The Dividends of Governor Ayade Recent Trip to Asian Continent

In the past two weeks, the governor of Cross River State, Senator Benedict Benyaushuye Ayade has globe-trotted the Asian continent countries of Japan, Thailand and China, with the sole aim of sourcing for collaborations with these countries and regions within the said countries in the areas of business/commerce and industrial/technology that will be of immense profit to the government and people of Cross River State in particular and Nigeria in general.

So far so good, it is now lucid that Governor Ayade’s visit to the aforementioned Asian countries has achieved what it was originally billed to achieve from the information and Agreements signed between Governor Ayade on behalf of the Cross River State Government and the other partners/organizations while in the said countries.

At Tokyo, Japan, Ayade attended the first Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)/Japan Business Forum in Hyatt Regency, Tokyo, Japan where he personally addressed participants and passionately called for closer ties with the government and people of Japan and ECOWAS countries. Describing the Japanese as very warm people ever willing to share knowledge acquired with other people, adding that strengthening ties with Japan will be most beneficial to the ECOWAS countries who are seeking to close the technology gap with the developed world. The governor had earlier signed a pact with the Japan Gas Corporation for the establishment of a Modular Refinery in Cross River State.

In Thailand, Senator Ben Ayade signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Thai firm, known as “Thai-Africa Corporation” for the development of what would certainly become the first Rice City in Africa, in the South-South State. Governor Ayade signed the MoU on behalf of the Government and people of Cross River State in Bangkok, Thailand capital city while the Executive Director of the Thai- Africa Corporation, Ms Pantipa Dhangom, signed on half of her organization.

In China Ayade signed some very important MoU’s with the Henan Province of China and with some Chinese investors led by China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC). The MoU with Henan Province gave rise to a strong commitment from the Province officials to carry out multi-billion dollars investments in Cross River State to include an industrial City where cars and spare parts would be manufactured.

The MoU signed between Ayade and Henan provisional Government Commissioner, His Excellency, Mr. Jiao Jinmiao in Zhengzhou will also lead to the building of power plants, bonded warehouses and distribution centre in the state, thereby ensuring the development of a huge manufacturing base and modern infrastructures in Cross River State.

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Jinmiao explained that apart from the above stated investments earmarked for Cross River, plans are equally on top gear by his province to lead a delegation of about 100 companies to Cross River, and that the intention of these companies is to set up different industries/companies in the state. Similarly, Ayade’s travel to these countries has also led to the signing of MoU with some Chinese investors led by China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC) to make Calabar the first smart city in Nigeria. The MoU signed by Ayade for the Government and people of Cross River state and the Vice President of CMEC, Mr. Wang Qingxin onbehalf of his organization at the company’s corporate headquarters in Beijing, China seeks to make Calabar the first 4G smart City in Nigeria.

As the news and information from the achievements of the Asian trip hit the public domain, several Cross Riverians were elated by the multi-billion dollars investment that was coming to the state in the areas of manufacturing, spare parts, agriculture among others.

In her reaction, Victoria Alo Adie, said that she was proud of Cross River state. “This is so nice, I am so proud of my state”. Clinton Reuben simply said, “well done my digital governor”, while Egom Bassey Egom stated, “I hail; you my sweet governor Ben Ayade, our action governor. It will come to pass and Cross River State shall be recognized all over the world again. God bless you, Professor Senator Ben Ayade, more grease to your elbow”

On his part, Takim Bessong, averred “Your Excellency sir, I trust that God that gave you the heart of faithful stewardship and love to the good people of Cross River State will bless and see you through in all your endeavours. More grace”, while Godfrey Ogwu, simply thumped up the governor, “excellent”

Feeling elated over the multi-billion dollars investments coming to Cross River, Jayklef Odey said, “We can’t wait”; Adie Sylvester maintained, “Nice one really like this development from my beloved governor”, while George Njar Nsan simply put it, “Ayade the best” and Henry Njar Nsan, “A good way forward, so rewarding”

Prince Thomas Abi Jr stated that “All the critics of governor Ayade do not mean well for Cross River State. The governor driving investments to Cross River should be commended for his efforts. Cross Riverians should be thankful to God for giving them a governor like Ayade and be appreciative of him for taking the state from a civil service state to that driven by industry and commerce where the state can create over a billion naira monthly from the 4G internet he intend to put in place. All his investment moves are timely. I’m glad with the moves by Ayade”. On her part, Didi Etta, stressed that the governor’s investment quest will empower Cross Riverians and move the state from a civil service oriented one to an industrial one. The efforts are developmental and the governor must be commended”.

From the foregoing, it is lucid that the people of the state appreciates the unwavering efforts and commitment of the governor aimed at bringing total development to the state and economically empowered his people through jobs that will emanates from the various investments that are coming to the state from the Asian nations as well as the western nations.

We sincerely are of the opinion that this is not the time for any committed and patriotic Cross Riverian to embark on war of attrition against the governor, but to collectively work with him to realize the dreamed Cross River that we will enjoy and bequeath to generations un-born.

Emmanuel Ulayi/Solomon Asha are media Aides to Governor Ben Ayade