By Emmanuel Ulayi
Even in the face of deliberate attempts of mischief to distract the Peoples Governor, Professor Ben Ayade in his quest to transform Cross River State by some disgruntled characters in the state .The governor has remained focus in his resolve to ensure Cross Riverians are happy and the state economically empowered to meet its responsibilities to the people.
Honestly, this is being appreciated all over the world because they have seen a huge passion and commitment from the digital Governor to make Cross River State a place to behold. Governor Ayade has been recognized by all segment of the society for the value he is adding by making governance easy and giving it a human-face by his several Pro-peoples policies.
One of such of the award is from the organised labour acknowledging Governor Ayade as the most labour friendly governor in the whole of Nigeria which is a great feat because those who really know, acknowledges that organised labour is a very difficult sector to please or that can be bought easily or cheaply.
In fact the words of Comrade John Ushie, the Cross River state NLC chairman, when he disclosed this to the governor on the awards, “The Organised Labour has resolved to single you out in the whole Nigeria and West Africa as the Digital and Best-Labour Friendly Governor. We have resolved that on May Day, we shall formally honour you with an award.’
He explained that Ayade was chosen for the award for a number of reasons including prompt payment of workers salary and the courage to embark on economy changing projects like the 260km superhighway, the Bakassi Deep Seaport, the Calabar Garment and Textile Factory and the establishment of Green Police.
According to him “Since your assumption of office, every 13th to 18th day of each month, workers smile home with their salaries. We have gone through the records and across all other states since our colleagues exist in all, we have also found that you have surpassed your colleagues in Nigeria and have gone far to surpass the Federal Government especially in the area of payment of salaries. ”
The NLC chairman who reiterated the resolve of the Organised Labour in Cross River to work in harmony with the governor, prayed God to grant him the needed wisdom to steer the ship of the state.
“We will not deceive you as we will speak out on anything we feel strongly about. As you know, Labour leaders cannot be coerced, and nobody will instigate us against your government. We also believe that nobody will instigate you against us.” He added
Responding, Governor Ayade applauded the Organized Labour in the state for the honour and promised to do more for workers in the state despite the downturn in the nation’s economy.
“I thank you for all your kind words. For labour to find me worthy of an award calls for celebration because you are a people who cannot be bribed. You are not a people who can be sold, you very courageous people,” the governor said.
Touched by the plights of retirees who have to wait for their benefits for long after service to their fatherland, Ayade said “society will be so unfair if this continues,” stressing that “the primary thing for a man who fears God is to ensure that those who toil do not do so in vain.”
In the same vein, the media which is the mirror of the society and the fourth arm of governance has appreciated Governor Ayade contributions to changing the face of governance in Cross River State with very positive rating from all major media networks in the country and the International community.
He was honoured as the best governor in the whole of south-south by the South/South Pen pusher Forum for his positive approach to governance and several of such awards which are too numerous to be mentioned. These several awards is a shame to those elements who are celebrating the recent development at the supreme court, come December they will be humbled when the Governor will be further triumphantly honoured and awarded from this mischief of these characters by the grace of God almighty.
When leaders are honoured with awards of excellence, it is usually an indication of performance in their given area of leadership. This is not losing sight of leaders who never achieve anything but purchase such awards in order to also give indication of stewardship.
However, the case of Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade and the plethora of awards he has received since mounting the stable as the number one citizen of that state is a clear case of distinguished stewardship.
Only recently he became the first governor in the African continent to be honoured with the most entertainment friendly and performing 2016 image award by the United States of America, USA Hollywood Films in Los Angeles. The award was for his immense contribution toward the development of Entertainment Industry in Africa.
Ayade was specifically recognized for his role over the establishment of ‘CALLYWOOD’, a film academy aimed at identifying youthful and talented brains in Cross River and through the Callywood platform nurture them to stardom.
Prather Jackson, Editor of Hollywood weekly Magazine spoke during the award to the governor “We are impressed by other great works of Governor Ayade that we have been carefully intimated about which include Calabar Super Highway, Calabar Monorail, Calabar Carnival, Bakassi Deep Seaport, Cross River State Green Police, Calasvagas, Calabar Convention Centre and most overwhelmingly, the Calabar Garment Factory which we understand has the largest floor in Africa.
“We were also informed that This Day Newspaper rated Governor Ayade as outstanding top 3 Governors in the whole country. The Nation Newspaper further rated him as the best performing amongst the governors in the whole country. This proves how well deserving he is of this special Image Award and we were truly honoured to receive on his behalf.
” Senator Prof. Ben Ayade, also received a gift of a personalised bottle of Fela wine valued at 10,000 Dollars made by MisEnBouteille for the Felabration festival in 2013 which was sponsored by Jay Z and during which his wife, Beyoncé performed. We felt that Governor Ayade would especially love this gift, as it is symbolic of his country, Nigeria, and of one of the greatest acts that Nigeria ever produced. Fela is held in very high esteem here in Hollywood.
”The vision of the governor for the project to develop young Cross riverians in art of film-making, Cinematography and Screen-writing and incorporate Callywood which saw Egor Efiok as the 1st Director General to run the academy has beginning to yield result.”
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Director General of Callywood Film Academy, Egor Efiok, who received the award on his behalf said “it was recognition of excellence and a deserved award for our amiable governor”.
The governor had appointed Efiok, a Hollywood film maker known for her star studded Hollywood Meets Nollywood films, Turning Point which has cast Igoni Archibong from Cross River State as a lead actor in the film to run Callywood Academy,
Efoik said Governor Ayade’s real action plans for Callywood would soon be unfolded for global audience. She was actually invited by the governor to integrate Hollywood and Cross River State talents to become super stars.
“His Excellency, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade saw the vision in the project to develop young Cross riverians in act of film-making, Cinematography and Screen-writing and incorporate Callywood which saw me as the 1st Director General to run the academy.
“With the approval of his Excellency I brought with me a team from London Film School to help the state run Callywood Studios and we have already done three well attended auditions well publicised by the Nigerian Media, including AIT, Channels and Crossriverwatch,” she said.
One of the Nigerian sponsors of the award, Azamosa Esohe James, who reacted to the award of the event said it was commendable especially being given to a sitting Nigerian Governor for supporting the Entertainment industry.
In his words, “I can tell you that Cross River State and Nigeria people particularly those in the entertainment industry will embrace this recognition alongside with the governor.
“We also commend the governor to appoint one of cross river State foremost daughters, Egor Efiok with a gasp for excellence.
“We saw His Excellency Senator Prof. Ben Ayade’s Image Award and gift of personalised Fela wine that cost $10,000(dollars) made by MisEnBouteille for Felabration sponsored by Jay Z, that Egor Efiok received on his behalf as recognition of excellence and a deserved award for our amiable governor”.