₦airaland Forum

LEADERSHIP GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR 2019: Prof Ben Ayade Of Cross River State

For igniting an industrial revolution that has positioned Cross River State on the pedestal of sustainable economic growth, for building factories with zonal spread across the state, providing job opportunities for youths and women, rebuilding the state’s decrepit infrastructure, as well as empowering his people economically with his agricultural transformation agenda, Prof Benedict Ayade is LEADERSHIP Governor of the Year 2019.



Fondly referred to as the ‘digital governor’ by his admirers, every step taken by Governor Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade validated the pivotal role education and exposure play in the governance system in the 21st century knowledge-driven economy. Ever sassy and focused, he has redefined what scientific and deliberate leadership is all about.

Since he assumed office on May 29, 2015 he has never taken any policy decision without targeted aims and objectives. For instance, while it has become customary in our clime for governors to dish out yearly ritual of budgeting circle without its impact on developmental strides, Governor Ayade will not be part of such routing. His annual appropriation bills are deliberate and targeted at sectors that will have lineal benefits to other sectors.

Hate him or like him, the Cross River State helmsman is in a class of his own, especially with the manner in which he deploys scientific and technological terms in christening his annual appropriation bills. For 2018, it was “Budget of Kinetic Crystalisation”; in 2019, it crystalised into a “Budget of Qabalistic Densification” and most recently, the 2020 budget he presented before the state legislature sent most Nigerians doffing their hats for the governor. The 2020 fiscal document densified into something more concrete: “Budget of Olimpotic Meristemasis.”

The cumulative effect of Ayade’s scientific and calculated approach to governance has, indeed, crystalised into an industrial revolution that is gradually redirecting Cross River State to the path of sustainable economic growth in the last five years. What Governor Ayade has turned Cross River to today bears eloquent testimony of what is possible when a combination of education, determination and dint of hard work is encapsulated in one man.

If there is any governor in the South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria who has been able to match words with action, it is Ayade. On the day of his inauguration, he told the people of the state that after being sworn into office for a second term he will have nothing to do within the cozy confines of his office, as he would be spending most of his time in the field playing the role of a project manager and supervisor, while his deputy, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, takes charge of official matters in the office.

As part of his undustrialisation drive, the governor landscaped the vast marshy area around the Jonathan By-pass in Calabar where he erected an imposing structure of 5000sqm floor space Garment Factory. The clothing plant has provided employment opportunity for over three thousand unemployed youths and widows, hence reducing the number of young people roaming the streets of the state.



This transformation and industrialisation drive has earned the governor accolades both locally and internationally. President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Oshinbajo, American Ambassador to Nigeria, Service Chiefs and other international dignitaries, upon visiting Cross River, all spoke impressively about his industrial development in the state.

Ayade’s efforts to create an industrialised economy for his state received a huge boost recently when the Nigerian Air Force announced that it was partnering the state government for the production of uniforms for its personnel at the state garment factory. In appreciation of the governor’s giant strides, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, announced during a courtesy visit to the governor that the Air force will purchase uniforms locally from the Calabar garment factory, a decision he said was in line with President Buhari's directive to the Nigerian Armed Forces to lay more emphasis on local content.



Apart from the garment factory, which has created jobs for the teeming youths and women in the state, Governor Ayade constructed Africa's first ever vitaminised automated rice seeds and seedlings factory at the Calabar industrial park where rice seedlings of improved variety are raised for rice farmers across the three senatorial districts of the state. With the rice seedlings factory in Calabar and a world class automated rice mill in Ogoja, the Ayade rice revolution resonates beyond the shores of the state.



The massive Calabar ultra-modern rice factory which was commissioned June last year by President Buhari has already commenced production. The state is projected to generate N70 billion annually from the factory. The federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) recently placed a N3 billion order for the state to supply rice seedlings to all the states in the southern part of the country. The Ogoja rice mill is also Africa's first automated vitaminised rice mill. About 90 per cent completed with virtually all the equipment installed, the mill parades the latest technology and promises to turn Cross River into Nigeria's rice hub.



To sustain his industrialization drive, the governor also
embarked on construction of a pharmaceutical company called Calapharm at the industrial park around Jonathan By-pass
which he has already handed over to experts from Europe to
aggressively begin the manufacturing and production of pharmaceutical and cosmetics products to check capital flights to countries of Europe and America on daily basis. Work is currently ongoing for the Calabar pharmaceutical company, with investors scrambling for a space in the already charged investment climate of the state.




Also, the ultra-modern automated Cocoa processing plant at Ikom is 98 per cent completed with an installed capacity of over 50,000 tons. The plant is wired to process cocoa beans into chocolate bars. Over 5million cocoa seedlings have already been raced to ensure that the plant does not lack produce. The plant is designed to generate $100million annually for the state.



Governor Ayade initiated a poultry and livestock policy in line with his commitment to broadening the frontiers of state’s economy, leading to the establishment of the Cross River poultry farm and livestock limited and Calachika chicken processing plant, with installation of equipment at 80 per cent completion stage. When the poultry farm/live Stock facility, which is primed to have six broiler houses each with 22,000 birds, becomes operational, it would clearly and firmly establish Nigeria ahead of three other African countries- Ghana, Ethiopia and Tazania- as the doyen of poultry production in Africa.



The multi billion Naira Calachika chicken processing plant at the Calabar Industrial Park, about five minutes’ drive from Odukpani, will be dependent on the poultry farm to feed it with birds when completed. The plant is targeted at processing 6,000 frozen chickens daily, both for local consumption and export. Not long ago, Governor Ayade had this to say about his vision for agro-economy as it relates to livestock/poultry: "We are tired of chasing petro-dollars. Our target now is agric-dollars; we want to produce Agricpreneures businessmen in the poultry industry who will be exporting chickens from here".



Another project which Ayade holds dear to his heart is the
toothpick factory in Ekori, in Yakurr local government area of the state. In order to reduce importation of toothpick from China which amounts to capital flight to Asian countries, the governor commissioned the project and charged the people of Ekori to go into bamboo farming so that funds budgeted for raw materials can go into their pockets through the provision of bamboo, which is a basic raw material for toothpick factory.




Since assuming office on May 29, 2015, he has brought his vision, passion, humanity, pedigree, and above all, his nimble and midas touch to bear on governance in the state’s socio-economic landscape. Across the 18 local government areas of the state, there is a congruence of opinion that he is the right choice.



When he dared to actualize his dream of a deep seaport and a superhighway that would create an elixir for economic emancipation for the state, some critics had insisted that he was on a wild goose chase. But with the level of work currently going on at the Bakassi deep seaport and the 276 kilometre six-lane superhighway, the governor has beaten the critics to a silent stupor. Today, what began like an eerie and mysterious start to the superhighway and the deep seaport is gradually unfolding into an epic adventure that will soon unfold into a pleasant reality. While trying to give the state a first-class infrastructure such as the construction of a superhighway and the deep seaport, Ayade is not unmindful of striking a delicate balance between providing infrastructure and building human capacity.


Industrially, Governor Ayade has continued to point the way forward and raising the bar, quietly challenging leaders at all tiers of government on what difference vision, creativity, focus and persistence can make in the life of a state. In every part of Cross River State, the mark of good governance is all too striking: industries with zonal spread, reengineered schools, rehabilitated and well equipped hospitals, peace and security, economic empowerment and agricultural transformation.



It is no longer secret that while most states in the country are
grappling with or literally asphyxiated by the pangs of payment of
salaries, Governor Ayade has ensured that civil servants in the state are paid as early as between 25th and 26th of every month. This gesture has, no doubt, endeared him to the state’s workforce, a development they describe as rather uncommon. In absolute fidelity to his words that the wages of honest labour
shall liberate families from the clutches of hardship and hunger,
Governor Ayade, barely two months in office, passed into law tax
exemption bill for state workers earning below N30,000 a month as well as the exemption of levies for artisans, petty traders operating in the state.


Obviously, nothing can be more fulfilling than the realisation of the
Calabar 23 megawatts power plant. The power plant that started in 2016 was recently switched on, taking the Cross River State capital and its environs closer to 24-hour uninterrupted power supply, a dream Ayade vowed must be realised. At Tinapa, the construction of the 26 Megawatts gas fired power plant is in progress.

Road and housing infrastructure have also received unparalleled
attention. The Tinapa junction- Odukpani bye-pass dualization has also witnessed increased tempo. Contractors, at the behest of the governor, are at the project site working on a daily basis to deliver the road as scheduled.

MAJOR REASONS TO VISIT OBUDU MOUNTAIN RESORT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON



CABLE CAR EXPERIENCE (Currently Functional)
Riding on a cable car in Obudu Mountain Resort is more than just activities at the Olympics. To get there, you can either drive the famously winding 11km road from the bottom of the hill or take the cable car. It’s 1576 metres above sea level. While driving in a car can take up to 30 minutes, the cable car rides for about 6 minutes only.

So apart from the fact that the cable car enables you to have a great view around the mountains, it’s known to be the longest cable car ride in Africa.

The cable car is 4 kilometers long; the overwhelming temperate weather and the picturesque scenery of the resort is just the right way to naturally detox.

No one rides on the cable car and will never want to return. So it’s worth trying out on your next trip there if you haven’t already


OUTDOOR GAMES
When it comes to outdoor games, Obudu Mountain Resort has got it all. You can engage on a number of outdoor activities such as swimming at the Water Park which is presently operational, horse-riding, golf and hiking are available at Obudu Mountain Resort.

In the course of doing this, you will discover so many other things and meet a lot more people.
Never make the mistake of visiting Obudu Mountain Resort without your digital camera because you will have a lot to capture on sightseeing (e.g. capture nature, birds).

If you like to always hit the gym to keep shape, the fitness centre is equipped with modern facilities that help you stay in shape. Dumbbells, treadmills, seat up bench, among others are examples of facilities you will find in the ranch’s gym.


CANOPY WALKWAY EXPERIENCE
Canopy Walkway is another epic frontier you want to try out on your arrival at the resort. It is 70 metres above the forest floor and 100 metres swinging bridge suspended above the forest.

So be sure you will definitely have a real swing when you are on the canopy walkway because the feeling is tremendous.
The canopy walkway brings back unending memories after moving across it. It leaves you with so much excitement and recurring pleasure to return each time you have the opportunity.


GET A ROMANTIC HONEYMOON EXPERIENCE
Obudu Mountain Resort is one great place to enjoy a romantic getaway with your spouse or special someone. Newly weds can also use the destination as their honeymoon location.

There are several places to lodge around, so you can be sure to have an unforgettable time with your partner.
OUR CHRISTMAS SPECIAL OFFER IS CURRENTLY UP UNTIL 5TH JANUARY 2020
CALL OUR OFFICE ON: +234 803 338 9868 FOR RESERVATIONS NOW!

WHY ARE THEY AFRAID OF STANLEY NSEMO ~ By Architect Mike Eyo

I read a jaundiced, poorly written article yesterday titled "AN AMBITION PRECIPITATED UPON GREED: WHY STANLEY NSEMO CANNOT BE CHAIRMAN OF CALABAR MUNICIPAL COUNCIL". It was written by a guy named Inyang Offiong who also said he was a lawyer. To start with, the word he should have used in the title header was "Predicated" and not "Precipitated" but blind rage, bitterness and envy for another man's success wouldn't let him cross check his tenses and vocabulary before going to press. The entire article, asides being made up of raw falsehoods, was dotted with several of such grammatical and typo errors and I had to read through painstakingly before getting or even assuming its crux. The summary of what he was saying is that, Stanley Nsemo isn't qualified to run because he's from Ward 5 in zone 1 and not ward 6 in zone 2. A blatant lie from the pit of hell. It is common knowledge that the family Nsemos are from Calabar municipality Ward 6- their family compound is always a beehive of activities. Papa Nsemo was until recently, the PDP leader of ward 6. The former CRISSA DG was one of the well known faces who mobilised the market women in ward 6 in the last election to vote en mass for the PDP. Maybe, his active participation in the politics of ward 5 in the last election is what the author is trying to capitalise on to mislead the public that he's hails from there but I can assure you that the trick is dead on arrival.

Finally, as an older son of the muncipality who has observed the divisive and pulldown politics of my beloved Local government from afar for so long, it pains me that there seems to be no end in sight, to this trend. Let me use this opportunity to advise the the younger ones in the generation after mine, to stop fighting themselves over non issues. They should utilise this rare opportunity to support the progressive minded young man who has shown so much capacity in such a little time. In his recently released manifesto which I saw online, among other things, Stanley promised to "unite Calabar". I hope that isnt what his detractors are afraid of? A united calabar where Quas, Efiks and Efuts live in togetherness? God bless Calabar municipality. God bless Cross River. God bless Governor Ayade.

Mike Eyo writes from Asaba and can be reached on michaelndn5@yahoo.com

In Ayade’s Cross River, it’s farming without sweat


By Chidi Onyemaizu


Imagine this scenario: You are young, forward looking and idealistic. You have always dreamt of a good paying job and cosy air conditioned office after graduation.

But here you are, a graduate yet pining away in agony as your dream job is far spread and in most cases nonexistent.

And then, a window of being your own boss opens.

Hundreds of hectares of farm land becomes yours. You need not till the soil. You don't plow it nor manually plant on it. And you don't also manually do the harvesting. Yes, you are a farmer quite alright but one with a difference. You don't sweat to farm-no form of manual farming activities at all.

Machines do the sweating while you smile your way to bumper harvest and consequently, bank. And in no time you become a millionaire, job creator and employer of labour yourself!

The above is ramrod exactness of what Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade is doing with agriculture and youths in the state. He is irrevocably committed to modernizing farming which is one of the quick win ways to attract people into agriculture.

Mechamised farming is therefore, a new vista in Professor Ayade's Agro-industrialisation drive. It is geared towards making farming seamless and attractive, especially to young graduates.

Ayade: "We are encouraging young men and women to go into agriculture and take advantage of the modern agricultural techniques my administration has put in place to enable them enjoy themselves while earning a living....What I have done about farming is to make it exciting and pleasant..we have a very sophisticated technology with an air condition system so there's nothing stopping a graduate from going into farming."

Rather than roam the streets in search of white collar jobs, the governor is primed at creating jobs, through agriculture, for Cross Riverians, especially the youth, so that they become their own bosses and wealth creators.

Governor Ayade is a farmer himself and so is acting based on experience. And he did not just happen on the Agricultural sector. Ayade has been a farmer long before he delved into politics, owning several farm settlements, including a large rice farm in Obanliku council area of the state.

The governor is now living out his creed: Hands on the plow, food on the table. Through massive investment in Agro- based industries, he is working to ensure that every family in Cross River is not only able to feed itself but also become an employer of labour.

While others talk of Petro- dollars Ayade is more interested in "Agri-dollar". "We (Cross River) are pursuing Agri- dollar rather than petro- dollar, he says.
Imbued with fecudity of ideas, governor Ayade is not in doubt about what the future holds for Nigeria's oil- induced economy.

With alternative sources of energy increasingly out spacing crude oil globally, Professor Ayade has the presence of mind to realise that Agriculture is the black gold of the future hence the cardinal flank upon which his Industrialisation policy rests is Agro- Industrialisation.
This explains why 90 percent of the state-owned industries he has set up since coming to office are agro-based.

And so, to make the Agricultural sector smell of roses, look flowery and get young Cross Riverians key into it, the governor is ensuring that mechanised farming totally displaces subsistence farming in the state.

This verges on the principles of the 1876 agro- industrial revolution in Europe. Evidently, Cross River under Ayade is leading Nigeria and Africa towards that path with his unparalleled investment in Agriculture.

To this end the Ayade administration is partnering with the world's foremost mechanized farming equipment producer, John Deree.

The company has supplied Cross River with state of the art farming equipment that will make farmers in the state farm without sweating.

According to Ayade, "Cross River state is introducing a new thinking consistent with first world practice that farmers don't have the responsibility for agricultural infrastructure. Agricultural infrastructure is the responsibility of government. Farmers are only to nurture and tender their farms while the responsibility of infrastructure and utility becomes that of government"

To the governor, one does not necessarily have to sweat and slave to eke out a living through farming.

"If you have to sweat in Cross River, you don't sweat because you are tilling the soil, you sweat because of pleasure because machines will be doing your job”, he says


Chidi Onyemaizu, a media aide to Governor Ayade, writes from Calabar

Take advantage of the bumper discounts at CICC calabar and plan your events.

Liberian Vice President storms Carnival Calabar, say humanity solution to Africa’s problems


The Vice President of Liberia, Senator Jewel Taylor has called on African leaders to be humane in all their activities in other to curb the myriads of challenges facing the black continent.

Taylor made the call on Sunday in Calabar while flagging off the third and final dry run of the 2019 Calabar Carnival which has the theme "Humanity".
She said that the Carnival theme "Humanity", was an issue of concern to the world.
The Vice President explained that with humanity, Africans will be loved, provided and cared for, so that the young generation will no longer cross to the desert in search of greener pasture.
"Where is our humanity when we allow our young men and women to be taken into slavery and trafficked across the Sahara desert"?
"Some of them die on the high sea trying to cross to America and Euorpe; and once they get there, they are locked out and kept in detention camps and are sometimes treated like animals.
"Where is our humanity when people live below a dollar per day and some families cannot find food nor afford to send their children to school", she said.
She lamented the fact that women were not given opportunities to add value in their respective communities.
According to her, even in the animal kingdom, humanity exists, hence, kindness and love should be a priority in the minds of all.
"If one animal ever dies in the animal kingdom, the whole forest shakes. I must thank Governor Ayade of Cross River for choosing this theme.
"We must turn around from our path, else it will lead to annihilation. The strongest survive and continue to harass and suppress the weak and that is not how we should behave.
"We should use this Carnival and showcase those societal ills and put our humanity back in terms of how we behave, in terms of love and concern.
"If we do this, the table will change around and we will find out that they are more who are cared for and loved; especially in a continent like Africa with all the resources that we have", she said.
Earlier, Ayade said that the 2019 Carnival was designed to tell the story of humanity and oneness around the world.

Joining the Liberian Vice President to call leaders and followers at various levels in Africa to see themselves as One, Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade said Cross River is using Carnival Calabar platforms to draw global attention on the theme of the 2019 edition of the carnival ,"Humanity"

"If you imbue Humanity in everything you do be it politics,business and others ,you will be a better person , society will be a better place and no one will need unnecessary protections as will have today among the elites and the well to do in the society ,afterall we are all Human,that the message we are passing from Cross River today.

"Unlike the way it is today,uman being has becoming more animalistic in our dealings and animals are becoming more humans,Increasingly it's obvious that man has degenerated to an extreme level of atamism and premitimism. He said.

The different bands were dressed in their colourful costumes as they dance around the streets, while security was mounted along the 12 kilometres Carnival routes.

Ayade boosts rice production in CRS through mechanised farming


Cross River State Governor Sir Ben Ayade has disclosed his administration's commitment to boosting agriculture in the state through mechanised farming.


The governor made the disclosure at the weekend while taking part in the harvesting of rice at his private farm in Obanliku local government area of the state.

He identified Agro-industrialisation as the only antidote against unemployment in the country.


Ayade who described farming as the surest way to poverty alleviation thanked president Buhari for creating the enabling environment for those interested in going into farming as a full scale profession.


His words: "As a professor with very strong background in private business before going into private business and then politics, President's Buhari's policy focus on agriculture was very clear to me and I took advantage of it and kinetically crystallized it to the product of what you see here today, the Ayade farms.

We are encouraging young men and women to go into agriculture and take advantage of the modern agricultural techniques my administration has put in place to enable them enjoy themselves while earning a living."

Continuing Ayade said, " Cross River State government has made the whole process easy for you, right from the process of seed cultivation, seed quality with emphasis on ensuring that we have a high yield seed by setting up the first vitaminised rice seedlings centre in Africa, and to complement it, we have a technical partnership in place with John Deere so we also provide tractorisation and mechanisation support services. we are also building an ultra modern rice mill in Ogoja that is about 85% complete. "

The governor explained that Cross River state is pioneering Agro- Industrialisation because his administration clearly understood the need for Nigeria to create an economy outside oil.

"When President Buhari came into office one of his critical focus was finding and creating a new Nigeria beyond oil, we had to have a road map that created a new prosperity agenda for Nigeria beyond oil therefore, because we are an agrarian state with a huge population agro-industrial revolution is the right way to go to create jobs and engage our teeming youths.

What I have done about farming is to make it exciting and pleasant, we have a very sophisticated harvester here that has the ability to separate the rice seeds by taking out the seeds that are not fit and separating them into two different parts in the harvester. It is a very sophisticated technology with an air condition system so there's nothing stopping a graduate from going into digital farming", Ayade said

The Governor used the opportunity to announce a modification to the annual Calabar Carnival starting from next year.According to him, from next year, the yearly international tourism Fiesta will have a new segment called " The Agro cultural carnival"

"Next year we are going to have a twist, we are going to have a carnival called the "Agro-Cultural Festival", which means every local government will showcase their farm produce and we are going to have full beneficiation plans", the governor stated.

New CP lauds Ayade over low crime rate in Cross River

Cross River state governor, sir Ben Ayade has expressed implicit confidence in the ability of the state's new Commissioner of Police, NKereuwen Akpan, to effectively police the state.

This is even as the new CP described Cross River as one of the states with very low crime rate in the country.

Speaking Thursday during a courtesy call on the governor at the state executive chamber, CO Akpan said his posting to the state was a home coming for him having once played for Calabar Rovers Football club.

He commended Ayade for the prevailing low crime rate Cross River enjoys.

"I'm posted here strictly on security duties- for the protection of lives and property. Thank God, Cross River is one of the less vulnerable states in terms of insecurity.

“Thank you, Your Excellency, the job has already been done because if you check the profile of states with criminality, Cross River is one of the least in the country.

“So, I appreciate you, Your Excellency.On behalf of my team, we pledge our readiness to work for you,” he said.

Speaking, Governor Ayade commended the new police boss for immediately swinging into action to tackle crime upon arrival in the state.

He said he believes that “Cross River state will have a very peaceful and wonderful time during his tenure.
“The new CP has also demonstrated this by doing a special deployment to hot spots in the state. As a son of the soil, he knows where the hot spots are.”

He expressed the conviction that “with his youthful nature, he will give Cross River his best by making the security of the state his primary focus.”

HOW AYADE IS BONDING THE NORTH THROUGH AGRO-CULTURAL FESTIVAL

By Linus Obogo

When His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade decided three years ago to organize a festival, christened: NORTHFEST, one thing was very prominent on his mind: to create a rallying point, something of a rendezvous, for our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters as well as traditional fathers to bond together through harnessing of our agricultural potential.
Before the governor had a brainwave in 2015, every one of the the five council areas, comprising Bekwarra, Obanliku, Obudu Ogoja and Yala was doing its own thing, as far as the new yam celebration was concerned.
Then like a bolt out of the blue, Ayade sprang forth a vision that would allow the disparate new yam festivals coalesce into one big AGRO-CULTURAL carnival.
Significantly, the idea was to stimulate interest and foster keen competition in agriculture as a major defining feature of our people. Essentially too, it was a bold attempt to demonstrate our uncommon desire and determination to stick together as one, through a participatory festival that brings the five local government areas of Northern Cross River to have an epic Agro-Cultural celebration.
There was also the need to seize the moment to reemphasize our strength as the food basket of the state and by implication ramp up the local economy of the zone.
Three years down the line, the journey has been a tumbling story of success, bumper harvests, occasioned by healthy competition, unity, cultural harmony, as well as discovery of creative talents in our army of youthful and energetic population.
While the festival has not only become such a pivotal event for our people to look forward to every year, it has no doubt enhanced a sense of healthy competition among the various farmers across the five LGAs, with star prizes for the farmer from a local government with the largest yam, groundnut or cassava harvest, as well as the best palm wine tapper.
In similar token, the festival has also birthed competitions in pageantry, traditional wrestling, musical performances among the wider spectrum of our people across the five council areas.
Until 2015 when the agro-cultural festival was initiated by His Excellency, the Governor, what used to obtain was every local government for itself or better still, everyone for himself and God for all.
But today, the festival has engendered a sense of community and commonality among the people that make up the five local government councils. It has been to unify the people through cultural integration.
Additionally it has succeeded in boosting agricultural production through keen and healthy competition, and consequently expanding the economic base of the zone.
The hitherto latent talent in our vibrant youth population is being harnessed, thanks to the opportunities thrown up to discover their creative talent.
And of course, we now have a unifying festival calendar that every Northern Cross Riverian can now look forward to participating. These have been some of the huge gains from organising the Northfest.
The festival has clearly demonstrated the determination of a people to not only stand together but also stick together.

..Obogo is Secretary to Media Committee of Northfest

Ayade swears in acting Chief Judge, pledges independence of judiciary

Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade Tuesday, at state executive council chambers, swore in Justice Akon Ikpeme as the acting Chief Judge of the state.
This follows the retirement of Hon. Justice Michael Edem, as the Chief Judge of the state.
Swearing in the acting Chief Judge, the governor said, "I have full respect for section 153 of the 1999 constitution as amended, which provides for the setting up of the National Judicial Council to safeguard the judiciary from the executive."
According to Ayade, "the National Judicial Council is the final authority on matters involving the appointment of the Chief Judge of the state. I also recognise the role of the governor as well and I believe that for the interest and peace of the state, for the goodness of character and the warmness of the state, the right thing to do at this point is what the state has done by swearing in an acting chief Judge."
The governor maintained that, "the beauty of the law is that the law is derived from morality, ethics and norms of the people," pointing out that "the law has moral sensitivity that we must respect hence Hon Justice Ikpeme's appointment today is a clear testimony of the civilization of Cross River state."
Ayade who was excited at the acting Chief Judge's curriculum vitae remarked that he has no doubt on her intellectual capacity that will drive the judiciary of the state.
"Let me congratulate you for this great feat because I know as a woman you have higher ethics and higher morals and I believe that as a mother, all of those qualities will come to bare," the governor stated.
Declaring his full respect for the acting Chief Judge given her pedigree, capacity, qualification and content, Ayade intimated that, "given your extensive experience as I read out from your CV, it is obvious and clear that indeed your tenure as the acting Chief Judge of Cross River will see a tremendous improvement in our judicial system."
Responding, the newly sworn in Acting Chief Judge thanked God who rules in the affairs of men and the governor for swearing her in, as she pledged to work in sincerity during her tenure.
Applauding the governor for being a father of the entire state, the acting Chief Judge expressed hope that, "as a father you will not allow the judiciary or the legislature to crumble."
Hon Justice Ikpeme averred that "the separation of the arms of government as contained in the constitution emanated from the Bible when God said I am the king, the law giver and the judge," adding that, "all are separated but work as one as when one leg fails, the others also fail."

2020 budget : Economists laud Ayade over tax exemption, others


Some economists have lauded the 2020 budget proposal presented by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, saying some of its components have the tendency to stimulate growth.
Recall that On Monday, November 21, Governor Ayade presented N1.1 trillion budget for the 2020 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.
Capital expenditure is allocated N911 billion, representing 82.8% of the budget while N188 billion is allocated to recurrent expenditure, representing 17.2% of the budget.
Also, during the presentation, the Governor announced that from 2020, workers earning less than N100,000 in the state and owners of small scale businesses are exempted from payment of taxes.
Speaking on these components of the budget, a renowned economist and Lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Calabar, Dr. Peter Ubi said the budget is primed to stimulate growth.
Ubi lauded the governor for the tax exemption adding that the development will not only enhance investment but will also become a catalyst for sustainable economic development in the state.
He further commended Ayade for allocating N911billion representing 82.8% for capital expenditure saying that if implemented, the state economy will turnaround for good.
According to Ubi, for government's industrialization policy to thrive, Small and Medium Enterprises which he described as a bedrock for any economic development must have a framework to thrive as well.
Declaring that the allocation of 82.8% of the budget to capital expenditure was a step in the right direction, he added that "the allocation for capital expenditure is clearly for small and medium enterprises to thrive because they're the bedrock for any economic development".
His word: "The tax project and the huge allocation for capital projects will very honestly impact the economy positively. Infrastructure are the drivers of economy and SMEs cannot drive without quality infrastructure. The SMEs form about 80% of the employment in the state so if the government is able to implement this budget, SMEs will prosper and become very competitive. It will definitely increase output and creat more room for employment".
Corroborating Ubi's position, another economist, Mr. Saviour Mba said: "Frankly, if Governor Ayade can implement this Budget, investment will increase, output will increase and ultimately, welfare will be maximized as income is redistributed between the rich and the poor because the abolition of tax for those whose income is less than NGN100,000 will lead to income redistribution and may reduce income inequality in the long run.”
He however, sympathized with the Governor saying that "on the other hand, it will lead to huge revenue loss on the part of the government. This is more so as 80 per cent of income tax is from those who earn below NGN100,000 and they constitute almost 70 to 80 per cent of the work force in Cross River.
“Do not forget also that Cross River is engaged in huge debts servicing and allocation from federation account is meagre when compared to other states. When this is put in perspective, you can only sympathize with the Governor as well as imagine how government intends to finance it's capital expenditure".

Gov. Ayade lauds MTN 5G trial in Calabar*

By Kingsley Agim

The Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade has lauded MTN Group, Africa's leading cellular telecommunications company in Nigeria, for its choice of Calabar as one of the pilot cities to test-run its latest technological innovation - the 5G technology.

The Governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Dr. Aye Henshaw, made gave the commendation during the Company's 5G technology trial, held on 28 November 2019, at MTN Office, Etta Agbor Road, Calabar.

Sir Ayade further quipped that with Cross River, being a technically-savvy State, MTN's latest 5G technology, when it becomes fully operational, will further add impetus to the State's aspiration of becoming the first smart city in Nigeria.

"The arrival of 5G technology in Calabar is not a coincidence. We are pretty gratified that MTN chose Calabar as one of the pilot cities for this project," he stated.

"I know that we have a history of partnership with MTN. When we started to build the Optic Fibre Network, it was in partnership with MTN. Going forward, the current administration has invested a lot of funds in equipment that will lead to the realization of that project. And very soon, we will call MTN again on issues of connectivity, because the Ayade-led administration, as a test-run, wants to get the entire Carnival Calabar route to be smart," Governor Ayade added.

The Governor, who described the 5G innovation as a welcomed development, thanked the Company for displaying the abundance of benefits the 5G technology brings.

The delighted Governor also promised to key in and building on the existing partnership, while wishing MTN a faster rollout that would lead to the adoption and approval of the technology for the consumption of Cross Riverians and other residents of the State.

In his remarks, the Chief Technical Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Rufai, after conducting the Governor and other dignitaries round the 5G Demonstration Booths, said the exercise was just a demonstration of the technology which is subject to the ratification, adoption and approval of the National Communications Commission (NCC).

In a vote of thanks, the Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, Mr. Adekunle Adebiyi, thanked Governor Ayade and his delegation and all other attendees for gracing the event.

He also added that the 5G innovation will bring a whole new change to digital service delivery, while advising all to begin to tune towards adaptation to the modern-day phenomenon.

Reiterating his Company's stance in the Nigerian telecommunication industry, Mr. Adebiyi stated: "How we go about our investments, doing things and coming first with a lot of innovations is a further demonstration that MTN has come to stay".

5G is the fifth generation of cellular network technology. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has defined three main uses for 5G. They are Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC).

Bro's no be audio oh, him don try for that one. You need to see to believe

Use Ayade's industrial revolution to market Nigeria, Ohakim tells FG

Former Governor of Imo State, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim has lauded the industrial revolution of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, urging the federal government to use it to promote the country internationally.
Ohakim, who stated this during a vsisit to the Ayade industrial Park along Goodluck Jonathan Bypass in Calabar, applauded the governor for moving the state from a civil service one to an industrial hub in Nigeria.
He encouraged other governors in the country to understudy Ayade with a view to replicating the achievements in their respective states.
"I think the world, not only Nigeria should know what is happening here. When we talk about peer review, I recommend that other governors should come here and emulate what Prof. Ayade is doing in Cross River State,” he said.
While urging the media to partner the government to promote the achievements in the interest of the state and country, he added that "this place (Ayade Industrial Park) must be showcased by Nigeria as an example of the good things happening. Every time the media propagates the bad things, they must be able to display the good things too because alot of good things are happening here and I'm highly impressed."
Continuing he said: “This is not a facility, this is a mega complex. When the youth shout revolution, this is the type of revolution I am looking for. This is intellectual, economic, cultural and industrial revolution in its totality. He is moving from political revolution to the real revolution that Nigeria needs.
“Look at the thinking behind this complex. In the next five years, I am thinking that about one million people can be employed in this mega city. I am thinking of the reason behind the setting up of this complex; this is a revolution, it is a paradigm shift.
"Cross River state used to be a civil service state but you can see that the Governor is trying to recreate and move it to a manufacturing and production state. Look at the Agro-technology being applied, look at the production, look at everything here, look at the integration; that is very important."
Describing Ayade as a "Wonder Governor", he insisted that " Prof. Ayade is performing wonders; this is a wonder Governor, he is doing something that will take time to mature but once it matures, the entire country will benefit. He is not concentrating on roads only because even a private citizen can build roads but he is thinking beyond the normal to develop the state."
Sent from my iPhone

Ayade : Creating Sustainable Economy to Take Cross River Out Of The Woods

Every new administration comes into power with different mission and vision. Usually, expectations are high as people will naturally expect the new administration to correct the wrongs of the previous administrations while strategically possitioning the state or country on a path of sustainable development.

It's common knowledge that as the electorate gather in their numbers on election day to either usher in new government or reward an existing government with renewal, they often set agenda as well as define their expectations for the new administration. Although, some are realistic while many are purely out of emotions, all can be said to be genuine desire of the populace to see positive change.

Because of some circumstances, most times beyond the control of the head of the administrations, it takes some administrations some time to fully settle down to perform while others hit the ground running phenomenally from the beginning.

In Cross River, the reign of Sir Ben Ayade, the first Professor ever to be elected Governor of the state has unarguably been phenomenal since he mounted the saddle as the third democratically elected Governor of the state in the current democratic dispensation. Just in about four years, five months, the state has become one of the most sought-after states in the country.

Ayade, a former Senator has taken Cross River out of the woods by decoupling the state from its over reliance on monthly allocation from the federal coffers to survive. Perhaps, at the beginning of his administration, a lot of people struggled to understand his policy thrust which is not unconnected to the fact that some of his projects and programmes appeared impossible especially to those who think small and don't look beyond the lean financial position of the state.

Without exaggeration, before he came on board, Cross River State had no clear economy. People often define the state with tourism but have forgotten that the main tourism activity in the state, the Carnival Calabar, happens just once in a year. The state always spend billions of naira to hold the Carnival with almost zero return on investment.

The much talked about Obudu International Mountain race was not contributing anything to the state. In fact, all the winners of the Obudu International Mountain Race since it inception are yet to be paid; some have even dragged the government to court.

The Obudu Ranch Resort itself is not really generating anything for the state. The resort is being powered by diesel which means that the state was spending millions on electricity. Staff were being paid from other subheads as the revenue generated could not meet the running cost not to talk of paying of staff. In fact, Sir Ayade's administration inherited 36 months salary of Obudu Mountain Resort workers.

Thanks to his deep vision, he is today renovating the resort and positioning it for serious business that'll translate to good revenue point for the state.

Even the Marina Resort which the state spent so much to establish and maintain, there's no record that it has contributed ten Kobo to the state rather, it's even taking more from the state coffers.

The state was virtually surviving on monthly allocation from the federal government. Perhaps, creating a sustainable economy for the state was not a top priority to previous administrations because the state earned big between 1999-2012 because it was still regarded as one of the oil producing states.

But Ayade, who has been very unfortunate to become Governor at the poorest stage of the state has not relented in his efforts to create an economy for the state. His reign has been that of a true leader with a deep vision and big dreams. He has decided to leave little things for a Governor with a small mind to focus on big and super things that will change the economy of the state forever.

To accentuate his priority on creating a sustainable economy for the state, Ayade has embarked on so many gigantic projects that have today rightly placed the state as one of the industrial hubs in Nigeria. The Garment and the Rice Seedlings Factories have generated heavy revenues for the state, something that has never happened in the state since the loss of status as oil producing state.

Last year, the Peace Corps of Nigeria awarded the Garment factory multimillion naira contracts to make Uniforms for over ten thousand of its personnel. Early this year, the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria awarded the state N3 billion naira contract to supply rice seedlings to some states.

The Governor has also recently reached another agreement with the federal government through the CBN to supply seedlings to another 17 states.This is not forgetting the recent huge contract from the Nigerian Airforce for the making of one hundred and twenty thousand uniforms and flying suites. It's rumoured that other security agencies in the country are also set to trust the state Garment Factory with the responsibility of making uniforms for their personnel.

The Calachika Factory which in no distant time will begin exporting frozen chicken, the Calavita Noodles factory which is set to take the noodles market in the South South very soon, the CalaPharm which is set to take the pharmaceutical industry by storm, the Ikom Cocoa processing plant, the Ogoja rice mills and many others, when fully completed for operation will no doubt place Cross River at a pedestal of sustainable socioeconomic development

Besides, the Bakassi Deep Seaport, one of the signature projects of the Governor, once it starts working, the economy of the state will change forever. The state will not only compete favourably with Lagos as Nigeria commercial capital but will become even a better one.

A true Governor of the modern world must think deep, big and bold and Ayade over the past four years has demonstrated that he's not just a modern Governor but a real genius among the modern Governors in the world.

Air Force to buy uniforms, flying suits from C'River Garment factory



By Ashie Osor



The efforts of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state to create an alternative economy for his state received a huge boost Tuesday when the Nigerian Air Force announced it was partnering the state government for the production uniforms for its personnel at the state garment factory.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said in Calabar during a courtesy  visit to the governor that the decision to source Air force uniforms locally was  in line with President Muhammadu Buhari's directives to the Nigerian armed forces to lay emphasis on local content.

The Airforce Chief who was later conducted round some of the factories at the Ayade industrial park, including the Garment factory, 

expressed amazement at the sheer size and sophistication of the factory.

While assuring that the Air force will henceforth make recourse to the Garment factory for its uniforms, the Chief of Air Staff commended governor Ayade for establishing the facility, saying it has provided jobs to thousands of people  thus helping to reduce crime rate in the state.

According to him there is a nexus between unemployment and crime.

His words: "Excellent, amazing. I dont even know how to express my joy that this is happening locally. In the last four year or thereabout, we have brought in about 10000 recruits...assuming we started this partnership much earlier,  and each of these recruits require uniforms- camouflage,  tunic and the normal uniform- so we are talking about over 100,000 pairs of uniforms.

“I am very excited about the opportunity given to me by His Excellency to be here. We are going to send samples of what we require for our officers, our pilots and our recruits to see that we get them done here.

“We are in the state because we think we can benefit from the Cross River Garment factory as we look inward in trying to get all that is required to execute our task. So we are hopeful that at the end of the visit we should be able to work out something with Cross River Garment factory where we can give samples of some of our materials for them to take a look at."

Responding, Governor Ayade assured the Chief of Air Staff that the garment factory will not lower the quality of their uniforms as staff of the factory will be sent oversees for further training.

He expressed gratitude to the Air Marshall Sadique for offering to send Air Force personnel to help with the production of the uniforms.

"In an African clime you would not imagine to see this but the good news is that with over100 000 uniforms to be produced here for the Air force, this factory will be extremely  busy.

“Your uniforms will not suffer poor quality from the factory as the state Garment factory staff will be sent on training.

"We are ready to employ more people who need to go into tailoring and Garment making as a profession to ensure that we fill the factory with competent and capable hands.", the governor said.

He commended President Buhari for insisting on backward integration aimed at encouraging local production of goods.

The Cross River state governor also praised Air Marshall Sadique for embracing local content in kitting and arming the Airforce.

Ayade used the occasion  to make a case for the partnership to be extended to the supply of dry rations in form of energy and vitaminized food packs to the military.

How? Where them want pass?

New Team Takes Over Management Of CICC, Obudu Ranch Resort.

Sequel to the recent reshufflement in Governor Ben Ayade's appointments, a new team has taken over the management of CICC Calabar..

Honorable Bobby Ekpenyong, who was redeployed to the Obudu ranch resort as Special Adviser formally handed over to Mr Joseph Isoh Edet, who until his redeployment was the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Obudu ranch.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony, Hon Ekpenyong thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve the state during his time at the CICC.

He said, "I sincerely want to thank His Excellency for finding me worthy to serve as MD of one of our greatest assets in the state. During my time as MD I must say that we did a lot of work in marketing the facility and putting it out there for the world to come to calabar and hold their events."

" When we got here only one out of five chillers at the event center was functional , but today I can proudly say we succeeded in fixing two more and we now have three functional chillers. Also, the 65kva generating set used in pre-event planning has been fully rehabilitated and functioning. We also recorded other achievements within the 82days I spent as MD, " Ekpenyong said.

He urged his successor to continue from where he stopped as governance is a continuum.

Responding, the new MD Mr Joseph Isoh Edet (Lashakara) praised Governor Ben Ayade for all the assistance he received as the SSA Obudu ranch resort.

Edet stated, " I must say thank you to His Excellency for his support during my time at the ranch . The kind of support I got made me understand what a father he is to us his appointees."

He said, from my time at the ranch I realised what a treasure God has blessed Cross River with and that it has the capacity to fuel the tourism needs of our dear state. "

The new MD promised to continue the progress already recorded by the outgone Managing Director.

The occasion was witnessed by the Senior Special Adviser on Events Management Governor's Office Hon Ken Aklah as well as the managements of CICC and the ranch resort.

High points of the occasion include signing of the hand over notes and an inspection of the CICC facility by the new management .

It could be recalled that on the 22nd of November Governor Ben Ayade through his special Adviser Media announced the redeployment with immediate effect of Hon Bobby Effiom Ekpenyong to Obudu Ranch as special Adviser while Mr Joseph Edet was redeployed to the CICC as Managing Director.

End.

Gov Ayade identifies path to Africa’s growth, greatness

Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has urged African countries to undertake agro-industrial revolution if it must shake off the ugly tag of under-development and backwardness.
Ayade was speaking as the chief host of the 2019 Africa Industrialization Day (AID) organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in Calabar.
He said while the need to industrialise Africa has become pertinent and urgent, the continent must make sure that the right steps are taken if the objective must be achieved.
According to him, “agro-industrial revolution is the first step to take. It is indeed, only agro-industrial revolution that allows you to industrialize, revolutionize your economy and yet carry the people along, because the essence of Industrialization is to create social harmony.
“The problem with Africa is the extemporaneous excitement of attitude to catch up with the Western world. In the process we miss the strategic steps that are required towards growth.”
He said it was against that background that his administration embarked on agro-industrial revolution through value-chain addition to agricultural processes.
“Today we have the garment factory employing over 3000 people with women constituting 85% of that workforce. We have a philosophy of going from farm to fabric. So our cotton farm in Yala Local Government area in partnership with Arewa Textile is helping to create the raw materials that we require in other to have our own knitting and our own fabrics that can turn into garments. That is agro-industrial revolution. “We have the Cross River State noodles factory, which depends mostly on rice, because the use of wheat has been found to have high level of gluten. Today in Cross River State, we have a feed mill.
“Today, Cross River State has a factory that will be producing 24000 frozen chicken per day. As such we need a huge quantity of maize and soya beans for feed production. This will create an agricultural value chain that will create an enabling environment for you to massively cultivate new farm lands to support the cultivation of maize and soya beans, in the process creating jobs and linking people to farm and linking the farms and produce to Agriculture and linking them ultimately to the industries. That is the connectivity and that is why agro-industrial revolution is always the first.
Today in Ogoja, we have the first vitaminized rice mill in Africa. Here in Calabar, we have the first seedling factory in Africa, we also have the cocoa processing and the first cocoa processing plant that goes from cocoa bean to chocolate bar, the very first in Africa.”
He called for an end to fuel subsidies, arguing that such funds showed be ploughed into industrializing the agricultural sector.
“Such funds can be used in providing Agricultural grants, subsidizing Agricultural and industrial revolution, subsidizing people who are going into industrial projects that will create jobs for our people. You can imagine, as minister of Agriculture, you decide that one state, one industry, one local government, one small Agricultural setting.”
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Richard Adebayo lauded Cross River State Government for hosting the event and commended the governor for embracing industrialization. According to him, If African countries are to diversify their economies, they must embrace industrialization by first ensuring power supply, road network is adequately tackled.

Ayade presents N1.1 trillion budget for 2020

Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade, Thursday, presented an appropriation bill of one trillion, one hundred billion, one hundred and sixty seven million, five hundred and seven thousand naira, nine kobo, for the 2020 fiscal year.
Tagged "Budget of Olimpotic Meristemasis ," It has a capital expenditure of N911 billion representing 82.8 percent of the budget and a recurrent expenditure of N188 billion, representing 17.2 percent of the budget.
Ayade described the budget as one that is anchored on a belief “in the spiritual force which is the third energy."
While explaining that meristemasis is the active cell that stimulates growth in a young plant, which in this case represents the state, he pointed out that, "the budget will catalyze into existence a great opportunity for us all to put our hands and legs on the pedal and fill it off."
He said the decision to allocate 82.8 percent of the budget to capital expenditure, was indicative of our aggressive commitment that will continue to reduce recurrent expenditure and focus on capital expenditure."
On the sectoral breakdown as captured by the appropriation bill, Ayade disclosed that the health sector will gulp N44 billion, education N38 billion, new city development N35 billion while agriculture will get N22 billion and social housing to gulp N12 billion, among others.
The governor announced plans to set up anti-tax agents to ensure that the tax policy of his administration is sustained as he will not like to tax the needy to prosperity.
"All low income earning people, civil servants earning below N100 thousand will be exempted from tax," Ayade said, adding that, "small scale businesses like barbing saloons, hair dressing and other surviving agencies are hereby exempted from taxation."
He also abolished the daily payments of N500 to N1000 levies by taxis plying the state, noting that they will now pay N2000 only every month.
On the size of the budget, the governor said: "We must come to the understanding that indeed any state whose budget is driven by the envelope size is limited in vision.
“There are two ways in business and public sector management that you derive your budget. It is either that your budget comes as an expression of your envelope size or as an expression of your ambition.
“The prosperity agenda set for this state does not allow me the opportunity of an envelope budgeting. Our budget prescribes the actual cost element while the intellectual financing shuns the cost because the ambition so expressed allows us the latitude to drive with to ensure that we guarantee that all aspects of the budget so provided are driven."

Ayade receives Taiwanese delegation, seeks business collaboration
By Ashie Osor

Cross River state governor, Sir Ben Ayade, Wednesday, at the state executive chambers, Governor's office, Calabar, received a Taiwanese delegation, which is in the state to seek areas of collaboration.
Ayade said the visit is strictly a business visit, which the state is ready to take advantage of.
According to him, "we are open, we are ready to engage with you, we are ready to support you and to work with you to develop our industrial park.
"For the first time, Cross River has decided to isolate herself from the country as a sub national to see how it can frog leap from a third world to a first world."
While commending Taiwan for having a foreign reserve of about 500 billion USD with a relatively small population of approximately 23 million people, Ayade described it as a model the state wants to copy from.
His words: "It is a model that has excited me, my team and the state that we made a choice of Taiwan to visit amongst other countries to see the possibility of collaboration."
The governor noted that Cross River has strong focus on industrial revolution similar to what Taiwan undertook years ago.
“No matter how your population is, if you don't industrialise or develop a business attitude, if you don't open up to the world, if you are sensitive to political barriers, you can never grow," Ayade said.
He expressed optimism that the business relationship between the state and Taiwan “will be huge, our mutual benefits strong and the synergy can create opportunity for Cross River to finally escape from the level of poverty."

TABA2019 From 20th - 23rd of November. Showcasing Cross River Agro-industrial Revolution To The World...

Ayade is Champion Newspaper Governor of the Year

Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade has emerged the Champion Newspaper Governor of the Year for 2019.
The choice of Ayade as Governor of the year was contained in a letter signed by the newspaper's Managing Director and Editor in chief, Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa.
While justifying the choice of the governor for the award, Iheakanwa said: "The award which is a product of painstaking selection of our Board of Editors, is our modest way of recognizing leaders who have paid a greater sacrifice in ensuring that the objectives and ideals of our nationhood are sustained."
She said Ayade's emergence has been corroborated by an independent team of assessors.
"On all scores, our findings, largely corroborated by that of independent assessors, confirmed that Cross River State under your watch has become a model state in terms of value creation in the art of governance, she stated.
Continuing, Iheakanwa said: “We note with delight, your uncommon zeal and pragmatism with which you have pursued the business of transforming Cross River into a resourceful state.
"Most importantly is the patriotic and noble steps in transforming the state into an industrial hub."
According to the Editor in Chief, "As a watch dog of the society, it is our duty not only to track and document your sterling performance but also to acknowledge your commitment and love for your state in particular and the country in general."
The letter of notification, however, fix the award ceremony for February 2020.

Ayade Set To Host Taiwan-African Business Association

The Governor of Cross River State Sir Ben Ayade has concluded plans to host the Taiwan-African Business Association on a four day working visit to Cross River State.


Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr Immediate Past Commissioner for Finance disclosed this at a meeting with the Calabar Chambers Of Commerce & Industry in Calabar.
Ekpenyong stated that the Taiwan-African Business Association will be in Calabar from Wednesday 20th Of November to Saturday the 23rd of November.

He said "The visit is part of the efforts of Governor Ben Ayade in fostering bilateral relations and to develop trade benefits for the state with Taiwan".

According to him, " The team will arrive the Margaret Ekpo International Airport on the 20th of November and pay a courtesy call to the Governor of Cross River State" .

While on the 21st the team will be holding a Business Conference with the Organized Private Sector, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and members of the Calabar Chambers of Commerce and Captains of Industry at channel view hotels at 9am.

He further stated that the team will pay a Visit to one of the foremost Taiwanese Businessman in Nigeria, Mr Bob Lin, CEO of Enghuat RIndustries at 9am on Friday 22nd, after which they will have a business lunch with the Governor, Speaker of the house of Assembly Rt Hon Eteng Williams, and captains of industries.

The team is also expected to inspect the foremost industrial park in Nigeria, The Ayade Industrial Park as well asThe Tinapa Business resort, EPZ, Calas Vegas Resort e.t.c.

End....

Calabar Carnival: Ayade preaches kindness, tolerance

Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has called on people around the world to show kindness to one another in other to promote humanity.
Ayade, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, made the call on Sunday in Calabar during the second dry of the 2019 Calabar Carnival with the theme "Humanity".
He said that the theme was chosen to make people see the need to be humane and to live in peace with one another.
The governor, who said that peaceful co-existence, unity and tolerance should rule the midnset of people around the world, urged the bands to do their best in interpreting the theme of the 2019 Carnival.
"This year's theme is humanity; I hope that the band leaders are doing their best to give full interpretation to the theme.
"For us, the theme is about humanity and kindness to people. We should be tolerant of one other and also treat every human being as a human being irrespective of any affiliation.
"If you decide to treat people badly, you too will be treated badly; so, what we are emphasising on is the need for everyone to be treated equally.
"As we come out for every celebration of the Carnival, we will continue to play our path in ensuring that the Carnival continues to grow bigger, better and bolder," he said.
Earlier, Mr Gabe Onah, Chairman of Calabar Carnival Commission, said that the theme was also designed to reach out and touch the people towards kindness and unity.
Onah said that the Bikers' Carnival was also flagged off earlier with a view to excite tourists along the 12 kilometres Carnival route.
Onah said that Carnival Calabar has become a platform to taste how cultural events are planned in Nigeria.
"Calabar Carnival has become the best platform for cultural diplomacy. The first dry run witnessed the attendance of Bangladesh and Belize diplomats, offering partnership in power production and distribution and support for our cocoa processing.
"For the next dry run, we are expecting Vietnam to come and partner with the state rice seedlings to see how they can bring farmers to promote the next level for our farming.
"The dancing and display we see in the streets is a means to an end. The job behind Calabar Carnival is huge and that is why we are saying that we must begin to change as we move," he said.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Eteng Jonah-Williams, said that the assembly will make adequate budgetary provision for the Carnival Commission to enable them organised a colourful event.
Jonah-Williams said that the assembly was suggesting on having "The Cross River House of Assembly Band" to add colour to the event.
The participants were colourfully dressed in their various bands costumes, while security was mounted along the routes to ensure a hitch free event.

Both projects are awaiting sovereign Guarantee approval from FG.

Ayade woos investors to Cross River at Africa Investment Forum

Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade Wednesday turned on the charm offensive in South Africa , wooing investors at the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), to invest in the state.
A statement issued by Ayade's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, said Governor Ayade is at the Summit on the invitation of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumni Adesina along side the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, his kwara and Abia states counterparts, Dr Abdulrasaq Abdulraman and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu respectfully.
While speaking at the cluster session on the opportunities Investors can find in Cross River State, Governor Ayade said there can never be a better time to invest in the state than now when his administration has established an industrial city with all round infrastructure and tax free regime.
"There are lots of opportunities in my state , Cross River, a state that flows with milk and honey, inhabited by very warm people. It is home to the remaining largest Tropical rainforest in West Africa where natural wildlife still exist.
"It is blessed with huge arable land mass that is good for Agriculture, my state has large deposit of gas as the end-point of the oil rich Niger Delta region with international boundaries with Cameroon, Equitorial Guinea and Sào Tome and Principe on both lands and waterways Corridors.
"What's is more, Cross River is unarguably the toursim destination of Nigeria with Carnival Calabar as the apex annual event in Nigeria every December.
"As a government, we have invested in the Rice Value Chain, seeds and seedlings, Millings as well as Ultra Modern Cocoa factory just to mention but a few of our Agricultural projects of action.
"Come and Invest in Cross River because our land, though in the Niger Delta Region, is very safe and secured
Governor Ayade would on the second day of the three days event lead participants at an investment cluster meeting to a wider panel discussion with global investors to discuss opportunities in an effort to secure the nod of the Africa Development Bank (AFDB) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) to partner Cross River in its agro-industrial sector.

LMFAO! Wetin the man do you na?

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State in a handshake with Heather Lanigan, Regional Director for sub-Saharan Africa, United States Trade and Development Agency, while others, including Dr Nima S Nedelcovych (2nd right) and Chief Chris Agara (3rd) watch on at the 2019 African Investment Forum in South Africa yesterday
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I'll make Cross River a window to Africa - Ayade

As part of his vision to make the state a window to Africa, Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade, is ramping up activities through the establishment of additional tourism facilities in the state.
Ayade said his vision for the state is not only to make it Nigeria tourism capital but a window to the entire African continent.
The governor stated this, Monday, at the Executive Chamber, Governor's office, Calabar, during the presentation of the Calas Vegas Master Plan by a South African company, Afri-Gon.
The Governor, who regretted that although the state was known globally for tourism, but with less activities and facilities for the sector to thrive, assured that his administration is building the Calas Vegas in Calabar as well as the Busafot Resort in Obanliku Local Government Area of the state to boost tourism.
According to him, "Today marks the full kickoff of the journey towards the actualization of the Calas Vegas city. Cross River State is the tourism capital of Nigeria but lacks the facilities to keep tourists busy.
"Today, we are rehabilitating and bringing Obudu Ranch Resort to life again. To also complement the Calas Vegas city we are building in Calabar, we are developing another resort in Obanliku. This project is also the reason why I'm building the Obudu Cargo Airport."
Justifying the establishment of the airport, Ayade said: "When tourists visit Calas Vegas in Calabar, they will also know they can fly to Obudu to visit the Busofat resort and from there to the Ranch. With this, they will be activities to sustain tourism across the state and I have no doubt that when completed, the state will have enough traffic."
While extolling Cross River as the most secure, most beautiful and one of the most civilized states in Nigeria, the governor added that "as a very civilized people who have dignity even in poverty, we must work to make the state a window to Africa."
Earlier, while presenting the Calas Vegas master plan, the Chief Executive Officer of Afri-Gon, Eran Goven promised that the resort, when completed would be the best in Africa and one of the best in the world.
He said that "We have been in communication with the governor to create a city with a world class resorts that will ofder something that has never been seen before and will drive tourists back into Nigeria.
"We have designed the project to have a world class golf components where international golf championship can be hosted, the resort will have the biggest swimming pool in the world, standard hotels, bungalow and floating bungalows, billionaire boulevard among other attractive features."
He assured that they would continue to learn from the governor who has the vision to ensure that "every detail of the project was completed."

Gov Ayade Wins at Appeal Court

The Court of Appeal Sitting in Calabar,Thursday affirmed Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State as the winner of the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in the State.

The ruling of the appellate court upholding Ayade's victory was unanimous by the five-man panel of the Appeal Court judges.

The panel of judges in a unanimous decision dismissed the petition of the factional candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and former Minister for Niger Delta, Usani Usani, and upheld the judgment of the lower tribunal, which had ruled that Usani’s petition lacked merit.

The Court described the petition as a gross abuse of court processes, academic, hypothetical and frivolous.

In his reaction to the judgement, Governor Ben Ayade through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita said the victory was an affirmation of the mandate overwhelmingly given to him by the people of Cross River State.

He therefore, dedicated the victory to God and the people of the state.

Ayade again extended an olive branch to his opponents in other political parties to join hands with him in moving the state forward.

“The period of politics is over, it is time for governance,” Ita quoted the governor as saying.

The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to developing the state and creating an economy that will ensure financial independence for the state through industrialization and provision of first class infrastructure.

Ayade commences comprehensive rehabilitation of Obudu Ranch Resort

Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has begun a massive renovation of the Obudu Ranch Resort.

The facility which is one of Nigeria's premier tourism destinations and a key revenue earner for Cross River is located in the Northern part of the state.
Speaking on the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on the Resort, Joseph Esoh Edet, said the renovation was aimed at creating a rebirth
perception to attract more visitors.

According to him, areas undergoing restoration at the moment include the Gym, Game house, Steak House, lawn tennis club, Restaurant and Bar.

Also, the moribund cable car section is being revived just as the water park, the canopy walkway and Grotto have been revived and renovated.

Accommodation facilities including the exotic mountains villas and offices have all been given facelift.
Power, street lights, intercom and Wifi services, have all been restored.

Governor Ayade said apart from restoring the lost glory of the Ranch Resort, the total reinvention of the tourism facility was also aimed at giving it a more global appeal.

"I'm determined to revamp, rebrand and strategically market the Obudu Mountain Resort to the world, " the governor had declared at a recent function.