By; Egbelo Ntebri Edward
In our part of the world, people tend to confuse a leader for a ruler. Our journey to democracy have made it difficult for us to understand the clear definition of “Democracy”. Some might say Democracy is basically for the people. But in a most preferable meaning, democracy should be about having leaders that have been able to build legacies that makes Democracy much more attractive and acceptable. A true leader shouldn’t be characterized on the basis of short term projects that will only last for a maximum of 10 years, a true leader should rather be rated on how many structural legacies he or she have been able to put in place. Leaders are leaders! Rulers are rulers! But what differentiates a leader from a ruler is the ability to listen to the lowest voice amongst the crowd.
In 2015, when Ayade campaigned to be Governor of Cross River State, his message was clear and well spell out, I believe that’s what made him who the people actually stood for. Gov. Ayade didn’t promise the impossible, he instead transformed what many saw as a mirage into a workable solution. Of course, Gov. Ayade understood the implications of his weighty promises. Coming from a business and an academic background, he understands the expectations of a 21st century Cross Riverian. To the people of Cross River, he definitely needs a magic wand to fulfill those promises of which they so desire. Deep down their thoughts, it was glaring that even if those doubts were there, they definitely trusted in Gov. Ayade's capacity.
On assumption of office, Gov. Ayade knew the trust the people have built on his person, he immediately built a reasoning that looks beyond Cross River State and Nigeria, he built a mindset that sees the need to build a Rhine-Ruhr in Nigeria. He immediately pushed for international collaborations to actualize these lofty dreams. Yes! these developments have to be visible across the three (3) senatorial districts of the state. It is important to note that Cross River State have lots of potentials beyond tourism which have been the major fall back of the state before now. Ayade thought of a new Cross River River that can grow Nigeria’s economy.
As an Ogoja man who have spent much time with my people, I know their yearnings, I understand my people’s feelings, I feel what they feel. Ogoja people want something different from the ordinary.
The Ogoja people are good farmers, they are hardworking and enterprising. All they needed was a platform to showcase what they are made-of to the world. Gov. Ayade looked into their needs and provided them with an Ultra Modern Rice Mill. One that will change the economic fortunes of not just Ogoja LGA, but the entire Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State. The Bekwarras, the Obudus, the Yalas, the Obanlikus, will all benefit from this laudable project.
I have been to Ikom several times. Ikom people love farming (just like their Ogoja brothers and sisters). But they farm cocoa. Ikom has high commercial presence considering the fact that it is a town that borders Cameroon. The border activities makes the town 24hrs busy. But there was a missing link! The people of Ikom and indeed Central Senatorial District needed a factory that will grow her local economy beyond what was obtainable. A local economy that will attract international investors across the world. And then Ayade came to their rescue with a Cocoa Processing Plant! One that will build the entire Central Senatorial District and make their local economy resilient.
The Southern part of the state is not left out! Today the zone can boost of a world-class garment factory, a deep seaport, an ultramodern rice city, a pharmaceutical company, a tooth pick factory and a Banana Processing Plant.
Now for all these economic structures to achieve the desired result, they is a need to create the enabling environment to attract investors; Ayade then thought of a Super Highway to enable easy transportation.
The ability to put all of these together makes him digital!
Today the people of Northern Cross River State have a road constructed across the 5 Local Government Areas in the district. Projects like these promote peaceful coexistence and rural business collaboration.
His passion to better education in our part of the world have produced a world-class Canadian high school in Obudu.
In his efforts to rebuild a Calabar City that stand's out as truly the people’s paradise, Gov. Ayade is building a pharmaceutical company, a referral hospital and most importantly a standard Rice City in Calabar. To ensure efficient productivity of these factories, he is building a power plant that will power Calabar and her environs.
What makes Ayade digital? Being digital is a reasoning and not just a doing. Gov. Ayade is praised across the globe as a digital governor, although most people don’t understand what makes him digital. What makes him digital are his achievable plans and his ability to think like a 21st century digitally aged Cross Riverian “thinking beyond 20 years”.
Gov. Ayade is building a structure that will stand the test of time. A structure that will be able to absorb shocks and still bounce back! A structure that has her foundation built on rocks. A structure that will unveil Cross River State to the world
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