Ayade’s Development Vision for Cross River

Vision, in this context, refers to the capacity to see beyond one’s natural eyes; it is a composite picture of purpose. Invariably, it serves as a signpost, pointing the way for all who need to understand where the leader is, and where he intends to go.

Indeed, it has the compelling ingredient that serves to inspire, motivate and engage people offering leverage in the change process, from one administration to another.

To be gleaned from this is that leadership success always starts with vision. For instance, John F. Kennedy famously dreamed of putting a man on the moon. Eleanor Rosssevelt envisioned a world of equal opportunities for women and minorities. Wendy Kopp was still a College student when she dreamed of making American schools better by creating a cadre of young, enthusiastic teachers.

Professor Ben Ayade no doubt exhibited all these trappings of visionary leadership, even before and after his election, understanding the indubitable fact that compelling vision can truly change the world.

It is against this background that we appreciate the policy direction, statements of intention and the achievements so far recorded by the Cross River governor as boldly encapsulated in his vision for the development of the State since his assumption of office on May 29, 2015.

Interestingly, his germane efforts and passion for leadership have not only ranked him as a cosmopolitan figure for no mean repute, but also as a true and genuine leader of our time, strongly committed to taking the people of Cross River into the exciting unknown, and creating a new reality for them.

This was the clear picture captured in the just concluded Calabar Carnival. Indeed, the distinguishing features of the carnival with the theme “Climate Change” are that it was the first Calabar International Carnival; it was the first biker’s parade carnival; the first governor’s band of beautiful queens; the first green ball, among others.

Indeed it remains the first unforgettable moment of loaded excitement and pleasant celebration of Cross Riverians and visitors alike, which will remain an imperishable reference point in the socio-economic and political history of Cross River and Nigeria as a whole.

Again, shortly on assumption of office, Ayade was on ground by clearing the salary arrears owed to workers in the State and moved on to ensure regular payment of workers’ monthly earnings.

He also went ahead to quickly unfold his robust vision which encapsulated the mega policy initiative and programme execution, particularly reeling out the facts and figures of the knew projects to be executed by his administration within a defined time frame. They include the garment factory; the establishment of the Rice City in Ogoja which will give Cross River a pride of place in the production of rice in Africa; the mega poultry farm to be established by a German firm in Ikom; the development of new cities; the construction of a five thousand social housing units for no-income and low-income earners; establishment of the State Micro-Finance Bank to provide soft loans for our teeming youths, and the Green Police.

Of great significance are his signature projects – the 260-kilometers Super-Highway and the Bakassi Deep Sea port which dredging is soon to commence, among other mega initiative projects.

Furthermore, as a big plus to his administration, Ayade was the first governor to invite the President, Muhammadu Buhari, to carry out the ground breaking ceremony of the super highway in Cross River.

In spite of all these some people with small minds still do not see anything good in this administration. This is not because the projects are not realizable, but because they have bluntly refused to accept the glaring realities on ground, and in the process resolved to take the path of dishonor; instead of issues, they discuss people; and instead of projects, they discuss money and appointments.

These small minds and some mealy-mouthed politicians use the social media for publicity not only to berate and mislead people, but also to discredit government and its well-intended programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of the people.

These cynics and incurable pessimists have forgotten so soon that it is the great vision which Ayade exudes today the his predecessors, Mr Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke-used in building the Tinapa Resort; the longest cable car in Africa at the Obudu Ranch Resort which today has become one of the greatest tourist attractions ans rallying point for the Obudu mountain race; and the International Conference Centre in Calabar, respectively.

All these were achieved because of the unshakable resolve of Cross Riverians to give to themselves a new identity, socially, economically and politically. This again should be the case if we are truly desirous of moving with the ties in strategically putting Cross River on the high matrix of development in the country, indeed, the pinnacle of development which will leve Cross River better than Ayade met it.

This was re-echoed by the erudite Senator and Professor himself in his new year message to Cross Riverians tagged, “My Agenda for Cross River State in 2016”.

The message read in part: “My good people of Cross River, we are a brave people, highly civilized people; celebrated for our warmth and panache. Let us stay united by the challenges of our time”.

This demands that we must, in the days ahead, continue with the new voyage and buy into the visionary agenda of the present administration which offers us a unique opportunity to open up new frontiers of development filled with an elixir of hope.

That is the new challenge before all Cross Riverians, at home and in the Diaspora, to achieve the dreams of Governor Ben Ayade.

Chief Undiandeye is Special Adviser, to the Governor of Cross River on Public Affairs, Governor’s Office

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Posted by admin on Feb 3 2016. Filed under Ben Ayade Desk. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry