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Tag: Ben Ayade

  • My performance, my strength for re-election – Ayade

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has said that his performance in the last three years stands out as a stregth in his bid for reelection in March.

    He also said that the principle of rotation of governorship among the senatorial zones of the state makes it expedient for the residents to maintain the tradition.

    At a rally in Yala local governmwnt area on Wednesday, Ayade expressed fulfilment on the way the welfare of residents had been captured during his three years in office.

    He said that there were massive political appointments for youths, recruitment of teachers and nurses amongt others in the state in under to improve on the living standards of the people.

    “I know I have done a lot by appointing 6,000 appointees, engaged 2,500 teachers and 1,000 nurses among others, but surely I will know no sleep until everyone of you here gets a job.

    “This is the turn of northern Cross River, both south and central have had their different eight years as governors, the north must be allowed to complete their eight years too,’’ he said.

    The governor disclosed that the Okpoma water project in Yala has been completed among other projects aimed at alleviating the pains of the people.

    The Paramount Ruler of Yala Local Government Area, Chief Godwin Denis-Odu, said the people of Yala have decided that Ayade must go back to government house to complete his performance.

    “We are the oracle, we have spoken that our son must return, so shall it be,’’ he said.

    Also, a stalwart of the All Progressives Party (APC) and a former governorship aspirant, Dr Julius Okpotu, said Ayade deserves a second term on account of his sterling performance in office.

    “Ayade’s support base cuts across party lines, even members of the APC will work to get him re-elected.

    “I am here because of the good works of Governor Ayade. He has worked tirelessly to change the story of Cross River. His re-election therefore, will be a smooth sail,’’ he said.

    Read Also: ‘Ayade can’t stand opposition’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okpotu had decamped to the People’s Democratic Party during the rally.

    At the Ogoja local government township stadium, thousands of party faithful, support groups, youths, traders as well as various social groups came out in their numbers to receive Ayade.

    The governor assured the people that his second term in office would be better and urged the people to come out en mass and vote for him on March 2.

    Chanting solidarity songs, the enthusiastic crowd, in appreciation of Ayade’s developmental strides, vowed to protect their votes for the governor’s return.

     

  • Ayade orders police search of campaign convoys

    The Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade has directed the State Commissioner of Police to immediately commence a stop and search operation of all political parties campaign convoys for illegal arms.

    Read Also: ‘ Ayade can’t stand opposition’

    A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Ita, on Monday read, “This directive is imperative following security reports that indicate that some politicians and their supporters were stockpiling arms and ammunition ahead of the forthcoming elections.

    “The Governor assures the Citizens of adequate security before, during and after the election.“

  • CAN, muslim community endorse Ayade for second term

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Cross River State has endorsed Governor Ben Ayade for for a second term in office.

    The association the governor in an interaction with him at the the Cultural Centre, Calabar.

    According to them their decision was because of the governor’s giant strides in the areas of industrialization, infrastructural development and human capacity development.

    The associations also made a cash donation of N1.2 million to the governor to assist his campaign.

    A voice vote put to CAN members at the event venue by the immediate past state chairman of CAN, Archbishop Archibong Archibong for the endorsement of the governor was affirmed by members of the association present.

    At the same event, the Muslim community led by the Chief Imam of the Calabar Central Mosque, Imam Abdul Kabir Olowolayemo, also endorsed the governor for the forth coming gubernatorial election.

    Earlier in his address, the State Chairman of CAN and Archbishop Emeritus of Calabar Archdiocese, Most Rev. Joseph Ukpo, commended the governor for the achievements recorded by his administration.

    He described the governor’s achievements as monumental.

    “You have made landmark progress especially in the industrializing the state; construction of the garment factory, the first rice seeds and seedlings in Africa, construction of Calapharm for our pharmaceutical needs, the ongoing construction of chicken processing factory, the rice mill in Ogoja and the cocoa processing plant in Ikom,” he said.

    Read Also: Ayade enjoins youths to embrace farming

    In his response, Governor Ben Ayade expressed his gratitude to the Christian body for finding him worthy of their endorsement.

    “If there is any endorsement that is important to me, it is the CAN endorsement. I am moved by this endorsement and appreciate all the prayers and insistence that I should continue and complete all the industrialization agenda of the state.

    “I cannot thank you enough. I am indeed grateful. This endorsement I must say is the greatest certification of my government and I promise I will not fail you because the church has made a huge statement and I will continue to offer good governance for our people,” Ayade said.

     

  • Ayade mourns victims of fuel tanker explosion in C/River

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has decried the tragic death of some persons due to fuel tanker explosion at New Netim junction in Odukpani local government area.

    Ayade conveyed his condolence in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Ita, on Saturday in Calabar.

    “My heart goes out to all the victims of the fuel tanker explosion. This is the most horrendous way to die. 

    “I am too shocked and traumatized to express the depth of my grief for the victims of the explosion.

    “As a government, we must try and reach out to the victims’ families who are affected by these avoidable deaths. 

    “Whatever circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident must be thoroughly investigated. This is one tragedy too many. We must do something to ensure this does not happen again,” he said.

    Ayade pleaded with residents not to subject themselves to such avoidable deaths, adding that the state Ministry of Information and Orientation would begin sensitization campaign on the matter.

    He said that the campaign should educate the citizens on the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers laden with petroleum products.

    Mr Chidiebere Nkwonta, Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, confirmed the incident.

    Nkwonta, who spoke in a telephone interview, said that the tanker fell off the road side at around 2pm on Friday.

    Read Also: Ayade enjoins youths to embrace farming

    “We suspected the incident to have happened out of speed violation on the side of the driver. He was slightly injured when my men visited the scene.

    “We did our best to ensure safety around the scene by ensuring free flow of movement around the area.

    “Unfortunately, at night, some people went there and started scooping fuel and there was an explosion that resulted to mass casualty.

    “I want to use this medium to advice people to stop scooping fuel from fallen tankers laden with petroleum product, it’s not safe,” he said.

    Some of the victims who sustained third degree injuries were currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

    NAN

  • Ayade lies about everything, cannot stand opposition – Owan-Enoh

    The Cross River State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator John Owan-Enoh, has accused Governor Ben Ayade of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of lying about everything as far the programmes and policies of government are concerned.

    In a press conference in Calabar, Owan-Enoh also said the present administration in the state could not withstand position and was doing everything it could to stifle them.

    Owan-Enoh, who presently represents Cross River Central in the Senate, in the state needed to be change, and he was in the race to restore hope and confidence in the people.

    He said, “This is an administration that lies on everything. It is not the kind of thing that we are looking forward to. The government needs to be changed. This administration doesn’t know Cross River. It is not interested in Cross River and its future and we need to change it. This administration cannot stand competition because of how woefully they have done. And they try to stamp out opposition. This administration tries to posture in Abuja as being friendly to President Muhammadu Buhari, but back at home, it is fighting opposition and doing things that are unspeakable.

    “People ask me where my billboards are. My billboards are not here in Calabar particularly because this administration cannot stand seeing my billboards. They were pulling them down.

    “Officials of the campaign organization are getting intimidating calls everyday. We are in a civil society and it is important this administration understands so. It needs to know that the election is going to be competitive. It is going to be keenly contested. We have candidates for every state constituency, every federal constituency, and the senatorial district and the governorship candidate.

    “I would like to appeal to the generality of Cross Riverians, those at home and those in diaspora that the 2019 governorship election is going to be a very consequential election. Let everyone get involved.

    Read Also: Ayade enjoins youths to embrace farming

    Better days are possible again. None of the two previously civilian administration got elected on the altar of ethnicity. They got elected on the basis of their credentials and what they were expected to do and they delivered in Cross River.

    “Cross River is in an unusual situation and requires an unusual response. 2019 is not about the north, central or south districts of the state. It is about Cross River and about who has the blueprint to deliver, who can be trusted, who can take us to the next level, and who can change the narrative of the state.

    “We are in an era where government needs to create the enabling environment for industrialists, for the private sector to come and invest. The public government has no business going about building industries. That is the best way to go about stealing the resources of the state. Government has no business building industries in the year 2019. Any government that does so wants to encourage corruption. It wants to put hands in the public till. That is what it is.

    “The greatest achievement of this administration which it talks about every day is the garment factory. I challenge this administration to come clean first on the true ownership of the garment factory, secondly, with how much was spent to build and thirdly, three and a half years later, how much has that garment factory generated for the state.

    “This administration spends time on window dressing. It cannot get anything right. I would run an administration that would be sincere. I believe in what I am doing. When Liyel Imoke handed over to Ayade in 2915 Cross River became the 11th largest economy in Nigeria. The latest statistics indicate we are at 36. We are at rock bottom as a state. As a state, how bad can it get before people take action to change the course of their lives. The 2019 governorship election is about the future of Cross River.”

    Owan-Enoh called on disgruntled party men and women to work together to oust the present government in the state.

    “The APC is one big family. I would like to call for cooperation, for reconciliation. I appeal that we all get back together. The matters that seek to divide us are not as important as the matter that confronts us as a state. We should get back together in one party and win this election. Cross Riverians expect us and are praying for us to win, even those who are appointed in his government. People are yearning for redemption and today I take up the challenge,” he said.

  • Miss Congo wins Miss Africa Beauty Pageant

    Miss Congo, Dorcas Kasinde has  won the 2018 Miss Africa Beauty Pageant hosted by the Cross River Government.

    The contest took place in the early hours of Friday at the Calabar International Conference Centre.

    Kasinde, who beat Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnaemeka and Zambia’s Gladys Kayumba to the second and third positions respectively to clinch the crown, went home with $35,000 and a sport utility vehicle.

    She was crowned by the winner of the 2017 edition of the  pageant, Miss Gaseangwe Balopi of Botswana.

    Earlier, the Governor of Cross River, Prof. Ben Ayade, said it was time for Africans to appreciate themselves.

    Ayade said that Africa does need the western media to tell its story, which they always centered on poverty and wars.

    ” This is a celebration of African beauty, brain and heritage; the world will see what African brain and beauty is all about.

    ” The judges should come down and look at those things that make a woman truly African; it is not just the skin colour.

    “Tunisians and Moroccans are light-skinned but they are Africans,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 25 countries participated in the event.

    They include Cameroon, Morocco, Tanzania, Togo and Ghana.

    Nigerian singers Innocent Idibia (2face) and Tiwatope Savage-Balogun ( Tiwa Savage) entertained the audience.

    NAN

  • 2019: Group promises 90 per cent votes for Atiku in Cross River

    Director General of `Atiku Shall Lead Nigeria 2019’, Mr Patrick Agida, has promised to deliver 90 per cent of Cross River State votes to the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in 2019.

    According to Agida, who spoke with reporters in Calabar, Atiku’s chances of getting over 90 per cent of the votes was premised on the sterling performance of Governor Ben Ayade.

    He said that the group which cuts across all the states in Nigeria was made up of people with great concern to canvass for massive votes for Atiku in 2019.

    According to him, the group had mobilized all its members across the country to polling units to ensure that Atiku’s votes are protected and counted.

    Read Also: 2019: Group backs Atiku

    The DG said that the group seeks to make a change in leadership at the national level through the ballot in a free and fair election.

    “Nigeria is facing serious challenges and we believe that we need capable hands that will move this country forward. As a political support group, we are going to give Atiku 90 per cent of the votes from Cross River.

    “This group is all over Nigeria. We have structures at the national, zonal, states, wards and units. We are all over Nigeria and knowing that it is only through the ballot box that our principal can win,’’ he said.

    He said that Atiku will improve the economy and provide security for all Nigerians if elected president, adding that with a better economy and security, every other sector in the country will be affected.

    He described Atiku as an employer of labour, saying that the former Vice President knows the appropriate government policies to use in promoting the economy if he becomes president.

    He urged security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to be transparent and fair to all political parties during the conduct of the polls.

  • PDP chieftains hail Ayade’s industrialisation drive

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus and former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, have hailed Governor Ben Ayade’s industrialisation drive.

    Secondus and Ihedioha, who were in Calabar to receive the All Progressives Congress Party (APC) defectors to PDP, spoke after inspecting projects at the Ayade Industrial Park and the 21-megawatt power plant in Calabar.  Similarly, former Governor Liyel Imoke, and ex-Special Adviser on National Assembly (Senate) Matters to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, extolled the vision of Ayade in industrialising the state.

    Speaking on the projects, Secondus said: “I think it is a major landmark achievement not only for Cross River but for the nation because, if all the states adopt this strategy, we can see Nigeria moving towards industrialisation.”

    He noted that “it is not an easy task but you can see that Ayade has started well, laying good foundation and, in a couple of years, people will begin to see this as a destination for both tourism and industrialisation.”

    Listing the rice seedlings and seeds multiplication factory, chicken factory, garment factory, pharmaceutical company as well as the instant nodules factory and power plant, the PDP national chairman said: “All of these put together in this industrial estate will turnaround the economy of the state and, most importantly, because this is the era that  youths are unemployed, this is going to provide employment to our people.

    “We are not only proud, we are excited and happy that he is one of us. I also believe that other states should imitate the PDP states as they are doing well and I know that Emeka is waiting on the line to take this to Imo State.”

    Ihedioha hailed “the steps recorded by Cross River and I am happy that Governor Ben Ayade is keeping faith with the economic initiative.”

    He maintained that industrialisation was fundamental as it facilitates job creation, which is crucial to the people.”

    “I am happy that Ayade is taking a direction that the national should be angling towards; truly I am impressed.”

    Senator Imoke remarked that “you know what we represent in Cross River, what our party represents in Cross River and what our governor represents in Cross River. Today we have seen the continuous growth and development taking place here and the national chairman has come in person to also see same.”

  • Ayade berates PDP over primaries

    Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over what transpired in the primaries in the Central Senatorial District of the state.
    Although the governor never mentioned the party by its name at any point during, the occasion, he left no one in doubt, what he was referring to.
    Speaking about it for the first time publicly during the launch of the State Microfinance Bank in Calabar recently, Ayade, who called Agara to stand with him on the podium said, “I would like to call my brother, Chris Agara, to please come up here. Let us shame the devil. Let us shame the enemies. Let us shame all those who thought that they can put a fight between two brothers. We have conquered. Our politics has no business with our brotherhood. My brother you are welcome.

    “This is a brother indeed. He is the only brother that can also give his right eye to protect me. It is my brother that even in pains, with all enemies gathered in his house, he said instead of me to hurt my brother, I would rather not be politics. This is politics with ethics. This is true brotherhood. My brother who has said, he would rather forget politics and stand by his brother. But you will be shocked that people we have literally helped in the days of their poverty, they connived to conspire and carry rumours and stories to destroy brotherhood of over 30 years.

    Read Also: 2019: Ayade urges NYSC members to be neutral, firm

    “But God is strong. God has shamed them. If that is all we have achieved in this politics, that blood is stronger than politics. That is what Chris Agara has demonstrated. That inspite of it all, that he has spent more money than any other candidate in this state, a party that is so unfair and has got no conscience, a man came ready for election and you take out his name from the ballot. You take out his name because you know he is too powerful. When people use God given opportunities to do injustice, injustice would wait for them. So for my brother, I asked you to be strong and abide in the faith of God because it is God’s will. But for those who the devil has used to stop the instrumentality, challenge and direction of God at the fullness of time, Holy Ghost would visits them with their own mighty fire.

    “The devil will rise, the demon will rise, but Jesus when he rises, he would quench all of them and he has brought peace and calm, he has brought tranquility, he has restored brotherhood and in his own words, it has only deepened our brotherhood. We would put them to shame. He is going to direct, the campaign, direct the politics, direct the future, and together we would build a better Cross River State.”

  • Ayade urges NYSC members to be neutral, firm

    Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has charged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state who would participate in next year’s general elections as ad-hoc staff to discharge their duties with absolute neutrality and firmness.

    The governor, who was addressing the corps members at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Batch B Stream One, orientation course at the permanent orientation camp in Obubra local government area on Tuesday lauded the NYSC for raising the credibility profile of the electoral process in the past.

    This, he said, has culminated in public confidence in the NYSC and the electoral umpire.
    The governor, who was represented by the Head of Local Government Administration in Obubra, said over the years, successive governments had rendered adequate attention and huge investments into the programme and projects of the corps members, who are seen as partners in actualizing projects in the state.

    Read Also: NYSC decries condition of Niger State camp

    He said despite the paucity of funds, the government remains sensitive to the plight of corps members especially on security and welfare.
    Ayade said the aggressive industrialization of the state is not just to boost the economy, but also to justify the steps taken in furtherance of the commitment to ensure adequate opportunities are provided for capacity building of the youths through job creation and skill acquisition.
    He told the corps members that the people of the state were peaceful and hospitable, assuring them of security and safety across the 18 local government areas of the state.