The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ayade

  • Ayade relocates anti-crime security outfit to Calabar South

    IN his quest to checkmate cult-related activities in Calabar metropolis, Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade at the weekend relocated the state’s anti-crime security outfit, popularly called “Operation Skolombo” to Calabar South Local Government Area.

    Justifying the need for the action, Governor Ayade who addressed security operatives at Anantigha, headquarters of Calabar South, said the relocation was done in good faith.

    Accompanied by the Brigade Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Brig Gen. Bulama Biu, the State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji, among others, the governor added: “As you are all aware, statistics has shown clearly that indeed Calabar South is a key area of our focus, hence you are supposed to be were the hottest spot is, so that you can respond swiftly.”

    Governor Ayade promised the release of additional operational vehicles to enable the outfit respond swiftly to the security challenges in the state, considering the demography of the area.

    Continuing, Ayade assured that “because Calabar South has a lot of entrants into the waterways, it is a difficult terrain to deal with, we are also bringing in some boats from the Nigerian Navy to station at all points from where you can have access to the waterways.”

    He charged the troops not to compromise their roles in the area but remain strong and steadfast in the discharge of their duties as “anything that interferes with the peace and security of the state is interfering with its entire existence.”

    Decked in a camouflage, the governor explained: “I choose to come in this regalia so that all the bad boys will know that even the governor is combat ready. I am not impersonating a military officer, I am the Chief Security Officer of the state. It is therefore my responsibility to show fellowship and support with you.”

  • Revenue allocation: Ayade cries out over injustice to Cross River

    Revenue allocation: Ayade cries out over injustice to Cross River

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade yesterday decried what he described as injustice meted on the state by the Federal Government in terms of revenue allocation.

    Ayade spoke when he received the Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed, who led members of the commission to his office in Calabar.

    He said the loss of 76 oil wells by the state was a direct consequence of the ceding of Bakassi by the Federal Government and that rather than find a permanent solution to the fiscal challenges that arose from that action, the Federal Government inflicted incalculable pain on the people.

    Ayade said: “You took our land, took our oil wells, took us out of 13 per cent derivation fund and reduced us to a weeping child in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The pain is incalculable. We are a captured people by the Federal Government. We have no say because it does not matter. We practise ethnocracy and so it does not matter how the people of Bakassi and Cross River as a whole are in pains.

    “Today we have NDDC, whose projects are based on percentage of oil production. So, look at what we have lost from the perspective of NDDC which keeps us as a crying child who is just in NDDC by geography not by production as the sharing formula here is by quantum of oil production coupled with the fact that today also , we no longer benefit from the 13 percent derivation.”

    “If not for President Buhari, I am sure that even the superhighway and Bakassi Deep Seaport (being developed by the state) would have been killed by now. But how can a people feel like captives in a place they call their own?”

    Wondering what indices are used by the Federal Government in deciding allocations for the state, he said: ” If I have to link two villages in Cross River State, the minimum kilometers you are going to do is 5 to 6kilometers because that state’s landmass is 21,000 sqkm while you are dealing with sister states in the Niger Delta with 3,000 sqkm. You need to put six states together to give you our land mass.”

    He urged the commission to use the opportunity of the visit, which is a fact-finding one, to write a report that would right the wrongs done to the state.

  • Ayade swears-in acting chief judge

    Ayade swears-in acting chief judge

    •Urges him on reforms

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade yesterday swore-in the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Michael Edem.
    This followed the death of Justice Okoi Ikpi Itam.
    Swearing in the acting chief judge, whose appointment is in line with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution, the governor said: “We are witnessing the ascension into power of a man with energy, great understanding of literature and poetry of life; an impartial judge.”
    According to him, the acting chief judge is “a man who by his looks alone inspires confidence that Cross River State is already getting set for growth.”
    Ayade urged Justice Edem “to bring the needed reforms to the judiciary, as well as ensure closer relationship between the executive and judiciary while setting a new standard for a higher elevation.”
    The governor, who described the acting chief judge as ‘Power Mike’, who is “filled with strength and stamina”, noted: “I am confident that you will trash
    out outstanding cases that have been pending for too long.”
    He enjoined Justice Edem to be guided by his declaration and oath of office, which states that he will not allow his personal interest to influence his official decision or actions that will not be in the interest of the common man.”
    Ayade added that “this is the time that Cross River will roll out its drums to celebrate a new man who comes with character and energy.”
    He said during his tenure, the indigenes would experience peace, love and tranquility, adding that Justice Edem’s great intellect will direct and take Cross River to a greater height as the No.4 citizen.
    The acting chief judge said: “I will not disappoint people. I am undaunted because I think with due respect to modesty, I can always do it and do it well.”

  • Corps member gets Ayade’s N1m pledge

    Oluwatobi Oke, the Corps member, who made a painting of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade last December, has got the N1 million the governor promised him.

    Obaji Abung-Akpet, the Creative Director of Cross River Studios, the firm that managed the Corps member for the event, made this known to him.

    The 27-year-old Corps member, who promotes his art through the brand name, 9jARTitude, is serving at the Ebonyi State Government House.

    He  described the governor as “one with sterling credential in youth development”. The governor, he said supports youth innovation without being bothered with where the beneficiary comes from.

    Asked what he would do with the cash, he said the money would help him achieve his dream of having an art studio to build the capacity of young people who are interested in arts.

    Oluwatobi, an indigene of Ilisan-Remo in Ogun State, started his artworks at six. The Economics graduate of Lead City University, honed the skill with his performance of speed paintings of prominent personalities at events.

    The Corps member endeared himself to Ayade when he showed up, at the governor’s Evening Ball event held at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC) in Calabar, where he did a four-minute surprise painting of the governor.

  • Cross River elders, Ita-Giwa hail Ayade on award

    Cross River elders, Ita-Giwa hail Ayade on award

    THE Cross River State Elders Forum and some prominent indigenes of the state, including Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, have reacted with excitement to the nomination of the state governor, Ben Ayade, as Governor of the Year by Vanguard Newspaper.

    They said the governor was most deserving of the award, which will be conferred on him on Saturday.

    Chairman of the elders’ forum, Col. Pam Ogar (rtd), said the award was a fitting recognition of the hard work and unsurpassable achievements recorded by the governor.

    According to him, “The governor’s achievements in the last 22 months as governor of Cross River State are unmatched.

    “Receiving a governor of the year award from a reputable newspaper like Vanguard has again shown that what he is doing in this part of the country is being seen and appreciated by all.”

    Urging the governor to see the award as an impetus to do much more to advance the lot of the people, he offered prayers for the governor.

    “As the umbrella of  body elders from Cross River, we can only pray for the governor and urge him to do more for the people of the State.

    “We wish him greater achievement for the state and greater opportunity for the people of Cross River. Our prayer is for him to continue to make the dream of the founding fathers of the state come true while praying for his good health.We will continue to support him.”

    On her part, Ita-Giwa views the award as “a clear indication of the governor’s faithfulness and commitment to better the lot of Cross Riverians. Ayade has shown he is ready to make the state a better place. So, l am not surprised with the award and recognition for all his achievements.

    She said the state under Ayade’s watch “is fast becoming an industrial hub, our people have enjoyed massive employment from the governor in his demonstration to ensure all Cross Riverians have opportunity to feed themselves. This award is obviously an award for all Cross Riverians.”

  • Communities hail Ayade for providing transformers

    Communities hail Ayade for providing transformers

    Residents of communities in Obudu Local Government of Cross River State have hailed Governor Ben Ayade for providing them with seven 300KVA transformers to improve power supply.

    NAN reports the benefiting communities are Okutia, Ukpe, Betia, Ohon, Bebwagbon, Ikwumukera and Pan New Layout.

    Dr. Peter Ogban, a leader in Okutia, told NAN yesterday the governor fulfilled one of his campaign promises to the community.

    He said the transformers would improve power supply and boost economy.

    “We have been living in darkness for a long time. This transformer is like a new born baby to us and we will protect it.

    “I praise our governor for fulfilling his promise to improve electricity supply in this community,” Ogban said.

    A traditional head in Betia, Mr. Ashipu Adie, said electricity was essential for community development.

    He thanked the government for choosing the community as one of the beneficiaries of the gesture.

    Mr. Solomon Ubi, the youth leader of Ohon, said constant power supply would encourage youths to engage in meaningful ventures to generate income.

    “Electricity is crucial to the development of any society.

    “I assure you that when this transformer is connected to the grid, our young men and women will engage in profitable ventures,” he said.

  • Ayade promises Corps member N1m for drawing him

    Twenty-seven year-old Corps member, Oluwatobi Kehinde Oke, popularly known as Tobi Oke, is drawing his way to fame in Ebonyi State, where he is serving at the Government House in Abakaliki.

    The Economics graduate has become popular for his artistic talent of performing four-minute surprise speed paintings of prominent Nigerians.

    The Corps member’s talent paid off during the governor’s ball organised in honour of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC).

    Ayade, his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, represented by his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, and other dignitaries were awed when Oke did a live upside down speed painting of Ayade in four minutes.

    Elated by Oke’s performance, Ayade made a public declaration to buy the painting for N1 million.

    Ironically, Oke, a Lead City University, Ibadan graduate, has no formal education in art.

    He said his mother encouraged him to hone his artistic skills from the age of six in 1996.   Since then, Oke said he has developed such unique specialties as live speed painting, which is a painting, usually of a prominent figure done within two minutes or more, which he prefers to do upside down as his own unique selling point.

    Oke said he has had the opportunity to perform in several popular events including Law Digest Africa Awards 2015 -where he painted popular music icon, Bob Marley; Outstanding Young Achievers Awards 2016 -painting Fela Kuti; at Chocolate City founder, Audu Maikori’s birthday 2016 -painting Audu Maikori; Home Advantage Africa Evolve 2016 -painting Jesus Christ; Jam City Festival, 2015 -painting Nelson Mandela; Palm Experience, Ibadan -Bob Marley; among others.

  • Ayade finalises Bakassi Deep Seaport construction

    Ayade finalises Bakassi Deep Seaport construction

    Work is due to resume at the Bakassi Deep Seaport following weekend’s meeting between Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade and some Chinese investors in Changsha and Hanan in Hunan Province.

    Ayade is in China with some of his commissioners and advisers, a trip he made a few hours after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on the project.

    After the meetings, Ayade said construction work on the seaport, billed to be the deepest in the country, would soon commence. The 260km superhighway also to be constructed will serve as the evacuation corridor for the seaport.

    The Federal Government had approved the proposal by the Cross River State government to procure a transaction adviser for the project, following the setting up of an advisory and implementation committee by the Federal Ministry of Transport.

    The deep seaport will boost the export of produce, such as rice and banana as well as solid minerals but it will not compete with the existing Calabar Port but will accommodate mother vessels, especially from the Far East.

    “Even in the face of several challenges and the fear that this project was impossible, the president has kept giving me proper encouragement and I am happy to acknowledge that,” Ayade had said while receiving top officials of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

  • Ayade approves N1.04b for SUBEB

    Ayade approves N1.04b for SUBEB

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has approved  N1.04billion as counterpart fund to enable the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) access the 2016 Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grant.

    Speaking with reporters in Calabar, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr Stephen Odey, said this  would provide more funds for SUBEB to embark on its projects across the state.

    He noted that the Board was determined to ensure qualitative, uninterrupted and competitive basic education in the state.

    Odey said the Board had released 237 award letters for the 2012-2015 Universal Basic Education (UBE) intervention projects.

    He said: “With the release of these 237 letters, there will be massive infrastructural development in our basic education sector, the first of its kind in Cross River State.”

    In addition to the letters, Odey said the Board had released an award letter for the Canadian International Model School to be cited in Obudu Local Government Area.

    Odey said the award letters were released after undergoing due process, with approvals received from UBEC and Ayade based on an action plan earlier submitted and approved.

    He promised that the projects would commence after proper documentation, signing of agreement and a 15 per cent mobilisation to contractors. He assured that the projects would be carried out to specification.

    Odey also said the Board procured 85,000 textbooks of various subjects; 778 magnetic boards and ghost dusters to phase out the old chalk and black boards method; 51,000 plastic tables and chairs; 682 customised pieces of state-of-the-art table tennis, bats and balls (outdoor) sporting equipment purchased overseas to encourage sporting activities in schools, and the purchase of four brand new hilux vehicles, a jeep; as well as video and still cameras to aid monitoring and supervision of projects.

    He assured that the Board would continue to make its activities transparent.

    Also, no fewer than 235 primary schools in the state have been earmarked for rehabilitation at N3.6billion.

    The rehabilitation will be carried out by UBEC and the state government.

    Sokoto State Universal Education Board(SUBEB) Executive Secretary, Alhaji Faruk Shehu, made known at a briefing in Sokoto.

    He said: “Of the amount, N 1.6 billion was jointly contributed by the commission and the state government on a 50 per cent basis each.

    “This N1.6 billion was for the UBEC and the state government joint venture 2015 intervention projects.

    “Some of the projects had been completed, while others are at various stages of completion.’’

    Shehu further explained that the remaining N2 billion is for the joint venture projects for last year.

    He said the government had since released its N1 billion counterpart fund, while that of the commission was being awaited

    He said the government was constructing a block of three classrooms each in 21 primary schools across  for between N 10.3million and N 10.4 million each.

    “Some of them had been competed, while others are at various stages of completion, she said.

    He continued: “The state government is also rehabilitating three primary schools, one in each of the three senatorial zones under what it termed Whole school approach.

    “In this direction, N105 million was earmarked for the primary schools in Tambuwal, Gada and Sokoto north local governments.’

    ‘’Similarly, the government has earmarked N 100 million for the take off of the pilot home grown school feeding programme in primary schools across the state.

    ‘’The pupils of the selected schools will be given breakfast on school days and the gesture is aimed at shoring up enrolment, retention and completion.’’

  • Buhari, Ayade meet at Aso Rock

    Buhari, Ayade meet at Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
    Ayade arrived the Villa by 1 p.m, holding a file as he moved to the President’s office.
    Few minutes later, he was out and was driven in a black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to the President’s home.
    It was gathered that Ayade was at the Villa to discuss the deep seaport project his administration was putting up.
    The proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport and the 260 kilometre superhighway are estimated to cost about N700 billion.
    The deep seaport is expected to boost export of farm produce, such as rice and banana, as well as solid minerals.