Thomas Abi Jr|7 October 2015|6:55am
*Preamble
Prof. Ben Ayade in taking over the mantle of leadership as the 23rd Governor of Cross River State, I told myself the State got it right this time around. Presenting a shining star like Ayade was not a surprise to many because he is a man who gets what he focuses his mind on at every given time in his life.
Taking over office as Governor of Cross River, the State has experienced remarkable changes in all sectors of her beingness. During his inaugural speech, Ayade promised to embark on a set of signature projects. Months have rolled by and it is evident that he is keeping to his promise of actualizing his signature projects.
Prof. Benedict Ayade is a delightful humanist, seasoned educationist, erudite scholar, pragmatic realist, prodigious legislator and an intelligentsia par excellence whose life has been devoted to serving humanity and eradicating poverty in anyway he can.
*Birth, Education & Affiliation
Prof. Benedict Ayade was born 2 March 1969. He studied at the prestigious University of Ibadan, Ambrose Ali University and Delta State University, Abraka. He is an Environmental Consultant who has proffered solution to many environmental problems over the years. He worked on the Underground Remediation in Nigeria and invented a sewage treatment plant based on solar energy. Upon his invention he won an award from the Government of Japan for outstanding research into Global Warming in Africa.
He was a Member of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Engineers and the Cross River State Poverty Alleviation Board. It is obvious that his voyage in the academia saw him becoming a pragmatic realist who is always conscious of the realities around him.
*Senate
Because of his realistic nature he found himself in partisan politics in 2011where he sort to serve his People as a Senator Representing the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State in the 7th National Assembly. On assumption into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the young, vibrant and energetic Obudu-born Senator sponsored over a 100 bills as a first timer in the Senate. Due to his astute nature and scholarly background he was appointed the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology in the 7th National Assembly.
*Philanthropism
In his illustrious career as a scholar, educationist, philanthropist and politician, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade has immensely impacted the lives of many People. In his first 6 months as a Senator, he introduced the Ayade Motors which sort to reduce the transportation Problem of the People of his Constituency. In 2012, he introduced the Ayade Scholarship Scheme. The Scheme afforded young men and women of the 5 Local Government Areas of the North the opportunity to pay their bills in school. He introduced the Ayade Free Medical Health Care, Ayade Food Bank and many others which he does not announce.
*Governorship
This erudite intelligentsia contested the seat of the Office of the Governor of Cross River State under the platform of the PDP where he was picked as the Party's Flag bearer. He flew the Party's flag high in the April 11th Governorship Elections where he had a landslide victory emerging as the Governor of Cross River State, taking over from Senator Liyel Imoke on Friday, May 29.
*Prompt Salary Payment
Taking over office as Governor of the State, he immediately gave an order that workers salaries be paid 25th of the month -this is something that has never happen in the history of Cross River State.
*Green Police Innovation
As if it was not enough he hit the ground running with his Green Police initiation. It can be recalled that during his trip to Spain, he had a standing ovation when the Green Police initiative was mentioned. The Green Police seeks to employ men and women of the State. It seeks to protect the Cross River forest and her biodiversity. It is also a known fact that biodiversity and ecosystem reduces poverty and so seeing that poverty was undeniably palpable in the lives of his people, he decided to set a Green Police. A Police that will create jobs. In his words " If you know you are truly a leader of the People put food on the table of People".
*Low Income Tax Abolition
As Governor of the State, Prof. Ayade has won the love of his people. He has penetrated. One very historic pronouncement that has taken place was the abolition of taxes for low income earners in the State. An abolition he saw to fruition by influencing a bill on the abolition of low income earners in the State. " I feel the pain of the poor in the State because that is my origin, that is my root". He has proven to be a man of charismatic leadership qualities. A man with rare sterling qualities who understand what it means to go to bed without food.
*Aptitude Test for Appointees
Governor Ayade has recently received a lot commendations by many Cross Riverians on his decision of having an aptitude test for persons seeking to be political appointees . He has seen that over the years, government agencies have been manned by charlatans who do not have expertise in positions given to them, and so he has made a promise that as the change is taking place at the center, change must also be seen in the State. Beginning from the caliber of persons that will make his cabinet. This is a welcome development that must be embraced by both the political class and the commons in the State.
*Executive Bills
It may please the good people of Cross River and Nigeria to know that the Governor has influenced 15 bills in the Cross River State House of Assembly. These bills are people oriented. Bills that center mainly on changing the fortunes of the People of the State. Notably, one of such bills is the Wharf Landing Bill, which seeks to checkmate vessels and containers that come into the State. Increasing the revenue of the State through taxes that would be collected by on every container that arrives the State.
*Environment
Prof. Ben Ayade is a humble man who, on seeing how dirty and filthy the State is, he set out to clean the State himself. This show of humility is what a leader truly needs. And Governor Ayade is one leader that is humble and passionate owing to the fact that he was birthed from a humble background.
*Instinct & Intelligence
On the State banquet night to mark the 55th Independence Anniversary, Prof. Ayade made a historic speech which he said the "For every promise I have made, from every promise I have given is derived from a vision, from every mission is derived from conviction. I believe in the Holy Bible, the greatest strength is the Almighty God. He never fails, the last thing to resort on is your human intelligence, instincts works better than human intelligence. And I have always believe in my instincts because it gives me inspiration".
*I Will Earn Your Trust
Governor Ayade is so passionate about turning the fortunes of the People of the State for the better. He is driven by strong passion for his People. His desire to put food on the table of Cross Riverians has seen him earning the love of his people. It can be recalled that he really made a Statement during the interdenominational service to mark the 55th Independence Anniversary, which he said "Have faith in me. Don't trust me, I will earn your trust". With such a statement of hope, it redefines the man "Ayade" as a man who loves his people from the depth of his heart.
*Ayade Vis-a-Vis Labour
It can be recalled that the over 8 months Judiciary strike was called off and agreements signed. Also the workers strike in the State called off and agreements reached by both government and the leadership of the NLC/TUC.
The long awaited "Politics with Ethics" is already manifesting in Cross River State with Prof Ayade as Governor. Cross River State is in Safe hands with this industrialist, entrepreneur, educationist-turn-politician.
*Family
Prof. Ben Ayade is married to a beautiful and intelligent woman who is a voracious reader, in the person of Dr. Linda Ayade, the union is blessed with Children.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst/Social Commentator
