who he said have chosen to play politics with the good intentions of Governor Ayade.


"We are delighted beyond measure to have been alive to see this dream come true. For us as IDPs we cannot thank our Governor enough for standing by us and keeping his promise of resettling us with a befitting accomodation. As you can see for yourself we have moved in here over a week now with our families and we are very happy. So for those who are carrying rumours that we are not the real beneficiaries of this housing scheme my advise to them is to desist from playing politics with the good works of our Governor", Etim Effiong said.


He called on the federal government to step in and support the efforts of the state government towards the Bakassi IDP especially in the area of economic resettlement.

*ARCHIBONG PRESENTS ONLINE SHOPPING PLATFORM TO TRADERS ASSOCIATION*


The Commissioner for Commerce, Pastor RoseMary Archibong has presented her Ministry's novel product called YOUR MARKET FRIEND - an online shopping intervention - to the National Association of Nigerian Traders, Cross River State branch and solicited their support in actualising this intervention which, according to her, would subsequently be handled by private interest when presented to the public in the near future.

Pastor Archibong, who made the presentation recently during a courtesy visit of the Traders Association to her Office in Calabar, explained that the online shopping intervention became compelling, arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, where social distancing has become the new normal and certain category of persons may find going to the open market challenging.

She reminded the Association of the Tax Exemption magnanimity of Governor Ben Ayade, pointing out that such gesture would in no small measure better traders' lots in their chosen endeavour, and cautioned that such humanism must be reflected in fair pricing of goods.

The Commissioner congratulated the Association for being able to harness the various trading bodies in the State and enjoined them to ensure that all COVID-19 protocols are observed by traders.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Association, Mr. Ejike Igwe, thanked the Commissioner for granting them audience and also having the Ministry participate in their stakeholders meeting held earlier in the year. He thanked the Governor for the Tax Exemption Order and pledged to support the Ministry's MARKET FRIEND project maximally.

Beware Of Jalingo's lies by Peter Eneyi

Once again the fake journalist/ activist Agba Jalingo has put his foot in his mouth. However a discernible pattern is apparent in his devil may care attitude and methodical nonchalance. He thrives on creating a controversy where he slanders notable persons or institutions and goads them into taking legal action then the cretin will appeal to the public through proxies for funds for his legal defence. This is precisely what he did when he provoked the government into prosecuting his deliberate infraction so that he can play the victim card and get people to raise money on his behalf. He has now decided to monetize his manufactured beef with the Distinguished Senator Florence Ita-Giwa OON. His consistent lies and insults against the senator is designed to provoke a reaction whereby he could appeal for the financial support of the public to defend himself against an "oppressor". The public is hereby put on notice to disregard any appeal for financial support for him to defend his perfidy in the legal suits that Senator Ita-Giwa is bringing his way. From available information he is very broke at the moment as he has squandered away the financial windfall from the case he deliberately instigated with the Government. Apperently satisfying the urge to binge on alcohol & tobbaco is rather costly.
Unlike his case with the federal Government the matter with Senator Ita-Giwa is of a civil nature and the issues fairly straight forward. The fake activist claims Senator Ita-Giwa was smuggled into Cross River State from Lagos late in May just prior to the allocation of houses for displaced Bakassi indegenes. The Senator on the otherhand arrived Calabar on the 2nd of May to keep medical appointments with her physiotherapist. All he has to do in court is provide proof of his assertion and debunk what the senator claims to be the truth. If he thinks he can fake a case for martyrdom over this issue like he did in his case with the Government, the ignoramus is sorely mistaken. His age old and worn antic of grandstanding and confusing issues wont work this time.
Agba Jalingo's fixation appears to be out of envy at the quality of her lifestyle against the impoverishment that led to the passing of his unfortunate mother. His frequent reference to her age and her enduring relevance is a dead give away of his psychotic envy. What he may not know is that the cultured disposition of Efik women is responsible for the senator's flourishing living standard which is unlike those of his maternal lineage. Obviously, Agba Jalingo has a very limited comprehension of the English language hence he would have hesitated to label the Distinguished Senator a villain. Here is a man who is already under threat of being sued for previous infractions committing yet another one. This is proof of the fact that he is desperate to instigate a law suit so he can raise some money to feed his obsession for alcohol and tobbaco. The public is herewith advised not to fall for this ruse. Agba Jalingo the fake activist will certainly have his day in court as the Distinguished Senator who has laboured over the years to make a name for herself is determined to defend her honour against the onslaught of a serial blackmailer.

Despite all odds, Ayade accelerates development of Cross River

By Chidi Onyemaizu

Call him a limit breaker and you won't be wrong because that is what he is.
Evidently, the excruciating financial incapacitation Cross River finds itself as a result of dwindling federal allocation has not stopped Governor Ben Ayade from accelerating the pace of infrastructure development.

With the loss of its 76 oil wells, Cross River lost its oil- producing status and with it came quantum loss of revenue in terms of federal allocation and the 13 percent derivation accruing to oil bearing states.
Right now, Cross River is the 2nd lowest in federal allocation.The situation has now become so debasing that the state got a paltry N800 million last month as allocation.
However, in the face of the above visctidutes, Ayade has in five years as a governor effectively deployed Cross River's limited financial resources to reinventing the state.

Odama Emmanuel Odama's experience at the Calabar- Odukpani road underscores this narrative.

Odama Emmanuel was a frequent traveller to Calabar. Well established in building materials business in the Northern Cross River axis, he was virtually visiting Calabar, the city of his birth and youth, every two weeks to fratenize with old friends and unwind.

However, this was to come to an abrupt end nearly a year ago when his 2012 Toyota Camry almost become a carcass after kissing a big pothole at the then single lane Tinapa- Odukpani axis of the Calabar- Itu highway. Odama was only lucky to escape with his life.

Pouring invenctives at the federal government for "neglecting an important federal road and planting death on the road by so doing", Odama who survived the mishap by the wisckers vowed never to visit Calabar again "until something is done to that road".

Last week, a pressing business matter compulsorily demanded his attention in Calabar and off, Odama set out but albeit with shivering trepidation about that portion of the road that almost consumed his life and car.


However, Odama's initial trepidation dissolved into pleasant surprises as he approached the Tinapa- Odukpani axis of the road. Instead of big gullies, what stared at him was an ongoing asphalting of a dual carriageway.

Overwhelmed by curiosity and lost in the maze of thought, Odama screeched to a halt to have a proper view of the road.

As he was doing that, a motorist who noticed his perplexity came to his rescue; he slowed down and shouted in pidgin English: "Oga, na de handiwork of our digital governor Ayade you dey see so ooo"!

At that moment, Odama made a quick mental journey backward and taking control of the oasis of his memory, he realised he was indeed at the Tina- Odukpani axis of the road, and ironically the very spot his car became a wreck a year earlier! It was magical.


The dualisation of the Tinapa-Odukpani section of the Calabar highway is just one out of many life- changing projects Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade has undertaken in five years of his governorship to alter the hitherto inelegant narratives about the state.


Before now, the road, a federal highway and a gateway to other parts of the country, was impassable, a death trap.But the governor insists that apart from the road being critical to Cross River's economy,he would not fold his hands and wait for federal intervention while lives are lost there daily.

"This construction work is very critical for us because this is where you connect to Abuja, this is where you connect to the seaport, this is where you connect to Port Harcourt, the whole of the southern part, the northern part and up to the Cameroon. This is the only way, the gateway into Calabar. So it is our heartbeat, which is why we have focused on it as a priority", he says.

Essentially, May 29, 2015 ushered in for Cross River an exhilarating dawn in the annals of its history. On that day, Ayade, a man imbued with fecuidity of ideas as to how to pull the state out of the doldrums took over the reins of government.


That day as he stood on the dais facing a mammoth crowd of cheering Cross Riverians at the U.J Esune stadium after taking the oath of office, he was clear on his mission and certain about his vision.


His eyes shone with hope and his face flushed with a glint of inward satisfaction and conviction having carefully designed a blueprint to jump start the reinvention of his dear state.


And as he made to address the people, he paused for a second and made a silent but solemn pledge: I will NOT disappoint my people.


Five years on, governor Ayade has largely delivered on his dream: Industries of different shades, built from the scratch, dot the landscape across Cross River, roads have been constructed across the state with the 147 kilometre Okuku/ Mfon/ Yala/Bekwara/ Obudu ring road liking the five local government areas in Northern Cross River as the largest of such construction ever undertaken by any state government besides the 274 kilometre Superhighway linking the state with Northern Nigeria currently under construction.

Ayade has also heavily invested in human capital development as can be gleaned from the engagement of youths in Agricultural value chain to prepare them to be self reliant, establishment of Construction and fabrication Academy to train middle level manpower for the state and the setting up of a world class Teachers Continous Training Institute at Biase to train and retrain teachers in the state.


It's obvious that governor Ayade undertakes the socio-economic and infrastructural development of Cross River with clarity of mind. Clearly, the chain of feats he has achieved since emerging governor in 2015 and subsequent reelection in 2019 have indeed delivered him to history's door post.

Tellingy, at the end Ayade's tour of duty in 2023 history will firmly record that there was once a governor who started the process of decoupling Cross River from over dependence on the monthly federal allocation through massive investment in Agro- Industrialisation.


With about 32 majorly Agro- based industries-some completed and functioning and others at the various stages of completion- established in five years, Ayade's zeal in remaking Cross River leaves one awe- struck.


Bearing bold testament to this are the undeniable presences of Africa's first ever automated Rice seeds and seedlings factory, Garment factory, Calachika chicken processing plant, CalaNoddles factory among others at the Calabar industrial park.


Among the industries are also the ultra modern rice mill at Ogoja, the automated cocoa processing plant at Ikom and the tooth pick factory Yakurr.


The rice, garment and toothpick factories are already operational and generating income for the state while the rice mill and cocoa processing plants are expected to commence operation soon.


Ayade's urbane nature, his civility, his welfarist and humanist bent verge on his political creed: Politics with ethics.This explains why he has no airs around him, is not magisterial and embraces everybody irrespective of political affiliation or ideology.


However, more importantly, this cerebral Professor of Environmental Microbiology seems also to richly apply John Mason's philosophy in piloting the affairs of Cross River.


According to Mason "the true measure of a person is in his height of ideals, the breadth of his sympathy, the depth of his convictions and the length of his patience".


Professor Ayade's passion and empathy for the downtrodden and the vulnerable fits perfectly into Mason's postulations as evidenced in his (governor Ayade) recent employment of 8,000 youths as part of COVID-19 palliatives, abolition of taxes and levies on small scale businesses and the provision of eye popping social housing scheme for Bakassi returnees who since the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon in 2006 have remained refugees in their fatherland.


In the words of Robert Green, "it's better to win hearts, better to battle with hearts than with weapon". Ayade has won hearts- beyond Cross River- with his superlative performance in five years as attested to by the avalanche of awards he has been bestowed on in recognition of his people oriented governance and purposeful leadership, most recent of which were the Independent Newspapers and Leadership Newspapers Man of the Year Awards on Industrialisation.


Chidi Onyemaizu writes from Calabar

COVID-19: Again, Ayade As The Reference Point

By Christian Ita

As a student in the University of Ibadan, Ben Ayade now Sir Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River State, was the poster boy of his department owing to his academic brilliance.

Indeed, in the words of a former course mate, no one could hold a candle to him. He was in his own world; unchallenged.

Today, as a state governor Ayade, is still exhibiting an amazing level of intelligence which has seen him become a pacesetter in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

He is clearly ahead of his time and masterfully blessed with sound fecundity. He shows salutary class and exceptional leadership to the admiration of the nation.

This renowned professor of Environmental Microbiology has just received another validation on his postulations on how to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.

In the words of an American author and public speaker, Leo Buscaglia," the easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be.”

The Buscaglia's words perfectly find expression in Professor Ayade.

Thus, in the wake of COVID-19, all of Ayade's discourses on ways to contain the ravaging virus have been met with emphatic validation either by the Federal Government of Nigeria or the World Health Organisation, WHO, and even countries around the globe, thus conferring deserving firsts on him.

The latest of such endorsements is coming from Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.

Two months ago, Professor Ayade had insisted that vaccines for the virus could be produced from the antibodies of victims who recovered from the pandemic.

Now, the Federal Government through Dr. Ehanire says its research work is focused exactly on that as the world races to find a cure for the virus.

The Minister who spoke on Sunday disclosed that the Federal Government was working on a research, using plasma from the blood of recovered Coronavirus patients to treat people infected with the virus.

Ehanire: “It is believed that persons who suffered COVID-19 and have recovered will have antibody inside their plasma, which can be used to treat others.

“It can be used to treat others who are not able to build anti body fast enough or those who are suffering from severe form of the virus.

“Yes, our research centres are participating in looking at what advantages and benefits can come out of convalescent plasma.

“I have seen this particular research in Lagos; it is part of what will be studied and the result will be published. So research is going on it.’’

This tallies with governor Ayade's views back in April: "It would sound very controversial but you should know that I am talking from a sound intellectual and scientific background. The virus itself, the test method itself, the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test method is an unreliable method and is never to be used for diagnostic purpose but genomic sequencing, for just research purposes. But the PCR is being used, test kits are being produced. Test kits manufacturers are making cool money. If I test you and you are coronavirus positive, what do I do? There are no vaccines. There is no established approved international treatment protocol.

“However, you have also announced that some people have recovered. Those people who have recovered, why don’t you go and take their serum? Their serum shows that if they have recovered, it means they now have antibodies against the virus…… Let the serum undergo laboratory process and mass produce a vaccine. Why can’t the Federal Government put money in the research and production of that vaccine in Nigeria? We have professors of virology, intelligent Nigerian professors of virology lying waste in the universities.

“With the money you have now, you can set up a proper vaccine production plant, a first of its kind, a world-class vaccine.”

So, as it turns out, the cerebral governor was right and on point, yet again.

His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is such that he has scored all round firsts in the areas of proactive measures to fight the virus.

To use the Nigerian parlance, other states in Nigeria, the Federal Government itself and even the international community have turned "borrow borrow".

The world has borrowed many of Ayade's ideas.

For example, to curtail the spread of the virus into Cross River, Ayade was the first governor to seal all entries and exits into his state.

He was also the initiator of the policy on "no masks no movement".

And long before masks made from fabrics became a global craze as opposed to the synthetic imported surgical masks, Ayade was the first to introduce its use, ordering the Cross River Garment Factory to mass produce it and distribute free of charge to Cross Riverians.

This was at a time when the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the use of masks made from fabric was useless in stopping the spread of the virus.

The world health body was to chew on its words after further studies proved their initial position wrong.

Cross River: TUC, Joint Negotiating Council disassociate selves from strike, say it’s in bad faith


The Trade Union Congress (TUC ), Cross River state chapter, and the State Public Service Negotiating Council, have dissociated themselves from the strike action called by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The position of the two bodies was contained in separate letters addressed to the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade.

TUC's letter was signed by Comrades Daniel Effiong and Ken Bassey, Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively while that of the State Public Service Negotiating Council was signed by Julius M Nkoji, Chairman and Clarkson Otu for Secretary.

The two labour organisations said there were no cogent reasons for workers to embark on strike at this time as all the issues raised by the organized labour have either been addressed or on the verge of being addressed by the Ayade administration.

They berated the NLC for being insensitive to the prevailing global economic situation occasioned by the global pandemic, COVID-19.

The labour bodies commended Ayade's handling of the pandemic which has made the state the only one free from the virus.

TUC letter read in parts: “We seize this opportunity to commend you and your team on the fight against the COVID-19 which so far is a sucess story making Cross River state the only state free of the virus in Nigeria as confirmed by the NCDC.”

On the industrial action called by the NLC, the TUC said: " We write this letter in reference to the 14 days ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Labour Congress,Cross River state and copied to us. For as much we are not joining issues with the NLC we want to categorically state that we were neither consulted nor informed about the ultimatum.

"We disassociate ourselves and affiliate from the ill- fated, ill- advised and unwarranted ultimatum at this critical time".

The TUC reminded the NLC that "the issues warranting the ultimatum namely, the national minimum wage, implementation of promotion, restoration of names into pay roll etc are issues that were collectively negotiated by organised labour- the joint council, the TUC and the NLC.

"To the best of our knowledge, the minimum wage has been fully implemented as agreed as of today. The implementation of promotion is also ongoing process.They are delays and we agree, but labour, including the NLC is well aware of causes of delay in implementation. The chairman of NLC is the chairman of the committee looking into cases of fraudulent and irregular promotion of civil servants.

"We are also aware that the verification of suspended names from the payroll was also billed to commence before the COVID-19 induced restrictions and discussions were ongoing with the Head of Service on how best to address the issue.

"We do not want to believe that the NLC is not sensitive enough to the socio- economic environment.

"The 14 days ultimatum issued without consultation with other stakeholders in the labour space is an overreach...and cannot enjoy the support of TUC"

It commended the governor for prompt payment of workers' salaries saying "as a labour centre, we and our members are aware of the sacrifice government is making to ensure prompt payment of salaries and we commend government for that.We do not think or agree that crises or threats of crises will solve any problem"

On its part, the State Public Service Negotiating Council, while attributing the delay in implementing some of the agreements to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, urged the government to speed up the process "now that Lockdown is being relaxed"

The body thanked governor Ayade for fully implementing the national minimum wage, describing the NLC ultimatum as unnecessary.

Its letter reads in part: "Your Excellency, may we use this opportunity to commend your successful payment of the new minimum wage to workers of Cross River. We thank you indeed.

"Having agreed that part of government/ labour agreement on those issues above have been implemented( minimum wage), others delayed because of COVID-19, therefore, the 14 days ultimatum issued by the NLC is not in good faith, especially now that the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council which speaks for civil servants has not exhausted all avenues and has not referred any matter to the NLC as a labour centre for assistance.”

9th Assembly: Ayade Applauds state Assembly on first anniversary

Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade, Thursday applauded the leadership and members of the state House of Assembly for their steadfastness, patriotism and dedication to parliamentary duties since its inauguration last year.

In his congratulatory message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, to the 9th Assembly on its anniversary, the governor noted that the state legislature has so far performed excellently through robust engagement and dutiful discharge of its lawmaking and oversight functions, thus contributing immensely towards changing the narrative of governance in Cross River State.

Of particular importance, Ayade noted, are the people-oriented laws which are the product of sound legislation by the members and leadership of the Assembly, which he said are testimonies of forthrightness and consistency of direction.
"Since the inauguration of the 9th Assembly last year, the House has given unalloyed support to the other two arms of government, especially the executive arm without compromising its independence. There is no doubt that honourable members of the current Assembly have the interest of their constituents and the entire state at heart considering the laws they have passed so far,” Governor Ayade noted.

He expressed profound gratitude to the lawmakers for demonstrating legislative sagacity during this trying times occasioned by the COVID-9 pandemic, stating that members of the Assembly have been an integral part of the epic fight against the global pandemic, a feat that has positioned Cross River on the global map as a COVID-19-free state in Nigeria.

“The legislative backing we have enjoyed from the House in the past one year has seen us attain the enviable status as a COVID-19-free and state”, he stated.

Governor Ayade implored the state Assembly to sustain the legislative tempo by enacting more people-oriented laws that would assist the state government to ensure good governance, constructive policies and programmes targeted at wriggling the people of the state out of poverty.

He continued: “With the foundation laid within the past one, the journey for a four-year term has just begun. We must spare no effort in building an industrialised Cross River that will continue to provide jobs and put food on the table of the ordinary man. This should be our common ground in governance if we must leave behind indelible mark on the sands of time for posterity to know that Cross River once witnessed a government that did its utmost best to transform the lives of the citizens through the right decisions and policies that were pursued rigorously with consummate exactitude.

“Once again, I enjoin our honourable members who are the representatives of the people and the closest to them at the grassroots to continue to mobilise them to show more understanding and support to the government as we work hard to make Cross River State a better place”.

COVID-19: Cross River begins mass production of PPE for trial resumption of public schools

Cross River governor, Sir Ben Ayade Tuesday unveiled Personal Protection Equipment, PPE made at the state owned garment factory.

He disclosed that the protective gears, which include face shields and PPE overalls. will be deployed to schools free of charge for the use of students as the state government commences trial resumption of public schools.

Ayade said medical personnel in the state will also be given PPEs for free.

The governor used the occasion to appeal for federal government for patronage.

The governor said that production of the protective gear was part of his administration's effort to fight the global pandemic, COVID-19.

His words: "I think that the federal government will be excited to encourage the resumption of schools because obviously the coronavirus has come to stay with us and the reality is that countries that have attempted to resume schools have had to contend with the increase prevalence of the virus but obviously how long can we wait as a country?

"So perhaps, we have to adopt a new lifestyle that will integrate coronavirus as part of our lifestyle. And so for Cross River State, we have a strong commitment that our children cannot continue to stay at home, the more they stay, the more the moral decadence, the more indiscipline, the more they become lazy of getting back to school and getting started because for every stage in life there is time where you have to be in class and once the children miss that delicate phase, it becomes very difficult.

"I think it is wise for the kids to go back to school and I have seen this happen in China where kids are back to schools with their nosemasks and shields. So you wear your nose mask and you wear your face shield when you get to school you drop the mask and wear only your shield to allow for more ventilation and more breathing.”


Continuing, the governor said: "We believe it is time for the federal government to also show love and support to Cross River State. We have always led from the front and we think the mass production of PPE is an added advantage for which all health practicioners from Doctors to nurses to radiographers must be equipped with PPE for them to work.

“Because we care, we want to support our public schools with free distribution of PPE. But our PPE for schools is limited only to the nose masks and face shield. But for the health workers in Cross River State, they will be provided at no cost because the government has borne the cost.

“ We have invested massively in the mass production of nose mask and face masks but in the course of time, it became obvious that the PPE is even far more critical because we realize that without the PPE our health workers, our frontline workers are at risk and so there is a need for the production of PPE.

"Recently, doctors in Nigeria issued strike notice and their major reason was that their colleagues are dying in their numbers occasioned by the lack of PPE as they have direct contact with patients with confirmed cases. So, Cross River State had to invest seriously into the production of PPE. And we have gone out of our way to get the best quality of materials and brought in people who specialize in mass production from India. They are here with us today and they' are working very hard producing thousands of face shields. These face shields will be the first and major shield production here in Nigeria", the governor said.

Meanwhile, the Cross River state Commissioner for Education, Godwin Amanke said a trial resumption of schools will commence on June 16th of June, 2020.

"Students will wear face masks and face shield to school. Once at the school gate the children will wash their hands and legs. Hand sanitizers will also be used. When the children enter the class room, they will remove the face mask and use only the face shield so as to get enough ventilation.

"Upon closure, they will wear back their masks and wear the shields and go back home. Teachers will wear same and under go the same coronavirus protocols in the class room.”

APC chieftain lauds Ayade’s achievements, throws weight behind CROSIEC over Council polls

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State, Comrade Utum Eteng, Esq, has applauded the state Governor, Sir Ben Ayade for his industrialization strides.
Eteng also threw his weight behind the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission over the just-concluded local government election in the state.

He said given the over 30 industries established in the last five years in the state, the incumbent governor has out-performed his predecessors.

“Since Ayade has the opportunity to finish all these projects, I will say without mincing words that many people will change their impression of the governor because he has done more than his predecessors,” he stated.

While emphasizing that his praise of the governor should not be misconstrued, Comrade Eteng said he was in no doubt that the state has attained another level of development under Ayade owing to the industrialization effort of the government.
On the just conducted local council elections, Comrade Eteng, who is also a public affairs analyst, said it was wrong for his party to had boycotted the elections having successfully sued the state government over the absence of elected local government officials in the state.

According to Eteng, "election for which notice has been given cannot indiscriminately be stopped by the court in the same way the courts are reluctant to stop the celebration of a marriage for which notice, date and time have been fixed.

"Arguments about lack of sufficient time not given before 30/5/2020 is misconcieved, because CROSIEC gave notice before the intervention of the pandemic which moved it from 28/3/2020 to 30/5/2020.

"Notice of election can only be given once but circumstances like Act of God like the case of the pandemic can move it from 28/3/2020 to 30/5/2020.

"There was no need for another notice as that will mean the start of a fresh process against the spirit of Section 10 and 20 of CROSIEC law.

"Under no circumstances should my party refuse to take part in an election it forced both Governor Ayade and the electoral body CROSIEC vide two court orders to conduct.

"I felt scandalised for the same APC to approach the court to restrain the conduct of an election it moved the court to order", he said.

He maintains that APC, through his efforts, obtained two judgments compelling the state government to conduct the election and the party had three years to prepare for the poll.

He advised the Cross River State Chapter of the party to put its house in order to have one political family as "frequent litigations cannot solve the problem".

Finance Commissioner, Ekpenyong Optimistic as Cross River State is yet to record Covid-19 case.

Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr, the Cross River State Commissioner of Finance, said while the State “might see bumps along the way,” he was encouraged that the State might be “turning a corner” in fighting the spread of the virus and being the only state not to record a case.

“I have cautious optimism, but now is the time to stay the course,” he told reporters at the Commissioning of 100 bed isolation centre in Adiabo, Western Calabar on Friday.

According to him, Cross River’s approach in invoking early, restrictive shutdown measures has been widely praised as one of the reason no case is recorded.

He noted that weeks into the lockout the response team warned against complacency on safety protocols such as the “No Mask No Movement” policy of the State Government.

The Commissioner who doubles as Secretary of the State Covid-19 Response Taskforce commended CACOVID for their technical support and initiative which according to him, was a great boost to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic disease in the state.

The commissioner called on the residents of the state to complement what the government and CACOIVD are doing, by ensuring that they comply with all the directives given to curtail Spread of the disease.

*"The fight Against COVID-19 Continues As the CRSG Commissions/Unveils a 100 Bed Isolation Center In Adiabo"*

Further to the fight against the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, the Cross River State Government has commissioned a 100 bed Isolation Center in Adiabo.

The center was commissioned on Friday, 6th June by the State Governor, His Excellency Sen Prof Ben Ayade who was ably represented by the State's Commissioner for Health who's also the Chairman of the COVID-19 Taskforce Response Team Dr Betta Edu and the Honorable Commissioner for Finance who doubles as the Secretary of the Taskforce Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr.

Unveiling the Isolation Center, the Finance Commissioner applauded the effort of the State Government noting that the proactive efforts of the Governor, Sen Prof Ben Ayade is what has kept the State Covid-19 free.

He further stated that “We have successfully fulfilled the mandate of preparing for the Worst while praying for the Best."
He also thanked CaCovid for the support given to the State Government in setting up the isolation center.

On her part, the Honorable Commissioner for Health Dr Betta Edu thanked firstly, God Almighty for His protection and safety as she went further to applaud the giant efforts and tremendous contributions of the State Governor. "That we're COVID-19 free as a State is as a result of God's intervention and the numerous efforts and support of our amiable Governor. Sen Prof Ben Ayade, he has led from the front and has been in the field himself to drive this process. As a State without a confirmed case, we now have three Isolation Centers that are of NCDC standard and very well equipped with high standard Medical Facilities/equipments that can still be used by the health sector even after this pandemic is over.”

The 100 bed space Adiabo Isolation Center is made up of the male ward, the female ward and the VVIP wards and in case of any eventuality which no one is praying for, the State is ready to manage such cases. Hon Asuquo thanked the Coalition Against COVID-19 for the initiative and support and promised them the State's desire to keep the partnership.

The Chief Medical Director of UCTH who was represented by Dr Emmanuel Effah reinstated the hospital's commitment to continue the support and synergy with the CRSG in fighting this global pandemic with over 400 health workers already trained to man this Isolation Centers.

At Ifiang Ayong, Ayade restores dignity of Bakassi people 



By Chidi Onyemaizu 


Standing at the bank of the river, the Republic of Cameroon coldly stares at Ifiang Ayong, a sleepy riverine community in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.


In fact, Ifiang Ayong is cut off from the rest of Nigeria in terms of telecommunication network connections. It is not connected to any of the telecom networks operating in Nigeria. Rather, what appears on your mobile phone is MTN Orange- operating from Cameroon.


So, on this misty Friday, May 29,2020, Ifiang Ayong, came alive as dignitaries from all walks of life massed there to witness an epochal and life- changing event.


On the left, adjecent the bank of the river separating Cross River from Cameroon is an ultra-modern Estate comprising 52 units of 2- bedroom bungalows built by governor Ben Ayade.


He did not build it for commercial purposes; the sprawling Estate, fully furnished and complete with essential amenities, is the new home to the displaced Bakassi people who lost their ancestral land, homes and livelihoods to the the Republic of Cameroon in 2002 following the ceding of the Peninsula to the Central Africa country.


The long suffering displaced people who have lived in squalid conditions in a primary School in Akpabuyo for many years, are to own the houses in perpetuity thus bringing their misery to end.

And so, as the displaced Bakassi indigenes arrived Ifiang Ayong to begin a new life, many of them, pointing towards the direction of the river could be heard, marooned in nostalgic murmurings, intermittently reeling out names of what was once their towns and villages, just across the river in Cameroon where tombs and bones of their ancestors still lay


As they called out the names of the settlements they had abandoned and fled into safety in Nigeria, droplets of tears could be seen cascading down cheeks of many of them.


Ecstasy was palpable as they made their way into the Estate. Their emotions were a cyclone of twisting agony borne over the years as vividly exhibited by an octogenarian IDP who could not hide both her joy and agony.


Dressed in a faded white top over a partly torn wrapper, the old woman mutters few words in Efik and then directs a gaze skyward with hands stretched towards a 2- bedroom bungalow opposite.


Suddenly, she breaks into a slow- motion dance, her frail body grudgingly acceding.


Minutes later, she brings the dance to an abrupt stop as her mouth twists in a smile.


Just at that moment, a middle aged woman whispers something to her and  both women dissolve into tears.


Some metres away, men, women and children looking gaunt  with sunken eyes, clad in faded clothes and armed some decrepit  household items swarm round another bungalow.



Voices confessing admiration could be heard but they were not loud enough to drown the compere's own voice wafting from the public address system announcing the arrival of dignitaries.


It was a day that restored the dignity of a people who had been shabbily treated over the years.


Senator Florence Ita- Giwa, a prominent Bakassi indigene, who has been stridently championing the cause of the displaced people wept as Governor Ayade, assisted by the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, handed over the keys to the buildings to the ecstatic beneficiaries.


Some of the beneficiaries, mostly looking frail, also shed tears of joy as keys to their houses were handed them.


There were more emotional scenes when a key to one of the houses was given to one of the oldest IDP who is also a widow. 


She could not contain her joy as Ayade shared a meal with her in her new house in addition to donating N500,000 to her.


Speaking at the event, Ayade expressed delight at the completion of the housing scheme and subsequent delivery to the displaced persons,  adding that their suffering has always tugged at his heart.


"My first tears for the people of Bakassi was when I was a senator on the floor of the Nigerian Senate which prompted me to push for a bill for the establishment of social housing and the making of housing for all a right,” said Ayade.


Expressing delight at the realisation of the housing project,  the governor said he feels “a sense of fulfillment to see my sons, my aunties, my mothers and fathers who lived in a clustered accomodation in a primary school with mosquitoes feasting on them now moving into their new homes.


“Today, by the grace of God, by the instrumentality of the holy ghost, we are here gathered  to celebrate the plethora of opportunities where people will be living in a world class estate."


The governor bemoaned the loss of the peninsula, saying the ceding did not follow internationally prescribed process.


His words: "Today is not just about the joy to the people of Bakassi, it is the supremacy of the governance of a sensitive people over the failure of the federal government to be responsible for the pain of the people of Bakassi. 



"The ceding of Bakassi did not follow any legal authority. It is inconsistent with the provisions of our constitution because the Constitution is very clear that for you to cede any territory of Nigeria you must have a proper plebiscite, you must have the domestication of such ceding and ratified by the National Assembly. Until you do so whatever you have done is null and void."


Ayade stated that by resettling the returnees in decent houses, their misery has come to an end. 


He announced the donation of N50million and other economic incentives to them to enable them earn a living.


“This is the first social housing scheme in Nigeria in absolute terms where the ownership is in perpetuity, where the property is yours to keep forever. We will continue to expand it. This is not a shelter, this is housing. It has amenities, it has power, it has water,  it has all the utilities you will need. It has solar lighting, it has the generator and the 3rd grid which is the national grid. But today I am going to assure you that we have acquired boats which are by the water side to enable you do fishing for those who can fish.



"We have also made provisions for a take off grant of N50million to support all of you who live here who want to start small businesses. And the good news here is that I have no elections to run so you can see clearly this is not politics, it is from my heart. But I call on the people of Bakassi to be strong because your kids will grow to become leaders someday and when they grow they will do much more than I have done here today."


Governor Ayade appealed to President Muhammadu to fulfil his campaign promises to the Bakassi people whom he said have suffered untold neglects in the last 18 years.


Earlier, Senator Giwa who is the Chairman of the resettlement allocation committee said her committee went through a rigorous process to ensure equitable allocation of the houses to the Internally Displaced Persons.


Describing the expansive estate as a "new city in a remote place," Senator Giwa thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise to Bakassi people.


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

Na wa oh. Small small girls? Lol

Ayade swears-in council chairmen with N11.38 billion take off fund


Cross River state governor, Sir Ben Ayade Tuesday swore-in the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils of the state.

The event took place at the State Executive Chamber of the Governor’s office, Calabar.

The new chairmen and their vice emerged victorious in last Saturday's council polls.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP cleared the entire 18 councils areas and also produced all the councillors.

Speaking after swearing them in, Ayade urged the council Chairmen to avoid unnecessary trips outside their councils, harping on the need for them to stay back home and work for their people.

The governor disclosed that he was leaving behind for the newly elected chairmen, N11.386 billion as take off fund, adding that they had no reason not to perform.

"Remember I am giving you councils that are not owing salaries, not owing pension. So I don’t want to hear tomorrow that your are owing.

“We are happy to announce to you that you are coming into office while the governor leaves behind N11.386 billion in your coffers.

"Today marks a great opportunity for the people at the grassroots who have never had direct access to government, to feel the impact of government,” the governor told the new chairmen.

He further implored them not to engage in grandiose projects but concentrate on simple projects that directly impact on the lives of the people.

His words: "You are serving the grassroots, I do not want you therefore, to embark on big projects. I need you to deal with those projects that directly impact on the lives of the people. I need you to deal with boreholes, I need you to deal with culverts, minor bridges that link communities.”

The governor advised the chairmen to work harmoniously with their councillors so as to effectively serve the people.

"I urge you to work in harmony with your councillors. There must not be a divided house. Therefore, work harmoniously with the councillors so that together you will serve the people effectively", the governor said.

He also urged them to reside in their respective local government areas so as to be abreast of the needs of their people.