₦airaland Forum

NDDC seeks partnership with Cross River on rice value chain

By Nakanda Iyadim

Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Nelson Brambaifa has disclosed his agency's plans to partner Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade’s rice revolution programme.
Brambaifa disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on the governor shortly after a tour of the Ayade Industrial Park which houses the rice seeds and seedlings factory in Calabar, yesterday.
Disclosing the object of his visit, the acting NDDC Chair stated: “Your Excellency, part of my mission to Cross River State is to work with your government to revive and strengthen existing partnership, as well as find new areas for collaboration. Of particular interest is agriculture and today, from what I have seen, we have chosen rice value chain which you have demonstrated tremendous capacity with modern equipment and a system of farming.”
According to Brambaifa, “As your government has successfully demonstrated, agriculture remains a goldmine waiting to be fully tapped, away from oil and gas. indeed, no sector offers a greater opportunity for job and wealth creation, as well as overall improved living conditions than agriculture.”
Brambaifa further stated that “Farming and fishing are the traditional livelihoods of our people and they offer us a more certain path to sustainable livelihood and in Cross River today, we have seen digital farming which is what informs our partnership with the state in this direction.
“This is indeed a good thing I’m seeing in cross River today because if we have more of this, we will eradicate hunger amongst the ever increasing population of the country."
On his agency's intervention, the NDDC chairman said: "Let me assure that as an intervention agency, we want to seriously intervene in the area of hunger, ensure food security and generate employment for our people and we are starting with rice value chain.
“Let me state here that while I am still chairman of the commission, our main focus will be poverty reduction and wealth creation and with what we have witnessed in Cross River, we are going back to our drawing board to see how we can partner with this hard working, digital governor,” he said.

He reminded the governor that in 2005 the NDDC and the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on poultry and hatchery joint venture which was designed to ensure availability of day-old chicks and healthy poultry products, as well as help generate employment and create wealth among youths and women in the state.
Brambaifa further called on the governor to collaborate with them to revive the programme which he noted was in line with his economic development agenda, considering the prevailing economic circumstances.
The Acting MD particularly lauded Ayade for What he described as his critical role in the development of the region and promised to revisit as well as reactivate the Niger Delta Development Master plan with a view to rebuilding partnership for sustainable development forum, as a veritable vehicle for sustainable development of the region.
Responding, Governor Ayade who described the appointment of Prof. Nelson Brambaifa as well deserved, appealed to Mr. President to consider the confirmation of his appointment, given his wealth of experience as a ranking and renowned professor of pharmacology in the country.
According to the governor, “Cross River State is starting with agro-industry in our industrialization effort because there is so much benefits in agricultural value.”
While commending the regional body for the planned re-visitation of the Development Master Plan, Ayade urged them to ensure that the review reflects the current socio-economic realities that will ultimately ensure equitable distribution of the common wealth amongst the sisters states for even development and job creation.”
He thanked NDDC for the expression of interest to partner the state in the area of rice value chain, poultry and other agro allied sectors, saying, “Your duty is to build a mental maturation of all the various complex we have in the Niger Delta and use the platform of the NDDC to bring us peace, to create an economic prosperity and equilibrium that allows egalitarian distribution of income to guarantee us the desired peace.”

Bayelsa farmers takes delivery of Ayade's rice seedlings.



The first batch of Cross River Rice Seedlings under the N3 billion order placed by the Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) with the support of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for the South South region has arrived Bayelsa.


The Chairman of Bayelsa State RIFAN, Mr Ezekiel Ogbianko confirmed the arrival of the seedlings in a telephone interview.


``Yes, we have taken delivery of rice seedlings from Cross River a few days ago and we have started planting, ‘’ he said.


He, however, said that the details of the transactions between Bayelsa government and Cross River government of RIFAN were not disclosed to the state RIFAN.


``We do not know much about the transactions but they brought the seedlings to us and asked us to start planting, ‘’ he said.


It would be recalled that, Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River recently disclosed that RIFAN had placed N10.8 billion order for the supply of rice seedlings from the state’s automated rice seedling factory to the southern states.


Ayade, who stated this during the recent flag-off of wet season rice farming for 2019 in Calabar, said that the state would also provide all the seedlings support services to the enable the states succeed.


``This reflects a full realisation of the vision for a rice seeds and seedlings factory in Cross River,’’ he said.


According to him, other support services offered by the factory include mechanisation support and planting services


The governor added that, other Niger Delta states were already lining up for the seedlings.


“The payment for the supply is not done by individual farmer or state, but coordinated under the RIFAN- CBN program, so that is the way to handle it. 


``Before we make a supply to a state, we receive an order from RIFAN, go to that state, do a valuation of the preparedness of the people and farmers to receive the seedlings.


``We then have a list of all the potential recipient farmers and on the basis of that, we compute that into our system and know the quantity that will be loaded to a particular state,”  Ayade said.

Just In: Governor Ayade Conducts acting NDDC MD, Professor Nelson Brambaifa on a tour of the Ayade Industrial Park, including the rice seed and seedlings factory. Impressed with what he is seeing,, the NDDC MD promised to partner with Cross River on it's industrial revolution.

Supply of rice seedlings continues at the rice seedlings centre Ayade industrial park, Up Next! Rivers and Kano states.

Governor Ayade leads UNIDO delegation on an inspection tour of facilities at the Ayade industrial park, the UNIDO team led by Dr Jean Bankole UNIDO REGIONAL DIRECTOR ECOWAS are in the state to partner Cross River State government on industrial development

World Bank: Ayade starting silent revolution in agriculture in Nigeria


Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade's agricultural revolution has received the commendation of the World Bank.
DR. Salua Schue, Task Team leader, World Bank and Federal Government Assisted Agro-process, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Projects (APPEAL) for youths, physically challenged women, described Ayade's feat as revolutionary and second to non in sub Saharan Africa.
Schue made the commendation shortly after a tour of facilities at the Ayade Industrial Park which houses the Cross River Noodles Factory, Cross River Feed Mill, Rice Seeds and Seedlings Factory and other agro value chain projects, in Calabar.
The team leader, who is also a senior Economist at the Bank said he was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the factories and the equipment on ground, noting that the park was capable of transforming the state's economy.
His words: “They call Governor Ayade the digital governor. This investment exemplifies the digital technology for agriculture. This is what we call precision agriculture. State of the art of modern agricultural practices in Africa.
"Again I say this is amazing. I will say this is very excellent. I told His Excellency that this is a silent revolution that he has started and I must commend him for this vision"
According to Schue, "Usually when we talk about modern agriculture, it is either you go to Europe or Asia before you can see it, but now it is here with us in Nigeria."
While acknowledging the huge benefits that await the state, Schue said: "I will describe this as an excellent investment that will actually transform the agricultural space in Nigeria and also in Africa."
On how the APPEAL Project will partner the Ayade industrial park, Schue said: "I will say that the APPEAL project in the bank will be working with His Excellency on the rice project as well as the rice value chain. We will also be supporting the government on the cocoa value chain and poultry project."
Offering insights on steps taken by the body to actualize the project in Nigeria, the task team leader disclosed: "We have a component on women and youths, so, we will make sure that we bring them into this investment either as participants that would supply raw materials or as marketers because what we have here is a complete value chain.
"We have a place where they can produce rice and the rice can be further processed into ready to eat rice or noodles.
In addition to these also, you have poultry and we have hatchery, so our youths can grow broilers and then sell to the factory that will require huge birds to meet up its 6,000 birds capacity per day for processing."
Earlier during a technical session with the team in his office, Governor Ayade disclosed that the state had recently approved the release of N2.5 billion for acquisition of equipment, establishment of a mechanization and cartelization canters with at least 20 hectares of arable land for cultivation in each of the three senatorial districts of the state.
According to the governor, "the effort is to allow access to free land to would-be farmers as well as complement effort of the state's industrialization efforts, particularly in the area of agriculture which is aimed at creating wealth among the teeming unemployed youths and Women."



"

Job vacancies in Cross River Noodles Factory

His Excellency the state governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade has directed the immediate recruitment of Cross River State indigenes to work at the state-owned noodles factory.

To qualify for consideration, the applicants must be degree holders in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.

Interested applicants should please visit the noodles factory located at the Ayade Industrial Park, along Goodluck Jonathan Bypass NOW.

Applicants should please come along with copies of the credentials and cvs.

Signed
Aye Henshaw Jnr
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information

Cross River government begins supply of rice seedlings to Bayelsa, Delta, others

By Ashie Osor

The rice revolution initiative of Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has begun yielding quantum fruits with the supply of seedlings yesterday, to Bayelsa and Delta States.
Other states within the South South region are next in line in the supply chain from the automated rice seeds and seedlings factory commissioned in June last year by President Mohammadu Buhari.
The supply forms part of the first batch of production worth N3 billion, of a N10.8 billion order for the southern states under the auspices of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) with the support of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Speaking to newsmen at the Ayade Industrial park in Calabar, Cross River governor, Prof Ben Ayade disclosed that "the state will also provide all the seedlings support services for the southern part of Nigeria."
The feat which reflects a full realisation of the vision for a rice seeds and seedlings factory in Cross River, according to Ayade is aimed at "gradually migrating into a technology-based rice farming where we move from the cultivation of seeds to seedlings," adding, "when you start with the seedlings, it gives you pleasure because you are already dealing with the seeds that have already germinated and are set to go into the soil and grow very fast."
The governor also explained that "as we do this harvest, we are conscious that harvest has to be done in the evening because that is when there is minimal destruction in terms of atmospheric temperature that affects the seedlings."
Other support services offered by the the seedling factory according to Ayade, "are mechanisation support and planting services, so indeed what is happening is that Nigeria is gradually migrating from the primitive, rural and African method of rice farming to a civilised modern technology driven farming as your yield will go up, your size of land will be less with maximum yield and your per hectare will move from two tons to ten tons per hectare."
Ayade who personally joined in loading the consignment into the trucks said "overtime, Cross River will lead us into a situation where Nigeria will be the next exporter of rice because Bayelsa and Delta are fully ready to receive our seedlings and I am sure that in no distant time, Rivers, Edo and other states in the Niger Delta will follow.
"The payment for the supply is not done by individual farmer or state, but coordinated under the RIFAN- CBN program, so that is the way to handle it. Before we make a supply to a state, we receive an order from RIFAN, go to that state, do a valuation of the preparedness of the people and farmers to receive the seedlings, we then have a list of all the potential recipients farmers and on the basis of that, we compute that into our system and know the quantity that will be loaded to a particular state," the governor intimated.
Continuing, he said: "My joy is that the seedlings factory is now a reality. Cross River has a huge challenge of almost converting every single soil that is arable into rice farming because the demand is huge. I am also happy that Nigeria has a great opportunity to see us do the commercial harvesting and now going into full planting to support Bayelsa and others do their rice value chain."
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the special commitment to have the project come into full realisation.
While encouraging young Nigerians to go into agriculture in order to become agro-preneurials and millionaires from agriculture, Ayade said: "The automated system I have brought is fantastic and I am proud that it will also change the story completely in Nigeria."
He further added: "I intend to make 18 green millionaires driven from agriculture, green because they were peasants before they met Ayade and become millionaires of agriculture, so every local government area in Cross River will have one millionaire made by Ayade."

Video: Governor hands-on as Cross River begins supply of rice seedlings to South South states.

https://www.instagram.com/p/By5w_ciHOIm/?igshid=euqy9y1d3tcd

Equipment installation at ultra-modern Cocoa Processing plant excites Ayade



Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade has expressed satisfaction with the level of equipment installation at the nation’s premier Integrated cocoa processing factory located in Ikom Local Government Area of the state.
Ayade said the plant, which equipment installation is 98 per cent completed will be ready for commissioning soon.
The governor made the disclosure during an inspection tour of industries under construction in the Northern Senatorial District of the state, shortly after his inauguration. Speaking to newsmen immediately after inspecting the automated 30,000 metric tons capacity cocoa processing factory, Ayade quipped: “I am very happy and quite impressed with the progress of work done by the contractors and the consultants. It is obvious that Cross River State is again taking the country by storm by installing the first automated and integrated cocoa processing factory that goes from cocoa beans to chocolate bars.”
According to the governor “The work done so far indicates about 98 percent completion and as you see, this plant is ready for commissioning. Perfectly in order, fully digital, fully automated and operated by not just Nigerians but Cross Riverians with requisite qualifications in the area of food processing, food technology and agro-engineering.”
Voicing his satisfaction with what has so far been accomplished at plant, Ayade said: “Now I can proudly say that we are ready for export to attract the anticipated dollars. We can also boldly say, goodbye to when we used to buy cocoa dried on tarred roads. Goodbye to when the flavours of our cocoa was lost occasioned by wrong processing. Today, there is an ultramodern, 21st century, latest technology cocoa processing plant that will retain and still maintain the structural integrity, biochemical and chemical composition of our cocoa.”
Justifying the attendant economic spinoffs from the establishment of the cocoa processing plant, Governor Ayade is of the view that “this cocoa processing plant will in no little way change the economy, fate and fortunes of Cross River State because we are completely isolated from Federal Government as it were, from the loss of our oil wells, our peninsular, water front, our land and abuse of the EPZ as well as the refusal of the federal government in getting us involved even in the amnesty programme.”
Arising from this obvious handicap brought upon the state, the governor said: “We feel strongly that Cross River has to invest in a new way of livelihood and we are seriously committed to this course because of our lack. So, my capacity to bring in the intellectual money to feel the gap with this cocoa processing plant is one bold justification that indeed, Cross River State is ready to lead Africa into an industrial revolution.”
According to Ayade, “It is my commitment that I must make young Cross Riverians green millionaires, given our agricultural base as a state.”

In Ogoja, Ayade Shows vision, Class with Africa’s 1st vitaminising rice factory


By Chidi Onyemaizu


It was a cold and rainy Friday evening in the ancient town of Ogoja. The inclement weather did not however, prevent Governor Ben Ayade from storming the town.
Mission: To inspect ongoing installation of equipment at the Ogoja rice mill, one of the showpieces of his aggressive Industrialisation drive.

"It is eye popping, jaw dropping," chorused many catching a glimpse of the mill for the first time.
The magnificence of the mill left mouths agape. And then, someone in the bewildered crowd billowed: “seeing is believing.”

And in a dramatic twist, one of the first time visitors, fixing a direct, deep gaze on the state of the art machineries at the mill said he could not believe he was not somewhere in Frankfurt, Germany.
"No! This can't be Cross River...this can't be Ogoja. This (the rice mill) looks more like what I have once come across in Frankfurt, Germany," he said, to no one in particular.

Then almost in the same breath, he exclaimed loudly "seeing is believing!" re-echoing the initial sayer of the word.

Looking at the direction of Governor Ayade who all the while was being debriefed by engineers on site as he inspected a section of the mill after another, the awe struck first timer, as if remote- controlled by unseen forces let out music-like rendition- "Oh yes, I know, I now believe; seeing is believing; I have seen; now i believe.This is Ogoja and not Frankfurt, this is our own rice mill. Ayade is the best, this governor has shown class.This mill is classy!"

The above scenario played out Friday May 31st, 2019 during governor Ayade's tour of the ultra modern Ogoja rice mill, the first and biggest of its kind in Africa. Apparently satisfied with the level of work at the plant, the governor said the facility which is about 95 completed will commence production in a few months time.

According to the elated governor, the Ogoja rice mill boasts the latest technology. He disclosed that a team of German experts were in the plant to ensure that it runs on solar non-stop.

"This the first vitaminised rice plant in Africa, this is the latest technology...this is innovative. We have a team from Germany working to see that the plant runs on solar because if the mill has to run on diesel we will be running the factory at a loss," he said.

Also on the inspection train was the immediate past Cross River state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke.

Beaming with smiles and exuding satisfaction, the former governor was full of praises for his predecessor, describing the establishment of the rice mill as huge and timely.

Commending governor Ayade on his Industrialisation drive, the former governor said Ayade's industries are life-changing and have redefined Cross River, changing the economic narratives of the state.

"The rice mill is huge, it is a project that makes economic sense, it is a project that creates employment, I love the location, it is ideally located. It will capture rice from northern, central and Southern Cross River in terms of access to the market", Imoke said

The former governor@@q further stated that the establishment of the rice mill was timely.

"I have always talked about timing. The Ogoja rice mill came at the right time. It came at a time the federal government has committed billions of naira to local rice production."

"This mill fits into the governor's vision for industrialized Cross River. So, in the area of Industrialization, I give it to him," Imoke further stressed.

Apart from serving rice growers in Cross River, experts and rice farmers say the Ogoja rice mill can also be of use for rice farmers in Benue and near by Ebonyi State as there are no modern rice mills in the two states.

CBN applauds Ayade's agric revolution as governor flags off wet season rice farming


Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele has applauded Governor Ben Ayade's agricultural revolution programme, which he noted has made Cross River State a force to be reckoned with.
Emefiele gave the recommendation during the flag off of the 2019 wet season rice farming programme in Calabar, Cross River State.
Speaking at the Ayade Industrial Park, venue of the flag off, the CBN Governor who was represented by the Calabar Branch controller, Chuks Sokari, affirmed that "the resoluteness to agriculture by Governor Ayade has created hallmarks which the entire world recognises."
According to Emefiele, "the seriousness demonstrated by the governor in the renewed zeal to project and promote agriculture has made Cross River a leading state in the comity of states in the nation."
Responding, Governor Ayade, urged Cross Riverians to go into aggressive farming, insisting that the only way to industrialise the state was to do a balance between the green and white collar jobs which would lead to agro industrial revolution.
"The only way we can industrialise is by agro industrial revolution. I am pleading with everyone of you, if you don't own a farm you are doing a disservice to all the industries I have set up. Let us prove to Nigeria that we are really the best, take agriculture seriously and prove that we are a shinning example," Ayade told Cross Riverians.
While praising the agricultural initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, for making available the sum of N10.8b for the state, Ayade assured that Cross River remains ready to partner with the Federal Government in order to drive a digital rice planting system."
According to the governor, "Any man or woman with only one source of money as income has already prepared his or her roadmap to failure as you cannot blame your star or God," adding that "if everyone of us here owns a farm, Cross River will not need to depend on federal allocation and that is what I want to do before I leave office, to see the state not depending on federal government."
The governor, while charging the people to, as a matter of duty, embrace farming, quipped rhetorically: "Where am I going to get the maize, soya beans and other raw materials for the factories we have set up if we are all wearing tie and going to office?
"We have the soil, the land, fertility, capacity and financial support, so let us do a balance between the green collar and white collar jobs as nothing stops me in the morning to be in the office and in midday in my farm."
Aware of the challenges in land preparation, the governor disclosed that he has addressed the need with the procurement of all necessary equipment, "so you don't need to go to the farm to cut grass and to fell your trees as Ayade will do it for you."
He further disclosed that "we are also expecting three mechanisation and tractorisation centres in each senatorial district of the state as we have gotten the approval of the House of Assembly."
He enjoined the people of the state to take advantage of the state microfinance bank and its start up capital, as well as other financial institutions partnering the state on agriculture in a bid to make farming easier.
Earlier, President, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Aminu Goranyo, applauded Ayade for his rice production initiatives admitting that the governor stands out as the first state governor to train over 1000 farmers.
In his presentation on 'sustaining agricultural business, the Cross River model,' the chairman CSS Farms and trading centre, Keffi, John Kennedy Opara, pointed out that, "Ayade remains a blessing to many people as God has used him to make agriculture number one in the country."
Opara who gave Ayade a pat on the back for being the first governor to sign an MoU for the training of farmers said, "the farmers trained here have seen the future, hence Cross River will be first agricultural state in this nation," adding that, "the future we did not work for, we cannot capture, hence we must do the needful for a sustainable agricultural revolution."
He advocated high quality training, technology and creativity, strategic partnership as well as monitoring and evaluation for external services as panacea for sustainable agriculture.

Breaking News: Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones emerges Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly

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For Ayade, the Beat Never Stops

By Chidi Onyemaizu


His uncanny appearance on this day of his inauguration at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, no doubt belied his latest mantra of 'food on the table, hands to the plough'.
In his first term from 2015 to 2019, he provided food on the tables of Cross Riverians with the enlargement of his government with well over 6000 appointments. Now in second term, it is time to re-strategize for a more productive and focused service delivery.
Decked in a pair of blue jeans trousers on an ash coloured shirt and a workman hart perching on his back, Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade was clearly sending out a message to the effect that he was not going to be a boardroom governor in his second term.
Many were awestruck, some were puzzled, while others were less so, as they sought for answers.
Question like why would an otherwise fashionable, trendy governor appear that way on a day that was supposed to be his day perched visibly on the lips of the vast concourse of the august visitors who thronged the venue to behold the second coronation of the governor.
Governor Ayade's sartorial outing was in sharp contrast to other governors- newly elected and returning ones- who were resplendent and flamboyant in their dressing for the same event.
Truth is, Professor Ayade was never in short supply of beautiful dresses. He does not lack them either. He was neither up for some kind of publicity stunt. He had no need of such outlandish pranks. His state and nation-wide popularity is rock-solid. So, why the strange and unsettling dress mode on an epoch making event?
The message: no luxury of time; second term is not for inanities but for work on the field; round the clock supervision of the numerous industrial and signature projects of his administration. He said he was eager to deliver on his Industrialisation drive 100 percent before he leaves the stage in 2023.
In his second term, the niceties of sitting in the office and poring over mountain of files would not be his preoccupation.
The governor said he has ceded the administrative machinery to his Deputy, Professor Ivara Esu while assuming the position of "Project Manager".
With over 13 industries and numerous signature projects which he initiated in his first term scattered across the state- some completed and others in advanced stages of completion- "Project Manager " which the governor said he will be in his second term finds meaning in his lightening inspection tours of the projects few minutes after his inauguration. Governor Ayade says he wants to ensure the projects' completion before the expiration of his second term in 2023.
Telling, minutes after the end of the inauguration ceremony, Ayade departed the stadium for the industrial park located at the Goodluck Jonathan bye pass for inspection. Industries located at the park include the automated Calabar Rice Seedling and seeds multiplication factory, the first of it's kind in Africa commissioned last June by President Muhammadu Buhari.
There are also the Calachika chicken processing plant which will process six thousand birds per hour both for local consumption and export; Calavita, a noodles producing factory, Cross River Garment Factory , with over 3,000 Cross Riverians already in its employ, Calapharm ( a pharmaceutical factory), Cosmetics and perfumery factory, among others.
A day after his inauguration, Governor Ayade was again girded for work. Leaving office at 11am, he spent the entire day touring projects. First, he led a team of foreign investors on an inspection tour of possible sites for the establishment of an LPG and fertiliser plant.
Professor Ayade later returned to the Rice city where he spent quality time witnessing the process of incubation and production of rice seedlings.
A burning passion for an industrialized Cross River evidently fuels governor Ayade's energy in the course of project inspections. For example, after almost four hours of touring the rice factory- standing, walking non stop- the state’s number one citizen still braved the rain and the fast approaching darkness to oversee other industries in the vast industrial park to evaluate the progress of work.
Again, living up to his new designation of "Project Manager", the governor was to endure five hours drive to Ogoja and Ikom in the northern and central zones of the state respectively, Friday, 31st June, that is, two days after inauguration, to inspect the ultra modern plants there- the vitaminised rice mill in Ogoja, corrugated roofing sheets factory also in Okpoma, in Yala Council Area and the Ikom cocoa processing plant.
The massive rice mill and the cocoa processing plants are about 95 percent completed with almost all the machineries installed.
Ayade's immediate predecessor, Senator Liyel Imoke who was conducted round the mill was full of effusive praises for his successor, describing the facility as huge and phenomenal, expressing optimism that the industries will no doubt change the lot of the state.
In his inauguration speech, Governor Ayade said he would dedicate his time and energy to see to the crystallization of his industrial drive and signature projects.
"I will ensure that Cross River will become an industrialized state under my watch in spite of the ceding of oil wells, which was illegal. Cross River will grow into a self actualization state in my second term... "I will make sure that my entire signature projects and others will be completed, so that Cross River becomes fully industrialised as every local government will have at least one industry," he said.
"In my second tenure, I will no longer be the governor, my deputy will be the acting governor while I will become the project manager of Cross River State," he told his ecstatic audience.
So his dress mode on this day had all the imagery of his second term locked in them even long before his winding convoy made a grand entry into the stadium.

Imoke lauds Ayade over Nigeria’s first vitaminised Rice Mill


Immediate past governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, has lauded the industrialization strides of his successor, Governor Ben Ayade, describing the establishment of the Africa's first vitaminized rice mill in Ogoja as a phenomenal project.
Imoke who accompanied Governor Ayade to inspect installation of equipment at the rice mill said the automated rice mill would create employment, increase rice production and make Cross River a hub for rice production in the country.
"This is a phenomenal project that speaks volume of the governor's vision, not just the vision but the timing of a project of this nature," the former governor said, adding that "it makes economic sense, as it will create employment, increase rice production and make Cross River a hub for rice production in this country."
While acknowledging the "intellectual money policy," of Ayade, the former governor said "the secret of such a gigantic project, especially when the state earns the least from the federal allocation, could only be a product of intellectual money," adding that "I love the location and this can capture all the rice in the central and north, and ideally situated in terms of access to the market."
Continuing, Imoke said: "A lot of people feel that the Nigerian rice is not as qualitative as it ought to be, but with a mill like this, though I am not an expert but I believe that the quality of rice that will be processed here will beat local standard."
Applauding Ayade's commitment to increasing local rice production, Imoke admitted: "To be able to achieve that, you need a processing park that has not just the capacity but the latest technology and what you see here is exactly that. It is a matter of months for this place to become a hub and you have to do the road and car park because of the volume of activity."
Commenting, Governor Ayade explained that "this is the first vitaminized rice mill in Africa. It is the latest technology and an adoption of the most sophisticated technique, part of which is my own intellectual inputs and design."
Acknowledging the foreign expertise that went into setting up the factory, the governor said: "We have a team here from Germany who is working to make the plant run fully on solar, two megawatts of power and two megawatts of battery storage, so, day and night it will run without recourse to diesel."
Offering further insight on the planned power system, Ayade disclosed that "if you want to run on diesel, it means you will be operating at a loss and that is why the team is here with me from Germany because they have been tested and proven in the industrial park in Calabar, so we want to extend that and have them to do this plant."
Admitting that the quality, size and consistency of the grains will be fresh and polished, the governor said "very soon, you will see this plant running, when you see our rice you will know it is fresh, this is not like the imported type, so very soon we are going to explode."

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade this morning arrived Oslo Norway for a business meeting with investors.. More details later.

Why everything about this man be scam to una?

Cross River gets N3 billion rice seedlings order from FG


The industrialization effort of Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has started yielding fruits as the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has placed a N3 billion order for the state to supply rice seedlings to all the states in the southern part of the country.
Governor Ayade disclosed this to news men recently at the Rice Seedling and Seed Multiplication Factory located along Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Bypass in Calabar.
The governor who upon taking oath of office for a second term turned his office to that of a project manager said: “Today I can tell you proudly that we have received a N3 billion order from the Federal Government through its Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)/Rice Framers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) rice value chain programme to produce and supply seedlings to all the states in the southern part of our country.”
Beaming with excitement, Ayade said: "So, the State has N3billion in its kitty as we speak and I can say it loudly that we have almost recovered our investment here in this factory. That’s smart thinking and that’s the way I’m going."
According to the governor, "You can imagine the same rice seedling factory that the social media reported that immediately after its commissioning by Mr. President, the vendors came in and packed their equipment, but today that same factory is the one giving Cross River this huge amount through a contract with the Federal Government.
"The Rice Seeds and Seedlings Factory was my first term project. What we are doing here is to produce high quality and disease resistant seedlings to farmers and we have started reaping from our labour."
On his new position as a Projects Manager of the state the governor disclosed that "Immediately I took the oath of office for my second term, I downgraded my position to that of a project manager while my deputy will be acting as governor.
"So, indeed, I have also given him approval limit up to N1 billion. He will do that without recourse to me.
"He is a professor and more experienced than me and I strongly believe that he’s got the capacity to run government to allow me bring my energy to bear in the various industries we have set up."
Continuing, he said: "As you can see, I started so many projects, most of which are at 80 to 90 percent completion level. So, I’m just struggling to ensure that all the factories and our industrial clusters start rolling out products into the market."
Offering details of his role as projects manager, Governor Ayade further hinted: "As a project manager, I will be spending most of my time in Ikom Local Government Area to allow me properly monitor all my developmental projects in the central senatorial district including the cocoa processing plant and the superhighway projects as well as the ultra modern vitaminized rice processing plant in Ogoja, amongst others.
"So, I will be shuttling between Ogoja and Ikom. For this reason, I am taking delivery of a mobile house soon to allow me a working space any where I will be going across the state.”
He said he will dedicate the next four years to “projects management to get all projects into finalization. You will not see me again in the office except during executive council meetings, or I’m receiving investors or federal government delegations. I want to ensure that we deliver on all our projects and in good time.
I want to prove a point to the world that it is not all black men that think from their stomach. I use my brian and I want to say that money is not everything, otherwise, Cross River State would have collapsed.”
But painstakingly, Ayade said "Cross River State is trying to take a lead but with almost zero allocation relative to our overhead costs, but that is where the joy lies because if the governor’s job is to sit down and receive allocations, award contracts and approve payment then, any Tom, Dick and Harry can be a governor.
"The beauty of a governor comes when there is creativity, where the intellect comes to play and you take decisions that will affect the populace positively. I see the prosperity ahead and I feel a sense of pride that today, we are industrializing with visible factories and companies already employing our teeming youths. So, I can’t achieve these by sitting down in an air-conditioned office, I must move to the field."
Challenging Cross Riverians to judge him after eight years, the governor said: "After eight years, when you look back at the income of the state and where I would have taken the state to, even if you are the son of a devil, you will say Ayade has done well. At that time, even my most ardent critic will say he was wrong."

GOV. AYADE FELICITATES WITH MUSLIMS ON EID-EL FITR

The State Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade has felicitated with the Islamic Community in Cross River State and beyond on the event of the ‘Breaking of the Ramadan Fast (Eid-Al Fitr).’

In a statement, the Governor urged Muslims in the State and Nigeria at large to inculcate the virtues of Prophet Muhammed and apply them in their dealings.

“I want to extend hearty compliments to the Islamic Community in Cross River on this sublime occasion of Eid-Al Fitr; I commend their peaceful disposition and solidarity for the Ayade-led administration,” Gov. Ayade remarked.

He assured that the his administration will remain focused in ensuring that Cross River State maintains its reputation as a habitable destination for business and leisure.

As a government, we are committed to providing good governance and adequate security as well as a level playing field to facilitate socio-economic development of the State.

Ayade: Cross River remains Nigeria’s safest state


Cross River State Governor governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has disclosed that his state remains the safest in Nigeria, with crime rate at 1.1 percent.
Ayade made the disclosure, Monday, during a courtesy call on him by the new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) zone 6, Musa Kimo, at his Conference Room, Governor's Office, Calabar.
The governor reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to synergizing with the Police Force in the Zone to keep the crime rate in the state at the barest minimum.
He noted that "the people of the state remain committed to peace and security as evident in the statistics which projects the state to represent 1.1 percent of total crime in Nigeria and the least in terms of crime in the country."
While lauding the effort of the command in tackling crime in the state, Ayade said: “Recently, our city and state has been bedeviled by miscreants, a few community clashes, intra and interstate crisis and I know you have always been there for us," adding that "I am proud of the new Commissioner of Police in our state who is also very quick and responsive to our challenges."
Describing the new AIG as a disciplined, committed and god-fearing officer, the governor prayed God to guide and protect him in his endeavour, stressing that "we will continue to synergize and support the police to have a better and more peaceful society."
Earlier, the new AIG had called on Governor Ayade and the people of Cross River to continue to partner with the police in a bid to ensure peace and tranquility in the state.
"It is my intention and that of my men to ensure that we actualise our potentials to succeed in protecting lives and property, but sadly we cannot succeed in doing that without the continued support of the governor, government and responsible people of Cross River," he intimated.
Kimo who is the 26th AIG in the zone said the visit was an opportunity to plead with the governor and the people of the state “to abide with us as we abide with you so that we can succeed in ensuring that crime is reduced to the barest minimum in Cross River."
The new AIG disclosed the existence of a potent crime prevention, detection and control strategy tagged, 'Puff Adder,' which he admitted, "is a brain child of the Inspector General of Police and has proven to be successful in most of the states of the federation."
Explaining that all commands under his watch have launched the operation which is an intelligence driven policy cum community engagement, Kimo maintained that "such potentialities can only be actualised with the understanding, cooperation and collaboration of the digital Chief security officer of the state who is Governor Ayade.”

GOVERNMENT OF CROSS RIVER STATE
NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Tel087) 235991
PMB 1056, CALABAR
Fax: (087) 2373331

June 3, 2019

PRESS RELEASE

All former commissioners, Special Advisers, Special Assistants and other former appointees of the Cross River State Government, including chairmen and members of commissions, boards, agencies, governing councils and Local Governments Security Council chairmen, who were issued official vehicles are hereby directed to return same to the office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor within 78 hours.
The affected persons are advised to promptly comply with the directive to avoid embarrassment by law enforcement agents.


Hon. Martins Orim
Chief of Staff to the Governor[center][/center]

ARCHIBONG GRATEFUL TO GOD, AYADE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE STATE

By Kingsley Agim

The out-gone Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong has expressed gratitude to God and Governor Ben Ayade for the grace and opportunity to serve her dear State.

Mrs. Archibong made this known in an emotional handing over ceremony, held on the 28th May, 2019, at the Ministry of Information and Orientation Headquarters, Calabar.

Presenting the Handing Over Notes to the Permanent Secretary, an emotive Mrs. Archibong's message read:

"Today, 28th May, 2019, is an epoch-making day in my life, as I conclude my service as the Commissioner for Information and Orientation.

"I want to say that I'm extremely grateful to God, who has seen me through these three and half years of my stay in this Ministry; the travels made with you; by sea, road, and air, even at odd hours; on convoys; and through it all, God has been very faithful.

"I thank my Governor, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade, for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity as a helmsman in the Ministry of Information and Orientation.

"When I was appointed, by the clairvoyance of the Governor, I was sent to the Ministry of Information and Orientation and every other Commissioner was sent to Ministries that they were well suited for.

"I thank His Excellency for assigning me to a Ministry where I could demonstrate my passion and absolute loyalty.

"I specially thank the Governor for admitting the temporary staff in the Ministry into the mainstream of the Civil Service.

And I am confident that our tireless efforts to regularise the appointment of the Artists in Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) shall also receive His Excellency's kind approval.

"And with your support (Management and Staff), I became a better information, media and communication manager. For all these, I want to say a big thank you.

"I thank the Permanent Secretary; he has been a giant during my tenure, a defender by size and virtue; a very supportive brother, friend and teacher.

"I want to thank my Directors in the Ministry, who showed immense capacity and fellowship, making the job lighter for me. I salute your humility, support and teachable dispositions throughout my stint here.

"To my immediate team, Okache, Ettah; you have been amazing, tireless, admitting corrections and excellent team spirit. My media crew members that have always been on their toes with me, I convey my sincere gratitude to all of the team. I also extend my warm appreciation to every staff of this Ministry.

"I want you to accord the same cooperation, cordiality, oneness of purpose to my successor; I want you to take the flag of the Ministry of Information and Orientation on to higher pedestals.

" The media outfits in the State, Print and Electronic media, Online journalists, the Unions and Chapters showed me amazing support. I am grateful.

There is yet so much to be done, especially in the Parastals that we supervise, where some persons mistake our supervisory role with the day to day management by their politically appointed heads.

Bidding farewell to the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aye Henshaw, remarked:

"It is never easy to say goodbye. But this is in the line of official duty. We know that this goodbye is temporary.

"Somehow, I think your work and output in this Ministry would speak for you. We have had a tremendous learning experience from the way you have conducted and managed this Ministry. You brought a lot of new vistas to information management and publicity for government.

"Indeed, I can say, without any fear of contradiction, that you are a hard working person; devoted, totally committed to her job. Your devotion to the task at hand was unquestionable. And that would be a takeaway for most of us. You will remain a permanent consultant to the Ministry. We will always come to you for guidance; and I assure you that the last three years would be remembered fondly by the Ministry's staff.

"As you go forth, we know that you are going to climb higher. We wish you Godspeed in all your future endeavour," he concluded.

Reappointment: Orim Expresses Gratitude to Ayade


Hon.Martin Orim, Chief of Staff  to the Cross River governor, Professor Ben Ayade has expressed gratitude to the governor for reappointing him, saying it was rare privilege to have been found worthy for reappointment. "I thank his Excellency for this great privilege to work with him again.I thank him for having implicit confidence in me and I do pledge to justify this honour. It's indeed both privilege and honour to be singled out for this job; to work for our workaholic governor and be part of his commendable vision for this state ", Hon.orim said

The Chief of Staff said  he regards his  reappointment as a call for rededication to duty; for a  greater and diligent service to Cross River state.

"This administration's aggressive industrialisation drive and its life- changing signature projects are geared towards changing the sordid economic narratives of Cross River.Cross Riverians has never had it so good, they are excited and grateful that a thinking and visionary governor is on the saddle. I am committed to His Excellency's vision.I am committed to his efforts to re-invent our state.I therefore, see this reappointment as a call for rededication to duty, for greater service and I wont disappoint", Orim said.

The Chief of Staff's reappointment was the first to be made by Governor Ayade following his inauguration for second term Wednesday, May 29.Orim was first appointed Chief of Staff in 2015, shortly after the inauguration of Professor Ayade for his first term.

Born 45 years ago at Alege community, Obudu local government area of Cross River state,the reappointed Chief of Staff is a graduate of Social Work from the University of Calabar.Before joining Ayade's cabinet, Hon.Orim had  held strategic political positions in Obudu local government, demonstrating uncanny propensity to excel in the assigned jobs

A philanthropist with burning passion to lift the poor, through his  Foundation, C.F.O Orim Foundation, the Chief of Staff last year donated various items to indigent indigens of Obudu.

Married to a delectable wife and children, watchers of Cross River politics describe him as a stabilizing factor in the Ayade government.

Full text of Governor Ayade's speech during his swearing in ceremony today.

Fellow Cross Riverians,
Four years ago, I stood before you dear brothers and sisters to make a solemn declaration of our determination to re-write Cross River's narrative in all spheres, but majorly on the economic outlook of the State.

In our Odyssey to lay a new and enduring foundation for growth, through the recalibration of the economic architecture of the State, we ploughed the earth punched above our weight and successfully hewed a pathway, culminating in a swift and bold altering of our abject narrative of yesterday.

While many questioned the audacity of our dreams and the scale of our ambitions because the system could not support such ruthless vision, we defied the odds by demonstrating clearly that when a man puts his soul above his problems, his body will naturally follow.

Four years down the line, with your unwavering support and tenacity of purpose on our part, we have succeeded in surmounting the road block to our vision of greater Cross River.

Fellow Cross Riverians, I am happy to report that our noble vision of an industrialized and economically independent Cross River, decoupled from over dependence on monthly federal allocation which we set out to achieve four years ago is irreversible. A new dawn is here.

Never in the history of governance in Nigeria has any state government within it's first four years delivered on Industrialization and signature projects that make the difference as we have done even in the face of limited resources.

Through the application of intellectual money, we have built over 13 world class industries and still counting. There is therefore the undeniable presence of at least one project in each of the 18local governments of the State.

Some of these includes: The Cross River State garment factory, which has so far employed over 3000 workers, the rice seedlings and seed multiplication centre, the Calabar pharmaceutical company (calapharm), Cross River toothpick factory at Yakurr currently producing at full capacity, cocoa processing plant in ikom, the vitaminzed rice mill in Ogoja, the British/Canadian International school in Obudu, the noodles manufacturing plant, currently at an advanced stage of completion, , Cross River Livestock/Poultry farm limited, Calachika processing plant being established to process 6000birds per hour all located along the president Goodluck Jonathan bypass here in Calabar.

There is also piles and pylon factory in Akamkpa, designed to fabricate piles and pylon for the construction of Bakassi deep seaport. The 20000 hectare Ayadd industrial Park which is already completed. We also have the Banana plantation at Odukpani.

Our administration has equally established organice fertilizer plant and bag production plant. There is also the 23 megawatt power plant at parliamentary extension in Calabar. The power plant is completed and ready to evacuate power but debilitating and unsettling bureaucratic bottleneck by federal agencies concerned have so far stalled it.

The power plant was built with the industries at the industrial park in mind, it is to service those industries. Let me therefore use this occasion to appeal once again to the Federal Government to prevail on the agencies concerned to immediately commence the process of evacuating power from the plant.

On road infrastructure, the 143kilometer dualization of mfom-yala-bekwarra-obudu-obanliku road is currently being asphalted, there is also the BokiEast/West Road, the Boje bridge connecting East and West Boki, the Ukelle-Wanikade road in Yala, the Bombur camp 2 road Akamkpa. Also currently being undertaken is the 15km Calabar-Odukpani dualisation.

On health, this administration conscious of the need to provide quality health care has made huge investment in the sector. Currently ongoing is the construction of three specialist hospitals each in southern,Central and Northern Senatorial districts of the State. This is in addition to other ground breaking policies and programs of our administration, which earned the state UNICEF's recognition as one of only four states with the highest child survival rate in Nigeria. On account of consistent investment in the health sector, there was also the Federal Government and world bank ranking of Cross River as one of the six best performing States in healthcare in the country.

While this gathering is not exactly one for performance assessment, may I quickly point out here that on Education my administration cannot be found to be abject on performance index. From our chequered position at number 27th and 30th in the National Examination council (NECO) and WAEC recorded growth in education respectively, Cross River has in four years of our administration occupied the enviable 2nd position twice and 11th in NECO and WAEC respectively.

The all-time importance our administration places on education has ensured the burning desire to train and retrain our teachers, the impacters of class room knowledge. To this end, the the administration is currently constructing in Biase, a world standard continuous teacher's training institute. The institute will improve competence of learning.

Fellow Cross Riverians, in all these your rock solid support was the elixir that powered our resolve and kept us irrevocably committed to the vision. It is therefore, with profound sense of appreciation and humility that I stand before you today, grateful for the abiding faith you have kept with me, mindful of your uncommon sense of patriotism to one of Nigeria's most enlightened states.

Great Cross Riverians, on March 9, you stood on your conviction and spoke so resoundingly, through your votes. It was indeed a watershed, a victory wrapped in the enigma of riddle. It is on these coattails therefore that I hold onto today, to proclaim the rekindling of hope, and the reassurance of our commitment and passion to ultimately berth our future.

Today, as we pen a new chapter of our next four years, we promise you an enthralling and exhilarating pages of the policy thrust of our administration which is avowed proclamation to etch Cross River on the map of the first world states and the leading light among the committee of industrialized states in Nigeria.

My dear Cross Riverians we are about to set sail on the last lap for our voyage to self actualization as a State. And as we do so, we beg you to volunteer with us to step out of ourselves to see beyond our immediate challenges and realize that we are indeed much blessed as a people.

I am eternally thankful to all of you for electing me and Professor Ivara Esu to lead the way on our consolidation journey.

May I on this note acknowledge the chairman of my re-election campaign organization, former Deputy Governor of Cross River State Barrister Efiok Cobham and his team for their sleepless nights and untiring effort at ensuring a robust and decent campaign that culminated in our historic landslide.

Let me also thank all members of our great party, the state chairman and his Exco members who endured harrowing nights and grueling hours, strategizing for the victory we celebrate here today, I am proud of you all.

My special thanks also go to the entire people of Cross River State, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other religious leaders, traders, women associations, teacher's, traditional rulers, youth groups, students and the support groups for the massive support you gave to my deputy and me that has occasioned this momentous ceremony today.

Cross Riverians and friends of Cross River, permit me at this juncture to acknowledge and most graciously thank my predecessors - Their Excellencies, Senator Liyel Imoke and Mr Donald Duke, for their part in the quest to bequeath a prosperous future to us all.

Finally I must not fail to thank that special woman, my best friend, the love of my life, the pillar of my family, Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade. Let it be known that I would not be standing here today without her steadfastness and support. And to the the rest of my family, I say thank you!!

As we focus on the bigger picture of delivering our signature projects of 275km Superhighway and the Bakassi deep seaport, we shall continue to sustain our foot on the pedal, by deploying creative ideas and technology to develop our human capital, anchored on quality education, skill acquisition and healthcare delivery for our people. We shall ramp up the momentum by expanding the means of production, Increasing access to capital and catalyzing our value chain in agriculture.


We count on your prayers and support to achieve this.
Long live Cross River State!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I thank you all!

Ayade: I'll be project manager in my second term


Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has declared that he would concentrate his efforts in overseeing the completion of his industrialization projects spread across the state in his second.
Ayade who was decked in casuals, which according to him, was a reflection of his desire to spend more time outside the office inspecting projects, made the declaration at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar during his swearing in ceremony.
He said his new role going forward will be to personally oversee the completion of projects while his Deputy would function as acting governor.
The governor disclosed that in addition to completing ongoing projects including his signature projects, the Bakassi deep seaport and 276 kilometers superhighway, he will also site new industries in the few local government areas without industries.
According to Governor Ayade, "I will ensure that Cross River will become an industrialized state under my watch in spite of the ceding of oil wells, which was illegal. Cross River will grow into a self actualization State in my second term."
Continuing, Ayade said: "I will make sure that my entire signature projects and others will be completed, so that Cross River becomes fully industrialised as every local government will have at least one industry.
“Be committed and remain steadfast as Cross River will be an industrialised state under my watch. In my second tenure, I will no longer be the governor, my deputy will be the acting governor while I will become the project manager of Cross River state as I will relocate to Ikom LGA."
Emphasising the thrust of his second term, Governor offered: “My second term will be defined by the policy of food on the table, hands on the plight. As I have always insisted, no amount of investment in infrastructure will be equivalent to taking care of the well being of the people like paying salaries and employing them. We must understand that anytime our problems can only be solved by money, then our intellect has failed us,” Ayade stated.
The governor who described the ceding of Bakassi as illegal and the 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom as hurting said Cross River has been abused and reduced in body and soul.
He called on President Mohamamadu Buhari to help the people of the state, adding that all Cross Riverians should get ready because the Federal government must tell the state what it (Cross River state ) has done wrong.
He said: “The ceding of Bakassi and our oil well is unacceptable where a country took our oil wells and gave to a state that has more. Cross River feels highly hurt, we have been abused and reduced in body and soul but we are on a voyage of self actualisation as a state,” he said.

Ayade dissolves cabinet, directs them to handover to permanent secretaries

Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, Tuesday, at the valedictory session held at the state executive chambers of Governor's office, Calabar, dissolved the 2015 to 2019 state executive council.
Ayade also announced that "this dissolution extends to include all appointees of government, boards, whether temporary or statutory boards," adding that, "all routine contracts like waste management also have fallen due, we therefore do not have a sitting cabinet."
Revealing how emotionally difficult it waa for him to dissolve his cabinet, the governor said the decision was however, a requirement of law.
"What I am doing is based on law as I would have loved not to do this but my authority ends by 12 midnight and everyone knows that I don't have powers to extend."
Describing the now dissolved cabinet members as a great team that helped him deliver on his promises to the people of the state, he assured that some of them will be reappointed into government.
"Some commissioners will come back but not in the same ministry,” he stated.
He directed members of the dissolved state executive council to hand over to their permanent secretaries as "the head of your ministry is the permanent secretary."
On the composition of his next cabinet, he said: “I will downsize the cabinet, radicalise government and also introduce a Commissioner for Defence as well as that of Foreign Affairs."

Hopefully this will give other girls with fake lifestyle some brain.

Joseph Lashakara Edet set to re-hoist the biggest flag in Africa in commemoration of the event of His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade's inauguration on May 29th.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Cross River State Mr. Joseph Edet has revealed his intentions of rehoisting the "biggest flag in Africa" which is the Cross River State brand and identity located at the 11-11, Millennium Park in Calabar to commemorate the event of His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State's inauguration for a second term on office.


Recall that in December, the Governor had replaced this National Symbol and Pride of CrossRiver as a show of his commitment to Unifying our gains as a State.

The GARMENT FACTORY played host to the creation of the Flag and would be for future productions.
The task was executed in 5 hours showing the ability of the Factory to deliver promptly due to its large work force which has helped curb unemployment.
In December, questions where raised if it wasn't possible to produce it at the Factory.

Significantly, the Biggest Flag in Africa and Second Biggest in the World, it is a reminder that the past leaders as well as this present Administration are poised to Projects Completion and fulfilling the promises each Administration makes in its time.

The Industrial Revolution Vision which is laudable appears to have the most attractions and reactions across the 18 Local Government Areas; the 18 smaller flags arranged by the sides serve as a pointer to the Vision of a Unified Cross River State".

"Ahead of the second Term, the AYADE Led administration we will embark on alot of Enterprise Development activities that would foster a high boost in THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS for MSME's across the State.
One of such will be 'THE MARKET SQUARE' (...a CrossRiver Tradefair!) that will attract approximately 1000 businesses marketing thier products and services and alot of Economic Stakeholders.
Our target is to boost patronage in The Local Economy made up of Enterprises" - he added.

I’ll work harder in my second term- Ayade

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has pledged to work harder in his second term in office in his bid to ensure the total transformation of the socio-economic landscape of the state.
Speaking at the preinaugural thanksgiving service held at St. Charles’s Lwanga Catholic Church in Calabar, Ayade who was full of praise to God for a successful end of first tenure reiterated his commitment to banish poverty in the state.
In his words, “I committed myself by expanding government to ensure that at least a member of each family was represented in my government to earn salary. I kept faith in spite of daunting challenges. It was not by my might nor my power but God saw me through, which is why we have come to return all glory to God almighty. We are also here to thank the Almighty because in anticipation that He will see me through in the next four years.”
While pledging his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people, he assured that his “commitment to the people of Cross River will be stronger as we begin the second journey of transforming the state from a third-class world to the first class through aggressive industrialization drive.”
He acknowledged the dedication, understanding and commitment of his wife in the last four years, saying “she has been the source of my strength as her prayers have kept me going. The inspiration that I have to put food on the table was driven by the circumstances of her own history.”
According to the governor, “Today we have come together as a state to thank God for his unending love and show of love in spite of our short comings in the last four years.”
On his election victory, Ayade said, “Never in the history of Cross River State has a governor won every single polling unit in an election. For the first time we had a fantastic result. It was not by our power but by the power of God that we recorded such a landslide victory and I must once again thank the good people of Cross River State for the show of love and confidence in my capacity to transform the state.”
According to him, “The whole world knows that I took over the mantle of leadership at a very trying moment given the economic recession, political tension and deep paralysis, yet we enjoyed absolute peace, ecclesiastic calmness and tranquility that allowed me to focus on my commitment that no child should go to bed with an empty stomach through the expansion of government.”
On petitions against his re-election , the governor called on his opponents to toe the path of politicians in Enugu State who withdrew their cases against the governor because they all belonged to the same Christian faith.
“The main contending parties in the tribunal are Catholics and I believe that the leadership of the Catholic Church in Cross River State has a duty to call us to a round table to settle the case.
“For me as a Catholic, I have extended my hand of fellowship and will never bear any grudges against anyone for what ever reason arising from the election or any other matter.”
In his homily, Rev. Father Bob Etta who spoke on the theme, “Peace" drawing his text from the book of Acts 15 and Revelation 21, emphasized the need for political actors to follow the path of peace.
He commended the governor for his developmental strides as well prompt payment of salaries despite the state getting about the least allocation from the federation account.
The service which was attended by the state Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Edem, Peaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. John gall Lebo, Nattional Asembly Members and the enlarged members of the state executive council saw the governor’s wife Mrs. Linda Ayade reading the first lesson while wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Omotala Ivara Esu took the second bible reading.

NIMET writes Ayade over Obudu Airport project, pledges total support

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has pledged its total support and commitment to the Obudu International Airport project of the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration in Cross River State.
NIMET in a letter dated May 14th, 2019 and signed by its Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi, expressed its delight that the governor secured approval for the construction of the airport from the Ministry of Aviation.
According to a statement issued in Calabar by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Ita, NIMET in the said letter, also disclosed that it was part of the technical team that chose the location for the sitting of the airport.
Part of the NIMET letter quoted by Ita read thus: “Your Excellency sir, I am pleased to congratulate you for securing approval for the construction of an international airport in one of the nation’s heart beat (Obudu) in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act and compliance with ICAO standard and recommended practices in the establishment of an airport.
“The technical team from the Ministry of Aviation (which NIMET was part of), visited and inspected three sites and found site one more suitable as it met standard and recommended practices to sitting an airport.
“Your Excellency, I wish to reiterate our unalloyed and total support and commitment to the success of this proposed project regarding the provision of meteorological services. Our agency will continue to support the efforts of the Cross River State Government under your able leadership in monitoring standards and recommended practices as required.”

The Cross River State government has called on investors to take advantage of the ease of doing a business policy of the state by investing in numerous projects in infrastructure, agriculture and agro-allied industries

Governor Ben Ayade made the call in Calabar during the opening session of the 2019 investment summit organised by the state in collaboration with some embassies of countries in Asia.

Ayade who was represented by the Secretary to the state government said the 275-kilometre superhighway, the Bakassi Deep Seaport and other investment opportunities with free lands and tax rebate are up for grabs to make Cross River an investment destination.


Participants at the two-day investment summit commended the organisers for making the state an investment destination for both private and public entrepreneurs.

The summit is aimed at providing a platform for multilateral and bilateral development partners, private sector and business leaders across the world to discuss a wide range of business and developmental issues in Cross River State will help to open up the state economy.