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Tag: Gov. Ben Ayade

  • Ayade inaugurates CAN secretariat, to sponsor 300 Jerusalem pilgrims

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has inaugurated the newly-built secretariat of the state’s branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    He also pledged to sponsor 300 pilgrims to the holy land this year.

    Inaugurating the secretariat on Monday in Calabar, Ayade said that the association had contributed greatly towards the development of the state.

    He said that the association had given him immense support in his second term victory, adding that the association was also at the fore front of ensuring peaceful, free and fair polls in the state.

    The governor, who received an award as `Friend of CAN,’ promised to redeem his pledge of donating five plots of land, a 32-seater bus and a sport utility vehicle to the association.

    “It is my honour to be part of this event today to commission this secretariat. CAN has contributed a lot to the development of this state.

    READ ALSO: Ayade seeks prayer for Nigeria

     

    “In view of that, CAN should be ready with a list of political appointments in my second term.

    “I wish to call on the association to join hands with me in industrialising the state for economic growth.

    “My first term appointment was food on the table but my second term will be hands on the plough because every appointee must bring on board ideas that will move the state forward,’’ Ayade said.

    The Chairman of CAN in the state, Archbishop Joseph Ukpo, said that CAN was the largest ecumenical body in Nigeria and that it came into existence in 1976, noting  that the state’s chapter had been without a secretariat for many years.

    Ukpo said that with the benevolence of the state governor, the inauguration of the secretariat had marked a milestone in the progress and development of CAN in the state.

    “As an association, we can achieve greater things together when we prioritise the common good of the association and strive to make sacrifices for the development of this ecumenical body.’’

    The archbishop appealed to the governor to redeem the pledge made to the association speedily, to help them plan for the 2019 pilgrimage.

    Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Ayade on Religious Affairs, Rev. Fr. Bob Etta, thanked the governor for his support to the association.

    Etta assured Ayade that the Christian community would continue to pray for the smooth running of his administration in its bid to develop the state.

  • I’ll ensure southern district gets C/River 2023 guber ticket– Ayade

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has restated his commitment to ensuring that the southern Senatorial District of the state produces the next governor in 2023.

    Ayade, who spoke on a phone-in radio programme on Saturday in Calabar, insisted that equity and fairness dictates that the next governor of Cross River must come from that zone.

    The governorship slot in the state has been rotational within the three Senatorial Districts in the state.

    Former governor Donald Duke from the South served for eight years between 1999 and 2007.

    Thereafter, former governor Liyel Imoke from the Central also served for eight years between 2007 and 2015 while Gov. Ayade from the North was elected into office in 2015 and has won his re-election for a second term.

    “In fairness and equity, 2023 is the turn of the South and that was the commitment I gave. I will use every fiber in me to ensure that the next governor comes from the southern Senatorial District.

    “Having insisted on keeping fidelity with the political zoning arrangement in the state in the run up to my re-election, it is therefore, incumbent on me to ensure that the south takes its turn to produce governor in 2023.

    “Fairness is fairness, equity is equity. I have preached equity, so it is my turn to do equity,” the governor said.

    Ayade also used the interview to disclose his plans in ensuring gender balance in his next cabinet.

    He said that there would be more women in his government in this dispensation. (NAN)

  • Gov. Ayade frees 34 prisoners to commemorate C’River at 50

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has granted a state pardon to 34 inmates serving various jail terms in Calabar Prison to mark the 50th Anniversary of the state.

    Ayade said this on Saturday in Calabar in his anniversary speech to the people of the state.

    He said that Cross River had every reason to celebrate 50 years of its existence as a state, considering its monumental achievements during the period.

    The governor said the pardon was in the spirit of the celebration and based on the provision of section 212 of the 1999 Constitution.

    He said, “in the spirit of the celebration and the powers vested on me by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, I hereby grant clemency to the following category of people serving various jail terms in the state.

    “They are five people on death row; 16 prisoners serving life sentences; four prisoners who are above 60 years of age; nine convicted criminals who are terminally ill and may likely die any moment if not granted pardon.’’

    Ayade stressed the need for the people to always remember past leaders of the state who had made considerable efforts in moving the state to greater heights.

    He said that in spite of the great challenges that have bedeviled the state, there was the need for the people to have hope for a greater future.

    According to him, the state has excelled in many fields of endeavors including tourism, agriculture and forest preservation.

    He added that the annual Calabar Carnival has become the greatest street party in Africa.

    “I therefore call on you to stick together as we look forward to a greater tomorrow, ‘’ he said.

    Ayade had earlier performed the public signing into law of eight bills passed by the State House of Assembly, as part of the celebration.

    The laws include Administration of Criminal Justice in Cross River; Citizen Right, Cross River Inland Water-ways, Cross River Scrap Regulatory Agency, Cross River Lottery ; Hawkers Right;  Emergency Management Agency, and House of Assembly Commission.

    The governor also used the occasion of the celebration to call on the people of the state to pray for the quick recovery of President Muhammad Buhari.

    It would be recalled that Cross River was created on May 27, 1967 from the former Eastern Region as South Eastern State by the then Gen. Yakubu Gowon regime.

    The state was renamed to  Cross River State in 1976 by late Head of State, Gen. Murtala Mohammed.

  • Peace in PDP, Nigeria, prerequisite for growth – Ayade

    Peace in PDP, Nigeria, prerequisite for growth – Ayade

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has said that peace within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria in general remained a prerequisite for the growth and development of the country.

    Ayade said this on Wednesday when the National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Ali Modu-Sheriff paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Calabar.

    According to Ayade, there is no ideological difference between the PDP and the All Progressive Congress (APC) or belonging to one faction of the party or the other.

    “What Nigerians need now is peace and unity. There is indeed no ideological difference, whether you are in PDP, APC or you belong to one faction of the party or the other.

    “If truly you put people above your person, you must allow peace to reign by recognising the challenges of the society.

    “The challenges of the society have created in itself a structure that allows us to resolve conflicts and move ahead as a country,’’ he said.

    The governor thanked the National Chairman for embarking on the peace mission across the country, adding that it was important to unite all factions in to one umbrella.

    Earlier, Modu-Sheriff said that he was in the state to visit the governor with a view of uniting all factions and moving the party ahead.

    According to him, he has paid a similar visit to Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states with the sole purpose of uniting all factions of the party.

    “As a great party, we need to work in unity and peace so that we can win the 2019 general elections.’’
    He commended Ayade for his infrastructure development in the state, adding that he was the party’s best performing governor.
    “If I am asked who the best performing governor of the party is, I will simply say that it is Gov. Ayade.
    “I am very proud that Ayade is not only a digital governor but also the number one governor in terms of performance.
    “With what you are doing now, 2019 will be an easy ride for you. There will be no challenge and no vacancy in Cross River.’’
    He also lauded the governor for appointing a Northerner, Mr Musa Maigoro, as his Special Adviser on Non-Indigene Affairs.
    Modu-Sheriff later visited the state PDP secretariat where he urged the leadership to unite all factions in the state with a view of building the party to greater heights.

  • Cross River to partner South Africa on hotel institute

    Cross River to partner South Africa on hotel institute

    The Cross River Government says it is working with the North West Province of South Africa to establish an International Hotel Institute in Calabar.

    Gov. Ben Ayade said this on Tuesday while addressing a delegation from Mafikeng, North West Province of South Africa in Calabar.

    The governor said that the establishment of the institute would facilitate the development of the state’s tourism potentials.

    Ayade added that an action committee would be set up immediately to ensure that the institute became operational in five months before the Calabar Carnival.

    The governor commended the delegation, led by former Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, for the partnership.

    “I am just taken aback by so much that the South African team could unfold in a short period of just about two days.

    “But I think we will be doing a disservice to this state if we do not also compel them to go to Obudu Cattle Ranch. You need to be at the Ranch.

    “I am quite excited at all your thoughts and concepts you shared; your fears and concerns about Nigeria have melted away just by your first visit to Nigeria and Calabar.

    “I am sure also that the more you stay, the more you fall in love with Cross River State,’’ he said.

    He thanked the team for carrying out an in-depth study and analysis of the areas visited and coming out with an elaborate and unambiguous technical report and recommendations.

    The leader of South African Technical Team, Uche Ajulu-Okeke, explained that the twin-city agreement was signed during Ayade’s visit to South Africa in February.

    During the tour, the team visited the Marina resort, agriculture sites and farms.

    The delegation was in the state for a three-day working visit as part of economic cooperation on areas of agriculture, tourism and establishment of an International Hotel Institute.

  • Hausa/Fulani community in C/River appeals for grazing land

    The Hausa/Fulani community in Cross River has appealed to Gov. Ben Ayade to allocate a portion of land to herdsmen in the state in order to enable them graze their cattle.

    Mr Sani Baba-Gombe, Leader of the association in the state, made the appeal on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.

    According to Baba-Gombe, the land if allocated will put an end to the crisis between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

    He said that the land would help the herdsmen to stop encroaching into people’s farmlands in search of food for their animals.

    He said that one of the main challenges facing herdsmen in the state was a grazing land, hence the need for the state government to come to their aid.

    “We use to instruct our people to always ask for permission before entering into any land to graze.

    “If I were to be a farmer, I won’t be pleased if any cattle come along to destroy my crops.

    “If a grazing land is provided, the animals would not stray into farms and this would further prevent any future crisis between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

    “All we are appealing for is a grazing land that is different from the farmlands; this would help us to stop encroaching into people’s farmlands in search of food for our cattle.

    “We have also sensitised our people to always have a good understanding with their host communities,’’ he said.

    He further said that herdsmen in the state were tired of moving their cattle from one place to the other in search of food for them, hence the appeal for a reserved land for them.