₦airaland Forum

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Cross River State Government To build police post at CICC

Plans have been concluded by the Cross River State government to build a police post at the Calabar international convention center (CICC).

This was disclosed when the MD Hon Bobby Effiom Ekpenyong paid a courtesy call on the AIG Zone 6 Mr Musa Kimo in Calabar.

Honourable Ekpenyong stated that the vision of the administration of Governor Ben Ayade is to ensure that all assets of Cross River State government are working at full capacity.

"It is the vision of this present administration that all assets of the government will be working at full capacity, and for me to achieve this at CICC I have to strike a balance and invite the police authority to partner with us and ensure that the issue of security is nipped in the bud.

Continuing, the MD stated that vandals have been having a field day due to the lack of police presence at the centre.

"We are faced with the challenges of vandalization of our facilities, as we speak the monorail is not working because the cables have been vandalised, most of our equipments and properties installed in the convention center have been carted away by criminals.

"Upon my appointment as MD by His Excellency, he instructed me to ensure that the entire security architecture is revamped and immediately it struck me that there was no police presence around the centre considering how large it is. So I found it necessary that we should have a police post situated in the convention center.
Government is ready to provide the building and other logistics to ensure that this is done, and I thought it necessary to come and interface with you to ensure a smooth working relationship. "

The MD also used the occasion to intimate the AIG on facilities available at the convention center and encouraged him to use his exalted position in the Nigerian police to attract conferences and seminars involving the police to the centre.

In his response, the AIG Zone 6 assured the MD of his commands commitment to partner the management of CICC on security, adding that the cardinal duty of the Nigerian police is to protect lives and property .

"I agree totally with your request for a police post to be stationed at the convention center, this I believe will help in keeping away hoodlums and vandals from the facility. I therefore assure you of my full support and that of my command as regards security in that area. "

The AIG commended Governor Ayade for appointing honorable Bobby Ekpenyong as MD, describing the MD as a "square peg in a square hole".

In a related development, the MD and his team also paid a courtesy visit to the commissioner of police Cross River State Mr Austin Agbonlahor.

Speaking during the occasion, the MD stated that the summit where the CICC is located is a multi billion naira commercial environment capable of generating 20- 30% of the stages IGR.

He solicited the support and cooperation of the state's police command to enhance the security architecture of the estate.

In his remarks, the CP Mr Agbonlahor assured of his commands readiness to provide adequate security after a careful assessment of the estate .

"It is the responsibility of the police to protect lives and property and we are willing to provide such after we perform an assessment of the estate to ascertain it's suitability for a police post".

End....

Tribunal judgment: Ayade dedicates victory to God, Cross Riverians

Governor Ben Ayade has dedicated his victory at the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal to God and the people of Cross River State.
Ayade described the tribunal judgement as a mere reaffirmation of his resounding victory at the March 9, 2019 governorship poll.
The governor who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, shortly, after the tribunal upheld his election, said he was not surprised at the verdict since his victory was never in doubt.
"As I did when I won the governorship election of March 9, by dedicating my victory to God, the great people of Cross River State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family, let me once again rededicate today's tribunal verdict which explicitly reinforced the will of the people to them.
"I had no doubt that I would emerge victorious at the tribunal. I have never lost faith or confidence in our judicial system. I was very confident that the tribunal would be diligent and upright in determining the petitions brought before it and it did just that today and I am happy, Cross Riverians are haply and I am sure that even the petitioners will be happy that the tribunal has acquitted itself."
Insisting that the affirmation of his election by the tribunal will further embolden him to deliver on his campaign promises, Sir Ayade said: "Today's judgement is no doubt a call for a redoubling of effort, energy, kinetics and gusto to consolidate on what my administration started four years ago, which is the aggressive industrialization of the state. Let me also quickly add that I will treat this victory at the tribunal with all the seriousness and urgency that comes with it. But more importantly, let me call on my brothers on the other side, like I did when I was declared winner by INEC, to come and join me so that collectively, we can build the Cross River that we can all be proud of."

Governor Ayade in Italy for the last mile packaging machinery for the ikom chocolate factory


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

Industrialization: Ayade gets Chinese award of excellence

The China Industrial and Commercial Enterprise Association in collaboration with Hauxing Art Troupe, has bestowed an award of excellence on Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade.
The award which was presented to the governor in Lagos at the weekend, was part of activities marking this year’s China mid Autumn Festival and National Day.
The president of the association, Mr. Eric Ni said Sir Ayade was picked for the award for encouraging and implementing “Industrialization between China and Nigeria using Calabar as a hub.”
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Barr Tina Banku Agbor, expressed gratitude for the honour.
Ayade, who also spoke on the topic; Economic, Industrial Relationship Between Nigeria and China, Cross River as an Industrial Hub", said the relationship between the state and the Peoples Republic of China has been of tremendous benefit to the state.
His words : "Let me thank the organisers of this event for inviting me. I also thank them for the award, which is a validation and an acknowledgement of our genuine efforts at industrializing our state.
“It is also a charge to do much more in creating an economy for Cross River that would not depend on federal allocations.”
He said the topic for the event speaks volumes about the blossoming relationship between China and the state.
According to him, “many Chinese experts have in the last four years, made Cross River their home, providing their expertise in our agro-industrial revolution.”
The governor described his Industrialisation drive as unprecedented.
"Cross River is indeed an evolving economic hub. We are industrializing at a pace never before attained by any state or region in Nigeria. China is a major support in this regard.”
He congratulated China on its 2019 mid Autumn festival and National Day celebration saying, “together, China and Cross River will continue to march, hand in hand, in friendship and love for the good of our peoples.”

Sir Ayade's 100 Days of Consolidation and Crystallization 



By Chidi Onyemaizu 



One hundred days can indeed make a difference in the life of a person, state or country depending on how the days are skilfully applied.


The late American statesman, Abraham Lincoln puts it in broader perspective when he posited that, "in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it is the life in your years"


In Cross River, 100 days have made huge, impactful difference on the socio-economic landscape of the state.This is examplified by the on going consolidation and crystallization of Sir Ben Ayade's Industrialisation blitz which come with unimaginable results.

Sir Ayade has just clocked 100 days in office having been sworn-in for second term as governor on May 29, 2019.Within the period under review,quantum consolidation and crystallization of his Industrialisation policy have evidently got Cross Riverians excited.

Cross Riverians testify that Ayade is indeed walking the talk or as it is said in Calabar parlance, "Show walking".

Celebral, urbane and fashionable, the governor stunned the mammoth crowd at his swearing-in ceremony when he appeared on a simple workman cloth with a bowler hart to match.He was communicating the tenor of his second term governorship.He was passing a message and that message was that there is work to be done.In his second term, he won't tolerate inanities and niceties.The monumental task of accomplishing his dream of industrializing Cross River does not allow for any distraction.


And to that end,he assumed the title of "Mr.Project".He would not sit idly in the office.Rather he would be a field governor, roving from one project site to the other.And they are many.Cross River must be industrialised.


Mr.Project, in those 100 days, has matched words with action.He has covered an unprecedented mileage consolidating and crystallizing his lofty dreams.


For example, achieving Agricultural value chain is at the heart of Agro-industrialisation segment of the governor's industrialisation drive.It is for this reason that the Cross River Integrated Poultry Farm at Odukpani, a suburb of Calabar, has taken a firm root.


The ultra modern poultry is primed to produce 20,000 birds per day with eyes for export.

The governor himself explains the import of the poultry farm: " With 20,000 birds per day which go through some processing in the cold room, we can export to the west Africa sub- region. We have three products here, the broilers which are the ones for eating that go to the slaughter house, the egg production which is the hatchery, it has an incubator system that will give you the layers , the layers give you about one million eggs per day".


Agro diversification is indeed yielding dividends for the state.The Cross River state Rice seeds and seedlings factory, the first is now a major income earner for the state.


Commissioned June last year by President Muhammadu Buhari, the ultra modern rice factory which is situated at the Calabar industry park has witnessed heightened activities in the mould of patronage since the return of Ayade for second term.The factory has raked in billions of Naira for Cross River through orders for rice seedlings.Among states and private concerns that have so far bought seedlings from the factory are Abia, kano, Bayelsa and River states.

Private rice farmers including the IRS group have also bought rice seedlings from the factory.

Essentially, in the last three months, Enginners work day and night installing state of the art machines in the other factories at the Industrial park.

The installation process is now about 80 percent completed.Such factories include Cross River integrated food Processing factory, Calachika Chicken processing plant, among others.


The Integrated food processing plant which,when fully operational will be producing Calavita range of instant noodles from freshly harvested rice as opposed to wealth which existing brands in the market are made of.


When the noodles factory comes on stream, the state government hopes to latch onto it to make a bid for a share of the #280 billion the federal government has set aside for the school feed programme.


The automated Calachika Chicken processing plant is primed for an installed capacity of slaughtering 6,000 birds per day and will be feed by the Integrated poultry farm.


In Ogoja and Ikom, Sir Ayade, since returning to office for second term,has made sure that the automated rice mill and cocoa processing plants there respectively berthed on the shores of reality.It is therefore, to his credit that the installation of equipment at the Ogoja automated rice mill, the first vitaminised rice mill in Africa, is 95 percent completed.The machines are of course the latest technology in rice milling.

Installation of equipment at the Cocoa processing plant, Ikom is equally over 90 percent completed.When operational, the plant will be processing cocoa seeds into bars, pastries and tablets for local consumption and export.


Cross River state, especially the central half of the state is rich in cocoa and has been the economic mainstay of the people.


In other sectors, Sir Ayade, within the100 days of his second coming has fulfilled promises made, achieved uncanny strides and realised dreams.


Obviously, nothing can be more fulfilling than the realisation of the Calabar 23 megawatts power plant.The power plant which construction was started in 2016 was recently switched on, leaving the Cross River state capital and its environs inching closer to 24 hour uninterrupted power supply, a dream Ayade vowed must be realized.


At Tinapa, the construction of the 26 Megawatts gas fired power plant is progressing beautifully.Governor Ayade disclosed recently at the project site that there would be a consolidation of all the power power plants he built to meet the power need of the state.


Road and housing infrastructures have also received unparalleled attention.The construction of 147 kilometre super highway linking the entire five local government areas that make up Northern Cross River has in the last three months been accelerated with the Obanliku end of the road dualised and asphalted, complete with walk-ways and street lights.


The Tinapa junction- Odukpani bye- pass dualization has also witnessed increased tempo.Contractors, at the behest of the governor, are at the project site daily working to deliver  the road as scheduled.


The displaced Bakassi people are full of effusive praises for Sir Ayade.And this is because what they hitherto thought was unthinkable or undoable has come to fruition and starring them in the face: A social housing scheme meant to resettle them.


The housing scheme comes with beautifully paved internal roads.On a visit to the housing project recently, the governor told the displaced persons that under his watch, they will enjoy quality life just as other citizens of Cross River.


A scientist himself with bias for the environment, Sir Ayade knows the importance of keeping Cross River green through afforestation.This explained the recent institution of the Green Carnival during which trees are planted across the state.The Green Carnival will run as an annual event.

The maiden edition of the carnival which held on July 30th, 2019 equally, as wont any event that bears Governor Ayade's imprimatur, created wealth for a cross section of Cross Riverians.

Notedly, not only did the people of the state turned out in their thousands to participate by planting trees across the state, many also made money from the exercise through sale of tree nurseries.

In all, one million trees were planted across Cross River.

The one million trees nurseries deployed for the exercise were supplied by Cross Riverians and paid for by the Ayade administration.

This obviously was in keeping  with the governor's new mantra of hands on the plough, which in turn is translating to food on the table for the teeming families in the state.

Indeed,100 days is neither the beginning nor the end of a journey that will last the next four years but within this period, His Excellency Senator (Professor) Sir Ayade has demonstrated that "in the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it is the life in your years"


Chidi Onyemaizu is SSA Print Media to Governor Ben Ayade

Ayade, Deliberately Promoting a People's Centred Governance in Cross River

By: Solomon Asha

The Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade, has indeed proven over the time beyond reseasonabe doubt that his major policy direction as derives from his inner strength and conviction hinged on his philosophy of life which has been and will always be the welfare and interests of not just the people but the commonest of the people.

It would not be a surprise thing to those who are familiar with the the Cross River governor's unrepentant and firm believe on the African ethical and moral world view of always providing a shoulder to the weaker ones to lean on, and worthy virtue which he has imported into modern governance through his leadership style as well as his deep religious conviction and faith in God that the governor's every step and policy direction is not without the people's interests.

Indeed, the Obudu Born Governor of Cross River has proven that he is a man with a listening ear, and would always go down to the commonest of all to hear them out, while Ayade's tears are ever close by ready to roll down his check to his chest when touched by the plight of an ordinary man or woman facing difficulties of any kind. He has on several occasions been overwhelmed by deep and altruistic emotions and acted with dispatch the remedy the situation for such an individual or individuals.

Therefore, mentioning all the people oriented policies of Sir Ben Ayade such as prompt and regular payment of workers salaries, expanded government and food in the table and hands on the plow, empowerments and employments to the widows and other vulnerable groups, renovation and upgrading of Primary Health Centres across the state, Ayade Food Bank and Ayadecare, among so many other projects is merely stating the obvious and to just document for history and posterity purposes.

Ayade, not satisfied with the already well known and acclaimed leadership of his tilted towards the commoners, the visionary and sympathetic Cross River leader has now introduced to his government an open consultation with the people,stakeholders in a town hall arrangement after consultation PDP and other relevant groups where the people will have a say as regards those who will eventually form the Cross River State Executive Council between now and May 29, 2023.

A press release signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and.publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, revealed that the Town Hall meeting will involve all the.18 Local Government Areas of the state.

The release dated Wednesday, September 4 2019, with the heading, "Governor Ayade to commence full appointments", went ahead to state, "The State Governor, His Excellency, Sir. Ben Ayade is set to commence full appointments. Consequently, His Excellency in conjunction with the State Council of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the PDP campaign Organization has approved consultative meetings with all the critical stakeholders across the 18 local government areas of the state...".

According to the release that contained the itinerary of the Town Hall meeting which will take place at the prestigious Peregrino Hall, Governor's Lodge, Calabar, Obanliku LGA will take the first shot on Wednesday, September 18, follow by Obudu and Bekwarra LGAs on Thursday and Friday, September 19 and 20, 2019; while the Northern Senatorial District will rounded up its days with Yala and Ogoja LGAs taking their turn on Saturday, September 21 and Monday, September 23, 2019.

The Central Senatorial District will be attended to from Tuesday, September 24, 2019, when Boki Local Government Area will take it's turn; Wednesday, September 25, will be the turn of Ikom; Etung will take the stage on Thursday, September 26, while Obubra, and Abi LGAs will have their turn on Friday and Saturday September, 27, 28, and the Town Hall would be rounded up in the Central with Yakurr on September30, 2019.

Local Government Areas from the Southern Senatorial District of the state will take the stage from Wednesday, October 2, 2019 with Biase LGA; Akamkpa LGA is fixed for Thursday, October 3; Odukpani LGA is for Friday, October 4,. while Calabar Municipality, Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South LGAs will take their turns on Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, September, 5, 7, 8 and 9, 2019.

In conclusion, the Town Hall itinerary Press release maintained that "All meetings shall be held at the Peregrino Hall by 3pm prompt and those concerned are expected to be seated before the arrival of their excellencies on their respective dates.

The introduction of this style of selecting those who will represent the people in the highest decision making body (State Executive Council), of the Executive Arm of Government in the state is not only novel but equally unique as it will help provide the ordinary people the opportunity to demand explanation from the Executive Council members and make them accountable to the people at the end of the day.

Besides the governor's personal aides, that he has the sole prerogative to appoint and have no say in the making of decisions that will affect the State, either position or negative, it is clear that from the well articulated and people oriented policy of involving the people in the selection of EXCO members of the State, the governor will not be wholly blamed in the even of misconduct and incompetent on the part of any member of the state Executive Council, though the power to appoint and remove from office resides with the governor.

The arranged town hall meeting with stakeholders across the 18 Local Government Areas in the state, beginning with Obanliku on September 18, 2019 and ending with Calabar South Local Government Area on October 9,. 2019, all at the Peregrino Hall, Governor's Lodge, Calabar is a right step and a well calculated policy in the right direction that deserves acolades from all and sundry.

END.

Solomon Asha, is Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade.

Why we're building 20,000 birds per day poultry -Ayade


Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has disclosed why his administration is embarking on the establishment of an ultra modern integrated 20,000 birds per day poultry farm.
Addressing newsmen after a tour of the facility recently, the governor said the poultry farm will feed the automated 6000 chicken per hour Calachika processing plant which equipment installation is currently going on at the Ayade Industrial Park.
"In this poultry farm we will be feeding and catering for close to three hundred birds," he said.
"The poultry slaughter house that we have in Calabar has the capacity for 20,000 birds per day.

The figures keep changing as we keep changing the set of the engine, so it has the maximum of 20,000 birds per day on two shifts at 12,000 birds per two shifts of ten hours at 1,200 birds per hour"

Each of the sections in the expansive poultry farm, Governor Ayade informed, houses thousands of chicks.

"Each house here has a capacity for almost sixty thousand birds. Then you have another set of pen houses that has provision for a day old chicks. A day old chick is the one we sell to farmers who grow chickens and now sell to the slaughter house."

The governor disclosed that his diversification into poultry farming and production was with a view to broadening the Cross River economy through export of poultry products.

His words: "The cheapest source of protein in Nigeria today is chicken, so with 20,000 birds per day which go through some processing in the cold room, we can export to the west Africa sub- region. We have three products here, the broilers which are the ones for eating that go to the slaughter house, the egg production which is the hatchery, it has an incubator system that will give you the layers , the layers give you about one million eggs per day.

"You have a day old chick, we have a full hatchery, a highly automated and climate regulated hatchery that goes through the incubator and a day old chick is produced and goes to the public and the public now grows it to maturity and sell to the slaughter house."

He stated that the the poultry farm would be run with the latest technology in poultry production.

"We are introducing the eco friendly system which is a new technique invented by Calvenco in Spain, we will have the biggest poultry in Nigeria."

The poultry farm, he explained will be requiring enormous feeds to keep the birds healthy hence his government has embarked on massive maize and soya beans farming to meet demands.

"The amount of maize I need, the amount of soya beans I need is huge.That is why we have our own feed mill, so the feed mill produces feed, the feed system are highly automated, it has a silos, the feeds go in different compartments and the mixture is done by computer regulation so it is moderated through a computer system and distributed through a new technology that delivers only the ration required for the bird and the drinker system is completely different, cooling system is world-class technology too," he said.

Mr infrastructure Sir Ben Ayade Governor Cross River State inspecting the facility for the proposed Cross River Fabrication and Construction Academy as well as the black oil storage facility for the 23MW power plant in Calabar earlier today.

Cross River State Government Blasts Falana over Agba Jalingo's Terrorism Trial Claim


The Cross River State Government has taken Mr. Femi Falana to the cleaners for linking it with the terrorism charges preferred against Mr. Agba Jalingo by the Nigerian police.
The government in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr.Christian Ita, accused Falana of deliberately obfuscating the facts of the matter with the intention of misleading and misinforming the public.
It described as shameful, the fact that Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, would issue a statement in which he made spurious claims against the state without even siting the charge sheet to intimate himself with the facts of the case.
It said contrary to Falana’s claim, the “Cross River State Government has no hand in the terrorism charges preferred against Agba Jalingo by the police.
“The state government is made to understand that the police slammed terrorism charge against Mr. Jalingo for his alleged role in the RevolutionNow protest, as an ally of Mr. Omoyele Sowore, who is currently being held by the Department of State Services (DSS).”
The statement explained that the micro-finance bank report which Mr. Jalingo wrote and which Falana referenced, has nothing to do with Jalingo’s arrests and the subsequent slamming of terrorism charges against him.
“It may interest Falana and his co-travelers to note that the bank has since instituted a civil suit against Jalingo for libel. So whatever is going on between the police and Jalingo has nothing to do with the bank or the state government.”
The statement therefore, urged the Senior Advocate of Nigeria to acquaint himself with the facts of the case rather than seeking to use it to hug Newspaper headlines.
"The statement by Falana is a desperate attempt to hug the headlines. Had Mr. Falana not been interested solely in showmanship, he would have carefully studied the charge sheets before commenting.
“If Falana had chosen professionalism above showmanship, he would have discovered after studying the charge sheets that Jalingo is facing terrorism charges for his alleged role in RevolutionNow protest and not being prosecuted by the Cross River state government for criticizing it.
"It is heartbreaking that a lawyer of Falana's standing has continually brought the profession to disrepute, cheapened it and spurned professional norms in the altar of populism,” the statement said.
The statement advised Mr. Falana to seek to personally represent Jalingo in court rather than staying on the sidelines to make unfounded statements.

How Gov.Ayade gave me second chance to see the world again

-Ibrahim Abdullahi, an ex convict serving life jail


Ibrahim Abdullahi who spent over twenty-eight years at the Port Harcourt Prison where Saro Wiwa and the Ogoni nine were hung confirmed dead, said that after they were brutally murdered, he held the left hand of the late Activist while another prisoner held the right-hand side.

According to Abdullahi who was first condemned to death and later reverted to life imprisonment at the prison following his encounter with another person in a fight that later led to the death of the other, said that he was there with late General Shehu Yar’Adua, Senator Shehu Sani and Sanusi Mato, just as he said that while Yar’Adua was left in Port Harcourt Prison, Shehu Sani was transferred to Aba Prison and Mato to Owerri Prison.

Abdullahi who was later transferred to Ogoja Prison in Cross River State was on 9th June 2019 granted amnesty by Governor Ben Ayade and subsequently released to join his People. The Ex-Prisoner who was jailed at the age of 22 years with no wife, is now 52 years.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja when he paid a thank you visit Senator Shehu Sani at his Centre, Africa Freedom Foundation, the ex-convict who asked Nigerians to help him thank the Cross River State governor for releasing him after 30 years in prison, said that he will also remain grateful to Senator Sani.

Meanwhile, Senator Shehu Sani has promised through his Centre to Assist Abdullahi with some funds to enable him to start a new lease of life, even as he thanked Governor Ben Ayade for granting the Ex-convict amnesty after thirty years in the prison

Speaking further, Abdullahi who said that he was convicted 18th November, 1989, said that his teeth were removed while in Prison, adding that he witnessed the hanging of Saro – Wiwa and after the death, he carried the late Saro- Wiwa into the Coffin and others, as well as help, load them into a Tipper.

According to him, when Wiwa was to be executed, late Yar’Adua expressed shock that late Sani Abacha was going to kill Wiwa and went straight into the prison room, adding that when Wiwa was brought with his legs chained, all the prison wardens were sent out by the Soldiers.

He explained that on the day he was killed, the late Wiwa wore slippers and the wristwatch on him was removed by one of the Soldiers, but when a lady, he named Cecilia raised the alarm of the missing Wristwatch, it was discovered that it was stolen and was brought out, put on Wiwa before being taken to the single grave where all of them were thrown into.

According to Abdullahi who hails from Katsina State, raw Acid was poured on Wiwa and others inside the mass grave, just as he said that one Major Obi supervised the entire process.

Giving a vivid picture of what happened yesterday at the Africa Freedom Foundation, Abdullahi said, “My name is Ibrahim Abdulahi. I was arrested in Akwa Ibom in the course of fighting with a person, the individual’s life was lost in the process.  We went to the court and I was sentenced to death. I spent 3 months in a condemned cell.

“When I was in Akwa Ibom prison, I was given life imprisonment and then, transferred on 15 of April 1994 to Port Harcourt Prison.

“In 1995, they brought Yar’Adua, Shehu Sani and Sanusi Mato into the prison. I saw them, we greeted. The following day, they took Shehu Sani to Aba prison and also took Sanusi Mato to Owerri. They left Yar’ Adua in Port Harcourt prison in 1995.

“One day, they brought Ken Saro Wiwa. When Ken Saro Wiwa came there, Yar’ Adua was standing at the gate side. They brought Ken Saro Wiwa from a military barrack and pursued everybody from the whole Prison yard.

“Yar’ Adua said that Abacha wants to hang Ken Saro Wiwa. Do they want to hang him? He was shocked. After that, Yar’adua went back to his cell and sat down.

“After that, they chained Ken Saro Wiwa’s leg and hands. So, they matched him to the condemned cell. Where they locked Ken Saro Wiwa was close to the gallows that they use in hanging people. Four people including a Commissioner of Education, one lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt with another person. Already, 5 people were there in the condemn cell so, they brought them and joined them with Ken Saro Wiwa which makes them nine.

“After that, they brought four of us with General, the Iron Bele,  he was the head of the prisoners and  Major Obi was leading the military group. They pursued all the warders that were there in the yard.

“They said they do not want warders to be with them apart from soldiers. That particular period, Musa  Dauda Komo was the governor of Rivers state. They locked them in one cell. After that, they serviced the gallows, checked everything because the gallows can hang two persons at once. But one of the gallows was spoilt and the other was working.

“After that,  the Attorney General of the state came with five men, he met them in the cell and read the law for them. He said that the Federal Government has ordered that all of them should be hanged. After giving them the information, the lecturer, started crying and shouting so Ken Saro Wiwa turned to him and said you!  are you not happy that you want to die with me?

” He said that his wife gave birth to a new baby and he is observing dry fasting. Ken Saro Wiwa now said that just be happy that both of us are about to die. Later Ken Saro Wiwa said that he did not send anybody to go and kill a person, but the Federal Government want to kill me. I did not send anybody! He now said that until this world ends, peace will never be in Ogoni land.

“Little while, they came and called Ken Saro Wiwa, he stood up and moved to the gallows and somebody was behind him who wore him a black cap that covered his face.

“He moved to the person that hangs, he took the robe and hanged him on the neck and operated the gallows and after operating, you will have to fall inside in a manner that your legs won’t touch the ground.

“After they hung him, and we’re sure that he was dead, they brought him out and kept him in the slab. The doctor came and used a cystoscope and tested him to confirm if he was dead.

“Ken Saro Wiwa wore slippers before they hanged him. One of his slippers fell inside the hole where he was hung. It was me who carried the left hand and another person came and carry his leg.

“We carried Ken Saro Wiwa up and kept him inside the coffin. When we kept him there, the cameraman came there and took a few shots of Ken Saro Wiwa. Later,  on Cecilia, who gave evidence in the court against Ken Saro Wiwa looked inside the Coffin and asked where Ken Saro Wiwa wristwatch was?

“Where is the watch, she asked. From there, a military man came and ordered that we all should be thoroughly searched. All of a sudden, the Military man pointed at a person and said that it was the person that removed the watch. They searched him and discovered that the watch was in his pocket.

“They collected it from him and tied it on the wrist of Ken Saro Wiwa. So, they carried the boy and locked him up in the back cell. He was mercilessly beaten by Major Obi, who locked him up in the back cell.

“We covered the coffin and kept it somewhere. They brought another person, they hanged another person, and we were called to help carry the person.

“They bought another when they brought him, he sat in a way and was shouting Jesus! After which he was hanged. They called us again and so, we carried him. They brought another person, that one had an injury on his leg, he died too.

“That was how we did for nine of them. Major Obi, if you want to talk, he will come and ask you what you are talking about, and he will start beating you.

“In the situation of Ken Saro Wiwa, they brought an armoured car and kept it in the front of the prison. After we finished the job, Major Obi ordered that we should line them up in a straight pattern.

“The video man who videoed and also the cameraman who took pictures, Major Obi, called the video man and called the cameraman to remove the film and gave him back the camera. He also called the cameraman, he removed the film and gave the camera back to him.

“They brought tipper truck, and we were ordered to load all the dead bodies which we did. They carried them to Bonokiri which has a cemetery. They took them there and used raw acid and poured on all of them. All of them melted and then, we all returned.

“They carried yams, drinks and plantains and gave us. They opened a shallow pit and poured them acid. We came back around 7:30 pm and met the whole area quiet. After about 1month, it remained 19 Ogonis. One day Abacha sent a paper which ordered for the release of all of them.

It was Justice Ibrahim Auta that judged them and Gani Fayehimi was one of the lawyers. Ken Saro Wiwa said he never sent those boys to go and kill anybody.

“They detained me on the 14th of October, 1989. You can see that all my teeth are gone, and the imprisonment has made me look very old. I was arrested when I was 22years and now, I am 52years.”

Recall that Saro-Wiwa and eight of his kinsmen, who became popularly known as the Ogoni Nine, were sentenced to death by a special military tribunal set up by Abacha who later died on June 1998 inside the presidential villa under mysterious circumstances.

Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations for over three years after Mr Saro-Wiwa, 54, and his group were hanged to death. The world was outraged by the execution.
Credit: Opera mini news

Ayade: Decoupling Cross River Economy Through Food Factory

By Chidi Onyemaizu

The world class Cross River integrated Food Factory has not always been there.It is the product of a head that thinks proactively. Of course, deep thinkers are precursors of innovative ideas.In Cross River, someone is.That person is His Excellency,Sir Ben Ayade (KSJ).

Before 2015, almost the entire expanse of land along the Goodluck Jonathan bye pass, Calabar was a mass of thick shrubs. But then, Sir Ayade became governor and the narrative changed.The thick shrubs gave way to a galaxy of industries, birthing the Calabar industrial park.The phalanx of factories at the industrial park is a sight to behold.

Sir Ayade’s fecudity of refreshing ideas verges on Cross River of tomorow where quality of life is assured and prosperity reigns.The current Industrialisation blitz of the administration bears undeniable testament to this. The Cross River Integrated Food Processing factory, primed for the production of calavita range of noodles, is one of the flagship industries at the park that has today turned the Jonathan bye pass into a bubbling industrial hub.

The integrated food processing factory typifies a story.It tells a schintilating story of how a leader’s can do spirit can actually galvanise innovations and yields unparalleled results.Sir Ayade embodies an uncanny can do spirit that moves mountains. Manifestations come handsomely.

The state of the art Integrated Food Factory is one of such.Built from scratch to finish by the Sir Ayade administration, the factory parades the latest technology in noodles production.

Essentially, for a governor who believes that nothing but the best is good enough for Cross River nay Nigeria,the Integrated Food processing factory is set to wrought a paradigm shift in the noodles industry in Nigeria. With three variants of noodles made from rice as opposed to wheat and fortified with essential vitamins, calavita range of noodles, when rolled into the market is expected to give existing brands a good fight. Sir Ayade enthuses about calavita noodles: “Calavita noodles are produced from rice as opposed to wheat.

And the rice is freshly home grown rice.Calavita noodles is made into three flavours-Rice, Chicken and Suya. It is a digital replacement of indomie” The Governor, by embarking on a massive Industrialisation drive across the state aims at broadening the frontiers of its economy.

This, way Cross River is being gradually decoupled from mono economy- the monthly federal allocation. It is on the basis of the above that through calavita noodles, the state hopes to get a prime share of the #280 billion federal government has set aside for the school feed programme.

This prospect excites Sir Ayade.His words: “This food processing plant we have here in Calabar is an off shoot of a policy statement from President Muhammadu Buhari as regardd the school feed programme. When I saw that over #200 bn was being set aside for the school feed programme, I decided to focus on those critical raw materials used for the programme- egg, rice, chicken, banana.

We have a poultry farm , we have the Calachika Chiken processing plant and so on.And of course this ultra modern food factory. I want to see how Cross River will take part of the school feed budget.If you have #280bn to feed school children,can’t I as a businessman that I was before I became governor sit back and think how to get part of the budget? It’s against this backdrop that you have this integrated food factory here today”.
Poised to start production soon, experts are of opinion that Sir Ayade’s aggressive Industrialisation policy which birthed Nigeria’s first ever integrated food process factory in the state is a huge boost to the Agricultural value chain aspect of that policy and by extension Cross River economy. As they say in Calabar, Sir Ayade is indeed “Show Walking” his grit determination to reinvent Cross River.


Chidi Onyemaizu is SSA Print Media to Governor Ben Ayade

Cross River, epicenter of agric value chain -USAID

By Edward Egbelo


The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its contractor and Chief of Party, Dr. Adams Shafer, has given a thumbs up to Governor Ben Ayade's agricultural revolution, noting that Cross River State is on the verge of becoming the epicenter in rice value chain in Africa.
Shaffer, who is the Managing Director of Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), disclosed this when he led a delegation Wednesday, to sign a memorandum of understanding on the Feed the Future Project between the state government and USAID at the executive council chamber of the Governor's Office, Calabar.

The USAID representative who said the US agency was focused on seven key areas of projects financing, investment, agro-business, aqua-culture, among others, hinted that Cross River has distinguished itself in the areas of international best practice, transparency and the willingness to align with the vision of USAID. He said the state topped the list of 36 states of the high powered delegation from the 36 states of the federation for the Feed the Future programme.
Speaking shortly before embarking on a guided tour, along with the Governor, to the Ayade Industrial Park, Shaffer told Ayade of USAID's partnership: "In the forthcoming public private sector partnership (ppsp) on rice value chain and opportunity we intend to bring in investors and financiers not just within Nigeria but around the world to invest in Cross River rice and other value chain.

"We will partner with you in bringing the best in terms of finance, intelligence, experience and broker relationship outside Nigeria for export potential."
According to Shaffer, "There are 16 countries that are part of the this program and Nigeria is one of them. Within Nigeria, there are 11 states that are the target of all our resources. Four in North East and with a focus on the remaining seven states, among which is Cross River, which is at the top of our list.

We also plan to connect with other Feed the Future programmes relevant to the state."
While inspecting the rice seedlings and seeds multiplication factory and other facilities at the industrial park, stunned Shaffer offered: "Well, I will tell you I have seen pictures of this before, pictures of the rice factory, but I thought it was outside of Africa, I never thought that this was in Nigeria, and then when I see it now, I believe it."

Expressing further amazement at the sophistication of seedlings factory, the USAID representative said: "I really have not seen such a consistency from the farm to the set up and I'm looking forward to seeing the Ogoja rice mill tomorrow (Thursday), but this seedling factory is state of the art and it is very impressive, very unique and I'm told it is one of a kind not only in Cross River, Nigeria but Africa."

Continuing, he said: "This is a demonstration of the potential that Nigeria has to feed itself and to feed the region. We need to see five of this, we need to see the the entire value chain at this level of technology of digitalization. Digitized agriculture is the future, hand spreading of seeds is something of the past and it is difficult for farmers to change. I think the growth rate of both the quality and yield across the country would be five times and that is what we hope to do with the digital governor with support from us, and USAID this is truly an impressive site and I'm very pleased standing here."

Responding, Sir Ayade said: "I and Adams have come together to serve humanity and to say yes, we need to feed the future and you cannot feed the future by waiting for a white man from America or waiting on your government, it is you and your contributions that can feed the future."
Emphasizing the import of Shaffer's visit, Ayade said: "And so, what Shaffer is here to tell you is that we are ready to support you through international best practices, assist you with grant."

The governor who assured of the state’s capacity to deliver on the goals of Cultivating New Frontiers for Agriculture (CNFA), an international body with the goal of designing and leading agricultural development and entrepreneurship initiatives to build a prosperous world without hunger, noted: "With the caliber of persons we have around us, we have a huge capacity and practical experience to deliver because the quality of the people truly reflects the successes factor of whatever project that has been brought."

On the Feed the Future Programme, the governor maintained that "it is a reality and it is coming at the right time. The population of Nigeria grows in approximately three percent per annum and the implication is that, Nigeria will in 30 years double her population which is very scary.
"Today we are 200 million people and in 30 years it will be 400 million without a corresponding plan on how to feed your future."

Lamenting the prospect of Nigeria's population exploding in the next years, Ayade decried: "As the poverty level increases, child birth increases. They have an inverse relationship, the higher the wealth the lesser the children, the higher the poverty, the more the children and so, you have a situation where Nigerian population is on the rise.
So, the statistics of 2.5 – 3 percent growth is perhaps even wrong. Sad enough, it is an American that has come to tell us about the need to feed the future."

According to the governor, "There is a new programme to prosper Africa that is being initiated by the American government with the funding of about USD60 billion set aside to bring prosperity to Africa and reduce poverty and once that succeeds, the agency will have it huge footprint, having initiated the right programme and sincerely implementing the rice value chain to success in Africa, using Cross River as an intermediator and USAID will stand as the only agency that has taken Africa to a sustainable future and will grow in lips and bounds translating into good news for us in Cross River and indeed Nigeria."

While urging Cross Riverians to tap into the opportunities offered by the Feed the Future programme, the governor listed such areas as rice farming, maize, soya beans and other food crops. "All these are the crops we needed in our agro-value chain. We have a slaughter house that does six thousand birds per day and we need the maize and soya beans to sustain the feedmill for our chickens and America is number one in cereals production in the world so, we need to work with them to see how we can increase the production of our maize and soya beans."
According to Ayade, "Very one of us must own a farm and for those of you who are in my cabinet, you know Cross River has just release USD7 million to a US firm to provide tractorization, mechanization, earth moving equipment and deforestation equipment for land clearing in preparation for the expansion of the rice production in Cross River State.

"So, if you can assist us with a consultant that can articulate all that we have done based on your own experience going from one factory to another, seeing clearly what we have done, it will give you an insight that truly, this is the most serious state you must focus on."

Assuring CNFA of, and availability of land, the governor said: "Cross River has 23,000 Square kilometer of arable land and if you encounter any challenge, technology can address that and I know America is good in irrigation.

"We believe that we are well positioned by our technology, share size of our land mass , character and decency of our people coupled with the exposure that we have, education and integrity and love for strangers, so, we provide a perfect environment for CNFA to prove indeed that you are the right contractor selected to drive this process. "So look nowhere any more because Cross River is the right place in Nigeria for you to demonstrate your competency."

Happy birthday to Calabar's finest

Ayade returns schools to catholic mission

Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade has returned six primary schools to the original owners, the Catholic Church.

The affected schools which are located in the three senatorial zones of the state are Sacred Heart Primary School, Calabar; St. Mary's Primary School and its convent school, Calabar and St. Peter's Primary School, Ekpene Tete, Akpabuyo.
Others are St. Benedict's Primary School, Igoli, Ogoja; St. Joseph's Primary School Idum, Mbube, Ogoja, in the Northern Senator Zone and St. Eugene's Primary School, Ochon, Obubra in the Central Senatorial District of the state.

Announcing the decision to handover the schools at the state executive chamber, Calabar, Governor Ayade said government was left with no choice other than to return the schools to their original owners.

The governor said he had no doubt that the church will bring standard to bear on the running of the schools.
According to Ayade, "the way and manner you have conducted yourself, government has no hesitation, in spite of our concern, but to give up the six schools at a go. It is also important that we look at the performance of the schools we are handing over today and see whether they have done well."

Justifying further the return of the schools, Governor Ayade told the Archbishop of Calabar Archdiocese, Archbishop Joseph Effiong Ekuwem that "owing to our spiritual belief in you as a man of honour and a man that God has used to move mountains, who am I to say no when a man of God has made a request, who am I to say no to God?

"We have in honour of you and indeed all the churches, say that what belongs to God must be given to God."
Lauding the Archbishop for advocating for the return of schools to missions other than the catholic church, the governor said: "We want to thank you for speaking very strongly even for other churches, the Presbyterian and the Methodist churches and even encouraging us that we should as much as possible not be worried to give mission schools back to the original owners.

"I believe that it is in that spirit of the fear of God, the love and fellowship of mankind that you made the pronouncement and surely, your pronouncement will come to pass. And let me therefore recommend to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education that we are open to doing as much as we have done for other churches."

Revealing what he said is his unrealized dream of becoming a priest, Ayade intoned: "My childhood dream was to be a Rev. Father and so I am sad that I am sitting here as a politician. But for people who have taken to celibacy in order that we are free, in order that we can make heaven, they have taken a life to teach and to preach and to stand for us and to sustain the root of clemency to assist us access God by standing for us in our weakest spiritual moment."

According to the governor, "they are there to edify our souls and lift us to high glory. There is no other gift, there is no service on planet earth that is more than such a huge selfless service and sacrifice"

Re-echoing the sincerity of his administration in returning the schools to the mission, Ayade noted “that the government of Cross River State is unquestioning and has decided to do what is right before God by handing over these schools back to the catholic church.

"These six schools, therefore, rerepresent the symbol of our respect for the house of God and I believe without any doubt in my mind that these schools will be very outstanding and very distinguishing.
"Our ultimate ambition is to support you to succeed. We are not in competition, we are in the process of building a better society for us all, as government or spiritual godfathers.

I believe that with this synergy we shall ultimately provide a better education for our children."
While thanking Governor Ayade for the gesture of returning the six schools to the church, Archbishop Ekuwem said:

"Let me give sincere gratitude to the creation of all, the heavens and the earth, the God we all worship for this state. Now that Your Excellency is handing back six of the schools in the three senatorial zones made up of Calabar archdiocese and Ogoja diocese, I know this is still a process and I am looking forward to a day when all the remaining schools will be returned."

Appealing for the return of the remaining missionary schools still under the administration of the government, Bishop Ekuwem said: "It is against this background that we plead first for my sister churches, the same church of God beginning with Presbyterian Church whose name I heard today and the request they have made and those that have not asked and requested the state government to give us schools.

"So this is not just a Catholic thing, it is the mandate that God has given us, Presbyterian Church, Methodist and all the churches that form one body of Christ.

"I plead with government not to be worried about what is going to happen or what will not happen, we have been on board even before government came on board, we all remember that the missionaries established schools even at the time when the protectorate of the Northern Nigeria and the southern protectorate were not amalgamated in 1914.

"I thank the governor and ask that he trust us. In every relationship, for it to work, there must be bilateral trust."

Now I know why you were suspended.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has urged youths to take advantage of government’s industrialisation initiative for self development and socio-economic growth of the state.


Ayade made the call during the grand finale of the 2019 Leboku International Festival held into the late hours of Saturday in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area.

He said the youths needed to return to agriculture and participate actively in both food and cash crop production.

Ayade who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu expressed concerns about pockets of crises in some part of the state describing it as “unwholesome and impeding the socioeconomic growth of the affected communities and the state.’’

He urged the traditional rulers, as the custodians of traditional norms, to rise to the challenge of nipping the negative development in the bud.

“At the inter-state level, we are taking proactive measures to stem the tide of boundary clashes between our state and the neighbouring states through appropriate synergy with critical federal agencies for appropriate boundary delineation.

“I call for calm and restraint from our people as this unwholesome development impedes socioeconomic growth; no investor will be willing to set up a business in a troubled or insecure area,” he said.

He however commended the communities in Yakurr LGA, adding that in the past, there used to be pockets of violence in the area, but that the LGA was gradually returning to sustainable peace.


According to Ayade, as an `added spice’ to the 2019 celebration of Leboku, the state government had introduced tree planting to reclaim and regenerate the forest stock after trees were felled in the course of land preparation for the 275 kilometers super highway project.

He added that the Leboku Festival held a great future for Yakurr indigenes, the state and the nation at large.


“Through the festival, we hope to re-engineer a focus on the need for our youths to return to agriculture and participate actively in both food and cash crop production.

“As we strive to transform Cross River from a civil service state to a prosperous entity anchored on agriculture and industrial development, I urge the youths across the state to key into this initiative and contribute to the development of our economy,” he said.

In his remark, the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, Ofem Ubana-Eteng said the Ugep/Yakurr International New Yam Festival dates back to 1648 AD and signified the survival of his people who faced hunger after the year’s planting season.

Eteng thanked the state government for its intervention in the historical sites in the LGA through the office of the former commissioner for culture and tourism.

He however appealed to the governor to look into the resettlement process of the Ebijakara people who had been living as refugees in Ugep and other communities in the state for 14 years.

Culled from PM News.

Sir Ayade: The making of a noble knight


By Chidi Onyemaizu


When a good man joins a noble Order such as the knight of St.John, you probably will see him exude increased humility. The aura you feel around him could be celestial. And his words could be edifying, inspirational.

For Cross River state governor, Sir Ben Ayade, the above are not new normal. They are ingrained in him already. They are part of his enchanting character traits.

He has always worn this pious and disarming mien which radiate the the whole gamut of his inner heart, his nature-kind and large heartedness, loving and forgiving.

Thus, when on Saturday, August 24, 2019 the governor emerged from the induction process into the Order of St.John at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Calabar, seat of the Metropolitan Arch-Diocese of Calabar, it was clear that knighthood had merely reaffirmed the elegant virtues of his.

The newly minted knight spoke piously from the heart as always, evoking that infectious aura of humility which defines his personage. He talked about selflessness. He harped on service to humanity. He dwelt on rededication to God. And made solemn promise of quality leadership to Cross Riverians.
According him, with his knighthood, all the titles and positions he had acquired in the past pales into nothingness, describing his new status as "a very solemn thing and very emotional thing. It is a rededication of my life and service to humanity.

"I think it is the highest point one can rise to when you have risen above the physical, the material and the mundane and worldly things. It is highly edifying in spirit and in soul.
“From the lectures I got during my initiation process, it is obvious that the knight of St.John is about charity, empathy and brotherhood. Brotherhood in the sense of provision and support for humanity", he said.
Continuing, Sir Ayade maintained that Knighthood was a higher life- changing calling.

"This is actually a call for greater service to
humanity and winning of souls for God.”
He expressed gratitude to God for His favours and blessing in his life, saying nothing could be more rewarding than serving God.

Ayade: "My Knighthood represents a new life, a new journey towards God, putting everything I have towards the attainment of the whole essence of mankind; bringing value to humanity and getting closer to God.
“I'm very lucky that God has allowed me attain heights-university, PhD, Professor, Lawyer, Senator and now governor. I have never spent a day in the hospital. God has been fair enough to me.

“I have passed 50 years and it is time for me to know that the journey to my end is shorter than where I am coming from. All the achievements would not have been possible without God, so it is time for God.”
While pledging to continue to provide quality leadership to the people of Cross River, the governor enthused that knighthood is inspirational and a platform to get closer to God.

"I will use my office as the governor to serve God and humanity. Irrespective of religion, God is the ultimate. That is why I chose spiritual growth, spiritual highness above other considerations. In all the titles I have acquired, none means more to me than "Sir" Ben Ayade.”

At the thanksgiving mass celebrated by the Archbishop, Most Rev. Joseph Ekuwem, Ayade, resplendent in his Knight regalia,and flanked by his brother knights listened with rapt attention to the homily delivered by the Archbishop who admonished them to be good ambassadors of the Order.

He later danced soulfully to the alter for thanksgiving.
Outside the Church premises, security personnel had a hectic time fending off the surging crowd of ecstatic faithful who struggled to catch a glimpse of their governor amid shouts of "our digital governor, Sir Ben Ayade"


Chidi Onyemaizu is SA Print Media to Governor Ayade

oyi1:

Enjoying which light?
Light situation in Calabar is worse recently

Am sure your area has transformer issues. Because everyone is testifying about the light

Was, not is. New cabinet hasn't been constituted yet.

High Chief Dr Asuquo Ekpenyong felicitates with Governor Ayade on the conferment of Knighthood By The Catholic Church

The Chairman of Davandy Group High Chief Dr Asuquo Ekpenyong has fecilitated with the Cross River State Governor Senator Ben Ayade on his investiture as Knight of Saint John International by the Roman Catholic Church.

Speaking in Calabar, Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong extolled Governor Ayade's qualities, stating that Ayade is a gold fish and therefore has no hiding place.


"I offer my congratulations to His Excellency on the well deserved conferment of the Knight of St John. It is indeed a clear demonstration of the reward for your hard work, dedication and love for humanity.

"During my interactions with you I have seen your passion and drive to change the fortunes of Cross River and I am therefore not surprised that such an esteemed organization such as the Catholic Church has singled you out for recognition. This is indeed a call to serve, a call to use your good office to spread the word of God even further and I am very confident it is an assignment you are going to excel in," he said.

Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong who is also the leader of the Eburutu Traditional Rulers Council commended the governor’s effort and continued support, contributions and for being the defender of the Church by donating a newly built, completed, furnished and well equipped secondary school block to the missionary, saying “it takes only a passionate heart to display such love for mankind."


End...

Experience has taught you well my friend

Lol. How do butchers of confraternity look?

Gov Ayade Knighted by Catholic Church, promises greater service to humanity

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade was at the weekend inducted into the noble order of the Knight of St. John of the Catholic Church.

The event took place at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the seat of the Metropolitan Arch-Diocese of Calabar.
Speaking after a thanksgiving service, Ayade indicated that his new status as a Knight dwarfs
all other achievements he has attained in his life.

He described his investiture as "a very solemn thing and very emotional thing. It is a rededication of my life and service to humanity.

“I think it is the highest point one can rise to when you have risen above the physical, the material and the mundane and worldly things. It is highly edifying in spirit and in soul.

“From the lectures I got during my initiation process, it is obvious that the knight of St.John is about charity, empathy and brotherhood. Brotherhood in the sense of provision and support for humanity.This is actually a call for greater service to humanity and winning of souls for God.”

He expressed gratitude to God for His favours and blessing in his life, saying nothing could be more rewarding than serving God.
His words: "My Knighthood represents a new life, a new journey towards God, putting everything I have towards the attainment of the whole essence of mankind; bringing value to humanity and getting closer to God.

"I'm very lucky that God has allowed me attain heights-university, PhD, Professor, Lawyer, Senator and now governor. I have never spent a day in the hospital. God has been fair enough to me.

“I have passed 50 years and it is time for me to know that the journey to my end is shorter than where I am coming from. All the achievements would not have been possible without God, so it is time for God.”
While pledging to continue to provide quality leadership to the people of Cross River, the governor enthused that knighthood is inspirational and a platform to get closer to God.

"I will use my office as the governor to serve God and humanity. Irrespective of religion, God is the ultimate. That is why I chose spiritual growth, spiritual highness above other considerations. In all the titles I have acquired, none means more to me than "Sir" Ben Ayade.”

Evacuation section of the Cross River State power plant.

Residents of Calabar are already giving testimonies of enjoying improved power supply since Governor Ben Ayade launched the 23MW power plant on Parliamentary road Calabar.

Commentor:
There's 24 hour electricity?

In most parts of town yes.

Press Release:

 I HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ONGOING EVENTS IN NACRISS - Asuquo Ekpenyong, jr 

The attention of the immediate past Commissioner for Finance, Cross River State, Mr. Asuquo Ekpeyong, Jnr, has been drawn to the misinformation making the rounds that he is involved in the on-going events within the National Association of Cross River State Students (NACRISS) as it appears some miscreants have set with the intent to tarnish his image, drag his family's name to the mud.

The former Commissioner wishes to state that it is laughable to link a man who graduated from the university over a decade ago and who was never a member of the Association during his days as a student with the current disagreement amongst students many of whom he does not know nor have contact with.

He also wonders why he would be interested in who emerges as NACRISS President when interfering in the internal affairs of the students' body would be an unnecessary and unbeneficial distraction from his busy schedule. When contacted, Mr Ekpenyong stated that he’s been in Lagos on a business trip since last week and wasn’t even aware of the election activities”

The former Commissioner views as the height of imbecility and crass irresponsibility, his alleged link with one "Awatt" in relation to NACRISS Elections. In his words “It is obvious that those behind this misinformation are primmed at mischief and scoring cheap political points, I have not met the Mr Awatt in question & neither is he my cousin by blood, marriage or any other form”

Advising NACRISS not to allow itself to be used as a weapon for proxy political war in Cross River State, the former Commssioner admonishes the body to resolve its internal issues amicably. He stated that “NACRISS should be apolitical as a students body and pressure group aimed at furthering the well being and interest of undergraduates of Cross River State extraction and should therefore guard against being used politically. He advised NACRISS to endeavor to choose its leaders internally in a free & fair process without external influence of any sorts”

Security agencies have however, been notified of this barefaced blackmail and mandated to fish out the perpetrators with the view of prosecution to serve as a deterant to others in future”, the statement further quoted the ex- commissioner as saying.

23 megawatts Calabar power plant, a dream fulfilled- Ayade


The dream of making Calabar, the capital of Cross River, the first city in the country to enjoy 24 hour uninterrupted power supply edged closer to reality at the weekend as the 23 megawatts power plant built by Governor Ben Ayade began to evacuate power to the city.
Ayade, who was on hand to witness the feat, described it as the fulfillment of a dream.
The visibly excited governor said the project like his other projects was not only borne out of passion but was simply a response to a divine calling.
According to him, “Cross Riverians can see my passion has not changed, so I wasn't doing this project because I was seeking re-election. I was doing what I was doing because I believed that that was what God brought me here to do. I am happy.
“Today I'm excited because it is the first time we are evacuating power to the public. My office has enjoyed steady power supply since the evacuation of power started.
“So interestingly, Calabar will be the first city to have uninterrupted power supply even as we get ready to commission our Calabar Smart City project that will also make it the first smart city in the country,”
He said the completion of the power plant shows that "the spirit of commitment was indeed stronger than any amount of money, because I don't know where Cross River would have got $25M to put up the plant with all that it required"
Governor Ayade assured the residents of the city that the cost of electricity from the plant will be affordable as according to him, Cross River will encourage the federal government to give her a discount to pay 22 percent of the cost of running the plant.
He disclosed that his administration is setting up a electricity meter production company in Obudu to supply meters to the people at no cost as part of social services to them.
"This power plant is not an investment, it is a social service. We just want to meet our basic consumption cost element and once we do that, we are fine.
“There can't be anything better with Christmas approaching and Calabar having 24hours electricity supply.”
The 23 megawatt power plant on test run evacuated power to the Governor’s Office, the state Water Board, Calabar Industrial Park, 8 Miles, Akai Efa, State Housing Estate as well as powering all the street light in the Calabar metropolis.

Special announcement

His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River State, has approved of the following appointments:

Governor’s Office and Events Management Dept

1 Hon. Kenneth Aklah- Senior Special Adviser (Governor’s Office and Events Management)

2. Mr. Tom Ikpeme- Senior Special Assistant (Events Production and Tourism)

3. Mr. Noel Ugbong Akonjubel- Senior Special Assistant (Events Marketing, Content Devt. & Tourism)

4. Amgba Mathias Akpelishi- Senior Special Assistant (Web & Social Media)

5. Mr. Patrick John Ogar- Special Assistant (Administration)

Carnival Commission

1. Mr. Gabe Onah- Chairman
2. Mr. Austin Cobham- Secretary
3. Elizabeth Undie- Member
4. Mr. Effiong Asuquo Ekpenyong- Member
5. Ikobi Ikobi- Member
6. Monica Edet- Member

The appointments take effect immediately.

Signed
Christian Ita
Chief Press Secretary

Carnival Calabar is funded largely by the private sector. At least 50%

Gov Ayade unveils 2019 Carnival Calabar theme, harps on humanity


Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has described man's inhumanity to man as the cause of instability around the world.
The governor said this while unveiling this year's Carnival Calabar theme, "Humanity".
He called for a return to God and conscience which according to him are key to humanity.
Ayade took band leaders of the carnival through a power point video presentation on the ills and woes brought upon man by man.
Ayade rued the fact that man has lost his conscience and now given to deviant behaviours.
"Imagine the dept of animalism and how much man has travelled away from his conscience, " he lamented.
The governor urged band leaders to go beyond the pleasure of the annual tourism fiesta to communicate the message, through their band and music, that it was time to return to "our conscience that made us humans.
"The carnival is not just about dance and procession, it is about telling a story using dance intended to educate and alter the social orientation of the people.
"The celestial part to the heavenly king comes with the internal police man, the conscience that asks a question, is it fair or right?.
As band leaders, tell the story with drums and gesticulations. The story must be stronger than the pulse of the carnival.
“The carnival is only a platform to tell that story that will create the reawakening of the African conscience which has it nexus plexus to Africanism ", Governor Ayade stressed.
He maintained that the theme of the carnival also seeks to speak truth to power to the effect that all the artificial barriers created by colour, economic and geographical differences can be broken by the power of humanity.”
The chairman of band leaders association and former First Lady of the state, Mrs Onari Duke, in her remarks on behalf of other band leaders commended Governor Ayade's theme choice for the 2019 carnival Calabar, describing it as thought provoking.
"Let me commend Your Excellency for the huge social impact your administration has continued to make in all ramifications, especially in the Carnival which you have raised beyond the imagination of all and now the Cross River brand has become the beckon for Nigeria", She said.