Month: December 2022

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News

Ayade signs N330 billion 2023 budget into law

Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Friday signed the state’s 2023 appropriation bill into law.

Christened “Quantum Infinitum,” the budget has the sum of N330.235 billion.

The signing ceremony which was held at the State Executive Council Chamber, had the Deputy Governor, Professor Evara Esu, the State’s Assembly Speaker, Eteng William Jones and other top government functionaries in attendance.

Speaking at the event, the governor said he recognises the absolute appropriation powers of the legislature, hence he was signing the budget for the good of the state.

According to him, “for the peace and love of Cross River state, the harmony that exists between the House and the Executive and as a mark of respect for the power of appropriation that lies with the house, I hereby sign the 2023 appropriation bill into law, a budget otherwise christened Quantum Infinitum for the sum of three hundred and thirty billion, two hundred and thirty-five million Naira.

“This budget is now law in Cross River state. Congratulations to the people of Cross River state.”

The Governor explained that the budget which is his last as Governor, will enable his government to undertake some of the people-centered social welfare policies of his government within his remaining months in office such as the conditional cash transfer.

Earlier, the Speaker expressed gratitude to his colleagues for working assiduously to see that work on the budget was completed in record time.

He commended the governor for the harmonious working relationship existing between the Executive and the legislature.

While presenting the budget to the House in October, Ayade had stressed that “31 per cent of the budget is for recurrent expenditure, which is N130 billion, while capital expenditure is taking 69 per cent, and that is N200 billion to kinetically crystalise projects.

“The 31 per cent is for payment of salaries, gratuities, pensions and everything that will address issues of extreme poverty and criminality, creating a Cross River that is sane, which is the primary purpose of government. The budget will help my people survive during this difficult transition.”

According to the governor, 69 per cent of the budget is intended to complete outstanding projects under his administration.

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News

GFO Orim Foundation Bags MDF Award.

Again, the GFO Orim Foundation has bagged another Humanitarian Service Award during the seventh anniversary of the prestigious Mediatrix Development Foundation on 22nd December, 2022.

 

While receiving the Award on behalf of Chief Hon. Dr. Martin Orim, the President and facilitator of the Foundation, Mr. Pita Anale congratulated MDF on the journey so far and trusted that the Award shall encourage more partnerships in the future.

 

Concluding, he said ” long live MDF, long live Dr Linda Ayade, thank you very much”.

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Metro

Bikers Carnival Accident: CRSG is in Mourning, Assures of Justice.

“The Cross River State Government under the leadership of Sen. Prof Ben Ayade (CON) wishes to commiserate with victims of yesterday’s Christmas Bikers Carnival accident.

The incident left the entire Government and people of Cross River State distraughted and petrified.

The government yesterday ordered a full investigation into the root of the matter and the alleged driver is in Police custody. Everyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.

The state Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade (CON) has this morning, December 28, 2022 visited survivors of the attack and has promised to give 100 percent support to whatever will aide their recovery.

The Governor also paid a visit to the Hausa Community in Bogobiri whose family members were the major casualities of the accident. The Governor Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade(CON) apologised to the families over the incident and sought their permission to go ahead with todays carnival event which they graciously granted.

It is also very important to clear certain misinformation been peddled by naysayers who shamelessly seize every opporturnity to score cheap political points. Contrary to what this elements are portraying, yesterday incident was not as a result of poor preparation from the government, all neccessary security measures were taken as it has always been done in the past, the driver who was discovered to be drunk drove over the barricade that was in place in full speed to ram into the bystanders on the road. Except maybe the government built a wall on the road, no other measure would have been able to prevent that.

In view of this, government urges all citizens to be responsible in their conduct throughout this season, so as not to jeopardize lives and properties.

Government assures citizens of continued protection of lives and properties of all Cross Riverians even as government seeks the support and co-operation of all.

Wishing you the best of the season.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Kalita Joe Aruku
Special Adviser Information & Orientation, to the Governor of Cross River State.

Categories
Metro

Ayade expresses sadness over incident, cancels Bikers’ parade

Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade has expressed sadness over the ugly incident where an errant motorist ploughed into a crowd that thronged the Carnival route to watch the bikers parade.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Barrister Christian Ita said Governor Ayade is devasted by the incident and has directed security agencies to apprehend the motorist who is on the run.

While sympathising with the victims of the accident and their families, the governor, according to the statement, ordered an immediate investigation to unravel how the motorist was able to get through security barricades to have access to the routes which were closed to the public.

Ita said the Governor directed the immediate discontinuation of the Bikers parade in honour of the victims of the accident.

Governor Ayade while promising to ensure the culprit is arrested and brought to book,  however, sued for calm.

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Entertainment

2022 Calabar cultural parade, a potpourri of Nigerian Cultures – Ayade

The 2022 edition of the Calabar Cultural Parade, a major component of Carnival Calabar has been described as a potpourri of Nigerian culture.

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade represented by his Deputy, Professor Ivara Esu made the remark while flagging off the 4 kilometre long cultural parade at the popular Millennium Park in Calabar, the capital city.

He expressed delight that the Carnival Calabar brand has continued to grow in leaps and bounds despite the two years COVID-19 setback.

According to Ayade, “I especially welcome the States that have come to participate with us in this year’s cultural carnival. This is the last carnival we will be hosting as an administration and we are delighted to have continued with this flagship event.

“In the past, we have had more states than there are today. But, to have 14 states today shows that indeed Cross River State has become a brand, which other states chose to come and celebrate peacefully the end of year”

The governor was full of praises for the participating local government areas saying, “I welcome the contingents from the 18 local government areas that have come to showcase the multifarious cultures of our people in Cross River. In fact, no matter where you come from as a Nigerian, you are bound to identify with one form of culture or the other. So, it is a potpourri of all that we need in Calabar for this annual event”

Ayade expressed gratitude to God for helping his administration keep faith with the people and the annual carnival fiesta.

He was optimistic that the tourism event would continue its steady growth on the international tourism scene.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Calabar Festival Committee,Hon. Ken Aklah described the cultural parade as “a fusion of cultures” depicting Nigeria’s unity.

Aklah said: “It is to say to the world that today you are going to see a fusion of culture. What we do through this festival of culture is to see how Nigeria can speak in unity through culture and we the contingents here, we will show Nigeria to the world.”

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Austin Cobham said the parade was an opportunity to present to the world the different cultural experiences in the state and country as a whole.

According to him, “it gives us joy to present to the world Cross River State greatest export, which is our culture, tradition and people. It is a total mixture of the entire culture of Nigeria as we have over 14 states participating and the entire 18 local government areas of Cross River State.”

The parade started with the Cross River State cultural centre troupe led by the couple in traditional attire mostly referred to as ‘Nwan ye Ebe Ndo’ then followed by a special dance known as ‘Ikpaya’ (presented during the coronation of the Obong of Calabar) and ‘Ubom’, an all-male traditional display dedicated to the traditional fishing festival as well as ‘Moni Nkim’ the maiden dance by the Ejagham speaking people of Ikom.

The states participating in the cultural parade include Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun as well as Oyo.

Meanwhile, Cobham has disclosed that the best performing states would be awarded points and cash prizes, while prices would also be awarded to the best three local government areas.

He said that the criteria includes costume, dance, use of time and presentation of the theme.

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News

Ayade celebrates Christmas with constituents, says his achievements will return him to the senate

Cross River state governor, Senator (Professor) Ben Ayade Sunday celebrated Christmas with people at the grassroots at his country home in Kakum, Obudu local government area of the state.

The event attracted thousands of people across the Northern Senatorial District of the state.

Speaking at the event, Ayade who is the All progressives Congress, APC senatorial candidate for the district, said his decision to spend the yuletide with the people was in line with his welfarist bend and “also to interact with and feel the pulse of my people in Northern Cross River and ensure that they are not left out in this festive season”

The governor maintained that he has done so much for the senatorial district and needed not to campaign in the area for his senatorial ambition as his achievements will naturally speak for him.

He used the occasion to oversee the distribution to the people, of thousands of bags of rice produced from the ultramodern rice mill in Ogoja.

According to Ayade, “I don’t think it is right for me to campaign in the Northern Senatorial District becausee this is a senatorial district I have built severall factories for. You have the rice factory in Ogoja, the roofing sheets factory in Yala, the vegetable oil factory in Bekwarra and the Biscuits factory in Obudu.

“In addition, I built the first British Canadian University in Nigeria in Obudu, I built the Obudu German hospital which is the best hospital in Nigeria. I have done a dual carriageway stretching through the heart of the Northern Senatorial District from Obanliku up to Yala, so every single local government in Cross River North has a dual carriage road.

“We have the international Cargo airport to take advantage of the solid minerals deposit at the Obudu Cattle Ranch and to facilitate patronage of our British Canadian University and the Obudu German hospital”

The governor who represented Northern Cross River in the Senate between 2011 and 2015 said he would rather campaign for other candidates of the party in the senatorial district rather than for himself because “what the people of the Northern Senatorial District never dreamt of having, I have provided and anchored, so to come before you to campaign for a vote would be embarrassing. I allow you to judge me.

“I will never campaign for Ayade, let my work as Governor of Cross River State and what I have done for the people of Cross River North campaign for me.”

He stressed that he was delighted to celebrate Christmas with the people, saying “the entire local governments that constitute Cross River North have gathered here today to celebrate Christmas with me and the idea of doing this is to demonstrate the unity and commitment that we are one and that the return of Ayade back to the Senate is a noble task”

He further told the elated constituents that “we are giving out three bags of rice to each polling unit of Cross River North and an envelope to ensure that every citizen has rice to share with their families. We used polling units because they are close to the basic family units, so it is by family units that we are distributing this rice”

Earlier, the governor interacted with chiefs and monarchs from the Senatorial district.

He told them he had to return home to personally ensure everyone participated in the Christmas celebration.

The monarchs and chiefs in their response assured him of their unflinching support, especially in his bid to return to the Senate.

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News

Gov Ayade signs action plan for implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law

Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade Wednesday at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, signed the Multi-Sectoral Costed Action Plan for Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) with a pledge to continue to support the campaign against all forms of violence against humanity.

The act makes the state the first in the country to have such an action plan.

The foreward to the document was presented to the governor for signing by his Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Associate Professor (Mrs) Nnanjar Njar.

According to Ayade, “violence against persons in any form is violence against humanity. I am happy you pointed out that government needs to take demonstrable action to show commitment, so, I’m ready and willing at all times to demonstrate that commitment.

“By signing this multi-sectoral action costed Action Plan for Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, I have breathed life into it.”

The governor commended Njar for her efforts at stopping violence against humanity.

Said Ayade: “I’m very impressed. In the last programme that I provided funding, I saw sincerity, I saw transparency, I saw accountability. I must commend the Nigerian women. They are more sensitive, more committed and genuinely more hardworking. The loyalty you get from women is absolute.”

Speaking ealier, Njar commended the Cross River state governor for his gender oriented policies.

She was also full of praises for governor’s wife, Dr. Linda Ayade for always advocating for the women.

Giving kudos to the governor , Njar said: “The Ministry of Women Affairs is doing so well. In the past weeks, in line with global best practices, it engaged in activities to end violence against women and girls, or as you have always remarked, against humanity, because even the male gender also suffers violence.

“Your Excellency, I am glad to inform you that Sexual Assult Referral Centers have been established and spread across the state. Her Excellency herself has also shown her own effort amongst the Governors’ Wives Forum and has been able to attract funds for more centres to be established in the state.

On her part, Tosin Akibu, the United Nations Women Generation Equality and Programme Specialist, Joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, lauded the governor’s commitment to gender development.

Her words: “The VAPP Law was signed in 2015 and domesticated by some states but Cross River is the first state in Nigeria to have a multi-sectoral Action plan.

“Your Excellency has demonstrated the political will and the need for accountability. Most importantly, in Cross River, the Multi-sectoral action Plan is indeed sectoral across ministries- the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Youths and Sports and the Ministry of Finance.

“I like to thank you for you, Your Excellency, for your continuous commitment to ensuring that there is a gender balance for development in Cross River.”

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News

Safety: Hon Inde Receives Director of State Fire Service as They Upgrade and Commission Station

The primary essence of every meaningful government is ensuring the safety of lives and properties of her people. In the light of the above, the Executive Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Area Evang. Hon. Mrs. Margaret Inde warmly received the State Director of Cross River State Fire and Rescue Service, Mr. Sylvester Ndifon and his team to Obanliku to officially commission and upgrade Obanliku safety Unit to a full flesh Obanliku Divisional Fire Station.

Receiving the team, Hon. Inde represented by the Secretary of Council, Mrs Catherine Bechuo welcomed the director and his men to Sankwala, Obanliku capital, where she expressed joy and appreciated all relevant stakeholders of Obanliku for their constant support to her administration.

 

Mrs Catherine also used the medium to specifically thank the Attorney General and Hon. Commissioner for Justice, Tanko Ashang SAN, the Obanliku Traditional Rulers Council and the Obanliku Development Association for their synergies to ensuring success of the project.

Recall that they have been incessant cases of fire out breaks in Obanliku and our Administration led by Hon Margaret Inde have assured permanent solutions in terms of rescue and prompt intervention to issues of fire out breaks.

 

In his address, the Director of Cross River State Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Sylvester Ndifon said ” having considered the series of applications and request to upgrade this safety unit to a full flesh command, the approval became imperative following the incessant cases of fire disasters that have ravaged both government and private owned properties”.

 

He further confirmed that ” today I have come with my team to officially commission and upgrade Obanliku safety Unit to Obanliku Divisional Fire Station. They henceforth operate independent on her own, officers and men Shall be deployed here to manned the command immediately”

 

Highpoints of the event was the visit to the proposed site for the building of Obanliku Divisional Fire Station and commissioning of the temporal Office in Sankwala, the Obanliku headquarters.

 

Akpo, John U

Chief Press Secretary

To the Executive Chairman

Obanliku LGA

21/12/2022

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News Politics

Foremost Group CROSS SWAGA Campaigning for Tinubu Inaugurated in Cross River

Cross River State Chapter of South West Agenda for Asiwaju Tinubu (CROSS SWAGA 2023) have been officially inaugurated in Cross River State for the actualization of the Presidential ambition.

The support group which was inaugurated by the National Chairman, Senator Dayo Adeyeye represented by the National Secretary Hon Bosun Oladele in a colorful event held in Calabar on Monday will galvanize support for the APC Presidential Candidate while mobilizing across the state.

 

Hon Richard Adams,the State Coordinator expressed their readiness to go into the nooks and crannies of Cross River State and mobilize for the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be the President of Nigeria come 2023. We believe in his non-discriminatory leadership style and his Pan-Nigeria approach to governance.

“We won’t hesitate to mobilize the whole of Cross River State to join us so we can actualize this goal together and achieve a Nigeria that we all shall be proud of. We would give APC 5/5.

Speaking Earlier, the National Secretary of SWAGA 23, Hon Bosun Oladele who represented the National Chairman, Senator Dayo Adeyeye thanked the group for the coordination and support for the Presidential Candidate of APC while assuring that Asiwaju will bring forward Lagos developmental strides to Nigeria and make it work for the betterment of our future generations.

He tasked the group to continue with her mobilization drive across the State as Asiwaju Presidency will only come when we double and redouble our efforts in the field.

Also the Adviser of the group and DG of Ayade Home health Care, Dr Genevieve Barnaby Ephraim in her remarks said Tinubu victory is not negotiable

“Tinubu’s candidacy is for all of us, we should hold the current struggle with full confidence that he will be victorious so our people reap the benefits of good governance be gave to Lagos State,” she said.

Highpoint of the event was the inauguration of the State Chapter by the National Secretary of SWAGA who represented the National Chairman, Senator Dayo Adeyeye.

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Entertainment News

Calabar Carnival: Ayade flags off third Carnival dry run, promises best fiesta ever

Cross River state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade Sunday flagged off the third and final dry run of the 2022 edition of the annual Carnival Calabar with a pledge to stage the best carnival of all time.

This year’s Carnival has “Agro-Industrialization” as the theme.

Speaking at the Millennium Park, Calabar, venue of the flag off, the Governor also announced the subsizdation of the air fare into Calabar by Cally air, the state- owned airline to encourage fun seekers from all over Nigeria to grace the fiesta.

Inviting Nigerians to the annual colourful event, Ayade said: “Come and spend your Christmas in Calabar. I’m subsidising Cally air fare this Christmas season to enable Nigerians pour into Calabar for the Carnival.

“Cross River is demonstrating to the world that you don’t need to have so much to do much but you can do much if you care enough. Cross River has Aircraft which will fly people in and out of Calabar at a subsidized rate.

“Please do join Cally Air and come to Calabar. Support Cally air and fly Cally air”

The 2022 Carnival Calabar, the Governor said, will be the first after the COVID-19 era, promising that “we will give you the carnival you can ever think of ”

The seven competing bands in this year’s Carnival Calabar are; Seagull, Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Bayside, Freedom, Diamond and Calas Vegas.