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Tag: Ben Ayade

  • C’River pays N56m for Fadama 111 project counterpart funding – Coordinator

    Mr Bassey Elemi, the Cross River Coordinator of Fadama 111 Project, says the state government has paid N56 million for it 2015 counterpart funding for the project.

    Elemi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Sunday that this would facilitates the continuation of the project in the state.

    “I sincerely thank Gov. Ben Ayade for this. It makes us look serious and this may enhance our chances in terms of extension of the project if need be.

    “It is a proof that Cross River State is ready for the project and I think this is the kind of action that the World Bank and its partners need,” Elemi said.

    He said that the payment of the 2016 counterpart funding would encourage donor partners to do more for the state.

    Elemi disclosed that 144 business plans had been completed for the first phase of the project.

    The coordinator said the plans included those of the 360 hectares of cassava farms located at Nyanya in Bekwara; Wonye in Yala; and Akansoko in Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of the state.

    He added that those who benefited from the projects in the first phase of Fadama 111 additional financing project had undergone capacity building training.

    The coordinator said that the farmers were at present clearing their farmlands for this year’s planting season.

    He appealed to the federal and state government to assist the farmers with modern equipment for tackle the challenges of stumping on the field.

    Elemi described stumping as a serious challenge to farming in the state because of its terrain.

    “The major challenge we have now is stumping. This has slowed down the real cultivation process.

    “So, I appeal to both the state and federal government to assist our farmers because they lack the required funds to hire equipment to clear stumps,” he said.

  • Cross River Chief judge is dead

    The Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice (Obol) Okoi Ikpi Itam is dead.

     According to a family source, he passed away in the early house of Saturday after a brief illness.

     Condoling the bereaved family, Governor Ben Ayade, accompanied by his wife Dr Lynda Ayade, Speaker, Mr. John Gaul Lebo, and members of the state executive council, described the late Chief Judge of the state as “a wonderful, peaceful man who would always go for the option of peace.”

    According to the governor, the death of Itam could be likened to “a brick falling on you from the mountain top,” considering the wonderful and fantastic relationship that existed between his family and that of the deceased as well as the cordiality shared between the executive and judicial arms of government in the state.”

     Ayade disclosed that on hearing of the deceased challenging health, he made frantic effort to ensure that he was moved overseas for treatment, a move which the cruel hands of death did not allow the late Chief Judge to benefit.

     “The worst thing that can happen to you is to have a man that you just had a meeting between the executive and judiciary to resolve all challenges on a good note and two days later, you are told that he is no more. There can’t be a greater shock than this, and that is the way of mortals which shouldn’t have been,” Ayade remarked.

     Ayade who got emotional, said: “I have always accused death for not knowing who to pick. Why won’t death go for the kidnappers? Why won’t death go for those who bring pain and agony to the people? Why will it be somebody who administers justice, bring tranquility, peace and order in the society?”

     Continuing, Ayade said: “Death doesn’t even have eyes, it doesn’t even have a sense of feeling. If it does, it would have known that it made a very wrong choice.”

     He said that the death of the State Chief Judge has gone a long way to reveal the nothingness in the world, urging the bereaved family and the entire  people of the state to be consoled by the legacies he left behind.

     Justice Okoi Ikpi Itam was born on 18th may 1954 in Ugep Urban in Yakurr Local Government Area. After his primary Education, he attended Community Secondary Grammar School, Ugep in 1971 and subsequently moved to University of Nsukka and obtained Bachelor of law degree and was called to bar in 1977.

     He has held many positions within and outside the country which include Chairman Local Government Council election tribunal in 1991, Judge High Court of the State also in 1991, Chairman Public Funds and Property Recovery Tribunal, Cross River State 1992- 1997, Judge High Court of Gambia 2000, Judge Advocate  for Gambia Armed Forces  General Court Martial between 2001- 2004 Acting Chief Justice of Gambia 2002, Justice of the Gambia Court of Appeal 2003- 2004 and Chairman Presidential Commission of enquiry into the Administration activities of the auditor General of Gambia in 2001 among others.

  • Osinbajo intervenes in three states’ boundary dispute

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday waded into the boundary demarcation dispute among Ebonyi, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

    Although the outcome of the mediation was not made public, the stakeholders in the states attended a meeting presided over by Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja.

    The spokesman to the acting President, Mr. Laolu Akande, said the meeting was “to review updates on boundary and boundary demarcation issues.”

    The governors of the states – Prof. Ben Ayade (Cross River), Mr. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Mr. Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) attended the meeting alongside their deputies.

    Also in attendance were officials of the National Boundary Commission led by the Director-General, Dr. Muhammad Ahmad, the clan head of Ipollo community in Cross River, Chief Stephen Odom, and senators from the states.

    NAN

     

  • Buhari, Ayade meet in Aso Rock

    Buhari, Ayade meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, at the Presidential Villa.‎

    Ayade arrived the Villa at about 1:00p.m. ‎holding ‎a file as he moved to the President’s office.

    Few minutes later, he emerged from the President’s office and was driven in a black SUV to the President’s residence.

    Our correspondent gathered that the governor was in the Villa to discuss the deep seaport project of his administration.

    The proposed Bakassi deep seaport and the 260km superhighway are estimated to cost about N700 billion.

    The deep seaport will boost the export of products such as rice, banana and solid minerals.

     

  • Calabar carnival a reflection of Africa’s hospitality – Governor

    Cross Rivers State governor, Ben Ayade, has described the annual Calabar carnival as the melting pot of Africa’s hospitality.

    Ayade said this on Wednesday in Calabar while opening the grand finale of the 2016 Calabar carnival, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    He said the carnival, which had gained international recognition over the years had continue to grow “bigger, better and bolder.”

    According to him, the carnival represents the true vitality, unity and harmony that signify the growth of Africa.

    “The flag off of the grand finale of the 2016 Calabar carnival represents the true beginning of African enjoyment.

    “As we have started today, this is the beginning of a new dawn in Africa. Calabar carnival remains the largest street party in Africa.

    “As a government, we will continue to promote and sustain the hospitality and tourism that the state is known for,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the theme for the 2016 Calabar carnival is “Climate Change.”

    The five carnival bands – Seagull, Master Blasta, Passion 4, Freedom and Bayside were colourfully dressed in different costumes to reflect the colour of their bands.

     

  • Cross River seaport will create 30,000 jobs – Ayade

    Cross River seaport will create 30,000 jobs – Ayade

    Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, on Thursday said the Deep Seaport located around Bakassi waterways and the Atlantic Ocean will create 30,000 jobs.

    The project includes 260 kilometer Super Highway‎ which will link Calabar Metropolis to Katsina Ala in Benue State.

    Briefing State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Ayade spoke on the benefits of the projects to the people of Cross River State.

    He said: “It is going to be a place where all modern vessels will pass and it will create at least 30,000 jobs and because Cross River has 20,000 square kilometers of landmass, it would cause an expansion of Cross River State and that will change the complete economics and business activities of the state.

    “In basic clear terms, that highway and the deep seaport will benefit the states of Kogi and Nasarawa, because without a deep seaport, it will be almost impossible to exploit the iron ore export in those states. That is why those who understand what a federal structure looks like would have a coastline in the north and south regions of Nigeria. Having one major port in Lagos and another in Calabar will feed the north east and north central from Calabar and northwest and middle belt from Lagos State.

    “This is how they originally designed this country to be. A situation where we have only one gateway into the country and that is Lagos. It is just strategically wise to have an alternative and that alternative port coming bigger and better would cut the cost of shipment coming from Senegal and Lome to Nigeria.

    “So, modern vessels and post panama vessels will be coming straight into Nigeria and berth at Calabar and for those who are into core business of mining, they can ship in their produce and products straight into this super highway through the deep seaport and export.”

     

     

  • Ayade sacks Tinapa MD

    The Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has sacked, with immediate effect, the Managing Director of Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Mrs. Francisca Effiom.

    A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita, on Wednesday said the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong (Jnr), will now head the resort management team.

  • Ayade backs Buhari’s anti -corruption campaign

    Ayade backs Buhari’s anti -corruption campaign

    Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, on Wednesday backed the anti- corruption campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to him, the war is necessary because of the pain, frustration and hardship Nigerians have passed through over the years.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

    He said it was so sad that the people are so poor in a nation abundantly blessed with natural resources.

    He said: “The anti-corruption war is perfect. For those who know the pain and hardship that Nigerians have passed through, for the hardship and frustrations. As a nation there is so much in terms of natural resources and the people are so poor.

    “It is only obvious that any serious government must take the issue of corruption seriously, and I think that is why today Nigeria is beginning to have national and international image that looks like Nigeria is getting prepared for business.

    “That is why investments are flowing into Cross River State, that is a sign that the anti-corruption war is actually working and it is giving Nigeria the international image that we need.”

    He also said he discussed rice production with the President.

  • Ayade visits ministries, locks out commissioners

    Ayade visits ministries, locks out commissioners

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    Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, on Tuesday paid an unscheduled visit to some ministries in the state, where he ordered three commissioners to be locked out for failure to be at their duty posts as early as 8:00am.

    Ministries visited by the governor included Agriculture, Water Resources, Women Affairs and Sustainable Development.

    At the Ministry of Agriculture, where Ayade made his first port of call,the commissioner, Prof. Egrinya Eneji, and his directors were unavailable to receive him. No explanation was offered for the commissioner’s unavailability.

    At the Ministry of Water Resources, along Ndidem Usang Iso Road, Calabar, the governor was visibly enraged that the commissioner, Gabe Odu Orji, was not on duty at the time of his visit, prompting his directive that the commissioner be locked out.

    Of the four ministries visited, only the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Stella Odey, was on hand to receive the governor.

    Ayade, who expressed his disappointment at the seeming lack of dedication to duty by the various heads of the ministries, commended Odey for what he described as her devotion to duty.

    The governor said: “I am saddened by what I have seen this morning. It is shocking that it is already past 8:00am, yet commissioners cannot be found on their seats. I will not take kindly to this culture of lateness to work and I am going to do something about it. I must, however, commend you for your exceptional conduct. Please do keep it up.”

    Also, at the ministry of Sustainable Development, the governor was equally disappointed that the commissioner, Oliver Orok, had yet to report for work.

    He subsequently directed the defaulting commissioners to be summarily locked out of their offices.

  • Calabar Carnival is the largest street party in Africa – Ayade

    Calabar Carnival is the largest street party in Africa – Ayade

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River, has described the annual Calabar Carnival as the “largest street party in Africa.’’

    The governor, who made the remark on Monday in Calabar at the grand finale of the 2015 carnival, noted that the festival is unique in promoting talents and unity among Nigerians.

    Ayade pointed out that apart from promoting talents and creativity, the carnival had united the people of Cross River and other Nigerians.

    “We are celebrating 11 years of the carnival; the greatest street party ever; the greatest show in West Africa, this is just the beginning.

    “This is my first carnival as governor of the state. We will continue to add new innovations to make it colourful in the years ahead,’’ he assured.

    He said that the theme for this year’s carnival is “climate change,’’ adding that the hospitality of the state had continued to attract tourists from across the world.

    The governor commended the efforts of people of the state and the participants for making the 2015 carnival a success.

    Earlier in his remarks, Mr Gabriel Onah, Chairman, Calabar Carnival Commission, disclosed that nine countries participated in the carnival.

    He listed the countries to include: Spain, France, Italy, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Burundi, Ghana and Brazil.

    Onah said that the carnival had continued to produce commercial content into the state.

    “Tourism is indeed our own oil. We will use tourism to market the state to the world.

    “The attention of the world is focused on Calabar today, as you can see, the state is wearing a new look,’’ he said.

    A spectator, Mr Philip Ita, who described the carnival as a street party that unites the people, commended the government for sustaining it for the past 11 years.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 12 kilometers carnival walk commenced from Mary Slessor road, IBB way, Marian road, MCC way, Calabar highway and terminated at the U.J Esuene stadium.