Igede-Edii Youth Laud Gov. Ayade, Hopeful of Better Days

October 9, 2019

By Abraham Kadiri

 The youth of Igede-Edii of Yala LGA, Cross River, under the auspices of Igede Voice has lauded His Excellency, Senator Professor Sir Ben Ayade for deeming it fit to organize a stakeholders' meeting aimed at consulting stakeholders across all the over 2000 polling units in the state, before names will be shortlisted for appointments into different positions for his second term in office.

Speaking on the developments from the meeting, the PRO of the organization, Mr. Ijege John, said the meeting is a step in the right direction. According to him, Ayade has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that he is not just an academic Professor, but he is indeed a wise, people oriented-leader. This will be the first time this kind of initiative would be heard of in the state.

" We must appreciate the digital Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade for his initiative of deeming it fit to invite stakeholders from all the polling units across the state to participate in a consultative forum that will ultimately lead to the appointments of leaders who are expected to bring the needed transformation to our dear state. He has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is not just academically sound, but also a man of sagacious man of the people. We the Igede-Edii people are proud to identify with him as one of our own."

The Parrott of Igede Voice added that  Igede people are particularly happy that the digital Governor's attention has been drawn to the issue of marginalization of since the inception of democracy in 1999, stating that Gov. Ayade could possibly be a saviour God has sent to deliver the people of Igede-Edii from the scourge of marginalization.

"Since 1999, Igede-Edii has been chastised with diverse whips of marginalization. Just like the biblical Israelites who were released from the bondage of Egypt after 430 years, we are confident that the time is ripped for the emancipation of our people and only God has paved the way for us. We remain grateful to the Governor and give God all the glory."

He further appealed to the Governor to pay attention to certain grey areas as they relate to Igede-Edii, outlining critical issues such as social infrastructures  (electricity, schools, clinics, road, market), job opportunities, agricultural subsidies and grant amongst others, which remain a mirage to Igede people.

" While I pray that God will continue to crown the effort of the supersonic Governor and grant him a wiser and discerning  heart, I want to further appeal that he pays special attention to Igede in critical areas such as social infrastructures, create jobs for our teaming youth, recruit indigenous teachers who will stay in our schools, give grant and agric subsidy to our teaming farmers who form the majority occupation in Igede, as well as empower our women and female children who are most vulnerable to poverty."

He identified youth migration (emigration) as a major setback in Igede-Edii, stating that this menace can be linked to dearth of infrastructure, which is a fulcrum around which economic transformation revolves and major object of attraction for settlement in the 21st century.

"We are currently hit by the menace of western and northern exodus of our youth who are the pillars of development. This is affecting us politically and economically. Most young people consider it a stigma to be identified as Igede-Edii indegenes because they feel the name can be equated to primitiveness, darkness and backwardness. These thorns of underdevelopment has pierced us harder than a heart can fathom, transcending to generations that currently will not link their origins to Igede-Edii for the associated ignominy."

Comrade John concluded that Igede youth are confident that key appointments, infrastructural development, civil and public service jobs as well as other good developments will reach Igede this time because of the confidence reposed on the Governor.

 He finally appealed to the Governor to help lift Igede populace from the present dungeon of obscurity as he has been reputed to be the last hope of the commons in the society. He was very optimistic about the development of Igede-Edii, appealing to the  youth to  be patient as the Governor is a good promise-keeper.