By Emmanuel Ulayi
So Cross River State expect a lot to happen, there is a lot of energy, steam, excitement in the air because people truly know that Cross River State will definitely make a difference when there is recession, Governor Ben Ayade speaking.
“When the finances becomes challenging, when the society get threatened by economic downturn, that is when the intellect and the best of everybody comes out and I think Nigerians will see this challenge as a great opportunity that this administration has offered us to think and go beyond the scope of our normal lifestyle, to find from the depth of our intellect, capacity and knowledge, to bring in new prosperity, new visions, change manufacturing processes, depending on foreign inputs, cut down all up, focus on Nigeria, reconstruct a new economy, new lifestyle, new consumption pattern that can take Nigeria out of the woods.
“But most critically is ethical change and that’s the first change we need, attitude, orientation, thinking, philosophy, mentality, until that is changed, then we start preparing Nigeria for a new tomorrow.
“When that change do not come and when people imagine that pumping money into the economy is what will bring change; when you pump in so much cash into the economy without a proper ethical and attitudinal change, leakages will take all of that money and we will still cry.
“That’s why I feel that the real change mantra should start with attitude. Cross River is creating new platforms, new businesses, new vitalities, that will open a horizon and landscape of opportunities for young people to exploit.
“Tourism cannot stand alone, tourism has to beckon on industries, there have to be factories, manufacturing, huge construction activities to support tourism. The greatest person to patronize you is yourself.” Ayade concluded.
