With out-gone Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke’s arrival at 11.55am, Nigerian time, the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of Cross River State governor Ben Ayade and his deputy, Ivara Ejemot Esu, commenced to the cheers and admiration of the colourful crowd gathered at the new Calabar International Convention Centre, venue of the ceremony.
However, they are knocks for government’s decision to have the event take place at the CICC, instead of the U. J. Esuene stadium, shutting out a good number of Cross Riverians who would ordinarily have loved to witness the occasion. Sources close to the new governor told www.calitown.com that Ayade was quite unhappy with the decision of Imoke and his cohorts to stage the event at the CICC, but let it fly for obvious reasons. Again, admission into the hall where the inauguration proper took place was strictly on invitation, though giant-sized screens kept in strategic places at the venue, showed visuals of proceedings inside. After the State Chief Judge, Okoi Ikpi Itam administered the oath of office on Esu, Ayade’s deputy, the new governor took his turn at 1.19pm.
Shortly after taking his oath of office, CRS governor, Ben Ayade told the large gathering that he has a date with destiny and intends to hit the ground running in the first four years with what he termed his administration’s “Signature Projects”; the building of a state sea port and the dualisation of the Calabar/Ikom Highway, the Obudu/Ikom Highway and the Obudu/Ranch Resort road, to the thunderous ovation of a jubilant crowd.
A few persons spoken to revealed to www.calitown.com that they remain optimistic that Ayade’s energy and enthusiastic position will positively drive the ship of governance in the state.
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