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Tag: Ayade

  • Ex-Cross River governor Ayade loses sister

    Ex-Cross River governor Ayade loses sister

    Former Cross River State Governor Prof. Ben Ayade has confirmed the death of his sister, Mrs. Ateb Janet Oniga.

    A notification of death signed by the former governor, on behalf of the Ayade family of Kakum in Obudu Local Government, said: “With deep sense of sorrow, I announce the passing unto glory of Mrs. Ateb Janet Oniga (nee Ayade), aged 54.

    She died on November 24, 2023 after a brief illness. Until her transition, Janet was a God-fearing woman, a devout Christian, a loving mother to her children, and a caring sister to her siblings.

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    “She was exceptionally kind, vivacious and engaging. The family and all those who knew her will sorely miss her.

    “While the family accepts this irreparable loss as the will of God, it requests prayers as it grapples with the loss.

    “Burial arrangements will be communicated by her family.”

  • Ayade gets kudos on peace moves

    Abuja lawyer and arbitrator Dr Dorncklaimz Enamhe has praised Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade for pursuing peace in Bakassi Local Government Area and  initiating amnesty for ex-militants.

    He enjoined the Federal Government to assist the state by integrating the ex-Bakassi Strike Force members into the Federal amnesty programme, as solicited by the governor.

    “Let me also call on the Federal Government to come to the aid of Cross River State, which had called earlier through our governor, Prof Ayade to reopen and pay compensation to the state.

    “It would be recalled that 76 oil wells were taken away from the state and the needed compensation also denied the state.

    “We thank God that Governor Ayade is in the forefront of the fight and we call on all lovers of peace and haters of injustice to join him so that we can reclaim our oil wells and fortunes,” Enamhe said.

    The lawyer also praised the governor for restoring public water supply to homes in Calabar, the state capital.

    Enamhe, a former Senior Special Assistant to Ayade, said the governor acknowledged the challenges in the state’s water board and tackled them through a committed and dedicated management team.

    “The governor promised that in the second week of July 2019, the supply of public water to homes in Calabar from the state water board would  return, that has happened as promised on July 8.

    “I would like to commend Governor Ben Ayade for keeping his word on the return of public water back to the taps of Calabar,” Enamhe, fondly called DC, said.

    He commended the water board management team and urged them to sustain the result.

  • Ayade to ensure corps members’ welfare

    Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has expressed the commitment of his administration to the welfare of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to the state.

    The governor said the state government owes members of the NYSC the primary responsibility of providing an enabling environment to ensure the success of the scheme.

    Ayade, who spoke during a visit to the 2019 Batch ‘B’, Stream 1 Corps Members deployed to the state at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Obubra, said the 46-year-old scheme has been a tool in nation-building and integration.

    The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Maryjane Ebri, said: “Since the inception of the NYSC scheme about 46 years ago, Cross River State has enjoyed a healthy collaboration with Corps members whose performances have left indelible marks in all the 18 local government areas.

    “The people and government of Cross River State greatly appreciate all the sacrifices and efforts put in place by our Corps members to take our state to higher grounds.

    “We will, therefore, continue to support the scheme to deliver its optimal performance in the areas of primary health care; education, infrastructure and agriculture which I am aware are the basic areas corps members function during their period of primary assignment.”

    Ayade, who promised that people of Cross River State would treat members of the NYSC with respect and dignity, also advised them not to neglect the area of skills acquisition, which will curb unemployment in the country.

    State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr. Eddy Megwa, who expressed gratitude to the governor, said his presence was a sign of the state government’s acknowledgement of the laudable contributions of the NYSC.

    He revealed that a total of 2,000 corps members comprising 1,200 males and 800 females were duly registered at close of registration and are getting along with the regimented camp life.

    He pleaded with the governments to intervene in the renovation and upgrade of camp facilities.

    Megwa advised the corps members to dedicate themselves to the national clarion call to speak and represent what Nigeria stands for.

    He appreciated the camp officials, host community and collaborating agencies for their efforts in making the orientation camp favourable for corps members.

  • Ayade seeks prayer for Nigeria

    Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has enjoined Muslims to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, sacrifice and love for one another as they join their counterparts the world over to commence Ramadan.

    Ayade said: “This is the period the Muslim Ummah will develop and strengthen their powers of self-control to resist wrongful desires and bad habits, and therefore guard against evil.

    “In fasting, by refraining from the natural human urges to satisfy one’s appetite, Muslims are exercising their ability of self-restraint, so that they can then apply it to their everyday life to bring about self-improvement.

    “I urge the Muslims to remember that Ramadan is a month of attaining nearness and closeness to Allah to seek for forgiveness and develop Taqwa.

    “As Muslims all over the world   bear the rigours of fasting purely for the sake of following a divine commandment, knowing and feeling that He can see all our actions however secret, I urge you to   intensify in the consciousness of God in your hearts, resulting in a higher spiritual experience. I have no doubt that this period will be used to pray for peace and love, Unity and togetherness as well as a secured Nigeria”.

    The Governor reminded Muslims, particularly in Cross River to use the occasion to freely give, show care and compassion to their neighbours for expected bounty reward in the blessed Month.

  • ‘Ayade should implement 100 per cent salary structure’

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has begged the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, to approve and implement the 100 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors in the state in line with other Southsouth states.

    The association made the appeal in a communiqué released at the end of the Zonal Executive Council Meeting in Delta State.

    The communiqué, signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Dr Agam Ayuk and Dr Ezoke Epoke, both of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, said approving the salary structure will help to retain skilled workforce in the state service.

    They emphasised the urgent need for proper budgetary funding and release to the health sector, at least 15 per cent of total budget in accordance with the declaration of 2001 by African Head of States and upgrade of health facilities in all federal and state hospitals.

    The communiqué reads: “NMA also advocates for judicious use of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund towards providing quality and affordable healthcare services to Nigerians.

    “NMA appeals to the Federal and State Governments, in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals, to show commitment in achieving Universal Health Coverage for Nigerians by 2030. The Zone implores doctors at all levels, especially those in leadership positions, to be conversant with the Strategic Health Development Plan II and to actively play their part to see to its successful implementation.”

    On the migration of doctors to other countries, the zone implored the Federal Government to address the issue by improving health infrastructure, working conditions, remuneration and ensuring structured placement for doctors of all cadres.

    The zone also advocated for stringent legislation at various states to curb quackery, even as he called on all NMA Southsouth states to sponsor medical anti-quackery bills at the Houses of Assembly.

  • Breaking: Owan-Enoh, Usani granted substituted service on Ayade

    The Cross River State Governorship Tribunal sitting in Calabar on Wednesday granted Senator John Owan-Enoh and Pastor Usani Usani separate orders for substituted service on Governor Ben Ayade, who won the Cross River State gubernatorial election on March 9 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

    Owan Enoh, a serving senator representing the central district of the state and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani, had been in a tough battle over who is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    Both had filed separate petitions, challenging Ayade, the incumbent governor, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the outcome of the election.

    Owan-Enoh in a suit with number EPT/CAL/GOV/01/2019 had dragged Ayade and INEC, first and second respondents respectively, to court. Also Usani in another case with number EPT/CAL/02/2019 had also dragged INEC, Ayade and the PDP as first second and third respondents respectively

    In court on Wednesday Counsel to Owan-Enoh, M. O. Inyang, who held brief for Awa Kalu, in a motion exparte application for hearing, sought an order seeking substituted service on the first respondent (Ayade).

    In a motion exparte dated April 8, 2019 and filed on April 9, Inyang said there are four grounds for the application, but the paramount was the fact that the bailiff of the court had made fervent efforts to service Ayade personally to no avail.

    Read Also: Ayade, Lalong, Masari, others get INEC’s certificates of return

    The application was supported by a three-paragraph affidavit, an exhibit, which was the affidavit of non-service, as well as a written address in support of the application.

    Chairman of the three-man governorship panel, Justice Josiah Majebi, said the application had merit and granted that Ayade can be served by pasting the notice of service on the wall of the PDP State secretariat along Murtala Mohammed Highway.

    In the second matter filed by Usani, his lawyer, Henrie Ituen, also in a motion exparte dated and filed on April 9, 2019 sought an order to serve the second respondent, Ayade, though substituted means by pasting it at the governor’s office in Diamond Hill.

    Attached to it also was an eight-paragraph affidavit, exhibit (affidavit of non service and a written application.

    This was also granted.

  •  CNPP lauds Ayade over victory at polls

    The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Cross River State has congratulated the governor, Ben Ayade, on his re-election. Its chairman, Sunday Michael, said they decided to support the governor because “the governorship election was relatively free, fair and credible.”

    He said they have up to 25 political parties including their chairmen and some governorship aspirants, who have agreed, that now that the elections are over, the state should be allowed to move forward in the interest of the people, and also for the governor to settle and continue in his industrial development plan.

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    ”Elections have come and gone and our general assessment of the poll shows that the election was relatively free, fair and credible. It is on this premise that, we, the governorship candidates and chairmen of political parties, say a big congratulation to Senator Ben Ayade, Governor-Elect.

    ”We urge the governor to see this victory as the validation of the trust the majority of the people had in him to continue in his industrialization drive, job creation, youth empowerment and see to the realization of his flagship projects,” he said.

  • Atiku wins Ayade’s local government

    Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has won Obudu, the home local government area of Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade.

    Atiku scored 30, 562 to beat Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, who came second with 4, 794.

    The Collation Officer, Dr Tony Eyang, while declaring the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) secretariat in Calabar, said the exercise was peaceful in the area.

    Eyang, a lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies, in the University of Calabar, said the area has a voting strength of 131, 470 but 38, 738 were accredited to vote.

    Read Also: Atiku maintains lead in 18 Adamawa LGAs

    Atiku is leading so far in the state by a wide margin after the announcement of nine out of 18 local government areas in the state.

    Also, the elections for Etung local area were cancelled due to violence. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Frankland Briyai, was silent on whether there would be a new date for the elections.

    Also, there were no elections in four out of 10 wards of Bakassi local government area due to problems with assessing the areas by sea. INEC was also silent about what would be done about this.

  • Ayade promises adequate security

    The Cross River State government has said adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure no life or property is lost in Saturday’s elections.

    Governor Ben Ayade, who addressed Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) on their duties regarding the elections, said everything is in place to prevent violence during elections.

    Ayade, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in charge of security, Dr Alfred Mboto, urged the officers not to compromise in their duties on the road.

    He said: “There is adequate preparation to prevent violence in the elections. We are in top gear; we are on top of the matter. That is why I have come to sensitise stakeholders in the transport sector so that if the sector becomes effective, we can nip electoral violence in the bud.

    Read also: Our deferred poll story, by adhoc workers

    “From the state architecture of security, everything is in place. There would be no loss of life and property in Cross River. This administration does not want any person to die. It wants all to be happy and safe.”

    The Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Bepeh Paul, said they were fully prepared for their duty in the elections.

    Bepeh called on their officers across the country to carry out their duties diligently to ensure a safe, free and hitch-free election.

  • Polls: No life, property would be lost in C/River, Ayade assures

    The Cross River State Government has assured that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure no life or property is lost in the upcoming general elections in the state.

    Governor Ben Ayade, who briefed Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) in the state on their duties regarding the elections in Calabar, said everything is in place to ensure there is no violence in any part of the state during elections.

    Ayade, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in charge of security in the state, Dr Alfred Mboto, said he was very particular about ensuring that all lives and property are protected.

    Read Also: ‘Cross River generates N3.5m monthly’

    He urged the officers not to compromise in their duties on the road, as this would undermine the efforts the state is making towards security.

    “There is adequate preparation to ensuring that the state does not witness any form of violence. We are in top gear. We are on top of the matter. That is why from the area of transportation, I have come to awaken them to seeing that those who even try to disrupt elections, use vehicles to go to where they want. So if this sector becomes very effective, we can nip the problem in the bud. We can prevent them. From the state architecture of security, everything is in place. There would be no loss of life and property in Cross River. This administration does not want any person to die. It wants all to be happy and safe,” he said.

    The Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer in the state, Engr Bepeh Paul, said they were fully prepared for their duty in the upcoming elections.

    Bepeh, who is also the National Chairman of the Council of Vehicle Inspection Officers Forum, called on their officers across the country to carry out their duties diligently to ensure a safe, free and hitch-free election is achieved.