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Tag: Ben Ayade

  • Gov. Ayade presents N1.3trn budget for 2018

    Gov. Ayade presents N1.3trn budget for 2018

    Gov.Ben Ayade of Cross River has presented a budget of N1.3 trillion for the 2018 fiscal year to the Cross River House of Assembly for deliberation and passage.

    Ayade, who presented the budget on Thursday in Calabar, said that the proposal was designed to add value to the socio-economic development and well being of the people of the state.

    Ayade, who tagged the budget as “Budget of Kinetic Crystallisation’’, said it was meant to crystallise what the state had achieved in the past two years of his administration.

    He said that the priority of the budget was to develop the state’s deep sea port and the super highway which he said were his two marked projects.

    The governor said that 70 per cent of the budget was for capital expenditure and 30 per cent,re-current expenditure.

    According to him, the size of the budget is expected to create room for potential investors, now that the annual construction of the state deep sea port and superhighway has commenced.

    He added that the budget was for actualisation and implementation of the state deep sea port, super highway and other laudable projects earmarked for completion.

    “The 2018 budget of N13.trillion, tagged `Kinetic Crystallisations’, is meant to drive the economy of the state to an enviable height.

    “The sum of N126billion was budgeted for the Ministry of Infrastructure. This is to help us develop critical assets in the state.

    “N7 billion was also budgeted for the state job centre with a view to helping us train our unemployed youths with marketable job skills.

    “Also, we have budgeted N2billion for our school feeding programme. In addition to that, we also budgeted N52billion for social welfare to care for the aged.

    “My administration is human friendly and my desire is to ensure that every family has what to eat before going to bed,’’ he said.

    The governor further said that the garment factory, with 1,000 workers, would be increased to 3,000 in 2018 as part of his administration’s drive to engage the unemployed in the state.

    The 2018 budget is far higher than the 2017 budget of N301billion.

    Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr John Gaul-Lebo, commended the governor for commencing work on the deep sea port and the super highway.

    Gaul-Lebo said that the two projects, when completed, would attract more investors to the state and improve its revenue profile.

    He assured the governor of the assembly’s continued support for the economic and political growth of the state.

    NAN

  • Politics not about life and death – Obasanjo

    Politics not about life and death – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Saturday that politics should not be treated as a matter of life and death.

    Speaking at the public presentation of a book titled: Stepping Forward with Uti J.D. Agba, written by Goddy Jedy Agba and Mathias Okoi-Uyouyo in Calabar, Cross River State, Obasanjo, who was the special guest of honour at the event, said politicians who failed to win elections can help winners to succeed.

    The former President said: “If you cannot be the chief servant you can be the assistant chief servant. This is because the chief servant cannot do it on his own. He has to work with others.”

    Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, also urged politicians defeated during polls to support those in power.

    He stressed the need for all to work together for the development of the people.

    “Power is like the wind which blows away. In using power, one must do so with the fear of God,” the governor said.

     

     

     

  • Cross River launches cocoa nursery in Akamkpa communities

    Cross River launches cocoa nursery in Akamkpa communities

    The Cross River Government on Monday launched the first phase of the nursery of one million cocoa seedlings in Akim/Osomba communities in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

    Gov. Ben Ayade, who was represented at the ceremony by his Special Adviser on Cocoa Development, Mr Oscar Ofuka, said that the project was part of his administration’s efforts to make cocoa the largest revenue earner for the state.

    He said that the location of the cocoa nursery in Akamkpa Local Government Area (LGA) was to prove that cocoa could be cultivated in every area of the state.

    “Today is a great day for the people of Akim/Osomba communities; we want to prove to the world that Cross River is the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria.

    “Cocoa is our heritage and with the ongoing cocoa revolution programme in Cross River, we have decided to look at every nook and cranny of the state to revive this age-long heritage.

    “Very soon, Cross River will not have to depend on allocations from the Federation Account to fund our projects because our cocoa can give us the much-needed revenue to do whatever we want,’’ he said.

    Ayade said that the state government, through its Department of Cocoa Development, had already acquired 300,000 hectares of land in the two communities for the project.

    “Right now, we have raised 800,000 seedlings nurseries and within the week, our one million target will be achieved for the first phase,’’ he said.

    The governor said that the cocoa seeds for the nursery were acquired from the Cocoa Research Institute, Ikom, adding that within three months, the seedlings would be due for planting.

    Ayade said that the cocoa estate, which would be large enough to accommodate a school and a hospital, would be provided with electricity, just as in other cocoa estates in Ikom and Etung local government areas of the state.

    He urged the people, especially the youths and women in the communities, to take advantage of the opportunity to engage in farming to make life more meaningful to them.

    In his goodwill message, Prof. Augustine Ogogo, the Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar, commended the state government for deciding to revive cocoa production in the state.

    He pledged that the faculty would be ready to partner with the state government by using the cocoa estate for its practical sessions for students.

    He stressed that agriculture was the most dependable revenue earner in the world, saying that the era of oil revenues was fast fading away.

    “Agriculture remains the most stable revenue earner today because the era of oil is almost over. I assure you that the faculty will partner with you and send our students here for practicals,’’ he said.

    The head of Akim/Osomba communities, Mr Boniface Offion, thanked the state government for the project and expressed the hope that it would be beneficial to the communities and the state in general.

    He pledged that the communities would fully support the government’s efforts to ensure the success of the project.

    NAN

  • Revamp PHCs in your states, Health Minister urges governors

    Revamp PHCs in your states, Health Minister urges governors

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has advised governors to revamp and upgrade medical facilities in their respective Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

    Adewole gave the advice on Tuesday in Calabar during the Cross River Health Summit, orgnised by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong.

    The theme of the summit is: “Translating Health Policies and Plans into Action’’.

    The minister said that the advice call became necessary following the dearth of medical facilities in some PHCs across the country.

    He said it was important for state governments to champion the cause of renovating and upgrading medical facilities for them to deliver quality health services to their people.

    “There is no need for states to establish new PHCs; we need to strengthen the existing ones by upgrading the facilities and training of health personnel.

    “The Federal Government will continue to mobilise resources to support PHCs with a view of achieving universal health coverage in the country.

    “The era of federal might is over, states must begin to develop their healthcare centres with a view of attending to the health needs of the people, ’’ he said.

    Prof. Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of the state said that the present administration in the state commenced the rehabilitation and upgrading of PHCs across the state shortly on assumption of office.

    Esu explained that the state government had constructed modern healthcare centres in the hard-to-reach areas with a view to ensuring universal health coverage in the state.

    According to him, Gov. Ben Ayade places premium on the health sector in the state.

    He also said that the state insurance health scheme, tagged ‘”AyadeCare’’ sought to provide affordable health care service to the people of the state.

    Asibong said that the summit was organised to formulate policies aimed at improving quality health services in the state.

    She further said that the summit, a collaboration with development partners on the way forward, was a respond to the challenges of the health sector in the state.

    “The health workforce system in the state is being strengthened with the lifting off the ban on employment and the recent accreditation of three schools of nursing and midwifery in the state.

    “The high maternal mortality rate, improved maternal wards in hospitals, collaboration with development partners, regulation of Traditional Birth Attendants and others are some of the policies we shall be looking at today,’’ she said.

    She assured that her ministry would not relent in the reduction of maternal mortality , improving family planning and reducing the incidences of HIV-AIDS.

  • Between Ita-Giwa and Ben Ayade

    Between Ita-Giwa and Ben Ayade

    The feud between Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade and the state’s frontline female politician, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa is akin to the clash of two titans, one buoyed by the formidable might of state apparatus, the other riding on popular acclaim. Unfortunately, it has the potential of ending with one of the two parties badly bruised.

    For quite some time, speculations have been rife that Governor Ayade is not quite comfortable with the seeming popularity of the woman popularly called Mama Bakassi among the people of Cross River State. But he was able to manage his apprehension until recent developments took both of them on a warpath. Her claim that relief materials meant for Bakassi refugees were diverted by an associate of the governor was said to have irked Ayade, who promptly took the matter up with her.

    Apart from withdrawing the Land Cruiser Prado SUV allotted to her by the state government, Senator Florence became the subject of attacks and intimidation allegedly designed to cow her into submission and silence. Undeterred, the veteran of many previous battles continued her campaign for justice in respect of the refugees.

    Her recent defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is said to have further compounded the face-off, as the governor now sees her as a clear threat to his seat in the next governorship election.

  • C’River: FG pledges full support for 275km superhighway, deep seaport

    C’River: FG pledges full support for 275km superhighway, deep seaport

    The Federal Government has pledged full support for the proposed Cross River 275km Super Highway and the Bakassi Deep Seaport.

    Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, made the pledge on Thursday in Calabar at a Town hall meeting with the people of the state.

    President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2015, performed the groundbreaking ceremony  of the Superhighway, which is one of Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River’s signature projects.

    He said that the federal government would support any genuine project by any state government for the benefit of the people.

    He said: “We are fully in support of the Super Highway and we will work with state the government to ensure its fruition.

    “The project will drive the state’s economy and Nigeria in general will benefit because the route will link other states of the federation,”.

    Osinbajo, who also inaugurated the Calabar Garment Factory in the course of his official visit, described it as a clear way of providing jobs for the unemployed.

    “ The garment factory is a clear example of how to provide jobs for the people and I urge other state governments to replicate the same in their states,” he said.

    He said that the federal government placed much emphasis on job creation and called for patience by the citizenry.

    He commended the beneficiaries of federal government’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) in the state, adding that government would do more to encourage young entrepreneurs.

    Osinbajo also said that the federal government would work with all stakeholders to ensure that the displaced people of Bakassi were adequately taken care of.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Acting President also performed the ground breaking of ceremony of Ayade Industrial Park/Rice Seedling factory and inaugurated the Calabar Mono Rail during the visit.

  • Nigeria’s diversity its greatest strength – Osinbajo

    Nigeria’s diversity its greatest strength – Osinbajo

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday called for unity of the country.

    Speaking at the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, Osinbajo said the Federal Government was doing everything possible to accommodate all Nigerians.

    The acting President was in Cross River in continuation of federal government’s dialogue with people and communities of the Niger Delta region.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would continue to work assiduously for the interest and development of all sections of the country.

    He warned against compromising Nigeria’s unity, saying the country’s greatness was derived from its diversity and population.

    He said rather than engaging in activities that would compromise the status of the country before the international community, the various ethnic groups that make up Nigeria should work together and support each other.

    Osinbajo said, “The country is only great because of its diversity. The reason why the country is great is because of its diversity. It is because we have here people of every race, people of every tribe, bringing in their different cultures and strengths. All the things that make each one of our ethnic groups great come together in one country.

    “We are greater when we are together than when we are apart. This country is greater together than apart. Every one of our ethnic groups needs the support of the other. When people speak of Nigeria, and respect this country, it is because of the diversity, it is because of the strength in the numbers that we are considered great. That is why the whole of Africa looks to us for direction. If we were one small enclave nobody will look at us with the seriousness they look at us today.

    “And so unity is absolutely important, unity is absolutely important. We must be prepared to work with every other ethnic group and be united.

    “God himself wants us to be united. That is why in the scripture He says there is neither Greek nor Jew, neither male nor female; all of us children of the Almighty God and we must come together. If we are much stronger, we are greater when we come together than when we are apart.”

    The acting President said the federal government would support the state government’s projects aimed at developing the state.

     

     

  • Normalcy returns to Calabar after Police, Navy clash

    Normalcy returns to Calabar after Police, Navy clash

    Normalcy has returned to Calabar after a gun duel between the Police and the Nigerian Navy in a part of the city on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a police officer was shot and killed by naval personnel, while the police also shot and injured a naval officer on his shoulder during the clash on Tuesday night.

    Also, a section of the Akim Police barracks located along IBB Road was destroyed by the naval men and some cars were equally burnt too.

    Gov. Ben Ayade who addressed newsmen after the State Security Council meeting on Wednesday, urged the citizens to go about their legitimate businesses as normalcy has returned to the affected area.

    According to Ayade, the unfortunate incident was as a result of a misunderstanding between some officers of the police and the Nigerian Navy.

    “I want to assure the citizenry, and indeed Nigerians, that the whole area is calm after the unfortunate incident that arouse from the misunderstanding between the police and the navy.

    “The senior officers were quite proactive by intervening fast to arrest the situation yesterday. We are proud to announce to you that Calabar, and indeed Cross River is totally calm.

    “The unfortunate incident arose from an issue at a traffic light spot, at the stadium, off IBB road.

    “A Police officer was trying to control traffic and that led to the misunderstanding between him and a team of young naval officers”, he explained.

    The governor urged officers and men operating in the state to see themselves as partners in progress at all times.

    Commodore Salihu Jubril, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, said: “We are saddened by yesterday’s incident. However, I am very delighted to tell you that normalcy has returned.

    “The incident only affected a portion of IBB road and not the entire metropolis and we are fully on ground to prevent possible escalation.

    “Let me assure you that the culprits will be brought to book, properly investigated and appropriate sanctions meted on them,” he added.

    Also speaking, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, the State Commissioner of Police, said that the clash would not affect the existing relationship between the police and the navy in the state.

    “We are glad to announce to the public that Calabar and the entire state is calm and our status as the safest state remains without a doubt.

    “All the service commanders in the state are one and active partners in progress; particularly on issues of security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry”, he said.

     

  • Ayade mourns victims of Calabar viewing centre tragedy

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has described as tragic and horrifying, the loss of several lives at a viewing centre in Calabar, the Cross River capital on Thursday.

    The governor said this in a statement issued by Mr Christian Ita, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary in Calabar on Friday.

    Ayade also said it was heart wrenching that the lives of the young men were lost through electrocution.

    “The incident marks a dark chapter in the life of the state where the precious lives of football lovers have been lost.

    “At this point in time, it is sad to know that the victims lost their lives at a viewing centre where they usually converge, at their leisure time to watch their matches’’, Ayade said.

    While commiserating with the families of the victims of the tragedy, the governor promised that the state government would look into the likely cause of the incident to preventing reoccurrence.

    No fewer than 30 persons died on Thursday night in Calabar at a viewing centre while watching the Europa Football League match between Manchester United and Anderlecht.

    The incident happened at about 9.30 p.m at Nyagasang area of Atimbo in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of the state.

  • Ayade is PDP’s best performing governor, says Sheriff

    Ayade is PDP’s best performing governor, says Sheriff

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has said Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade is the party’s best performing governor.

    Sheriff spoke yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, when he led the party’s leadership on a visit to the governor at the Government House.

    The PDP chairman, who said he had visited Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi before arriving Cross River, stressed that “if I am asked who is the number one governor, I will say Ben Ayade”.

    He added: “You (Ayade) have worked and your people have attested to that. Nigerians outside your state have also attested to that. Vanguard is a first generation newspaper, and if it gives you an award, you know that it is an award purely on merit. Therefore, I am very proud that our digital governor is not only digital but Number One governor in terms of performance.”

    The national chairman urged the governor not to rest on his oars, saying: “I want to encourage you to continue to do more for the people of Cross River. In so doing, 2019 will be an easy ride for you. The party will be with you and there will be no challenge and no vacancy in Cross River State.”

    Sheriff hailed Ayade for appointing an indigene of Kano State as his Special Adviser on Non-Indigenes Matters.

    The PDP chairman noted that by the appointment, the governor had set the pace that pleased the Hausa across the country.