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Tag: Ben Ayade

  • Ben Ayade lying low

    Ben Ayade lying low

    Former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Professor Benedict Benguioshuye Ayade, is one of the brightest brains in the country.

    He has shown it as he excelled in the academics sector, rising to his peak as a professor, with a distinct career before venturing into the murky waters of politics. His first foray was a senator of Cross Rivers North before he was elected governor, serving two-term.

    As governor, he was controversial, especially for the christening of his budgets. If a soothsayer had told him that politics and its intricacies were not for the lily-livered and at some point it would soil one’s good name and possibly dent the image and perception, maybe Ayade would have remained in the academics and not ventured into politics.

    Little did he know that joining politics would reveal his weaknesses and make him vulnerable to the point that after his eight-year as governor; he is allegedly no longer as popular to as he used to be to his people.

    The once-revered leader and senator of the state did not fare in the last election. has recently fallen off in the sight of his people.

    Read Also: Let’s garland Ben Ayade, by Femi Adesina

    To show their displeasure, they massively voted him out when he wanted to contest to move back to the Senate which is a clear indication that he has been rejected by his people.

    Close sources alleged that Ayade no longer goes to his local government or his hometown because the constituents feel aggrieved that his reign didn’t attract development to his hometown.

    Some alleged the Obudu Cattle Ranch was a tourist attraction that generated revenue for the people of Obudu yet the governor left it to rot away. It was also alleged that some others feel aggrieved that his performance as governor was abysmal and that he ran the state to a state of comatose; more reason he was denied the opportunity to represent them at the senate which ruined his chances of becoming the senate president.

    However, sources said in a bid to stay afloat politically, after almost a year of staying out of the cynosure of all eyes, the ex-governor has been holding reconciliation meetings with stakeholders. He was seen at the Ramadan party of Senator Bashir Lado last week, with other top politicians. We also gathered that the relationship between him and his successor is not that smooth as His successor is facing lots of pressure to fix all the rot he met on the ground.

  • Fed Govt gives Cross River Bakassi Deep Seaport’s OBC

    THE Federal Government has issued Outline Business Case (OBC) certificate for the Bakassi Deep Seaport Project being undertaken by the Cross River State Government.

    The certificate was presented on Monday by Minister for Transportation Rotimi Amaechi to  Governor Ben Ayade in Abuja.

    Amaechi said with the OBC, the state would move on to the next step of action.

    He said: “What they (Cross River) have got right now is the OBC. We will take the next move to verify all the necessary instruments that we need and then proceed back to the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission for the FBC before we go to the cabinet for approval.

    “But the most important thing is that we are speeding it up so as to enable those states who want to invest in seaports and others to go ahead and do so.”

    On whether the Federal Government was partnering Cross River State in the deep seaport, Amaechi said, “We will get to that. We will sit down with the Cross River State Government and their major partners and see how much NPA would want to invest. We will contact NPA and see what it can do.”

    Read Also: Cross River slams Falana over trial of journalist

    Ayade said the certificate would enable the state move faster with the implementation of the seaport.

    ”The certificate is an Outline Business Case. It shows that there is a full densification commitment of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation to say yes we have come to recognise and accept that Cross River State Government should go ahead with the Full Business Case towards the construction of a deep seaport.

    “And the emphasis on the deep seaport is agro-industrial, not exclusively, but to show that the core target is to do an agro-industrial transformation of Nigeria. It will be the major leading port in that respect but will have other industrial parks,” he said

    He said the issuance of the OBC by the Federal Government through its Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission was the fastest ever recorded in Nigeria.

    On when actual construction would commence at the seaport, Ayade said, “Work started there more than six months ago when we got the EIA approval which allowed us the legal right to get access to the ocean.

    “But right now with this OBC certificate, we are going to be dealing directly with the concessionaires towards arriving at the specific location, data and commencement of actual work plans. But that can only come with the FBC.”

  • Ayade seeks Fed Govt’s backing to get $1.3b sovereign guarantee for projects

    CROSS River State Governor Ben Ayade has appealed to the Federal Government to secure a sovereign guarantee of $1.2 billion to cover the execution of two major projects by his administration.

    The governor said the projects would be for the economic benefit of the state, Nigeria as well as West Africa.

    The projects are the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport and the proposed 276-kilometre Super Highway from the deep seaport to the Northeast.

    Ayade spoke in Calabar, the state capital, when he hosted the Ad Hoc Committee of the National Assembly seeking to determine why the Eastern ports in Warri, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Onitsha were not being put to maximum use.

    The governor told the legislators, led by the committee’s Chairman Buba Yakub Yusuf (Adamawa APC), that “$1.2 billion is the budget for the two projects and all we need is a sovereign guarantee”.

    He added: “China Harbour Engineering, a reputable company in port building, roads and other major infrastructure, is ready to build for us if there is a sovereign guarantee. Cross River knows nothing other than the Bakassi Deep Seaport.”

    Ayade sought the understanding of the visiting lawmakers to include in their recommendations to the legislature as well as the Presidency the need to support Cross River State in executing the two projects.

    The governor insisted that the projects would be beneficial to Nigerians and West coast of Africa.

    Read Also: Ayade warned against creating more ministries

    “We have received 10 approvals from the Federal Ministry and the minister has signed the final ODC for the construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport. More so, the Managing Director of Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) has already got Bakassi Port in a master plan.

    “So, we expect the committee to seek a sovereign guarantee for Bakassi Port,” he said. Yusuf hailed Ayade for his vision and drive for the projects.

    The lawmaker noted that the projects have the potential to turn around the state’s economy and beyond.

    He said: “The committee will do everything it can to support and see that this great dream of the governor and the state is brought to fruition. This man has already put this dream to use, and it is practically on the ground as he has told us. In four years, Cross River is ready to go, to give Nigeria its first deep seaport.

    “And as he has said, not only modern Nigeria but even the neighbouring countries; Chad, the Cameroons, the Niger will all benefit from this giant project.

    “So, this committee is to investigate and find out why our Eastern seaports are not working. I am sure most of our recommendations will help ease and bring the giant project of the deep seaport in Cross River State to fruition.”

     

  • Industrialisation: Ayade gets Chinese award of excellence

    The China Industrial and Commercial Enterprise Association in collaboration with Hauxing Art Troupe, has bestowed an award of excellence on Cross River Governor Ben Ayade.

    The award, which was presented to the governor in Lagos at the weekend, was part of activities marking this year’s China mid- Autumn Festival and National Day.

    The President of the association, Mr. Eric Ni said Ayade was picked for the award for encouraging and implementing “Industrialisation between China and Nigeria using Calabar as a hub.”

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Barr Tina Banku Agbor, expressed gratitude for the honour.

    Ayade, who also spoke on the topic: “Economic, Industrial Relationship between Nigeria and China: Cross River as an Industrial Hub” said the relationship between the state and the Peoples Republic of China has been of tremendous benefit to the state.

    His words: “Let me thank the organisers of this event for inviting me. I also thank them for the award, which is a validation and an acknowledgement of our genuine efforts at industrializing our state.

    READ ALSO: Ayade debunks claims of alleged land grabbing by APC

    “It is also a charge to do much more in creating an economy for Cross River that would not depend on federal allocations.”

    He said the topic for the event speaks volumes about the blossoming relationship between China and the state.

    According to him, “many Chinese experts have in the last four years, made Cross River their home, providing their expertise in our agro-industrial revolution.”

    The governor described his industrialisation drive as unprecedented.

    “Cross River is indeed an evolving economic hub. We are industrialising at a pace never before attained by any state or region in Nigeria. China is a major support in this regard.”

    He congratulated China on its 2019 mid- Autumn festival and National Day celebration saying, “together, China and Cross River will continue to march, hand in hand, in friendship and love for the good of our peoples.”

  • Fed Govt, ophthalmologists restore sight to 8,000 Nigerians

    THE Federal Government, through its Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), has restored the sight of 8,000 Nigerians since February, last year, the society’s National President, Dr Ayobade Ogundipe, has said.

    The joint project, named the National Cataract Project under President Muhammadu Buhari Restores Vision, was inaugurated in February, last year, to restore vision to 10,000 Nigerians who were blind because of cataract, he said.

    Speaking at the 44th scientific conference/annual general meeting (AGM) and 50th anniversary celebration of the society in Calabar, the Cross River State, Ogundipe said the project had attained 80 per cent implementation.

    The OSN president said states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have completed theirs while the remaining six states are at various stages of completion.

    He said as part of the annual conference, the society usually has surgical eye camps to offer community service to residents the host communities.

    “We had a surgical eye camp at Ogoja General Hospital. We had screened the beneficiaries at the Refugee Camp in Ogoja, where the people displaced by current crisis in Cameroon are accommodated. We planned 200 cataract surgeries for the refugees and some inhabitants of Ogoja,” Ogundipe said.

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, who was represented by his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, urged the residents to pay more attention to their eyes because of it delicate nature.

    The governor added that the eye is the all-important organ with which every being sees and appreciates the surroundings and all creations.

    He said it was unfortunate that people pay attention to other parts of their body but not the eye until they are partially or completely blind.

    Ayade stressed the need for timely eye checks.

    The governor hailed the society for ensuring standard eye treatment and care over the decades.

    He said there was still room for improvement.

    Ayade hoped the conference would prepare participants well and empower them towards better healthcare delivery.

    The conference, with the theme: Universal Eye Health: Leveraging on Integration, Linkages and Collaborations, was held at the Calabar International Conference Centre.

     

  • Sir Ayade: The making of a noble Knight

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

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

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

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

    The newly minted Knight spoke piously from the heart as always, evoking that infectious aura of humility which defines his personage. He talked about selflessness. He harped on service to humanity. He dwelt on rededication to God and made solemn promise of quality leadership to people of Cross River State.

    According him, with his knighthood, all the titles and positions he had acquired in the past pales into nothingness, describing his new status as “a very solemn thing and very emotional thing. It is a rededication of my life and service to humanity.

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

    “From the lectures I got during my initiation process, it is obvious that the Knight of St. John is about charity, empathy and brotherhood. Brotherhood in the sense of provision and support for humanity”, he said.

    Continuing, Sir Ayade maintained that Knighthood was a higher life-changing calling.

    “This is actually a call for greater service to humanity and winning of souls for God.”

    He expressed gratitude to God for His favours and blessings in his life, saying nothing could be more rewarding than serving God.

    Ayade: “My Knighthood represents a new life, a new journey towards God, putting everything I have towards the attainment of the whole essence of humankind; bringing value to humanity and getting closer to God.

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

    “I have passed 50 years and it is time for me to know that the journey to my end is shorter than where I am coming from. All the achievements would not have been possible without God, so it is time for God.”

    While pledging to continue to provide quality leadership to the people of Cross River, the governor enthused that knighthood is inspirational and a platform to get closer to God.

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

    At the thanksgiving Mass celebrated by the Archbishop, Most Rev. Joseph Ekuwem, Ayade, resplendent in his Knight regalia, and flanked by his brother Knights listened attentively to the homily delivered by the Archbishop who advised them to be good ambassadors of the Order.

    He later danced soulfully to the altar for thanksgiving.

    Outside the church premises, security personnel had a hectic time fending off the surging crowd of ecstatic faithful who struggled to catch a glimpse of their governor amid shouts of “our digital governor, Sir Ben Ayade”

     

    • Chidi Onyemaizu is Special Adviser (SA) Print Media to Governor Ayade

  • Excitement as Ayade begins asphalting of Okuku-Okpona section of 145km highway

    Construction work on the ongoing dualisation of the 145km Mfom-Bekwara-Obanliku highway in Cross River State attained an important milestone weekend with the commencement of asphalting of the Okuku-Okpoma-Mfom section of the road.

    Already over 25km of the Obanliku-Obudu axis of the road has been completely asphalted and fitted with street lights and media.

    With this development, the asphalting of the highway is now ongoing from the two sections of the road simultaneously.

    Adjudged the most ambitious road project ever undertaken by any Governor, the road project cuts across the five local government areas of northern Cross River.

    The Project Manager, Mr. John Najar estimates by October or November, at least 80km of the road would have been completed.

    Read Also: We want our oil wells back, Ayade tells Fed Govt

    An indigene of the area, Mr. Joseph Odey, commended Ben Ayade for the initiative and the speed of work.

    “To be honest with you, I was one of the doubting Thomases. I never believed this project will even reach the stage it is now.

    “We were calling this place before, Ayade dust or power because of the dust.

    “We don’t know the magic Ayade is doing because I know Cross River is no longer rich like it used to be because of the loss of the littoral status.

    “He has managed to do this with other projects like the Canadian School, Reference Hospital and the Airport which he just started in Obudu,” he stated.

    A motorist, Moses Awhen said the progress of work has been breathtaking.

    “First of all, I want to apologize to the Governor on behalf of all of us who said one bad thing or the other against him at the commencement of this project.

    “Our Governor is a Professor and we are local drivers that don’t even understand development.

    “What you see here today is a miracle because if you had come here a few months back, you would have seen how we used our own mouth to condemn our brother because of this wonderful project.”

  • 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.

  • Youths seek 55 per cent inclusion in Ayade’s govt

    The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Cross River State has called on Governor Ben Ayade to allocate 55 per cent of appointments into his executive to qualified youths.

    The chairman, Ndiyo Ndiyo, who addressed a news conference, Monday, on activities earmarked to celebrate the 2019 International Youth day on August 12, urged that the 55 per cent should consist of youths between 18 and 35 years, while the remaining should range from 35 to 50.

    Ndiyo noted that during the last administration, the youths asked for 35 per cent and the governor appointed more than the requested percentage. According to him, the gesture had given the youths a sense of belonging in governance.

    He said: “In Ayade’s first administration, we asked for 35 per cent youth inclusion into governance, he challenged us and gave us more than that. In his second term, we are asking for 55 per cent of appointments for youths between the ages of 18 and 35 and the other percentage to be between 35 and 50.

    Read Also: NDDC unfair to Cross River- Ayade

    “This is also to give us a ground of learning from governance. As it stands, Cross River has promising young persons in politics from the experience of the last four years.

    “We hope that by 2023, we should have a young person in the range of 40 years becoming the governor. The 55 per cent will make us stronger financially and vested with political knowledge.”

    Ndiyo advised youths to shun vices by contributing their quota to the development of the society.

    Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the International Youth Day Celebration Great Ogban said over 5,000 youths are expected to participate in the week-long event from August 5 to 12.

    Ogban outlined activities culminating to the event to include humanitarian visit to homes, football matches, sanitation, advocacy visits to schools and others.

  • Ayade berated for setting up task forces instead of constituting cabinet

    CROSS River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has been berated for his decision to set up various task forces instead of constituting a proper executive council by appointing commissioners.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Mr Goddie Akpama, who spoke with The Nation in Calabar on Saturday, wondered how the governor would achieve his lofty projects without a proper cabinet.

    Akpama, a former state chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), who described the development as degrading, said there can be no financial approvals of state resources, hence be questioned how the governor would implement the projects.

    Read Also: Ayade reappoints Ita as CPS

    “Why does the governor have to set up task forces instead of appointing commissioners? For us as a state this is very degrading. We have heard he intends to wait until around November. That means there shall be no financial approvals of state resources as they cannot approve money without an exco. How would governor implement those gigantic protects? How would the state function? Is he taking us forward or back? To me he is not taking us anywhere,” Akpama, a former governorship candidate, said.

    Akpama also lambasted the governor’s former commissioners for accepting to work as members of the various task forces.

    He described them as desperadoes, desperate and cheap.