The Cross River State Governor, Professor Benedict Ayade has once again displayed the good qualities he is known for as he paid political appointees in the state who have not been paid since 1999 their severance packages.
The norm in Nigeria politics is for the incoming administrations to abandon office holders in the previous administrations to their fate while feathering their own nest.
Severance package is the emolument paid to political office holders on their leaving office untainted at the end of their tenure.
The lot of a political appointees after office could be difficult as most of what they get in office is used to take care of their constituents. Some of them left lucrative jobs to serve their people and if there is no other engagement after leaving office, life could be a difficult one financially.
It is the fear of an uncertain life after office that makes many political appointees to dip their hands into public treasury.
The severance package therefore comes in handy for these people who have served their people as political office holders. It is also designed to curb corruption.
This kind gesture of Senator Ayade has therefore, brought no small relief for these patriotic Cross-Riverians who have been neglected for so long.
Many of them left office since 2007 having served under Governor Donald Duke. The then governor did not pay them and the succeeding administration of Senator Liyel Imoke did not remember them either.
But Professor Ayade known for his kindness has wiped the tears from their eyes.
One leadership quality of Professor Ayade which has endeared him to many is empathy. Ayade cares for people to the point of weeping openly at times when talking about the plight of the less privileged.
One occasion was when he wept at an international event when presenting the case of the displaced people of Bakassi.
Ayade spent his birthday in 2017 with Bakassi people at their camp. It is this quality that informed his making the people’s welfare his priority.
It is therefore, not a surprise that he paid this set of former public officers.
Ayade ordered the payment sometime last year, actual payment was delayed till this year because of the verification and computing processes.
Characteristic of Ayade, he paid all notwithstanding their political leaning.
One of them is a governorship aspirant under the banner of one of the major political parties in the state.
Bassey Okim was security adviser to governor Duke, expressed his gratitude thus: “I am grateful to the governor for paying us. After all we did not work with his government”.
He prayed that, “God should bless and keep” Governor Ayade.
Akin Ricketts who running for Senate under APC is also one of the beneficiaries, said People worked for the government, after the expiration of their tenure the incoming government deems it fair to credit them their severance benefit. Isn't that singular gesture to be applauded or is it everything in Cross River State we bring to negative politics?
Sandy Onoh summed it up, “It is a very commendable thing by the governor. This gesture deserves commendation because it soars above pettiness. Governor Ayade paid everybody including those in opposition to him and his government. By this action he deserves our commendations and support from all.”
While most of these beneficiaries shower unreserved encomiums on Governor Ayade, Roy Ndoma Egba , perhaps not wanting to show too much emotion while commending Ayade also noted that it is government responsibility to pay. In his words, “Ayade has done very well by paying the severance, but I think it is government responsibility”.
To former Chief of Staff to Governor Liyel Imoke, Alex Egona, "it is a good idea. The governor has done well".
Julius Okputu described it as an “icing on the cake” and “a total package that covers promotion of civil servants and the rest.” According to him, Ayade “deserves commendations.”
Barrister Wilfred Usani has this to say, “It is a most commendable gesture from His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade to pay the severance allowance to former members of the Cross River State Executive Council. It is a gesture which expresses appreciation to these past publc servants for their service to the people of Cross River State. Governor Ayade must be commended indeed for executing this task. We are grateful to him. And we pray that God Continues to guide him in his administration of the state.”
Another beneficiary, Kelly Ayamba, who noted that he “left government about eight years ago”, without being paid also described the payment as “a welcome development”.
He opined that “it has actually proved that Ayade is a considerate person.” Kelly further asserted “this is the first time it is being done”.
Expressing profound gratitude to Professor Ayade on behalf of his colleagues, he said, “This action of the governor shows that he appreciates all our services to the state, and I really appreciate it”.
Kelly concluded with hope “that there will be an opportunity to show him how grateful I and my colleagues are.”
The limit to Professor Ayade’s humane character and benevolence is yet to be known as he has continued to go beyond the limit of the average human kindness in his quest to help the less privileged and give everyone their due no matter how they view him.
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