Southern governors wives laud Ayade's developmental strides

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade flanked (R) his wife, Dr. Linda Ayade (L) President, Southern Governor's Wives Forum, Mrs. Nneoma, Rochas Okorocha, alongside wives of other Southern Governors, shortly after paying a courtesy call on Governor Ayade, during the Southern Governor's Wives Forum in Calabar.

Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade has been described as a man in a hurry to bring about the dividends of democracy to the people of the state as reflected in the various gigantic projects he is undertaking.

President of Southern Governors’ Wives Forum (SGWF), and wife of the governor of Imo State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Nineoma Rochas Okorochas stated this when she led members of the forum on a courtesy call on Governor Ayade at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar on Friday.

The SGWF President expressed happiness that the several of the governor's projects are people’s oriented, especially the garment factory that has generated over 3000 jobs for women, some of whom are widows.

The Abia First Lady also lauded Governor Ayade for such capital projects as the ultra-modern rice mill, cocoa processing factory, the 274 kilomesuper highway and the Bakassi deep seaport, among others, stressing further that Ayade is in a hurry to provide democracy dividends that will impact positively on Cross Riverians.

Mrs. Okorocha who thanked Senator Ayade for granting them audience, disclosed that they were in the state for the last meeting of the forum for 2017.

She said the forum which comprises wives of the governors of the South-South, South-East and south-West was committed to building bridges, development and understanding across the said geopolitical zones.

The SGWF President explained that the forum was instituted under the guidance of the wife of the President, Mohammadu Buhari, Mrs.

Aisha Buhari to bring together wives of the governors’ in Nigeria and those from the Southern states in particular, adding that the focus of the forum was the empowerment of women and children.

She appealed for support from Governor Ayade and his Southern governors colleagues for some of the forum's pet projects.

In his response, Governor Ayade expressed appreciation to the Southern Governors Wives for their choice of  Calabar to host the last meeting of the forum for 2017.

The governor disclosed that in Cross River, the people understand the strategic role of women, stressing the need for the empowerment of women for the good of the society.

Ayade said that the various projects being undertaken by his administration have direct bearing and positive impact on the people, especially the garment factory which has 98 percent women and widows in particular as its employees.

Ayade said the women forum which is a social platform for integration and development of the southern states of Nigeria has been consistent in holding its meetings, thereby complimenting the men’s forum.

He said his administration was doing everything necessary to ensure that the people of the state imbibe the spirit of enterprise, even as he charged the SGWF members to take time off their crowed schedules to visit the garment factory and other scenic places in Calabar.

In her opening remarks, the wife of the Cross River State governor and Chief host, Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade, disclosed  that the essence of the courtesy call was to intimate Ayade of the purpose of their presence in Cross River State.