Central Reports Blog

Ayade commissions upscale housing estate for Bakassi IDPs, decries 18 years neglect Emotions ran high weekend as Cross River State governor, Professor Ben handed over an ultra modern housing estate to displaced Bakassi indigenes who became refugees following the ceding of the oil rich peninsula to Cameroon in 2002. Situted at Ifiang Ayong, the fully furnished 2-bedroom housing units is a reprieve to the refugees who have for almost two decades been living in squalor at a primary school in Akpabuyo Council Area of the state. Senator Florence Ita- Giwa, a prominent Bakassi indigene, who has been stridently championing the cause of the displaced people wept as Governor Ayade, assisted by the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, handed over the keys to the buildings to the ecstatic beneficiaries. Some of the beneficiaries, mostly looking frail, also shed tears of joy as keys to their houses were handed to them. There were emotional scenes when a key to one...

Voters Protest As Ekureku 1&2, Imabana1&2 Abi LG Election Result Sheets Missing In all the wards  Protest by no fewer than 17000 prospective voters in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, as there was no result sheets for the chairmanship and Councillors election as of 10:09Am on the election day. CROSIEC ad hoc staff who identified himself as Igboke Stanley, told journalists that he had complained to the Returning Officer in charge of the LGA but no solution had been proffered.. More details coming....

PMB. PRESIDENT BUHARI RECONSTITUTES NNPC BOARD President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reconstitution of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), after the expiration of the term of the board members appointed in 2016. Members of the new Board are: Mohammed Lawal (North West), Tajudeen Umar (North East), Adamu Mahmood  Attah (North Central), Senator Magnus Abe (South South), Dr Stephen Dike (South East), and Chief Pius Akinyelure (South West). The new board will be in place for three years. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) May 30, 2020

Inner view of the hospital Cross Riverians Behold the new face Of General Hospital Calabar in just 5months. Dr. Betta Edu's Magic touch Expect same across all General Hospitals in the State. We ain't joking here as the Health is Wealth!!! Dr. Betta Edu In Calabar Gen. Hospital More Details unfolding.....

5th Anniversary:Special Assistant, Cross River State liaison office, Abuja fct. Says Ayade Has Demonstrated Exceptional Leadership The  Special Assistant, Cross River State liaison office, Abuja FCT, Mr. Maxwell Etta, felicitated with the Governor of Cross River State State, Sen. Prof.  Ben Ayade on his fifth year anniversary in office. In a goodwill message to commemorate the anniversary, Maxwell noted that the Governor, so far has done creditably well. Also, he lauded the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for its sagacity in propping up a structure that has made possible the success of the administration. “It is five years of uncommon strides in a continuous harvest of democratic deliverables, touching lives and improving on the landscape; five years of steady infrastructure upgrade; five years of unbroken leadership in sports and macro-economic development.    “Your Excellency, you are in fact a living proof that democracy ...

Dr. Betta Edu Good governance depend upon the personal qualities of those who govern. The machinery of government is always subject to the will of those who administer that machinery. The most important breakthrough came to our State when we gave Sen Benedict Ayade our mandate five years ago. It has truly not been an easy ride knowing how difficult it is to govern humans but then, we should not forget that Mere good governance is not enough; it has to be pro-people and pro-active. Good governance is putting people at the center of the development process and this we've been able to witness under the Ben Ayade's administration in just 5yrs as a result of his exceptional leadership prowess. As a State we've witnessed massive transformation and redefined leadership that have in so many ways affected cross riverians positively. As a result of your industrialization drive, passion for humanity and desire to see cross riverians not go to bed with an empty stomach, you...

Aggrieved APC CRS Stakeholders give a two weeks ultimatum to leaders and Party Exco to resolve all factional crisis within the Party Aggrieved stakeholders of APC in CRS have given a two weeks ultimatum to the party's leadership, the Minister representing CRS, the National Vice Chairman South South and all Leaders of the Party to resolve all crisis within APC CRS before two weeks or face serious campaigns and exposition of how they have destroyed the party to service their avarice It is recalled that these leaders have always initiated crisis in a bid to go round to collect crumbs from the PDP CRS Government and thereby stall the party's chances of winning any election in CRS APC CRS is a large family capable of winning elections but they have lost all critical because of the greedy attitude of it's leaders. These self serving APC CRS leaders are seen to be constantly formentimg crisis to steal opportunity to negotiate with PDP for pecuniary gains . They grow ric...

Dr. Betta Edu, Comm. For Health and Ms Chiamaka the donor  National Youth Service Corp Member, Miss Chiamaka Oluwatimileyin Nwagu of 2019 Batch C Stream II has donated alcohol based hand sanitizers and Hand washing buckets to Cross River State Government for Covid-19  response as part of her efforts in preventing the spread of the novel COVID-19 pandemic in Cross River State which is the only State left in Nigeria to record a case. Items donated by the Corp member While handing over the materials to the COVID-19 task force Chairman and Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, the graduate of ISM University Adonai, Republic of Benin said the gesture was to assist in containing the spread of  COVID-19 pandemic in Cross River State. According to her the items were produced locally by her under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme. Responding, Dr Betta Edu said with this single act the corp member has crested her name in go...

ZONING PROMOTES MEDIOCRE PERFORMANCE, PARTICULARLY IN THE ACADEMIA. By Peter Agi Zoning illuminates mediocrity and should be jettisoned for the good of the academia. We had wrongly propagated the idea of zoning, which has today led to the entrenchment of a ruthless, draconian, corrupt and profaned leadership by a neophyte who feels threatened in the presence of merit. A lot of people look intellectual and wise, but their mediocrity comes sailing through via their habits and when they start talking. The zoning system conveniently gives merit the back seat while making mediocrity have the crown. Most of us advocates of such primitive thinking live to regret the error we made. Only meritorious and credible personalities with strong capability in people and resource management should be considered. We must eschew dysfunctional politics and conflicts in considering who should occupy the post of a VC. Equal opportunities should be given to all to ensure and enhance effectiveness, crea...

Gov. Ayade, Osang Pius (Ayade Jnr. Thank you Sir Ayade Benedict     Today May 28th, 2020 is exactly a year today that you touched me. I was a street boy, from Taxi driver to PHEDC, today I am going to Boki Legislative Council just because of you Your Excellency, like you always said "For you to be successful successful, the Source of your Success must be Successfully Secured " . My source of Success today is God and you, I will continue to remain great full to you Your Excellency, just like my friend Richi will say, Ayade is my destiny helper. Your Excellency Sir, even when people abused me on the road because of the way I manner I branded my old car that carries your picture and  different caption, I have been Consistently Consistent since 2016 , Your Excellency ,you said again and I quote " No one that will shake your holy hands and remain the same, I Pius did not only shake your hand, I also hugged you, because of that, I am now in an exciting stager, which h...

Boki PDP Chapter Chairman urges residents to vote PST. John Ewa And All PDP Councillorship candidate's In Boki LGA  The Boki Chapter Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Fabian Okwajie has urged the good people of Boki Local Government to vote for Pastor John Ewa and all PDP candidates for the forthcoming Local Government Elections on  Saturday, 30th May 2020. In a statement signed by himself, Mr Okwajie charged people of the Boki extraction to embrace the message with a grateful heart as God had been faithful in preserving their lives throughout year 2020 with serious life's obstacles couple with ravaging Covid-19. He enjoined the people and the teeming supporters of the PDP “not to be swayed by the current economic hardship foisted on Nigerians by the wrong economic policies of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government, but thank God for keeping everyone alive upon the face of challenges.” He expressed the hope that 2020 Local Gove...

By Bassey Effiom  There is no gainsaying the  fact that, the office of Governor of Cross River State is expected to return naturally to us in Southern Cross River, given that the Northern part of the state will complete her eight (8) years term at the  expiration of the tenure of incumbent  Governor Ben Ayade on May 29, 2023. Although there have been several pontifications about all three zones having taken and any Zone could now begin the next round of rotation. The Southern Senatorial zone stands out as the first in time, having last exercised the office sixteen years ago. But unfortunately, as if cursed by the gods, the people of the Southern Senatorial Zone have decided to fight, quarrel, altercate among themselves and wash both their clean and dirty linen in the public view.  All through  the length and breadth of Cross River State, every ethnic group, language  or tribe has its challenges, strong points and short comings. They have alway...

C/River Gov't commences desilting of gutters to avert flooding in Calabar South The Cross River State Government has commenced the desilting of gutters in Calabar South with a view to avert flooding ahead of the rainy season. The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mfon Bassey, who spoke at the sidelines of inspection of the ongoing work, thanked Gov. Ben Ayade for his desire to sustain a clean and green Environment free from flooding. Mfon said that the desilting will give way for free flow of water to the right channels. According to him, the desilting will also create sanity and promote healthy living in Calabar South as dirt were been removed from the gutters. The desilting, which started from Anantigha in Calabar South, through New Airport road and adjoining streets, will go round all affected areas in Calabar South in other to completely allow for free flow of water and promote healthy living. The workers, who are youths majorly from Calabar South, thanked th...

Hon. Chief. Joe Obi Bisong The DG to Senator Prof. Sandy Onor otherwise the caterpillar movement Hon. Joe Obi Bisong, has felicitated with Nigerians, particularly the Muslim faithful, as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. The Director General caterpillar movement, Hon. Chief. Joe Obi Bisong, in a Sallah message released on Sunday signed by himself also congratulates all Muslims who have joined their brothers and sisters from across the world in participating in the rites of the festivity. As they mark the very important pious occasion, the DG reminds all Muslims to remember the purpose of the celebration, which is to commemorate the trials and triumph of Prophet Ibrahim. He says the Prophet is remembered and venerated across ages for passing a great test of faith. I urge all Nigerians to be steadfast in their commitment to building the nation of their dream. Chief. Joe said. "I urge all to take inspiration from the exemplary virtues demonstrated by Prophet...

The frausters who some weeks ago attempted to falsify the PDP wards and Chapter executive list for Cross River State are at it again, despite their Swift rejection by the PDP National working Committee in a public document that has been widely circulated.  Information reaching us has it that the purported Ward and Local Govt factional executive of the People's Democratic Party in Cross River State, which the National working Committee of the Party rejected is still struggling to fill forms for the concluded contest that led to an executive that has already been sworn in and endorsed by the NWC as "Authentic". If the guidelines for the conduct of party activities is anything to go by,  one would consider such an activity madness. Most importantly this goes to establish to party members and the general public how fraudulent the said purported factional executive is and how ill prepared the Ayade faction of the party remains because they were not counting on any co...

It has been observed that in spite of His Excellency, the governor,  Sir Ben Ayade’s directives as well as the provisions of the Cross River State Tax Exemption Law, agents of the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) were still engaged in the sale of tickets to bus, taxi, okada and tricycle operators in the state. Consequently, His Excellency has ordered the immediate  suspension of the activities of the agency in the state. In addition, His Excellency has directed security agents to arrest anybody found selling tickets or collecting any form of tax from those exempted from paying tax in the state. His Excellency will henceforth, not tolerate the flagrant disregard of the tax exemption law which has been in place for over three years now . On no account will any criminal and mischievous attempt to undermine and short circuit the noble effort of the governor, be allowed. Signed Christian Ita Special Adviser Media and Publicity to governor

SA Education implores Social Media, Bloggers to include education and moral contents in their platforms for the children The Special Adviser on Education, Castro Ezama, has called on all  Bloggers in Cross River State to employ the powerful tool of the Online Media to engage our school children with the right educative and morally uplifting contents. Mr. Ezama who stated this during a breakfast meeting with online bloggers at the E3 Restaurant in Calabar on the role of Education in Social Media said that it is imperative that bloggers  use the tools of the social Media to help bring up our children educationally and morally. The Special Adviser on Education, called on all online bloggers to work together to develop education and moral contents in their various platforms and blogs to promote the interest of our children in the social media to engage them positively. He also explained that social media today, has a big role to play In the lives of our children, and t...

1. Negotiate with PHCN on how much little monthly support can sustain power supply to the state. This will stimulate private sector enterprises. More money in pockets. 2 . Empower Water Board to supply potable water on affordable tariff. Thirst and waterborne diseases addressed. 3 Open up farmlands along the highway with tractors and  share the land to graduate farm managers and support with seedlings and fertilizer. Unemployment and cultism addressed as youths energies get spent in the farms. 4. Enpersonel and equip health centers in every Ward and deploy doctors as scheduled supervisors. 5. Negotiate with airlines to patronize Margaret Ekpo airports and provide incentives for business people to turn tinapa into Dubai of affordable things market. 6. Provide scholarships for indigent and gifted pupils and give bursary to undergrads. 7. Cause all parties to denounce cultism and get absorbed in state owned security outfits for local deployment and export. 8. Maintain...

Over 200 Massacred In Renewed Crises In Erei, As Nigerian Army Withdraws Soldiers From Cross River State Over Unpaid Allowances Over 200 people are reported killed, as three more communities are razed in Erei, over land disputes in Biase LGA of Cross River State, by militants, after Nigerian Army & other security agencies withdrew their services over Governor Ayade's inability to fund or at least support security efforts in the state with the high crime rate and militancy. Slained Man In the renewed war As at the time of filing this report, dozens of dead bodies and injured victims, including pregnant women, children and elderly people are littered in bushes within and around Edu, Afono and Urugbam communities, after hired militants by neighbouring communities overran the communities with AK-74 machine guns, dynamites and other dangerous weapons, before burning down every single structure on sight. The indigenes of the affected community are calli...

Press Release: In line with His Excellency’s good governance and accountability policy, the office of the Auditor General will be embarking an audit of the MDA’S. This is in line with the rising interest in improving governance, strengthening domestic accountability, transparency and inclusion. It has been observed that: i. Some MDA’s have not been audited for years, due to the uncooperative attitude of “Heads of MDA’s”, refusal to present books of account to auditors ii. Most audited MDA’s have also refused to respond to audit queries, making it difficult to ascertain the true financial position of the MDA iii. Audit engagement with MDA’s drag for too long as a result of the inability of MDA’s to promptly present financial records to Auditors These obstructions delays and impedes quick expression of opinion on Government Annual Financial statement and constrains the State from competing effectively for national/international grants and donors support programmes. In e...

I saw the video of HE in an emotional state while inaugurating the Anti-tax, task force and I was not surprised because that wasn't the first time I will see him in that state. I wouldn't want to dwell on his crying because I doubt if that's what's important at this time. The Governor clearly stated that some of his appointees are violating some of the Anti-Tax laws in place hence his choice of Clergy men and women and I got confused at that point, With such fact at his disposal,  why has he not fired such aides? So some people in government have been taxing Cross Riverians and syphoning the money (since they were not asked to do so) and by extension they've been abusing their office and yet have gone unpunished. 🤨  YE, please stop tasking your brain alone, let some of your appointees start tasking their brains too, if you can weep in all the comfort you are enjoying,  then you should understand that the ordinary Cross Riverian is tired of weeping and som...

Gov. Ben Ayade Commisioner for Humanity and Social Welfare hails Ayade for inaugurating ACPM in Cross River State The Honorable Commissioner for Humanity and Social Welfare, Hon Blessing Egbara, has commended the state Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade for the inauguration of  Cross River State  Advisory Council on Prerogative Of Mercy, at the Ministry of Justice, Calabar recently. Hon Egbara, who is also a member of the Council stated that the inauguration of the body by the State number one citizen is a clear indication that Ayade is a great humanitarian who is committed to changing and touching the lives of his people at all levels. The Hon. Commisioner also disclosed that the role of the Council is basically to look into the cases of those qualified to be granted mercy in our Correctional Centers and ensure that they get the mercy of His Excellency, who is a  father who believe in giving people  second Chance, stressing that it is also a way of...

Yesterday, my governor, Senator Ben Ayade cried AGAIN while launching the anti-taxation agency in Calabar. The agency is meant to ensure low income earners do not pay taxes in Cross River state. His tears actually touched a soft chord in the minds of many people across the country and several of them have circulated the video back to me. One person who is  not even in Cross River state said, their earlier scheduled meeting started with the video where governor Ayade was crying and most people in the meeting also started crying along with the governor whom they concluded is a lover of the poor and this is very impressive. But if tears were a true measure of our pain, even Hitler's drops would be preserved in the alabaster bottle. That is the irony and the double edged nature of that readily available liquid. Once emotions are evoked, in no direction essentially, tears can start flowing and oftentimes, the person whose tears flow down the cheeks, doesn't even know why they ...

In curbing the prevalence of fake news and misleading press releases. The Cross River State Government, through the office of the Senior Special Assistant on ICT/New Media has launched an application/solution for verification of official State Press Releases… Introducing the “CRSGVERIFY” application, the Senior Special Assistant on ICT/New Media, Hon. Nate Otaba noted that “fact-checking and warnings of misinformation are increasingly prevalent in modern news media and political communications. While many warnings about fake news are valid and enable people to reject misleading information, over the years,  attempts to creating a solution to curb the deception has yielded little ” Otaba disclosed that, “in his bid to provide a “one stop solution” to eradicate fake news in the State, His Excellency, Sen. Ben Ayade instituted a framework which led to the development of the CRSGVERIFY app”. “As the name implies, the CRSGVERIFY app enables the public to verify news update or ...

I just had a word with my forefathers They said this would hit you hard like firecrackers Black truth, coming from a black root We have to go back to black We have to put black on track You get that? Black Bewitched black Black burn black Black sold black Black scold black Too many lies, black told black Moving forward in life, black hold back Black hates black Black don't rates black Black underates black Even some black don't wanna see some black people date black Black beat black Black hit black Black cheat black Black maltreat black Black kill black? (yes!) Black don't feel black When black give black, black want to steal back Black don't support black Black extorts black Black deports black Black reports black Black snitch black Black bewitch black Black don't enrich black Goodwill, black never wish black Black don't appreciate black Black never tolerate black Black relegate black, that's why black currencies d...

The Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council has commended the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade for his proactive efforts, which have kept the state free of coronavirus. The council in a statement signed by its Chairman, His Royal Majesty, Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, described the success as unprecedented asserting that, “the outbreak of COVID-19 has not only been revelatory but has indeed separated boys from men, "professors of science from professors of science.” According the council, “The recent visit of the Presidential task Team from Abuja  through the Nigerian Centre Disease Control (NCDC) led by Dr. Omobolanle Olowu has not only confirmed the COVID-19 free status of the state but has scored the State first in all indices.” While lauding the Governor for the feat,  Etinyin Edet maintained that, “The Traditional Rulers in the state therefore, commend the ingenuity and pragmatic efforts of the State Governor, Senator Prof Ben Ayade and the entire COVID-19 team, in...

Accused that was burnt alive Boki — Seventeen people including women have allegedly been beaten and set ablaze by angry youths in Oku, Boki LGA, after they were reportedly accused of causing  deaths and unrest in the community as sorcerers.   As a result of the incident, which occurred at Oku-Bushuyu community, a source told me that those burnt were just alleged but not confirmed and were beaten unjustly.  The accused of witchcraftcy A large and wild mob of angry youths stormed homes of the alleged, dragged them out and later beat them and setting them ablaze.  One of the accused, who eked out a living from doing petty businesses is reportedly having internal bleeding which may cause his dead if proper attention is not given. While i stand against the acts of witchcraftcy and their sorcery's doings,i would also advise that the youths do-away with jungle justice to fellow humans as it's ungodly and inhuman. About two weeks ago,...

Boki's natural resources The people of Biajua and Biakwan communities in Boki Local Government Area have rejected the purchase of a section of their joint forest by Government of Cross River State for a proposed Banana plantation by Ayade Farm with the Commissioner for Works who happens to be from Biakwan community serving as the middle man. This had caused rancour in Biakwan community on Monday, 18th May 2020 when the unsuspecting youths who had been told a different story about the Commissioner's visit earlier in the day were approached with 100,000 from the 800,000 naira later that same day, paid by the Commissioner to the community Chiefs as price for the land with promises of development from the State Government.  Gov. Ben Ayade In a phone conversation with some of the people particularly, the youths and a few elders, they stated that, they are villagers but not fools and will not fall prey to any deceit to forfeit their God given heritage an...