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Tag: Governor Ben Ayade

  • CRS and resonances of industrialisation

    His herald in 2015 as governor of Cross River State was akin to the ascension of the biblical redeemer, as foretold by John the Baptist. While others saw what was unachievable, Governor Ben Ayade came as one who saw the invisible, striving to achieve the impossible from what was hitherto unattainable.

    And like a man on a redemption mission, Ayade, since his assumption of office as governor, has been levelling knolls and filling valleys across the state, all in a bid to alter the ugly economic landscape of the past.

    From the rocky mountain of Obudu to the rain forest of Ikom down to the creeks of Bakassi, are unrelenting beehives of industrialization activities.

    From the garment factory, Rice seeds and seedlings multiplication factory, Calabar Pharmaceutical factory, the 21 megawatts power plant, the Yakurr toothpick factory, the cocoa processing factory in Ikom, the ultramodern vitaminized rice mill in Ogoja, the state-of –the-art British/Canadian school in Obudu, the West Africa Teachers’ Teachers’ Continuing Training Institute at advanced stages of completion in Biase are several of Ayade’s huge strides in walking his talk.

    In what is akin to squeezing water from a rock, Governor Ayade, in spite of the shoestring finances of the state, is soldiering on with projects that could only have been contemplated by states with deep pockets and humongous allocations.

    Obviously punching above his weight in an effort to put the future in the hands of his people, having put money in their pockets in his first term, huge capital projects continue to dot the landscape, raising questions as to the source of funding for such undertakings. Such projects as to the 143kilometer Mfum-Yala-Bekwarra-Obudu-Obanliku ranch dual carriage road, the dualization of the 15kilometre Calabar Odukpani federal road; the ongoing construction of 6000 birds per day chicken processing plant called Calachika, the noodles plant also under construction, among others remain the undeniable imprimatur of a thinking and visionary leader.

    While these legacy projects may not have gone unnoticed locally, resonances of the governor’s unremitting effort at making Cross River an industrial hub continue to send deafening echoes beyond the shores.

    During his courtesy visit to Governor Ayade in June, awestruck United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Regional Director to ECOWAS and Nigerian regional office, Dr. Jean Bakole, could hardly veil his excitement at the industrial revolution happening in Cross River, a boom in industrialization with an impending boon for the citizenry.

    The UNIDO chief who is not a known cheerleader had more than an encouraging and inspiring word for the governor, describing his industrialization policy as a model for Africa.

    Bakole who has trotted the continent evangelizing African leaders on industrialization, besides his impression of what Ayade is doing to etch an economic future for Cross Riverians, said the governor’s vision was in tandem with that of UNIDO for Africa.

    “I think I have been to 44 African countries and my last posting was in Ethiopia. What I saw here in Cross River is exactly what the Ethiopian government is doing. Two years ago, I went to the garment factory in Ethiopia and what I saw at the Ethiopian garment factory is exactly what the Governor is doing here,” he said.

    Committed, focused and dedicated leadership sure begets success. And if success is not a mere abstraction, but something measurable and tangible, then Bakole could not be more unsparing of accolades for a governor who has made ‘Digital’ his moniker for his rare feats and determination in diversifying the state’s economy through industrialization.

    “We just visited a number of industrial initiatives, including the garment factory, integrated Agro industries, pharmaceutical factory. It is absolutely impressive to see this kind of innovative projects which shows clearly that when a leader is committed, everything can be done.”

    Insisting that Ayade was already on the way to achieving one of the goals of Sustainable Development Goals, the UNIDO Regional Director was no doubt prognostic that his industrialization policy will go a long way in addressing issues of poverty and unemployment.

    “I can see his commitment to move ahead with the development agenda of the state to address the issues of poverty, to provide jobs for youths and ensure better life for the people of Cross River and also to support the development of the entire nation of Nigeria,” he said.

    On the state’s special economic zone, the Ayade Industrial Park, still awaiting the federal government’s official certification, Bakole had this to say: I told to my staff if I go to Calabar and I don’t have the opportunity to visit the Calabar special economic zone, it means my mission has no relevance. I have to go that special economic zone and know if it is the state’s initiative.

    Lauded as peerless in ideas, innovations and vision, Ayade’s quest to make Cross River a leading light in the comity of states in Nigeria is poised for cross pollination from UNIDO following the commitment from the Regional Director. “I’m here to thank the commitment of your government and that we are here to support you, support your vision to make the state one of the best, most industrialized in the country and I if this is the way you are moving, already a step ahead, you are exactly what everybody should do now in the country. This is the time of the industrial point zero because we are in the first stage of industrial revolution.”

    Like the saying that a good product advertises itself, Bakole was not alone in thumping up Ayade for his industrialization strides.

    Following on the heels of public acknowledgement by the UNIDO Regional Director, Task Team Leader, World Bank and Federal Government Assisted Agro-Process, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEAL) for youths and physically challenged women, Dr. Salua Schue, could not agree more that Ayade is taking Cross River on a journey to economic Eldorado.

    “This investment exemplifies the digital technology for agriculture. This is what we call precision agriculture. State of the art of modern agricultural practice in Africa. Again, I say this is amazing. I will say this is very excellent. This is a silent revolution that he has started and I must commend him for this vision,” Schue volunteered after being wowed by the sheer technological sophistication of the rice seeds and seedlings multiplication plant.

    The rice seedlings multiplication factory which is a blend of the governor’s ingenuity and technological adaptation is already supplying seedlings to states in the South-south and others in the north under the CBN/RIFAN scheme is a marvel, prompting Schue’s complimentary verdict.

    “Usually when we talk about modern agriculture, it is either you go to Europe or Asia before you can see it, but now it is here with us in Nigeria. I will describe this as an excellent investment that will actually transform the agricultural space in Nigeria and also in Africa. I will say that the APPEAL project in the bank will be working with His Excellency on the rice project as well as the rice value chain. We will also be supporting the government on the cocoa value chain and poultry project.”

    While the governor is determined to best his effort with more industrialization projects aimed at taking the state out of the woods, coupled with the commitment of the international organisations to lend their support, it is left to be seen when the federal government will take a cue from institutions such as UNIDO and the World Bank to complement his energy in his drive to ramp up the economy of the state.

    • Obogo is an aide to Governor Ayade.

  • Cross River, PIND unveil 30-year development plan

    When Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade assumed duty in 2015, he said his priority was to ensure that the state pursued governance that is not totally dependent on allocations from the Federation Account.  This he sought to realise by an aggressive industrialisation drive and being on the lookout for investors the world over.

    A boost to the governor’s drive is the collaboration with the Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND Foundation).

    PIND Foundation, a Nigerian non-profit organisation established by Chevron Corporation to build partnerships and equitable development in the Niger Delta, believes that no single organisation can solve the complex and interconnected challenges in the Niger Delta region alone, hence the need for collaboration.

    According to the Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr. Dara Akala, they adopted the partnership approach based on the fact that it enables organisations to combine resources, capabilities, and technical expertise with others for greater collective impact.

    Akala, who says their programme areas cover economic development, peace building, capacity building, and analysis and advocacy, revealed that under their economic development programme, they have facilitated the creation of over 12,501 jobs in the aquaculture, cassava, palm oil and business linkages sectors.

    Their interventions, which sp-an across the nine states of the Niger Delta, in the agriculture sub-sectors and through business linkages for Small and Medium Enterpris-es (SMEs) have also increased the productivity of up to 72,801 farmers. Additionally, PIND Foundation helped leverage over N3.1 billion in new investments through fostered partnerships.

    Akala said: “Through our economic development interventions in Cross River State, we have helped to create additional jobs and income for farmers; adopting best farm management approaches and improved fish pond practices.

    For example, last year alone, we reached out to 1,047 farmers and SMEs in Cross River State, recorded an increase of over N240 million in incomes for farmers and created 592 additional jobs.”

    PIND’s partnership with the state began in 2016 and was codified by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the state in her development effort, part of which was support to provide technical assistance in the development of the 30-year Growth and Development Str-ategy (GDS) for the state.

    Taking the partnership to the next level between them was the recent launch of the GDS in Calabar, which was created through an inclusive and participatory approach with stakeholders and partners.

    Speaking during the launch of the International Collaboration and Investors’ Summit, Akala, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Director, Tunji Idowu, said with state governments, the organisation supports strategic and regulatory reform through things like facilitating investment reports to aid the ease of doing business.

    Additionally, providing technical assistance through the production of sector-specific strategies and agriculture policies, reforming ministries, departments and agencies through organisational assessments to improve performance and helping develop long-term development plans.

    Akala called for legislative backing for the GDS document so that successive administrations can continue to build on its foundations and creation of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure the strategy effectively delivers on its vision.

    The Foundation described the summit as a significant milestone in the transformation of the state’s economy.

    “The Niger Delta needs new approaches and platforms such as this summit for setting strategic directions and working smarter together towards attracting the much-needed investments for development and wealth creation in the region,” he said.

    According to him, the Cross River International Collaboration and Investors’ Summit was designed to develop business partnerships between bilateral and multilateral development partners, investors and the government of Cross River State in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, gover-nance and finance.

    The GDS aids this by giving investors and development partners a blueprint for the state because it is a long-term strategic plan with 10 thematic areas around the economic pillars of agriculture, infrastructure, energy and tourism. Implementation of the plan will address current and future financial pressure on the state’s ability to deliver service and sustain the confidence of its people through advanced strategies and tactics.

    After the launch of the GDS, Idowu, who, along with other dignitaries participated in a panel discussion with the theme “Partnerships and Inclusive Gr-owth Opportunities for Cross River State,” promoted inter-state integration within the Niger Delta region for economic development.

    During the session, which focused on how to ensure transportation linkages through waterways, rail connectivity and exploration of deep-sea potential, he urged that for inclusive growth, there was need for commitment, active collaboration and synergy among all stakeholders across every stratum of governance in formulating and implementing development plans.

    Governor  Ayade, who performed the launch, said his administration was committed to changing the notion that the state was civil service-oriented and was actively working to instill spirit of enterprise.

    Ayade, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tina Agbor, said he was committed to creating public wealth and an atmosphere conducive to business.

    Presenting the Growth and Development Strategy, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Fra-ncis Ntamu said the state government has deliberately articulated and implemented business-friendly policies and measures designed to attract investors into the state.

    In his remarks, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Major-General Lee In-Tae, said the state was not just home to many tourist sites and a great place to visit, but also a land with great opportunity and economic potential, rich in natural and human resources.

    He exalted Cross River State as a place with the promise for growth, as there were great investment opportunities. He added that he would encourage Korean companies to seek more ventures in the state.

    “I will bring Korea investments to the state to strengthen our collective growth trajectory. Korea will always be your friend in your times of need and will continue efforts to strengthen our bilateral relat-ionships,” he said.

    Also, the Ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy of Nigeria, Jens-Petter Kjemprud, said the potential of the state were enormous, even as it has a governor who has vision.

    The two-day International Collaboration and Investors’ Summit drew participants from renowned insti-tutions such as the World Bank Group, United Nations, McKinsey and Company, Infrastructure Bank PLC, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Royal Norwegian Embassy and German Co-operation (GIZ).

    Others were the United States Consulate – Lagos, Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, African Development Bank (AfDB) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Committee of Red Cross, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Abuja and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Abuja.

  • Ayade hailed for hiring youths, lawyers

    A group, the Ayade Trans-Generational Movement, has hailed the Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade for his industrialisation policy, which it said, has created jobs for youths and lawyers.

    Through its Director-General Chief Hart Modey and Legal Director Dr DorncKlaimz Enamhe, the group congratulated the governor on his victory in the just-concluded governorship election.

    ATM said: “This is the first time in the history of the state that a candidate will beat all his opponents in the other political parties in all the wards of the state.

    “The reason we mobilised support for the trans-generational governor who has been able to bring people from all generations into government was amongst other things, his welfare package where Cross River workers remain the first to be paid in the country every month.

    “The ability of the trans-generational governor to employ young people into the state service, including young lawyers, endeared him to them, a situation that had not happened in over two decades

    “ATM is also very impressed with his dogged industrialisation policy in a state that could not boast of one industry for over 30 years, even when the state was a full oil producing state and had the capacity to fund it.

    Read also: Ayade woos opposition governorship candidates in Cross River

    “Governor Ayade is the only governor in the history of the state who has raised the bar so much that he has been able to spread industries across the three Senatorial zones in the state.

    “ATM is shocked beyond words and wonders where the government got the funding for the garment factory, the pharmaceutical factory, the banana plantation, the toothpick company, the cocoa industry, the rice industry beyond the rice seedlings factory

    “ATM is overwhelmed that beyond the hiccups the state government had on the construction of the superhighway project and Bakassi deep-sea port, the government has covered this level of mileage in the two signature projects.’’

    ATM also praised the governor for his intention to run an inclusive government.

  • Ayade woos opposition governorship candidates in Cross River

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has called on other candidates who contested the 2019 governorship election in the state to align with his administration for the progress of the state.

    Ayade who made the call yesterday in Calabar after a meeting with some stakeholders said that the candidates’ ideas would be critical in making the state better.

    “Cross River is refocused on creating a prosperity agenda to take her from third world to first world under my administration.

    “I want every single Cross Riverian, particularly those who ran the election against me to recognise the fact that, I’m ready to provide a platform for us to work together.

    “Some of them have great ideas; some of them are very intellectually brilliant and I have respect for all those who ran against me.

    “I’m in a haste to have them all come together so that we can work and build the Cross River of our great dream and expectation,” Ayade said.

    He expressed delight over the credibility of the election across the state, describing the process as peaceful.

    The governor reiterated his desire to take the state to greater heights in the next four years.

    “The election was adjudged to be the most peaceful election so far across the country, particularly in Cross River.

    “This is creditably so because we focused on politics with ethics. Cross River was at peace because of the consistency in salary, commitment and industrialisation.

    The governor added that he was committed to delivering on his signature projects for the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that 26 candidate’s parties contested the governorship election under different parties and was won by Ayade under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the second time.

  • Obong of Calabar to Efik: vote Ayade

    THE Obong of Calabar in Cross River State, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, yesterday, directed Efik indigenes to vote for Governor Ben Ayade.

    He said nobody or force could stop the re-election of Ayade.

    The monarch said: “…if you are an Efik son or daughter and from the southern senatorial district, withdraw yourself back to PDP and let us move forward and vote for Governor Ayade to complete his four more years, and nobody else.”

    Alluding to power rotation in the state, the monarch said nobody could distort what is on ground.

    He told the governor: “We have sat as traditional rulers and spiritual fathers and we came to a conclusion. We made a statement and that statement holds. Nobody, no power can take that second term from you.”

    The Calabar monarch further directed all  Efik to “come back home and let’s do what we have to do. Come back and let us form the nucleus and let’s build up and vote our sitting governor and his deputy”

    Assuring the governor of Efik votes, he said “there is no vacancy in the Government House. It is you that we want.”

    Obong told his council that Ayade had done much for Cross River and Efik to deserve re-election.

    “There are so many things he has done…we àre aware he doesn’t need to come here and begin to tell us because when you walk out, you will see most of these things or feel them. If you look at the state, it is calm and quiet. We have a governor and we are not looking for another one”, he said.

    Ayade told the Obong and Etubom-in-council that his vision and master plan was to create a new Cross Rver that would shift from Third World to First World,  noting that he is a governor with the fear of God, who is committed to the industrialisation of the state.

    “I am not a product of complex, cheap politics, I am a product of calculated, sophisticated and well thought out process set on a mission to decouple the state from dependence on federal allocation”, he said

    Ayade explained that upon assumption of office in 2015, the state was on the verge of economic  collapse, having lost its oil wells.

    “Our people had been reduced to want in body, spirit and, and so we needed to construct a new economy’’, he said.

    While listing his achievements in three and half years, Ayade said  despite the state being the third most indebted and 35 of 36 states  in terms of federal allocation, his administration was not owing salaries and pension, and had engaged over 8,000 appointees, and built industries.

    He assured the Obong that after his second term in 2023  power would rotate to the southern senatorial district in line with the power rotation formula.

  • Report of Appeal Court sacking Ayade is fake news- Aide

    The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Mr Christian Ita, has described as fake news, reports trending on social media that the governor has been sacked by the Court of Appeal in Lagos, as the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
    According to the reports, Ayade was replaced by Mr Emmanuel Ibeshi, who was disqualified during the party’s primary elections.
    Ita, in a statement issued on Wednesday night said there was no such pending matter in the Appeal Court.
    He maintained that the case instituted in a Federal High Court in Abuja by Mr Emmanuel Ibeshi was discontinued when he filed a legitimate notice of discontinuance and as such never went on appeal.
    The report, he said, is the handiwork of political opponents.

  • Ayade’s aides take campaign to flash-points in Calabar

    Some aides of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade have taken their campaign for votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to some flash-points in Calabar metropolis.

    Mr Oscar Ofuka, spokesperson for the group, said on Wednesday in Calabar that they took the campaign to the designated areas to ensure that the people voted massively for the party on Feb. 16 and March 2.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Cocoa Development listed the areas as Atekong Junction; MCC Mobile Junction and Area II Junction where they advertised Atiku Abubakar’s programmes.

    The special adviser said the campaign train presented the achievements of Ayade since 2015 to the people.

    Ofuka listed the aidest to include Gilbert Agbor, Senior Special Assistant on External Investment; Mr M.C. Oluga, Cross River State Infrastructure Development Agency; Mr Ndoma Akpe, and Mr Emmanuel Jerry, Director, Petrol Cross.

    “We decided to take the campaign to the people in the busy areas. This is because many of them may not be interested in leaving their businesses or comfort zones to attend party campaigns.

    “So we decided to take it to them so that they can make informed decisions during the elections.

    “We are not going to end it here, we are going ahead to do same in all the hotbeds in the 18 local government areas of the state,” he said.

    He said a lot of people were being misinformed about the performance of the governor, adding that it was such wrong impressions that they were out to correct.

    “A lot of wrong information is being peddled about the performance of the governor and his administration.

    “However, we want to draw people’s attention through this process for them to know that government has done much in spite of the lean resources available to the state,”’ he said.

    Oscar expressed confidence that with the numerous achievements of the governor, the people of Cross River would return Ayade for a second term.

    “I think he deserves a second term; he has done very well and still will do more. He has the passion to serve the state and the people,” he said.

  • 2019: Obanliku shuts down for Ayade

    A huge  crowd yesterday overflowed the Sankwala Cenotaph, venue of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade’s campaign rally in Obanliku local government.

    The crowd, made up of artisans, commercial motorcyclists, and market women lined up roads leading to the venue to cheer Ayade’s campaign.

    They danced and sang the governor’s praise, and pledged to vote for him and PDP candidates.

    As Ayade mounted the rostrum, a deafening chant of “Ayade is a goal” rented the air.

    They surged forward to touch the govenor but were stopped by security agents.

    Ayade said Obanliku was strategic as it housed the famous Obudu ranch resort.

    He promised  completion of the 147 Mfom-Okuku-Obudu road linking the north’s five councils.

    The governor added that the Obudu/Obanliku axis had been asphalted for easy access to the facility.

    He pledged rapid urbanisation to transform the council into a modern town.

    “l want to assure you that as a proud son of the North, l won’t fail you. Rest assured l am committed to your welfare, and the projects we started will be completed in our quest to develop our zone in line with others.”

  • Job creation: Ayade lauds Lafarge

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has expressed gratitude for the contributions made by Lafarge Cement Company towards the reduction of unemployment and poverty among youths in the state.

    Ayade expressed this during the 2018 Community Day celebration organized by Lafarge Africa, a member of Lafarge/Holcim, which took place at Mfamosing Primary School Field, Akamkpa local government area of of Cross River State.

    The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Administration, Mark Obi, said, “As a government, we are happy with what the cement giant is doing towards unemployment reduction/ poverty eradication in the state.

    “Because we are happy with your stride, Government is ready to do everything within the limit of its powers to support the company in its quest to succeed in its good works”.

    “Infact, Lafarge is a true example of a company that understands the meaning of corporate social responsibility.  We assure the company of our support. What the company is doing is in tandem with the government policy of industrialisation.”

    Plant Manager, Peter Robson, stated that the company invested a lot in the provision of health/safety, education, economic empowerment and infrastructural development which according to him would provide succor to the host communities.

    He said in the company’s quest to gainfully engage youths in host communities where Lafarge Africa is operating its cement business, often youths from Ogun,Gombe and Cross River State  are currently undergoing the maiden edition of the cement professional technician programme(CPTP) which involves the training of youths in the cement manufacturing process.

    He said that the three-year training programme is aimed at increasing local content of Lafarge operations in Nigeria and bridging the skills gap in the cement industry.

    “The first batch of he trainees has completed their stay in Ewekoro and have just arrived Mfamosing for another one year phase before they move to Ashaka in June 2019.

    “The programme is in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and National Consultative Assembly (NECA),” he said.

    Highpoints of the occasion was the commissioning of a 400-capacity multi-purpose ultra-modern town hall by the cement company, presentation of cheques of three million naira as bursary award to 30 indigent students of host communities in public tertiary institutions.

    Other category of individuals from the host communities who also got a bursary awards were 100 indigent secondary school students who got N25,000 each.

    He said besides the bursary awards, the company had under the education empowerment scheme renovated and completed block of six (4) classroom blocks in Ekong Anaku community among others.

  • Ayade’s aide arrested over alleged rape of 15-year old

    An aide to Cross Rivers Governor Ben Ayade, Edet Asim, is in police custody over alleged rape of a 15- year- old girl (name withheld).

    Asim, a lawyer and the Special Adviser to Governor Ayade on Biodiversity, was also Commissioner for Information and later Commissioner for Sports under former Governor Liyel Imoke.

    It was gathered girl had been continuously sexually defiled for the past three years by the aide, who is also a former chairman of Calabar Municipality local government area with the consent of her mother.

    The mother is also in custody.

    Although it could not be immediately confirmed, sources said the girl had been coerced to having two abortions since the defilement started.

    She was also allegedly forced not to mention it to anyone.

    It was learnt it was in the process of a third abortion, which led to complications that damaged her womb, that the matter became public.

    Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the development.

    “Yes, he is in detention. The case was reported yesterday and he has been arrested. The DPO is still trying to conclude.

    “They have to send the matter to State CID. It is a serious case. So we are waiting for it. The man is in our custody.

    “He is at Airport Police Station right now, but very soon, he will be transferred to State CID.

    “The mother is also in custody. She and the man were working together. They are accomplices,” Ugbo said.