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Tag: Ben Ayade

  • Ayade sends names of 36 commissioner-nominates to Assembly

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has forwarded second list of 36 commissioner nominees to the Cross River House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

    The list was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Calabar by Mr Hope Obeten, Chief Press Secretary to Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Eteng Jonah-Williams.

    The list comprises commissioner- nominees from the 18 local government areas of the state.

    According to reports, the governor had earlier sent in three names to the Assembly for screening as commissioners, thereby raising the number to 39.

    Over 80 per cent of the commissioner-nominees had earlier served in the first term of Ayade.

    Some of them are: Dr Inyang Asibong who was Commissioner for Health, Mr Asu Okang was Commiassioner for Sport of Ministry; Mr Dane Osim-Asu was in charge of Works, among others.

    Some of the new nominees are: Dr Jake Otu-Enyia, Mr Mfon Bassey, Dr Betta Edu, Mr Omang Idiege and others.

  • Gov. Ayade suspends aide

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has suspended his Special Adviser on Budget, Mr Moses Onoh for mishandling of official communication.

    The notice of Onoh’s suspension was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday to news men in Calabar by Mr Christian Ita, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the governor.

    According to Ita, Onoh’s suspension which is a direct consequence of his mishandling of privilege official communication takes immediate effect.

    He warned all political appointees that the governor would not condone any abuse of office of any kind, including the leaking of privilege official communication.

  • Guber polls: Ayade votes, expresses confidence of victory

    Guber polls: Ayade votes, expresses confidence of victory

    Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, Saturday, at his Kakum, Obudu Local Government Area country home, said he was confident of victory in the March 9, governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Ayade who arrived the Kakum Town hall polling unit 004 with his wife, Lynda, at exactly 10:55am went through the accreditation process and cast his votes at about 10:59am.

    The governor who spoke to newsmen shortly after casting his votes said: “I am very optimistic, let my three years plus in office be a validation of this election and my victory today.”

    On the turnout of voters, Ayade disclosed that “the attendance is much more today, very massive and in high spirits and full of enthusiasm.

    “This is my primary place of birth and apparently, every son and daughter is here in their large numbers. Some have come from Lagos and Abuja to cast their votes and I am very happy to I see this massive turnout.”

    Commenting on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s preparedness, the governor remarked: “I am perfectly happy with the arrangement on ground, well organised and voting is going on peacefully.”

    Continuing, Ayade said: “Election is getting more prepared and better prepared and that is why we get this pass mark,” adding that “I saw somebody who came to visit me by 9am and had already voted.

    To the electorate, the governor said: “Your power is in your vote, so vote wisely.”

    Wife of the governor, Dr. Lynda Ayade also applauded the turnout of voters, their calm attitude as well as the clement weather, pointing out that “women are getting more participatory and that is a good sign for us.”

    She further added: “this shows that women liberation is gaining ground.”

     

  • 2019 elections: Card reader fails to identify Ben Ayade

    Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Saturday Presidential and National Assembly elections, describing the exercise and turnout as both peaceful and massive, even when the card reader deployed for his unit failed to identify him.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Ayade accompanied by his wife, Lynda, arrived Kakum Town Hall, Ipong polling unit, Obudu with registration area code CR/09 at about 11:05 where they were accredited and later exercised their franchise.

    Speaking shortly after casting his vote, Ayade said: “I am here in my own polling unit and I am happy that we have a very peaceful and massive turnout here in my ward and indeed my polling unit,” adding: “I am also very happy with the conduct, certification and quality of training that the INEC officials and ad hoc staff have received.”

    The governor noted that “the process is good and I think that the fact that we are highly registered in this unit and they decided to give us additional voting points has made it a lot easier as a lot of people have already voted as of this moment, so it is clear that by 2. pm, everybody should have voted and the turnout is impressive and peaceful and I hear this is the same situation across Cross River State.”

    On areas of improvement ahead of the remaining elections, Ayade intimated: “I guess it is about the technology. The inability of the card reader to actually identify my finger prints calls for worry. This is Ben Ayade, this is my face, the governor of Cross River State with my card in my polling unit. That it could not authenticate my finger prints shows clearly that if there is no alternative other than the card reader, a lot of people will be disenfranchised.”

    Continuing, the governor maintained that “there is a challenge and I think it is a function of the temperature which affects the reliability of ICT base of this nature, so it is expected that as Nigeria progresses in our democracy, it should adopt a technology that will reflect our peculiar climate and the nature of our people.”

    He added further that “our finger prints vary with our nature, kind of occupation and what we do because all of these come together but I believe there is a great room for improvement as well as the choice of the technology and technical support that can allow us bypass the technology that fails.”

    On whether the earlier postponement of the elections has in any way affected yesterday’s exercise, Ayade remarked that “the postponement could not have made a difference in any way as the enthusiasm is high, the social media has actually expanded the understanding of the people as every person of voting age is excited and wants to exercise his or her franchise.”

    On her part, wife of the governor, Dr Lynda Ayade enthused: “I am impressed as well as the crowd in this polling unit is a testimony that people really want to exercise their franchise peacefully.”

    She added that “except the challenge of the card reader in some occasions, you can see that the people are happy, I expect the best and hope that my party, the PDP wins.”

     

  • Ayade preaches hope on New Year

    Ayade preaches hope on New Year

    Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has urged Cross Riverians to be hopeful of a better 2019 as the foundation his administration has laid in the last three years is progressively being crystalized through the rapid industrialization of the state.

    In his New Year message signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, Governor Ayade said the herald of a New Year, which comes with new vistas, new aspirations and a revitalized hope, offers Cross Riverians the chance to look forward to a better Cross River in 2019.

    According to Ayade: “Seeing out a year gone by and ushering in a new one is always a moving experience. If we take stock of the year gone by, we have every reason to be happy as our expectations are being fulfilled and our efforts at building a virile, stable and sustainable Cross River is crystalizing.”

    While soliciting a hand of fellowship to actualize the dreams envisioned by his administration, the governor said: “Today, I thank you for standing by us so far and for the great support we have received from you. I also urge you to stretch your hands along with me that together, we may force a dawn of greatness on Cross River State.”

    Ayade who highlighted the giants steps he has taken in the last three years to reposition the state and decouple it from the federal allocation, noted that “massive industrialization in the area of the establishment of the Calabar Garment Factory, the Rice seedlings and multiplication centre, the cocoa processing plant in Ikom, the fully automated and digitalized rice mill in Ogoja, the piles and pylons factory in Akamkpa, are some of the strides we have made towards making the state self-reliant.”

    Others according to the governor, include the tooth pick factory in Ekori, in Yakurr Local Government Area, the Banana plantation in Odukpani, the Noodle and chicken processing factories, organic fertilizer plant all in Calabar, the British/Canadian international school in Obudu.

    Assuring that 2019 signals the crystallization of the momentum begun three years ago, Ayade, said: “As we begin a new voyage to a New Year, it offers us another unique opportunity to consolidate on our well scripted chapter with exhilarating pages that are worth reading by the end of the year.”

     

  • Calabar Carnival: 5000 power bikes, 300 vintage cars thrill revelers

    Calabar Carnival: 5000 power bikes, 300 vintage cars thrill revelers

    Residents and revelers at the ongoing Calabar Carnival were yesterday treated to a breathtaking showpiece by over 5000 power bikers and 300 vintage cars drivers.

    The Bikers Carnival which is in its second edition as a spice to the carnival offering drew bikers and drivers from America, Canada, Australia, Germany and other parts of the world including Africa.

    Also participating on the program tagged, “wonders on wheels,” were a wide range of convertibles numbering about 300 as well as other vintage cars that existed in 70s.

    Flagging off the event at the Millennium Park Roundabout which serves as the take off point, Cross River governor, Prof Ben Ayade intimated that “this new version was introduced to pump the adrenaline of the young people.”

    His words: “This is a new version of what our Carnival Calabar entails. Today, we are taking you through a variety of different action on the wheels. This is a new option and we just introduced this to ensure that we pump the adrenaline of young people.”

    Ayade who arrived the flag off point with a red and black bandana and accompanied by his wife, Linda, said: “I got some friends from the United States, Australia, Canada who just arrived Calabar to be with us for this carnival, so you are lucky to have this opportunity to watch the first option of formula K in Calabar.”

    The governor charged tourists and visitors to the state to “take advantage of the beauty, greenery and all that exists in Calabar to enjoy the warmth, embrace and the agility of the African man, providing a shoulder for all to lean on,” adding: “please find time while here to savour this rich city.”

    Earlier, Chairman Cross River Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, disclosed that the vintage cars on the streets had existed when many were not born.

    He lauded Ayade for his vision to introduce an addendum to the fleets of events lined up to spice up the Carnival Calabar program.

    The power bikes, convertibles and vintage cars had a field day along the 14 kilometres Carnival Calabar routes entertaining over 40,000 spectators who watched them perform a variety of stunts.

     

  • US, Germany, Australia, Canada participate in Calabar Bikers Carnival

    US, Germany, Australia, Canada participate in Calabar Bikers Carnival

    Competitors from the United States, Canada, Germany and Australia are participating in this year’s Bikers’ Parade in the ongoing Calabar Carnival.

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River made this known while fagging-off the event in Calabar on Thursday.

    “Some of our friends from various countries of the world are here to participate in the bikers’ parade.

    “We have nationals from Germany, US, Canada, Australia and others as you can see,” he said.

    According to him, Calabar carnival has become an international brand which draws interest from people all over the world.

    The governor said that some unique features had been introduced into this year’s bikers’ parade as well as other events to improve what had been on ground.

    “We are going to give you a new version of what Carnival Calabar represents. Today we have added, “Wonder on Wheels 2018 ’’ with a brand of Formula K bikes.

    “You will witness displays and things you have never seen before,” Ayade said.

    He added that Cross River had a unique history which the carnival represented.

     

  • 2018 Northfest: Ayade enjoins youths to embrace farming

    Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ben Ayade, has challenged the youths of Northern Senatorial Zone of the state to participate actively in agriculture as a means of wealth creation.

    Making the call Saturday, during the 2018 edition of the agricultural festival tagged: ‘NorthFest”, a yearly celebration of the harvest of new yams across the five local government areas of the state, Governor Ayade said he was ready to uptake all produce from their farms at a cost above the market price, if the youths could take to farming.

    At the Rice mill complex, Ogoja, venue of the event which is in its second edition, the governor charged: “As young men, if you want to make money from me, bring your produce here and Ayade will buy all. The significance of this NorthFest is not only to encourage our people to seek integration among us but above all to focus on agro industry.”

    Ayade noted that “this second edition of the northern festival represents a journey towards the actualisation of a paradigm that will guarantee the classical demonstration of the peace and unity of the people of the north.”

    Ayade said as a son of the Northern Senatorial District of the state, it was his desire to strengthen the people of the area to become more cohesive and united.

    “I will focus on the dual carriage way from Mfom down to Obudu ranch as this will bring us together, increase our intermarriages, make us grow closer and become one family in the entire north and above all reduce the travel time from 56 minutes from Obudu to Yala to 17 minutes.”

    While commending the organisers and participants for the improvement on this year’s event, Ayade who took an inspection of the yam barns, the arts and crafts as well as the mini market displayed by the various local government areas, announced several changes to make the event bigger and better next year.

    He listed the changes to include an amazing royal ensemble by the various local government areas where the paramount rulers, clans and village heads will lead their people with the swagger that characterises a typical northerner, pounded yam competition and the native soups, pointing out that “this is our culture and we must sustain it for the festival to be the biggest in Africa.”

    Other changes Ayade announced were “inclusive participation of all in a carnival-like version as there will be a band for every local government area to participate,” adding that “we will not have a situation where a large chunk of the population will be standing and watching.”

    According to the governor, “everyone who comes here next year will have something to eat, there will be food for every local government area, this gate will be widely open as we make this event a strong competition to every sociocultural program in the state, country and Africa at large.”

    He used the occasion to applaud sons and daughters of the senatorial district for believing in his administration’s policies, programs and visions as demonstrated in members of other political parties returning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to support his return as governor till 2023.

    Paramount Ruler of Ogoja, Buturu Godwin Denis Udu, who spoke on behalf of the traditional institution in the area, described Ayade as an accomplished intellectual and scientist cum entrepreneur who remains a blessing to his people.

    The Royal father maintained that “the governor has also applied his intellect in every respect through the various industrialization drives so introduced upon assumption of office,” intimating that “the traditional institution will swim and sink with Ayade in appreciation of all he is doing for the good of the citizenry.”

    Chairman, Central planning committee, Chief Peter Ojie, in his remarks, thanked Governor Ayade for “rejuvenating the agricultural base of the people by considering agriculture as profitable and something that can be done to put food on the table of the children while earning an income.”

    Ojie also said: “We thank you because you have revolutionized our thinking as we can no longer till the soil but can work with our brains and achieve a lot,” adding that “this indeed, is a new way of life and revolution that will take us to compare with China and all the big nations that have done well.”

    Affirming that the people of the northern senatorial district were occupationally agrarian, a vocation the governor had identified through mechanized farming, by occupation and the governor thought it wise to bring in industrialization and mechanized farming, Ojie said: “All we have to pay you is to join the rest of Cross Riverians in renewing your mandate by 2019 because four more years of the Ayade revolution will certainly take us to where we want.”

    Earlier, Head of local government administration (HOLGA- Ogoja), Mrs Margaret Asu, disclosed that the essence of the festival was to cement the existing bond of ancestral relationship of the people of northern Cross River.

    The event featured cultural dance display, pageantry and presentation of prizes.

     

  • 2019: Cross River farmers adopt Ayade

    2019: Cross River farmers adopt Ayade

    Farmers in Cross River state, under the aegis of Cross River Farmers’ Cooperatives Empowerment, have thrown their weight behind Governor Ben Ayade.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the farmers on Monday endorsed Governor Ayade’s second term bid, while also bestowing on him an award for supporting agriculture in the state.

    The award and support they said was in appreciation of the governor’s revolutionary strides in agriculture.

    Speaking at a solidarity rally for Ayade, State Coordinator of the group, Sir Oliver Ntui hailed the governor’s diversification into agriculture.

    He commended him for sending hundreds of farmers to Abuja to be trained by Isreali agricultural experts.

    “You have demostrated that agriculture is the engine room of growth in developing economies through your various farmers’ empowerment initiatives, agricultural development policies and programmes.

    “You have graciously approved the training of 1000 rice farmers in modern and cutting edge technologies in rice farming by a reputable agricultural research and technology transfer institute in Abuja…we pledge our total support for your re-election,” Ntui told the Governor.

    Responding, Ayade said the era of manual tilling of the soil in the state was gone for good as he was committed to mechanising agriculture.

    The Governor used the occasion to flag off the distribution of iPads to farmers in the state.

    He told the farmers that the iPads would go a long way in helping them embrace modern farming techniques.

    He announced the state government’s decision to buy off all bags of rice and cocoa produced by Cross River farmers.

     

  • Ayade donates free uniforms to public, private schools

    Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has donated over 500,000 free uniforms to public schools across the state under the Ayade School Uniform Programme.

    The governor made the presentation shortly after declaring open the 56th Annual Meeting of the Nigeria National Committee of West Africa Examinations Council held at the Transcorp Hotel, Calabar.

    According to Ayade, the gesture was in fulfillment of his earlier promise to the pupils two years ago during one of his outings with them.

    “Let me announce to you that this is a product of the Cross River State garment factory. 500,000 uniforms donated for free to pupils in cross River State public schools and I have also directed that private schools should be given 10 percent of these uniforms,” he said.

    The governor who said he was focusing on primary schools pupils, hinted: “We are focusing on the young pupil and that is why I thought it wise to do this presentation today. We intend to dress them properly and let me inform you that our shoe factory is coming up soon where we also intend to produce school sandals and present same free to them to build their confidence and make them see themselves as equals to those in the private schools.”

    While urging WAEC to proffer solutions to the fallen standard of education in the country, Ayade reasoned: “Society has moved so fast and education cannot catch up at the speed because of wrong educational structure and so, WAEC has to restructure it syllabus especially in line with current realities.”

    The governor enjoined the examination body to realize that there is need for a paradigm shift from the conventional question setting for knowledge testing to practical implementation of knowledge, adding that practical exposure is the key to the future Nigeria now desires.

    According to the governor, “Values, ethics Kantianism, integrity, character of a man which has always been the foundation of our primary education that laid the foundation for the prosperity of a future Nigeria has changed and must be corrected and fast too.”

    “I challenge this committee to restructure our curriculum to reflect the quality of our youths because if we must get it right, it must start at that level,” the governor emphasized.

    Chairman, Nigeria National Council of the West Africa Examination Council, Dr. (Mrs.) Lami Amodu commended Governor Ben Ayade for the rapid developmental strides that has placed Cross River as one of the fastest industrialising states in the country, noted that the state had a long history with education and therefore, was considered very elitist in Nigeria.

    While thanking the state government for the support to the examination body over the years, the WAEC boss reasoned that with the quantum of investments the state has made in educational sector so far, as well as the governor’s personal interest in the sector, Cross River State will soon be placed top on the global education map.

    Her words: “Your Excellency, let me state here that your warmth and demonstrated passion to education is highly infectious. I wish to thank you for the approval you gave for the donation of two pick up vans to WAEC office, Calabar to assist the council in serving the state better.”