Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has urged Cross Riverians to be hopeful of a better 2019 as the foundation his administration has laid in the last three years is progressively being crystalized through the rapid industrialization of the state.

In his New Year message signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, Governor Ayade said the herald of a New Year, which comes with new vistas, new aspirations and a revitalized hope, offers Cross Riverians the chance to look forward to a better Cross River in 2019.

According to Ayade: “Seeing out a year gone by and ushering in a new one is always a moving experience. If we take stock of the year gone by, we have every reason to be happy as our expectations are being fulfilled and our efforts at building a virile, stable and sustainable Cross River is crystalizing.” 
While soliciting a hand of fellowship to actualize the dreams envisioned by his administration, the governor said: “Today, I thank you for standing by us so far and for the great support we have received from you.

I also urge you to stretch your hands along with me that together, we may force a dawn of greatness on Cross River State.”

Ayade who highlighted the giants steps he has taken in the last three years to reposition the state and decouple it from the federal allocation, noted that “massive industrialization in the area of the establishment of the Calabar Garment Factory, the Rice seedlings and multiplication centre, the cocoa processing plant in Ikom, the fully automated and digitalized rice mill in ogoja, the piles and pylons factory in Akamkpa, are some of the strides we have made towards making the state self-reliant.”

Others according to the governor, include the tooth pick factory in Ekori, in Yakurr Local Government Area, the Banana plantation in Odukpani, the Noodle and chicken processing factories, organic fertilizer plant all in Calabar, the British/Canadian international school in Obudu.

Assuring that 2019 signals the crystallization of the momentum begun three years ago, Ayade, said: “As we begin a new voyage to a New Year, it offers us another unique opportunity to consolidate on our well scripted chapter with exhilarating pages that are worth reading by the end of the year.”

Abuja, Nigeria, 31 December, 2018:

My dear fellow citizens,

As 2018 comes to an end and 2019 beckons, on behalf of my family and I, let me wish you and your family a very happy New Year in advance.

In 2018, we became the world headquarters for extreme poverty, however, I am convinced that in 2019, if we chart a new course, we can become the world headquarters for hope and extreme devotion to the cause of lifting our people out of poverty.

2019 is as yet a blank page. As a nation, we must not settle for whatever it brings. Rather, we must take collective action, through our choices, in making it a year where we revive national hope, with visionary leadership that sees our economy and institutions working again as they did in our golden era.

We can chart a new course and open a new chapter that sees every Nigerian living in peace and prosperity with their neighbour. It can be the year when our youths finally get a job instead of being unfairly tagged as lazy. With purposeful leadership, it can also be the year when we put an end to terrorism and usher in a golden age of peace.

But it will not just happen by itself. We have to make changes from the top all the way to the bottom. We already have the vision, the vision of a nation that is a beacon of hope for the Black Race and the world at large, what we lack and what 2019 can provide, is the leadership that has the capacity to translate that vision into reality.

In 2019, Nigerians need a leadership that is 100% for 100% of Nigerians, 100% of the time. We have seen where division and sectionalism has led us to. Now let us try unity and patriotism.

Don’t lose heart and hope. Nigeria is no stranger to overcoming difficulties. In fact, we have an uncanny ability to perform our best when the worst is upon us. I urge my fellow countrymen and women to remember how we became the first nation in the world to defeat and overcome the Wild Ebola Virus, when even First World nations were struggling with the scourge.

That resilience is domiciled in our national psyche and together we shall win forever. We shall win over forces of disunity. We shall win over forces of poverty and backwardness.

But more importantly, in 2019, I want Nigerians to know that it is possible to have a leadership that is compassionate and that this does not equate to weakness. A leadership that is bold but not domineering. A leadership that is intelligent, but not arrogant.

Indeed, that is the only type of leadership that can navigate the difficulties currently facing our dear nation and lead us to Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress, which are our national motto and which are the hope of all Nigerians.

Once again, I wish you all a Happy New Year and may 2019 be the year of Nigeria.

Atiku Abubakar
Waziri of Adamawa
Presidential Candidate of PDP & Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007

Prof.Zana I. Akpagu
The vice chancellor
University of Calabar
Calabar.

Goodwill message from Unical bursar Mrs Igwe Beartice to the vice chancellor of Unical prof Zana Itiunbe Akpagu on the conferment with the prestigious traditional chieftaincy title of OTEBECHE 1 OF YALA NATION on this day 30th Dec 2018 at Mary knoll college Okuku yala LGA OF CROSS RIVER STATE.

On behalf of the entire staff of Bursary Department universIty of Calabar, i Mrs Beatrice Igwe congratulate you and ur dear wife on your conferment with a chieftaincy title Otebeche 1 of Yala by the Yala nation.

This honour is remarkable because it is coming from an institution that is highly respected for its objective assessment of individuals on the basis of some set standard.You have shown by your track record of service that governance is all about prudent and judicious management of available resources.

As staff of Bursary departments,we are very much aware of the dwindling financial/capital inflow into the university system in the last few years.We keep wondering how you are able to utilize the meagre resources at your disposal in effecting all your developmental agenda.

You have indeed left a footprint that is indelible.As we celebrate your achievements today,we pray that the Almighty God will continue to give you the strength and the courage to do more for ur Alma Mata and the society in general.

Sign
Mrs Beatrice Igwe
Bursar
University of Calabar.